1995–96 Atlanta Hawks season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Atlanta Hawks

| end_year = 1996

| wins = 46

| losses = 36

| division = Central

| division_place = 4

| conf_place = 6

| coach = Lenny Wilkens

| gm = Pete Babcock

| owners = Ted Turner / Turner Broadcasting System

| arena = Omni Coliseum

| playoffs = Conference semifinals
(lost to Magic 1–4)

| bbr_team = ATL

| television =

• WATL
• SportSouth

| radio = WCNN

}}

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Hawks' 47th season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season in Atlanta.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1996.html 1995-96 Atlanta Hawks] The Hawks received the sixteenth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Alan Henderson out of Indiana University.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board | work = The New York Times | date = June 29, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-underclassmen-rule-atop-nba-draft-board.html | access-date = June 3, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 29, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18377-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2023}}{{cite news | title = First-Round Selections in the 1995 NBA Draft | work = Hartford Courant | date = June 29, 1995 | url = https://www.courant.com/1995/06/29/first-round-selections-in-the-1995-nba-draft-2/ | access-date = June 3, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1995 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html | access-date = June 3, 2023}} During the off-season, the team re-acquired former Hawks guard and one-time Slam Dunk champion Spud Webb from the Sacramento Kings; Webb played for the Hawks from 1985 to 1991.{{cite news | title = Hawks Obtain Spud Webb | publisher = United Press International | date = June 29, 1995 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/06/29/Hawks-obtain-Spud-Webb/8632804398400/ | access-date = June 21, 2023}}{{cite news | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Kings Trade an Unhappy Webb | work = The New York Times | date = June 30, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/30/sports/sports-people-basketball-kings-trade-an-unhappy-webb.html | access-date = July 18, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Times Wire Services | title = NBA ROUNDUP: Lockout Gets Closer; Webb Goes to Hawks | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 30, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-30-sp-18930-story.html | access-date = July 25, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Kings Ship Spud Back to Hawks | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = June 30, 1995 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/06/30/kings-ship-spud-back-to-hawks/ | access-date = January 4, 2023}} The team also replaced Stacey Augmon as the team's starting small forward with Ken Norman, as Augmon played a sixth man role off the bench for the first half of the season.

The Hawks played above .500 with a 9–5 start in November, but then struggled losing 10 of their 14 games in December. After 28 games, Norman was benched as Augmon returned to the lineup for the remainder of the season, as the Hawks posted a ten-game winning streak in January,{{cite news | last = Nelson | first = Glenn | title = Glenn Nelson's New Year's Irresolutions | work = The Seattle Times | date = January 7, 1996 | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960107&slug=2307854 | access-date = January 14, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Bogues Ready to Practice | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 8, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/01/08/bogues-ready-to-practice/480fac13-48f9-4ee6-a100-b1aabb653aa9/ | access-date = January 28, 2024}}{{cite news | last = Bembry | first = Jerry | title = Young Players See the Air of Their Ways | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = January 19, 1996 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-01-19-1996019136-story,amp.html | access-date = July 18, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Lineup Change Helps Hawks Get Off Ground | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = January 28, 1996 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/01/28/lineup-change-helps-hawks-get-off-ground/ | access-date = January 28, 2024}} and held a 26–21 record at the All-Star break.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1996 | access-date = July 18, 2022}} At mid-season, Webb was traded along with Andrew Lang to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Christian Laettner and Sean Rooks.{{cite news | title = Hawks Trade Lang, Webb to Timberwolves for Laettner, Rooks | work = Associated Press | date = February 22, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/712813ca1b12bbdd9e2c8e5e71814477 | access-date = June 21, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Laettner, Rooks Traded to Hawks | publisher = United Press International | date = February 22, 1996 | url = http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/02/22/Laettner-Rooks-traded-to-Hawks/2552824965200/ | access-date = July 17, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = PRO BASKETBALL; On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves | work = The New York Times | date = February 23, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/23/sports/pro-basketball-on-deadline-riley-makes-bold-moves.html | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 23, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-23-sp-39177-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}} The Hawks finished in fourth place in the Central Division with a 46–36 record.{{cite web | title = 1995–96 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1996_games.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}}

Steve Smith led the Hawks in scoring averaging 18.1 points per game, while Mookie Blaylock averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game, led the Hawks with 231 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Grant Long provided the team with 13.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Augmon provided with 12.7 points and 1.4 steals per game, while off the bench, sixth man Craig Ehlo contributed 8.5 points per game, and Henderson averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.{{cite web | title = 1995–96 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1996.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}} Norman averaged 8.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 34 games, but did not participate in the playoffs, and feuded with head coach Lenny Wilkens after being benched.{{cite magazine | last = Reed | first = Williams F. | title = CENTRAL: The Bulls Show Their Age, But Remain a Handsome Pick to Win It All--Further Frustrating the Pacers | magazine = Sports Illustrated Vault | date = November 11, 1996 | url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/11/11/central-the-bulls-show-their-age-but-remain-a-handsome-pick-to-win-it-allfurther-frustrating-the-pacers | access-date = January 29, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = These Days, Basketball Comes Second for Norman | work = Chicago Tribune | date = December 27, 1996 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-12-27-9612270148-story.html | access-date = January 16, 2022}}

Wilkens reached a significant milestone, becoming the first NBA coach ever to reach 1,000 victories, after a 74–68 home win against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 1, 1996;{{cite news | title = Lenny Wilkens Seeks 1,000th Career Win | publisher = United Press International | date = March 1, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/amp/Archives/1996/03/01/Lenny-Wilkens-seeks-1000th-career-win/6066825656400/ | access-date = June 19, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Wilkens Reaches New Coaching Plateau | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 2, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-02-sp-42321-story.html | access-date = February 1, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Wilkens Wins His 1,000th | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = March 2, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/03/02/wilkens-wins-his-1000th/bcc1c5bb-eafd-4e02-8ece-654ac5aeaf76/ | access-date = October 5, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Wilkens Finally Hits 1,000 as Hawks Slip Past Cavs | work = Deseret News | date = March 2, 1996 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/2/19228213/wilkens-finally-hits-1-000-at-hawks-slip-past-cavs | access-date = January 13, 2023}} Wilkens also finished in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.{{cite news | title = Bulls' Jackson NBA Coach of Year | work = United Press International | date = May 7, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/07/Bulls-Jackson-NBA-Coach-of-Year/1100831441600/ | access-date = February 1, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Isaacson | first = Melissa | title = Better Late Than Never: Jackson Selected Coach of the Year | work = Chicago Tribune | date = May 8, 1996 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-05-08-9605080254-story.html | access-date = February 1, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1995–96 Regular Season Award Winners | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards96.txt | access-date = January 6, 2025}}{{cite web | title = 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html | access-date = January 6, 2025}}

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hawks faced off against the Indiana Pacers for the third consecutive season; they would eliminate the 3rd-seeded Pacers in a hard-fought five-game series.{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Nancy | title = Hawks 89, Pacers 87 | publisher = Associated Press | date = May 5, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/d01d3a96c714df953fe8304716a837bf | access-date = November 25, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221125203335/https://apnews.com/article/d01d3a96c714df953fe8304716a837bf | archive-date = November 25, 2022 | url-status = dead}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA PLAYOFFS; Miller, in Surprise Return, Just Misses Ousting Hawks | work = The New York Times | date = May 6, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/06/sports/nba-playoffs-miller-in-surprise-return-just-misses-ousting-hawks.html | access-date = May 14, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Hawks Escape Pacers | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 6, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/06/hawks-escape-pacers/27f012fe-50bf-4adc-9b31-6c7f36a113e9/ | access-date = June 4, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1996 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Pacers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1996-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs-pacers.html | access-date = February 5, 2023}} However, in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they would be eliminated by the Orlando Magic in five games.{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = NBA PLAYOFFS; Dream Matchup Is Finally Complete | work = The New York Times | date = May 16, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/16/sports/nba-playoffs-dream-matchup-is-finally-complete.html | access-date = July 26, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Goodall | first = Fred | title = Magic Ousts Hawks | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 16, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/16/magic-ousts-hawks/d39a94e8-7fb2-4be5-95c1-b35244e293b0/ | access-date = June 4, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Rebounds Big Asset for Magic | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = May 16, 1996 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-05-16-9605160192-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1996 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hawks vs. Magic | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1996-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-hawks-vs-magic.html | access-date = February 5, 2023}}[http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/atlanta/atlhawks.html Atlanta Hawks (1968-Present)]

The Hawks finished 27th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 496,668 at the Omni Coliseum, which was the third-lowest during the regular season.{{cite web | title = 1995–96 NBA Season Summary | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html | access-date = December 12, 2024}} Following the season, Augmon and Long were both traded to the Detroit Pistons,{{cite news | title = Pistons Trade for Augmon, Long; Sign Curry, Reid | work = Associated Press | date = July 15, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/53ed4b9a0a224edbd4730d6930045d84 | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Hawks Sign Mutombo; Deal Augmon, Long | publisher = United Press International | date = July 15, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/15/Hawks-sign-Mutombo-deal-Augmon-Long/9456837403200/ | access-date = December 27, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Hawks Get Big with Mutombo | work = Los Angeles Times | date = July 16, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-16-sp-24645-story.html?_amp=true | access-date = September 23, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Asher | first = Mark | title = Mutombo Heading to Hawks | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 16, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/16/mutombo-heading-to-hawks/6f1396c6-10bb-4e02-8a89-7191e3b62120/ | access-date = July 5, 2023}} while Ehlo signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics,{{cite news | title = Sonics Sign Free Agent Craig Ehlo | publisher = United Press International | date = July 23, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/amp/Archives/1996/07/23/Sonics-sign-free-agent-Craig-Ehlo/9552838094400/ | access-date = January 1, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Bulls, Sonics Pick Up Where They Left Off--This Time for Fun | work = Chicago Tribune | date = October 11, 1996 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-10-11-9610110110-story.html | access-date = January 30, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Blanchette | first = John | title = Journeyman Ehlo Takes Career Turn for the Better | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = October 24, 1996 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/oct/24/journeyman-ehlo-takes-career-turn-for-the-better/ | access-date = November 18, 2022}} and Rooks signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Rooks Fills the Bill in the Big Man's Role | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 25, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-25-sp-57553-story.html | access-date = November 10, 2022}}

For the season, the Hawks changed their primary logo, which showed a hawk spreading its wings and holding a basketball, and added black and brown to their color scheme of red and yellow.{{cite web | title = Atlanta Hawks Logo | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/kqhjtzl2ik3gnxsnwsn8yf002/Atlanta_Hawks/1996/Primary_Logo | access-date = July 6, 2021}} The team also added new uniforms, which had the Hawks' logo on the front of their jerseys, while adding half-black and half-red road uniforms.{{cite web | title = Atlanta Hawks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/wl2wlo95e8kqcebz7c66t8u6u/Atlanta_Hawks/1996/Home_Uniform | access-date = July 6, 2021}}{{cite web | title = Atlanta Hawks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/4erepkchfs6lqmdzrc7hdedph/Atlanta_Hawks/1996/Road_Uniform | access-date = July 6, 2021}} The logo remained in use until 2007, while the basic design lasted until 2015, and the new uniforms lasted until 1999.