Soaring Down South
Fansided

The 5 Best (And 3 Worst) Jerseys in Atlanta Hawks History

By Dallin Duffy

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: The Atlanta Hawks' Dikembe Mutombo (R) complains to referee Dick Bavetta (L) after a foul call went against Atlanta with less than a minute left in the game 22 November at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. The Pistons beat the Hawks 87-85. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: The Atlanta Hawks' Dikembe Mutombo (R) complains to referee Dick Bavetta (L) after a foul call went against Atlanta with less than a minute left in the game 22 November at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. The Pistons beat the Hawks 87-85. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

The Best Jerseys In Atlanta Hawks History

#5: 2007-2015 Home

Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 30: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Toronto Raptors at Philips Arena on January 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The Hawks have gone away from their red, yellow, and black color scheme just once since adopting it in the 1970s, rocking this red, white, and blue look from 2007-2015.

These were harmless – almost to a fault – but effective. The deep blue road jersey was solid as well, but the home white was so clean and well done to be left off this list.

#4: 1999-2002 Road

Atlanta Hawks
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 12 : Jason Terry #31 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 12, 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

These are fun, unique kits that feel very much like the early-2000s NBA. That’s not a bad thing whatsoever, and I quite like this look.

Yellow is used sparingly but is still visible and the oversized fonts are more enduring than the oversized logos mentioned earlier. Along with being my pick for the fourth-best jerseys, these might be the most underrated Atlanta Hawks jerseys of all-time.

#3 2019-2020 City

Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Vince Carter #15 gestures along with Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks during a game against the LA Clippers at State Farm Arena on January 22, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Recency bias? Maybe. But there’s no denying that these city jerseys were beautiful. Utilizing a simple design and peach colors and wordmarks that represented Atlanta and the state of Georgia well.

The peach worked so well that it’s incredibly surprising they didn’t use it on a jersey before. Although Nike usually likes to introduce new city editions every season, some teams like the Heat, Jazz, and Spurs have stayed with theirs since the first season. So hopefully we see these back next season.

#2: 1970-1972 Road

Pete Maravich throwbacks in this jersey are still sold as retros and for good reason. They’re definitely different, but so were nearly all early-70’s jerseys. The curvy side stripes going from the left shoulder to right knee (calf) is still a unique look, and one the Hawks used again on a jersey we’ll see next.

The Hawks wore these kits for just two seasons but wore them as throwbacks in 2017. They still hold up well.

#1: 1982-1993 Road

Atlanta Hawks
MILWAUKEE, WI – CIRCA 1989: Dominique Wilkins #21 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during an NBA basketball game circa 1989 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilins played for the Hawks from 1982-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

The word “iconic” is thrown a lot these days when it comes to jerseys, but if any uniform in Atlanta Hawks history deserves that billing, it’s these.

This wasn’t a hard choice, and the only decision I had to make was to make the red or white version the pick. The road reds are better, in my opinion, and the best jersey in franchise history.

These revolutionized both the red and yellow color scheme and the wavy striping mentioned previously. The diagonal lettering and numbering are unique to this day, making these true one-of-a-kind gems. They’re not perfect, but they come pretty darn close.

dark. Next. Best player from triangle era of jerseys

What are your favorite Atlanta Hawks jerseys of all-time?

Home/Hawks History