Atlanta Hawks Mahalo - Atlanta Hawks

Team History:
The franchise began in 1946 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, playing for Moline, IL; Rock Island, IL; and Davenport, IA. As the Blackhawks, the franchise was one of the NBA's 17 original teams. The Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee in 1951 where they were known as the Hawks, the team spent four loosing seasons there before relocating to St. Louis in 1955. In St. Louis, the team began to find some success, making to the West Finals in their first season, loosing to the Pistons in 5 games. In the teams second season in St. Louis it reached the NBA finals, but lost to the Celtics. In their third season in St. Louis the Hawks won their first NBA Championship in a rematch with the Celtics. Despite their success in St. Louis, the Hawks were sold to an Atlanta group in 1968. With three cities, two names, and one NBA Championship, the Hawks are one of the leagues most storied franchises.