The 2010 Atlanta Hawks Roster: Players, Roles, and What It Meant for the City

For Atlanta basketball fans, the 2010 Atlanta Hawks roster is one of the most memorable groups of players to ever take the floor at what was then Philips Arena in Downtown Atlanta. If you live in Atlanta today, walk past State Farm Arena, or ride MARTA to a Hawks game, you’re still feeling the impact of that era.

This guide walks through the full 2010 Hawks roster, what each player brought to the team, and how that season fits into Atlanta’s basketball story. It’s written for Atlantans, visitors, and anyone trying to understand how that roster shaped the city’s modern NBA identity.

Overview: Why the 2010 Atlanta Hawks Roster Still Matters

The 2009–2010 season (commonly called the 2010 Hawks) featured a talented, balanced roster that:

• Won over 50 games in the regular season
• Finished near the top of the Eastern Conference
• Helped solidify Atlanta as a serious playoff team, not just a fringe contender
• Gave Atlanta fans consistent postseason basketball in the heart of Downtown

If you go to a game today near Centennial Olympic Park or the CNN Center area, you’ll still see jerseys and throwback gear from this era, especially Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Josh Smith.

Full 2010 Atlanta Hawks Roster

Below is a core summary of the main players on the 2009–2010 Atlanta Hawks roster (names and primary positions):

*Some players appeared only briefly or on short stints; the main rotation was built around the top 8–9 names.

The Core Stars of the 2010 Hawks

Joe Johnson – The Main Scoring Option

Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
What he meant to Atlanta:

• Johnson was the primary scorer and one of the faces of the franchise.
• During this era, if you went to a game at Philips Arena, Johnson was often the player taking the big shots late in the 4th quarter.
• Around the city, especially in neighborhoods like Buckhead and Midtown, his jersey was one of the most commonly seen Hawks items.

For Atlanta fans, Johnson represented the shift from rebuilding to respectable contender.

Al Horford – The Steady Interior Anchor

Position: Center / Power Forward

• Horford was the reliable big man, known for smart, efficient play rather than flash.
• He helped solidify the paint on both ends of the floor.
• His style fit Atlanta’s identity well: skilled, hardworking, and team-first.

Even today, older Hawks fans in Atlanta often mention Horford as one of the most dependable players of that decade.

Josh Smith – Energy, Defense, and Highlights

Position: Power Forward / Small Forward

• Born in College Park, Smith had strong local ties to metro Atlanta, which made him especially popular with residents.
• Known for shot-blocking, dunks, and athletic plays, he brought a lot of excitement to home games.
• When you hear fans reminisce about loud moments in Philips Arena during that era, Smith’s blocks and alley-oops come up often.

Jamal Crawford – Elite Sixth Man

Position: Shooting Guard

• Came off the bench as the primary scoring spark.
• Was a favorite among fans near the court and in the upper levels for his ability to create tough shots and score in bunches.
• Helped keep Atlanta competitive even when starters rested.

If you’re talking about great Hawks bench players, Crawford’s 2010 season is usually part of that conversation.

The Starting Lineup & Rotation

For much of the 2009–2010 season, the Hawks typically started:

1. Mike Bibby – Point Guard
2. Joe Johnson – Shooting Guard
3. Marvin Williams – Small Forward
4. Josh Smith – Power Forward
5. Al Horford – Center

Key bench contributors included Jamal Crawford, Zaza Pachulia, and role players like Maurice Evans.

If you attended a game in Atlanta that season, this was the group you saw on the floor to open most nights.

Role Players Who Helped Shape the Season

Mike Bibby – Veteran Point Guard

• Ran the offense, spaced the floor with shooting, and provided experience.
• For fans watching from the lower bowl or the 300 level, Bibby didn’t always stand out athletically, but his calm decision-making was a stabilizing force.

Marvin Williams – Two-Way Wing

• Scored enough to keep defenses honest and was asked to defend multiple positions.
• In many home games, his role was to guard the opponent’s better wing scorers, freeing Johnson to focus more on offense.

Zaza Pachulia – Physical Backup Center

• A fan favorite for his physical play and toughness.
• Provided energy off the bench and wasn’t afraid of contact inside, which the Atlanta crowd appreciated.

Jeff Teague – Rookie Guard

• Early-career version of what fans later knew as a quick, attacking point guard.
• Minutes were limited in 2010, but Atlantans watching closely could already see flashes of the player he would become.

How the 2010 Hawks Fit into Atlanta’s Basketball Story

For the city of Atlanta, the 2010 roster represented:

• Consistent Playoffs – After struggling through earlier years, this group helped make postseason basketball a regular part of life Downtown in the spring.
• Revived Game-Day Atmosphere – Bars and restaurants around what’s now State Farm Arena (and along Marietta Street) felt busier on game nights, especially during playoff series.
• Regional Pride – Fans from across metro Atlanta—Cobb, DeKalb, Clayton, and beyond—made the trip into the city to see a legitimately competitive local team.

If you live in Atlanta today and talk with long-time fans, many will point to the late 2000s and 2010 roster as the time the Hawks became reliably worth watching again.

Experiencing the 2010 Hawks Era in Today’s Atlanta

Even though the 2010 season is in the past, there are still ways to connect with that roster and era if you’re in Atlanta:

1. Visit State Farm Arena (Formerly Philips Arena)

Location: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

• Walk around the arena and nearby areas along Andrew Young International Blvd and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
• On game nights, you’ll often see fans wearing throwback jerseys from the 2010 era—especially Johnson, Horford, and Smith.

2. Explore Hawks History Inside the Arena

• On many concourses, the team highlights historical milestones and notable players.
• Pay attention to displays or graphics that reference playoff appearances and key seasons from the late 2000s and early 2010s.

3. Talk with Long-Time Fans

If you frequent local spots near the arena or sports bars in Midtown, Inman Park, or Buckhead, you’ll often find long-time Hawks fans who:

• Remember the 2010 roster well
• Can describe what the atmosphere was like during big playoff games
• Compare that era to the current Hawks teams

These conversations help put the 2010 Hawks roster into a richer, local context.

Quick Reference: Main 2010 Atlanta Hawks Players to Know

If you just want the essential names from the 2010 Hawks roster to recognize around Atlanta:

• Joe Johnson – Star scorer, multiple-time All-Star
• Al Horford – Steady big man, All-Star and anchor inside
• Josh Smith – High-flying local product, defensive force
• Jamal Crawford – Elite bench scorer, sixth man
• Mike Bibby – Veteran point guard
• Marvin Williams – Starting small forward
• Zaza Pachulia – Physical backup center and fan favorite

Knowing these names gives you enough to follow most local conversations about that team—whether you’re at a game, riding MARTA to GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena Station, or chatting with fans elsewhere in the city.

For anyone in Atlanta trying to understand the 2010 Atlanta Hawks roster, think of it as the group that pushed the franchise from “just making the playoffs” to being a real factor in the Eastern Conference, helping re-energize pro basketball in the heart of the city.