30 players who define each NBA franchise

Honorable Mentions: Bob Pettit, Dikembe Mutombo, Al Horford

Bob Pettit may have a valid case to be considered as the greatest Hawk of all-time, but Dominique Wilkins is the franchise. There aren’t many NBA teams who have been blessed with having a player of Wilkins’ charisma and jaw-dropping talent to pass through their doors, but even beyond that the Georgia Bulldog has been significant to the organization as a man.

A two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, Wilkins became known for his spectacular athleticism and ferocious dunks. His duels with Michael Jordan in the Dunk Contest to this day elevate Wilkins’ profile to another level, but his play on the court spoke for itself too.

Wilkins scored over 23,000 points in his time with the Hawks, and was the figurehead of a group that posed a real threat in the Eastern Conference throughout the 1980s.

Of all the guys I played against, Dominique was definitely the one who made me rise to the occasion. – Michael Jordan

Since his retirement, Wilkins has remained a pivotal figure in the Hawks organization too. He serves as the team’s vice president of basketball, as well as taking on regular color commentary duties for Fox Sports South. With the unveiling of his statue last year, Wilkins hero status at Philips Arena is secured for years to come.

Next: Boston Celtics