10 Players the Atlanta Hawks held onto for too long
By Eric Fritts
Mookie Blaylock
Mookie Blaylock had an exceptionally bizarre career that might have peaked when 90s grunge band Pearl Jam named their band after him as a placeholder on their first tour. This would eventually lead to the naming of their iconic album Ten being named for his jersey number.
On the court, Blaylock was known as a decent player, famous for his defense, winning two steals championships in 1997 and 1998. Blaylock ran Atlanta’s offense throughout the 90s until ultimately being traded for the number 10 pick in the 1999 draft along with salary filler. At the time, it was probably fair value, considering his age and decline, but in hindsight, the team should have moved him a year or two prior.
The Hawks made the playoffs every year with Blaylock only to be taken down by every other Eastern Conference contender of the era, the Pacers, Magic, Bulls, and Knicks. The team itself finally hit the reset button with the Blaylock trade but never made it past the second round indicates they should have considered the option sooner, given what they had.