Fansided

NBA franchise all-time power rankings: Which organization comes out on top?

By Josh Eberley

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – 1983: Dominique Wilkins #21 of the Atlanta Hawks and Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics stand on the court during a game played in 1983 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1983 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1983: Dominique Wilkins #21 of the Atlanta Hawks and Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics stand on the court during a game played in 1983 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1983 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

18. Atlanta Hawks

69 Seasons

Record: 2717-2753, .497 W-L%

Finals Appearances: 3

Championships: 1

All-Time Starting Five

G: Lenny Wilkens, 1967-68
G: Pete Maravich, 1973-74
F:  Dominique Wilkins, 1985-86
F:  Al Horford, 2014-15
C:  Bob Pettit, 1958-59

Average PER: 22.44

Pettit and the then St. Louis Hawks defeated Bob Cousy, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in 1958 to win the title. The Celtics would win the next eight and 10 of the next 11 total, no small feat.

The Hawks have been consistently good since then. Over the last 40 years, the Hawks have only missed the playoffs 13 times. However, not unlike the Pacers, they’ve struggled to find their way back into title contention.

The 2014-15 Hawks came closest, winning a franchise record 60 games. Despite the huge year, the Hawks still finished 20th in percentage of attendance.

The Hawks are swirling in the NBA’s gutter for the first time in a decade and don’t seem to be in any rush to climb out. It’s a copy-cat league and the born anew Hawks are very much resembling a Warriors blueprint. Levelling out, adding lottery talent with a focus on outside shooting, Atlanta may be attempting to build something that hooks viewers deeper this time around.

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