National Basketball Association

Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 Season Countdown: Day 23, featuring Lou Hudson

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In this 2016-17 Hawks Season Countdown, we will be counting down the days leading up to the Hawks’ first regular season game.

Here at Soaring Down South, we are counting down the days until the Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 season begins. We’ll continue at 23 days until the regular season starts for the Hawks, highlighting a Hawks great.

Who Has Worn #23 for the Hawks?

Lou Hudson (1967-1977)

Best Season By A Hawk Wearing #23

Lou Hudson (1973)

27.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG in 40.4 MPG

The first true wing star in team history, Hudson’s place in Hawks lore is cemented. His number hangs in the rafters, making him the first, and last, player to ever wear #23 for the organization. His scoring prowess is well-known; he averaged at least 15 points in all but one of his seasons with the Hawks. Even in the team’s worst seasons, “Sweet Lou” impacted the team more than any other .

Even with 11 standout seasons under his belt, the 1972-73 season was arguably better than the rest. He put up an astounding 27 points per game, a career high, along with six rebounds. He was selected to his fifth straight All-Star game. Using his pure jumpshot and underrated athleticism (he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the twentieth round of the 1966 NFL Draft), he could dominate any opponent thrown in his way.

Who wore #23 most recently?

Lou Hudson (1977)

Hudson’s final season in Atlanta may have not been his statistical best, but he finally was given a chance to win. Playing with two under-25 stars (Truck Robinson, John Drew), a 32-year old Hudson was the presence they seemingly needed. Nevertheless, the Hawks went on to win only 31 games. Hudson then took his talents to Los Angeles for the final two seasons of his career. With the Lakers, he played alongside greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Norm Nixon, and Jamaal Wilkes. Hudson got the chance to play with a contending team for the first time in his career, but sadly never won a ring during his career.

What’s your favorite Lou Hudson moment in Hawks history? Come back tomorrow for the next edition of the 2016-17 Hawks Season Countdown!