RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The team's origins can be traced to the establishment of the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 in Buffalo, New York, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL) owned by Ben Kerner and Leo Ferris. After 38 days in Buffalo, the team moved to Moline, Illinois, where they were renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. In 1949, they joined the NBA as part of the merger between the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and briefly had Red Auerbach as coach. In 1951, Kerner moved the team to Milwaukee, where they changed their name to the Hawks. Kerner and the team moved again in 1955 to St. Louis, where they won their only NBA Championship in 1958 and qualified to play in the NBA Finals in 1957, 1960 and 1961. The Hawks played the Boston Celtics in all four of their trips to the NBA Finals. The St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968, when Kerner sold the franchise to Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders.
The Hawks currently own the second-longest drought (behind the Sacramento Kings) of not winning an NBA championship at 63 seasons. The franchise's lone NBA championship, as well as all four NBA Finals appearances, occurred when the team was based in St. Louis. Meanwhile, they went 48 years without advancing past the second round of the playoffs in any format, until finally breaking through in 2015. However, the Hawks are one of only four NBA teams that have qualified to play in the NBA playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons in the 21st century. They achieved this feat between 2008 and 2017.
It's awards time and NBA A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss how they voted with USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain. - The guys discuss the most valuable player, rookie of the year, coach of the year, sixth man, most improved and executive of the year. Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer gives his thoughts on being nominated by the team as executive of the year.
1 - Atlanta Hawks 2015-16 Season Preview / 1 - Atlanta Hawks 2015-16 Season Preview - - Learn more
1 - Atlanta Hawks 2015-16 Season Preview / 1 - Atlanta Hawks 2015-16 Season Preview - - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The West is brutal; Andrew Bogut interview / The teams in the Western Conference who are in the playoffs are
The West is brutal; Andrew Bogut interview / The teams in the Western Conference who are in the playoffs are fighting for position as we move into the final week of the season and A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt discuss that with USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain. Sam Amick talks to Andrew Bogut about how he changed as a player and his Golden State Warriors. Kevin Spain and Sam Amick talk to Oklahoman reporter Darnell Mayberry about the Oklahoma City Thunder. The guys discuss the sale of the Atlanta Hawks and the players association announcement of awards voted on by players. Jeff Zillgitt and Kevin Spain talk to USA TODAY Sports colleges reporter Nicole Auerbach about top talent from the NCAA Tournament.