Atlanta Hawks: 20 best players of all-time
SG. Atlanta Hawks. Pete Maravich. 2. player. 125.
Best Atlanta Hawks of all-time – Pete Maravich (1970-74)
The Atlanta Hawks selected Pete Maravich with the third overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft. “Pistol Pete” would go on to become one of the outright best NBA players to ever play the game.
Playing before the 3-point line and shot clocks were established, Maracvich’s career stats are some of the most impressive ever recorded. He made a name for himself immediately upon entry into the league, scoring 23.2 points per game in his rookie campaign and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He played alongside the aforementioned Lou Hudson in all of his 4 years in Atlanta.
Maravich had his breakout season in his third year, averaging 26.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. That stat line earned Pete Maravich an All-NBA Second Team honor, and also got him his first All-Star selection, a feat he would accomplish again the next season. The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs in each of Maracvich’s four years except the last. They met the New York Knicks once and the Boston Celtics twice in conference semifinals matchups, ultimately losing all three.
In his final season with the Hawks, Maravich finished second in the league in scoring. Pete Maravich was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the New Orleans Jazz in 1974, ending his incredible run in Atlanta.
Pete Maravich would retire in 1980 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Maravich, unfortunately, passed away suddenly in 1988 due to a rare heart condition. His number 44 jersey is retired by the Atlanta Hawks.