The Atlanta Hawks are a top-rated NBA franchise, mainly because they have had some elite Hall of Fame talent play for their franchise. Those names include Bob Pettit, Dominique Wilkins, Dikembe Mutombo, and Joe Johnson. Of course, Pettit and Wilkins are the two names at the very top in terms of dominance and talent.
- 10. Steve Smith – 18.6 PPG
- 9. Clyde Lovellette – 19.3 PPG
- 8. Shareef Abdur-Rahim – 20.4 PPG
- 7. Joe Johnson – 20.9 PPG
- 6. John Drew – 21.2 PPG
- 5. Lou Hudson – 22.0 PPG
- 4. Pete Maravich – 24.3 PPG
- 3. Trae Young – 25.1 PPG
- 2. Bob Pettit – 26.36 PPG
- 1. Dominique Wilkins – 26.41 PPG
- Most Points In Atlanta Hawks History
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But which Hawks players are the greatest scorers ever? It is time to uncover the best scorers in Hawks history in terms of PPG average, and a list of total points scored among all-time Hawks players will also be provided. Here are the greatest scorers in Hawks history, and there will be a very recognizable name at the top.
10. Steve Smith – 18.6 PPG
(5 Seasons, 1995-1999)
One of the most consistent shooting guards of his generation, Steve Smith was as consistent as they come when it came to making perimeter shots for the Atlanta Hawks. The shooting guard had 5 seasons in Atlanta, averaging 18.6 PPG on 43.0% shooting from the field.
Smith had the best stint of his career when he played for the Hawks because he made his only All-Star appearance in 1998 when he averaged 20.1 PPG on 35.1% from three. A shooting guard with a silky jumper, Smith kicks off the list of the top-10 scorers.
9. Clyde Lovellette – 19.3 PPG
(4 Seasons, 1959-1962)
A 6’9” center who completed 4 seasons with the St. Louis Hawks, Clyde Lovellette took off after his first season with the franchise. The center put up 14.4 PPG and 8.6 RPG in his first season, following it up with 3 straight seasons over 20 PPG. Following his average first season, Lovellette would make 2 straight All-Star Teams.
The former No. 10 overall pick put up 20.8 PPG on 46.8% shooting in his first All-Star season, followed up by 22.0 PPG on 45.3% shooting in his second All-Star season. His final season with the Hawks was a great one as well, dropping 20.9 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field.
8. Shareef Abdur-Rahim – 20.4 PPG
(3 Seasons, 2002-2004)
Following a strong start to his career with the Vancouver Grizzlies where he averaged over 18 PPG for 5 straight seasons, Shareef Abdur-Rahim would make his first and only All-Star Team with the Atlanta Hawks. The forward averaged 21.2 PPG and 9.0 RPG in that season, making 46.1% of his shots.
The power forward had a great ability to shoot jumpers and space the floor, while also showing his versatility by scoring inside. Abdur-Rahim would average 19.9 PPG the following season, nailing 35.0% of his threes which was impressive at the time. His final season was also strong, appearing in 53 games before getting traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and averaging 20.1 PPG with the Hawks.
7. Joe Johnson – 20.9 PPG
(7 Seasons, 2006-2012)
Acquired by the Atlanta Hawks in a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns, Joe Johnson made a big splash in the first season with Atlanta. Johnson was fresh off a season putting up 17.1 PPG with the Suns and was a free agent. Atlanta felt they had a star in their hands, and Johnso averaged 20.2 PPG in his first year.
Showcasing a great ability to create his own shots, Johnson would go on to make 6 straight All-Star Teams with the Atlanta Hawks. An elite shooting guard with deep range and a powerful body, Johnson could score in a variety of ways. Joe’s best season came in 2007 when he averaged 25.0 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field and 38.1% of his threes.
6. John Drew – 21.2 PPG
(8 Seasons, 1975-1982)
A 6’6” forward that was drafted No. 25 overall in the 1974 NBA Draft, John Drew was unexpectedly a great scorer for the Atlanta Hawks. Falling that far in the draft happens for a reason, normally, but Drew was one of the better forwards in the draft. He made All-Rookie in his first season with the Hawks, averaging 18.5 PPG and 10.7 RPG.
The following year, Drew made his first All-Star Team by putting up 21.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG in 77 games played. Nailing 50.2% of his shots, the forward made a very big impression in the league. Drew would then average a career-high 24.2 PPG in his third season and 23.2 PPG in his fourth season. A consistent scorer, Drew would go on to make his second All-Star Team in his 6th season with the Hawks.
5. Lou Hudson – 22.0 PPG
(11 Seasons, 1967-1977)
Drafted No. 4 overall in the 1966 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks, Lou Hudson made All-Rookie with season averages of 18.4 PPG and 5.4 RPG. After appearing in only 46 games the following season, Hudson would make his first of 6 straight All-Star Teams in his third season. The 6’5” shooting guard averaged 21.9 PPG on 49.2% shooting from the field that year and would have an incredible scoring resume shortly after.
Lou Hudson’s scoring record over the next five seasons was very impressive: 25.4 PPG, 26.8 PPG, 24.7 PPG, 27.1 PPG, and 25.4 PPG. Hudson’s 6-year streak with 6 All-Star appearances is further bolstered by a field goal percentage of 49.7%, showcasing the guard’s ability to get buckets for the Hawks.
4. Pete Maravich – 24.3 PPG
(4 Seasons, 1971-1974)
Pistol Pete Maravich had a Hall of Fame career with the New Orleans/Utah Jazz, but he kickstarted his stardom with the Atlanta Hawks. The legendary guard was drafted No. 3 in the 1970 NBA Draft and made All-Rookie by averaging 23.2 PPG and 4.4 APG. His second season was also good, as Maravich averaged 19.3 PPG on 42.7% shooting.
Maravich would go on to make 2 straight All-Star Team appearances over the next two years, averaging 26.1 PPG and 27.7 PPG respectively. Pistol Pete’s ability to make jumpers, slice to the basket, and make his foul shots consistently made him one of the most respected offensive players of his generation.
3. Trae Young – 25.1 PPG
(4 Seasons, 2019-2022)
The Atlanta Hawks wanted Trae Young so badly in the 2018 NBA Draft, they were willing to swap selections with the Dallas Mavericks – who went on to select Luka Doncic. While Luka is a more talented all-around player than Young, the miniature guard has been sensational for Atlanta in a team sense.
Young made All-Rookie by averaging 19.1 PPG and followed that up with his first All-Star selection by putting up an incredible 29.6 PPG on 43.7 % FG, 36.1% 3-PT FG, and 86.0% FT. Trae has similarities to Stephen Curry in the sense of nailing deep three-pointers and using dribble moves to stun defenders and is on his way to becoming one of Atlanta’s greatest all-time players.
2. Bob Pettit – 26.36 PPG
(11 Seasons, 1955-1965)
Bob Pettit has a strong argument for being the greatest Hawks player ever because he is a Hall of Famer who is considered to be the first dominant NBA superstar. The power forward averaged 25.7 PPG in his first season with the St. Louis Hawks (name changed from Milwaukee Hawks in his first season), while also making his second of eleven straight All-Star seasons. Pettit was a dominant power forward who could score the ball easily in the paint and was one of the most physical superstars who ever played the game.
Pettit averaged over 20 PPG for 11 straight years, with his career-high coming in 1962 when he dropped 31.1 PPG on 45.0% shooting from the field. The big man was also an incredible rebounder, putting up 16.2 RPG in his Hall of Fame career. Only one man had a better scoring average than Pettit, and he is also the only man to challenge Pettit as the greatest Hawks player ever.
1. Dominique Wilkins – 26.41 PPG
(12 Seasons, 1983-1994)
Drafted No. 3 overall in the 1982 NBA Draft, Dominique Wilkins made a splash in his rookie season when he put up 17.5 PPG and made the All-Rookie Team. Wilkins would have an incredible 11 seasons of averaging over 21 PPG, including seasons of averaging 27.4 PPG, 28.1 PPG, 29.0 PPG, 29.9 PPG, 30.3 PPG, and 30.7 PPG.
Dominique won the scoring title in 1988 when he dropped 30.3 PPG and was one of the most iconic superstars of all time. A high-flyer and offensive superstar, Wilkins is also in contention for being one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. The athletic scorer is the man most synonymous with the Hawks and is their greatest-ever scorer.
Most Points In Atlanta Hawks History
Here are the ten players with the most total points in Atlanta Hawks history:
1. Dominique Wilkins – 23,292
2. Bob Pettit – 20,880
3. Lou Hudson – 16,049
4. Cliff Hagan – 13,447
5. John Drew – 12,621
6. Joe Johnson – 10,606
7. Kevin Willis – 10,582
8. Josh Smith – 10,371
9. Eddie Johnson – 9,631
10. Zelmo Beaty – 8,727
