Atlanta Hawks 2014: The Season That Changed Basketball in Atlanta

The 2014 Atlanta Hawks season (the 2014–2015 NBA campaign) is remembered in Atlanta as a turning point — the year the Hawks went from an overlooked team to a national story and a serious Eastern Conference contender.

If you live in Atlanta, visit regularly, or are just trying to understand the city’s basketball culture, knowing what happened with the Hawks in 2014 helps explain why the team and Downtown Atlanta feel so different on game nights today.

Why the 2014 Atlanta Hawks Season Still Matters in Atlanta

In 2014–15, the Hawks:

• Finished near the top of the Eastern Conference
• Sent four players to the All-Star Game
• Put together a franchise-record winning streak
• Helped turn the area around State Farm Arena into a real game-day destination

For Atlanta residents, that season:

• Boosted local pride in a franchise sometimes overshadowed by football and college sports
• Helped fill restaurants, bars, and parking lots around Downtown and Castleberry Hill on game nights
• Laid the groundwork for later renovations and upgrades in and around the arena

If you’re exploring Atlanta’s sports scene today, the Hawks’ 2014 season is the backdrop for much of the buzz you feel around the team.

Setting the Stage: The Team and the City in 2014

A New Identity Under Coach Mike Budenholzer

In 2014, new head coach Mike Budenholzer was building a system in Atlanta that focused on:

• Ball movement
• Shooting from the perimeter
• Team-first offense over star-first isolation

This “share the ball” style helped reshape how fans in Atlanta thought about Hawks basketball. Instead of relying on one superstar, the Hawks leaned on a balanced starting five, which lined up well with the city’s identity as a place that values collaboration and creativity.

Key Players Atlanta Fans Remember

Names that became central to Atlanta conversations during that 2014–15 run:

• Al Horford – Skilled big man, strong mid-range game, anchor of the defense
• Paul Millsap – Undersized power forward with versatility and toughness
• Jeff Teague – Quick point guard driving the tempo and penetration
• Kyle Korver – Elite three-point shooter who stretched the floor
• DeMarre Carroll – Defensive specialist and energy player on the wing

These players weren’t always treated like national stars, but in Atlanta, they became household names, showing up on billboards, local TV, and conversations at workplaces and schools across the region.

The 2014–2015 Season: Big Moments Hawks Fans in Atlanta Still Talk About

The 19-Game Winning Streak

One of the most memorable stretches for Atlanta sports in recent memory was the 19-game winning streak during the 2014–15 season. During this run:

• Hawks home games at what is now State Farm Arena became high-demand events
• Downtown MARTA stations like Five Points and GWCC/CNN Center were crowded with fans in red, blue, and black
• Local bars and restaurants around Centennial Olympic Park, Marietta Street, and Castleberry Hill saw noticeable game-night spikes

For many Atlantans, this was the first time Hawks regular-season basketball felt must-see across the city.

Four All-Stars from One Atlanta Team

In 2015 (during the 2014–15 season), the Hawks became known nationally when four players — Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver — were named NBA All-Stars.

For Atlanta, that meant:

• The city got more national TV coverage
• Hawks jerseys became more common in neighborhoods from Buckhead to Decatur
• Interest in youth basketball programs and rec leagues around the metro area saw extra attention, as kids had a local team worth looking up to

Game Day in Atlanta: What 2014 Changed for Fans

Even if you weren’t attending games back then, the 2014 Hawks changed what an NBA game day in Atlanta feels like.

The Arena Experience in Downtown Atlanta

Home games take place at:

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

(Back then, it was known as Philips Arena, but the location is the same.)

During and after the 2014 season, you could feel:

• Bigger crowds and louder energy on home game nights
• Longer lines at nearby parking decks, especially around CNN Center and Mercedes-Benz Stadium area
• More pre- and post-game activity at nearby spots in Downtown and Castleberry Hill

If you’re visiting Atlanta now and want to understand why locals are serious about the Hawks, that 2014–15 season is a big part of the story.

How to Experience the Legacy of the 2014 Hawks in Atlanta Today

You can still feel the ripple effects of that season in a few practical ways.

1. Catch a Hawks Game Like a Local

If you’re in Atlanta during the NBA season:

• Check the Hawks home schedule and target games against big-name opponents; these matchups echo the high-energy atmosphere from the 2014 run.
• Plan your trip using MARTA:
  • Take the Blue or Green Line to GWCC/CNN Center Station and walk to the arena.
  • This is often easier than trying to park in the tightest lots on a busy night.

Once inside, look for:

• Team history and tribute areas that reference key Hawks eras, including the mid-2010s run
• Merchandise sections where classic-style Hawks gear from that era sometimes appears alongside modern designs

2. Explore Basketball Culture Around Metro Atlanta

The Hawks’ successful 2014 stretch helped fuel basketball interest in the region. You can see this in:

• Local courts and parks – Pickup games in places like Grant Park, Perkerson Park, and neighborhood rec centers mirror the motion-focused, shooting-heavy style that became popular nationally and in Atlanta following that era.
• Youth basketball programs – Many metro-area communities, from Sandy Springs to South Fulton, put more visible focus on youth leagues and clinics connected to pro-style skill development.

If you live in Atlanta and want to play:

• Check your nearest Atlanta Parks & Recreation center or your county’s recreation department for open gym times and adult leagues.

Quick Snapshot: What Made the 2014 Atlanta Hawks Special?

Here’s a simple overview for reference:

Helpful Tips if You’re an Atlanta-Based Hawks Fan (New or Long-Time)

If the 2014 season is what pulled you into Hawks fandom – or you’re catching up now – here’s how to plug into the team locally:

• Attend at least one home game each season if you can
  • Aim for a Friday or Saturday night for a livelier Downtown atmosphere.
• Use public transit when possible
  • MARTA rail to GWCC/CNN Center Station or Five Points can save time and parking stress.
• Combine a game with nearby attractions
  • The arena is within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the CNN Center area, making it easy to plan a full day in Downtown.
• Follow local coverage
  • Atlanta-based sports talk and local papers regularly reference the 2014–15 Hawks when comparing current teams, which gives you context on how expectations are set today.

What Someone in Atlanta Should Take Away About the 2014 Hawks

For Atlanta, “Atlanta Hawks 2014” isn’t just a season — it marks:

• The shift from a mid-tier team to a serious Eastern Conference force
• A time when the Hawks helped re-energize Downtown on game nights
• The foundation for today’s fan culture, arena experience, and citywide engagement with pro basketball

If you live in or visit Atlanta and want to understand why the Hawks matter here, knowing the story of the 2014–2015 season gives you a clear window into how basketball and city pride came together in a new way.