Top 5 Centers In Atlanta Hawks History

Dikembe Mutombo tops the list of greatest Atlanta Hawks centers

The Atlanta Hawks have been loaded with elite big men for most of their existence in the league. Some notable centers who contributed to the Hawks’ franchise included Moses Malone, Walt Bellamy and Theo Ratliff.

5. Al Horford

Right now, Al Horford is in the midst of trying to win his first career championship with the Boston Celtics.

But before throwing on that green and white jersey, he played for other teams, one of them being the Hawks. When he played in Atlanta, he was arguably in his prime and one of the league’s best big men.

He was drafted by the Hawks as the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. When he signed his rookie scale contract, he immediately made an impact on the Hawks’ franchise.

In his rookie season, Horford averaged 10 points and nine rebounds. On Feb. 6, 2008, he grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds in a 98-95 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was the only player to be unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. It made him the first Hawks draftee to achieve first team honors since Stacey Augmon did in 1991-92.

He was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year, which ultimately went to Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant. Horford was also named Rookie of the Month in November, February and March.

When the playoffs came around, Horford kept his head down. Granted, the Hawks lost 4-3 to the Boston Celtics in the first round but still, Horford put up decent numbers. He averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds.

He remained consistent with his style of play.

In the 2008-09 season, Horford averaged 11 points, nine rebounds and one block. It was the first of seven straight seasons he averaged at least one block with the Hawks.

He had a great all-around game early in November. On Nov. 11, 2008, he logged in 27 points, 17 rebounds, and a season-high six blocks in a 113-108 victory against the Chicago Bulls.

It wasn’t until next year he started getting highly respected by the league.

During the 2009-10 season, Horford averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, and one block. It was good enough to earn himself an All-Star berth, becoming the first Hawk draft pick to make an All-Star team since Kevin Willis in 1992.

Horford had a handful of incredible games that season but the one that stood out was in mid-February. On Feb. 17, 2010, he scored a then career-high 31 points as the Hawks took a 110-92 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers.

He finished the season ranked eighth in the NBA in field goal percentage, seventh in rebounds (799) and 26th in blocks (91). He was also tied for 10th in double-doubles (39).

Horford was someone the Hawks didn’t want to let go. On Nov. 1, 2010, they signed him to a five-year, $60 million contract extension.

The big man made sure to make good on his extension. Throughout the 2010-11 season, Horford averaged 15 points, nine rebounds, and one block. Obviously, once again, he made the All-Star team.

This time around, though, Horford had two separate elite performances.

On Nov. 20, 2010, he registered 20 points, 20 rebounds, and three blocks in a 98-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The next showout was more of a defensive one. An amazing one, that is. On Jan. 17, 2011, he blocked a career-high seven shots as the Hawks grabbed a 100-98 victory against the Sacramento Kings.

Just like last year, Horford finished as one of the top centers in the league. He ranked fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage, 29th in blocks (81), ninth in rebounds (718) and tied for ninth in double-doubles (36).

Horford only played 11 games in the 2011-12 season due to a torn left pectoral muscle but he bounced back in the next year. In a huge way.

In the 2012-13 season, he averaged a then career-high 17 points, a career-high 10 rebounds, a career-high one steal, and one block. He even had the best scoring stretch of his career, logging in 20-plus points in nine straight games (Feb. 11-Mar. 3). He was also named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 26 for his first time of his career.

Of course, he made sure to put up a career-high to go with his career season. On Feb. 27, 2013, he registered a career-high 34 points in a 102-91 victory against the Utah Jazz.

Once the playoffs came around, Horford kept putting the ball through the hoop. Although the Hawks lost 4-2 to the Indiana Pacers in the first round, he still averaged a playoff career-high 16 points.

In Game 3, he put up eye-popping numbers! He recorded 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Hawks took a 90-69 victory.

Horford was on a path to have another great year during the 2013-14 season but sadly, he got stopped again. This time, he suffered a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.

Before the injury, though, he played 29 games. In those games, he recorded double-doubles in nine of them while scoring in double-figures 28 times. He also had 13 20-point games and one 30-point one. Impressive, to say the least!

After the injury, Horford had another All-Star year. In the 2014-15 season, he averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, and one block.

On Dec. 22, 2014, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Dec. 15-Dec. 21. In those games, he averaged 18 points, six rebounds, and one block.

One of Horford’s best games, however, came the next month. On Jan. 13, 2015, he recorded his first career triple-double. He turned in 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Hawks took a 105-87 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Six days later, Horford earned himself, yet, another achievement.

He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Jan. 12-Jan. 18. During those contests, he logged in 21 points and eight rebounds per game.

Those games were included in another incredible streak. Between Dec. 7 and Jan. 31, Horford scored in double-figures in 28 consecutive games!

The 2015-16 season was Horford’s last one in a Hawks jersey and it was a good one. He played all 82 games for the first time in his career. He averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, and one block but he also had a couple excellent games.

On Nov. 11, 2015, he scored 26 points and connected on a then career-high four 3-pointers while the Hawks secured a 106-98 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.

His next career-highlight game was on Feb. 28, 2016 against the Charlotte Hornets. Horford registered 13 points and 16 rebounds to give him his 200th career double-double. The Hawks won the game 87-76.

Due to the unfortunate blood clot situation Miami Heat’s star Chris Bosh was going through, Horford was named to the All-Star team once again. On Jul. 1, 2016, Horford became an unrestricted free agent, eventually signing with the Celtics.

Right now, Horford is No. 8 on the Hawks’ all-time rebounding list with 5,144 and No. 6 on their blocks list with 697.

4. Kevin Willis

If it wasn’t for the low amount of blocks, Kevin Willis would’ve came close to embodying an all-around center. He had the scoring down pat and made a living off of collecting rebounds.

When he got drafted by the Hawks as the 11th overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft, he had somewhat of a slow start. He averaged nine points and six rebounds but played just 21 minutes a game.

It wasn’t until next year Willis started shining.

He increased his scoring and rebounding a bit while shooting better from the field.

He had his breakout game on Mar. 11, 1986. He recorded a season-high 39 points and 21 rebounds while the Hawks took a 128-116 victory against the Denver Nuggets.

Willis had another elite year during the 1986-87 season.

He averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds while shooting a career-high 53 percent from the field. He also recorded three games with 20 or more rebounds.

His averages took a slight drop the next season but he had one of the best playoff runs. In the 1988 playoffs, he logged in 16 points and nine rebounds a game.

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, Willis recorded 27 points and 14 rebounds while the Hawks defeated the Celtics 112-104. However, the Celtics won the next two games to close the series out.

Willis missed the following season with a knee injury but didn’t have trouble bouncing back. During the 1989-90 season, he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds. He even put in 30 games with double-figure rebounds.

He had a career year in the 1991-92 season.

Averaging 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Willis earned himself an All-Star appearance which turned out to be his only one. He also had two separate games that stood out.

On Dec 3, 1991, Willis scored 29 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in the Hawks’ 103-99 victory against the Dallas Mavericks.

The second game was more of a stat-sheet-filling performance. On Feb. 19, 1992, he chalked up 20 points, four blocks and a career-high 33 rebounds in the Hawks’ 103-102 overtime loss to the Washington Bullets.

During the 1992-93 season, he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds. On Apr. 13, 1993, he put up 35 points and 25 rebounds in a Hawks’ 112-109 double overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Although the Hawks got swept by the Chicago Bulls in 1993 Eastern Conference first round, Willis still had a great showing. In Game 2, he scored 26 points while grabbing 13 rebounds in the Hawks’ 117-102 loss.

In his last full season with the Hawks, he averaged another double-double but his shooting percentage dropped. However, he still logged in six games with 30-plus points.

He was traded to the Miami Heat in 1994 but did re-join the Hawks in 2004, making him the oldest player in the league at 42.

Willis is currently the Hawks’ seventh all-time leader in points with 10,582 and third in rebounds with 7,332.

3. Tree Rollins

Although he was known for his incredible time with the Clemson University’s Clemson Tigers, Tree Rollins also became one of the greatest Hawks’ centers.

He was selected by the Hawks as the 14th overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft.

While playing in the NBA, he wasn’t one of those high-scoring centers. As a matter of fact, Rollins was better known for his elite rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.

In his first year (the 1977-78 season), he averaged six rebounds and two blocks. He also recorded seven games with five or more blocks.

Rollins increased his numbers in the 1978-79 season. After logging in seven points a game last year, he averaged eight points to go with seven rebounds and three rejections.

On Feb 21, 1979, he recorded 11 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 12 blocks in a 106-83 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.

After getting swept 0-2 by the Washington Bullets in the first round last year, the Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they lost to the Bullets again. However, Rollins averaged five points, seven rebounds, and two blocks this time around.

The next year was one of his best seasons. He averaged eight points, nine rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 55 percent from the field. On Mar. 14, 1980, he grabbed 23 rebounds and blocked 10 shots in a 88-87 victory against the Boston Celtics. At the end of the year, he turned in three games with 20-plus rebounds.

The 1982-83 season was one Rollins will never forget, though.

During that season, he recorded four games with 10-plus blocks while leading the NBA in blocks per game (four blocks). His standout game was near the end of 1982. On Dec. 21, 1982, he logged in 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 124-116 double overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Rollins’ next season was the last time he averaged more than eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

In just the second game of the season, Rollins put on an elite performance. On Nov. 4, 1983, he logged in 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks while the Hawks took a 103-90 victory against the Chicago Bulls.

Even though he averaged at least one block in the next four years, he still had subpar seasons. He averaged a combined five points and six rebounds. Eventually, he retired in 1995.

Rollins is still the Hawks’ all-time leader in blocks with 2,283 and their fifth leader in rebounds with 5,994.

2. Zelmo Beaty

Prior to his ABA-days, Zelmo Beaty spent seven years with the Hawks and well, he was good, to say the least.

He was chosen as the third overall pick in the 1962 NBA draft. With an average of 10 points and eight rebounds, he was named to the newly-introduced NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also helped them make the playoffs for the first time.

Oh yeah, they also made it to the playoffs every year he was there!

Now, the next year was a groundbreaker for Beaty in terms of stats.

During the 1963-64 season, he averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds, marking the first of six straight seasons averaging a double-double. On Oct. 26, 1963, Beaty scored a then career-high 38 points and 17 rebounds in a 127-103 victory against the Detroit Pistons.

He increased his averages in the 1964-65 season but his best performance was on Jan. 29, 1965. He recorded 34 points and 20 rebounds in a 124-119 victory against the Baltimore Bullets.

When they made the playoffs this year, Beaty averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds but he only played four games as the Hawks lost in the Western Division Semifinals to the Bullets.

The next season was one of Beaty’s best.

He averaged 20 points and 13 rebounds in the 1965-66 season and made the first of two All-Star appearances with the Hawks. On Dec. 1, 1965, he scored 30 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in a 110-101 victory against the Detroit Pistons.

When the playoffs came around, he averaged the same numbers he did last season. But there’s one game that stood out this time around.

In Game 2 of the Western Division Finals, Beaty logged in 36 points and 14 rebounds but lost 125-116 to the Los Angeles Lakers. They would eventually lose the series in seven games.

During the next season, he had a career night on the glass.

He averaged 10 rebounds in the 1966-67 but his best game was on Mar. 5, 1967. He recorded 38 points and 26 rebounds in a 132-103 victory against the Bullets.

Beaty was named to another All-Star game during the 1967-68 season as he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds. He also logged in three 40-point games that season.

On Dec. 3, 1967, he registered a career-high 42 points and 17 rebounds in a 123-109 victory against the Seattle Supersonics.

Beaty ended his time with the Hawks on a good note. He averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds during the 1968-69 season. On Feb. 14, 1969, he scored 31 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in 104-101 overtime victory against the Boston Celtics.

After the season, he left the NBA to play in the ABA. He holds the No. 6 spot on the Hawks’ all-time rebounding list with 5,622.

1. Dikembe Mutombo

Even though he had the best portion of his career with the Denver Nuggets, Dikembe Mutombo was still one of the best Hawks of all-time.

After spending his first five years with the Nuggets, he demanded a 10-year contract from them, something that was nearly impossible for them to do. As a result, he signed a five-year contract with the Hawks, which was worth $55 million.

He immediately made an impact on the Hawks’ franchise.

Mutombo, along with shooting guard Steve Smith, led the Hawks to back-to-back 50-plus win seasons in 1996-97 (56-26) and 1997-98 (50-32). He won Defensive Player of the Year in both those years while averaging three blocks every year in Atlanta.

But let’s take it back…

During the 1996-97 season, Mutombo averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also recorded four games with 20-plus rebounds and two games with nine blocks. His efforts were good enough to give him his first of three All-Star appearances with the Hawks.

When the Hawks made the playoffs, Mutombo showed up in a huge way.

In Game 1 of the 1997 Eastern Conference first round, he recorded game-highs 26 points and 15 rebounds as the Hawks took a 89-75 victory against the Detroit Pistons. The Hawks would go on to win the series in five games. However, they lost 4-1 to eventual-champions Chicago Bulls in the semifinals. In that series, Mutombo averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.

The next year was basically a replicate of the previous one. He logged in 13 points and 11 rebounds a game while, once again, making the All-Star team. This time, though, he won his first of back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Mutombo’s best game that season had less to do with defense and more about filling the stat sheet up.

On Apr. 9, 1998, he registered 20 points, 24 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks against the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, it resulted in a 105-102 overtime loss.

The 1999-00 season was his last full year there but it was also one of his best ones. He averaged 11 points (okay, that may not be so great) but he also put in a career-high 14 rebounds.

Those averages aren’t the only aspect that made it a great season. He had two amazing performances.

On Dec. 14, 1999, Mutombo recorded 27 points on 100 percent shooting from the field. He also had 29 rebounds and six blocks while the Hawks gave the Minnesota Timberwolves a 105-94 loss.

Oh, and that performance broke a two-game mediocre scoring display from him.

The second performance (more of a defensive one) came on Feb. 15, 2000. Mutombo logged in 11 blocks, 21 points, and 13 rebounds in a 103-86 victory against the New Jersey Nets.

After playing 49 games the next year, Mutombo was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He is currently the Hawks’ third all-time leader in blocks with 1,094 and you can find his jersey hanging up in the rafters.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Sports Illustrated’s channel “Inside The Heat”.  He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson and Instagram @ckenzynelson