Inside the 2015 Atlanta Hawks: A Historic Season That Redefined Basketball in Atlanta

The 2014–2015 Atlanta Hawks season wasn’t just another year of NBA basketball. For many people in Atlanta, Georgia, it was the year the Hawks fully arrived as a national story — and a local point of pride.

If you live in Atlanta (or you’re visiting and want to understand why people still talk about that team), this guide walks through what made the 2015 Atlanta Hawks special, how the city embraced them, and how you can still experience that era’s impact today.

Why the 2015 Hawks Matter in Atlanta History

The 2015 Atlanta Hawks are best remembered for:

• A franchise-record win total and first-place finish in the Eastern Conference
• A style of play built on teamwork, ball movement, and spacing
• Sending four players to the NBA All-Star Game
• Energizing the city around basketball in a way Atlanta hadn’t seen in years

For Atlanta residents, that season brought:

• Packed nights at State Farm Arena (then Philips Arena)
• Watch parties at bars and restaurants across Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• A sense that Atlanta was a true basketball city, not just a football or baseball town

Even if you’re just starting to follow the Hawks now, understanding the 2015 team gives you a foundation for how the modern franchise and fan culture developed.

Key Facts About the 2014–2015 Atlanta Hawks Season

Here’s a simple overview of what made that season stand out:

For an Atlanta fan, this was the type of season where every game felt important, and the city’s energy followed the team deep into spring.

The Core Players Atlanta Fans Remember

The 2015 Hawks weren’t built around a single superstar. They were known for a balanced starting lineup and “strength in numbers” approach.

The Starting Five

Most Atlanta fans associate this team with a core group:

• Jeff Teague (PG) – Quick, aggressive point guard who could drive, dish, and create offense.
• Kyle Korver (SG) – One of the league’s best pure shooters; a major threat from three-point range.
• DeMarre Carroll (SF) – Defensive specialist, known for his hustle and intensity.
• Paul Millsap (PF) – Versatile forward, strong on both ends, capable of scoring inside and out.
• Al Horford (C) – Reliable center, the anchor of the defense and a steady presence in the locker room.

For Atlantans, these names still carry weight. You’ll see their jerseys around State Farm Arena on game nights, and they’re often mentioned in local sports coverage as the core of that memorable run.

Coaching and Playing Style: How the Hawks Changed the Game in Atlanta

Mike Budenholzer’s System

Head coach Mike Budenholzer, who came from a long tenure with San Antonio, brought a system that emphasized:

• Unselfish passing
• Spacing the floor with shooters
• Disciplined team defense

In Atlanta terms, this meant fans got to see a brand of basketball that was:

• Fast-paced but organized
• Built on everyone touching the ball, not just isolation plays
• A clear contrast to previous Hawks eras that leaned more on single stars

If you go to a Hawks game today, you’ll still see traces of that style — especially in the emphasis on three-point shooting and ball movement.

How the City of Atlanta Responded

The 2015 Hawks helped create a stronger basketball identity in Atlanta. Locals experienced it in several ways:

Packed Home Games

Home games at what is now State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303) became hot tickets. Atlantans:

• Got downtown early to avoid traffic on I-85, I-75, and the Connector
• Filled MARTA trains headed to GWCC/CNN Center station for easy arena access
• Turned games into full nights out with dinner and drinks at Downtown and Centennial Olympic Park area restaurants

Watch Parties and Bars

During that season and playoff run, many people in Atlanta watched games at:

• Sports bars in Midtown, Buckhead, and Old Fourth Ward
• Neighborhood spots in places like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and West Midtown

Even now, when the Hawks are in the playoffs, you’ll see the same pattern repeat — crowds in jerseys, patios with TVs, and a strong home-team atmosphere.

The 2015 Playoff Run: How Far Did the Hawks Go?

For an Atlanta fan trying to piece together the story, here’s how the postseason went:

• The Hawks entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
• They advanced through the first two rounds, giving fans multiple series to rally around.
• The run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Hawks were eliminated before reaching the NBA Finals.

Despite the disappointment of not winning a championship, for many people in Atlanta this was:

• The deepest and most exciting playoff run they’d experienced with the Hawks in years
• A moment when Atlanta felt squarely on the national NBA map

It set a standard that fans often use now when judging how current Hawks teams are performing.

Experiencing the 2015 Hawks Legacy in Atlanta Today

Even though the roster has changed, you can still connect with that era when you’re in Atlanta.

1. Visit State Farm Arena on a Game Night

• Location: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Access:
  • MARTA: Exit at GWCC/CNN Center station
  • Parking: Multiple decks and surface lots around the arena

What you’ll notice that traces back to 2015:

• A strong focus on fan experience, in-game entertainment, and loud crowds
• A continuing effort to make the Hawks a core part of downtown Atlanta’s identity

2. Explore Hawks Merchandise and Throwback Gear

Around Atlanta, especially near the arena and in sports shops, you may find:

• Throwback jerseys of Horford, Millsap, Teague, or Korver
• Retro Hawks branding that nods to past eras, including the mid-2010s

Many Atlanta fans still wear 2015-era jerseys to games — a sign of how beloved that group remains.

3. Tune Into Local Sports Coverage

Local Atlanta sports radio and TV often reference the 2015 team when:

• Comparing current Hawks playoff chances
• Debating coaching styles or roster building
• Discussing the evolution of Atlanta as an NBA city

If you’re new to town, listening to those conversations helps you understand how high the bar was set that year.

How the 2015 Hawks Influenced Today’s Hawks Culture

The 2015 season helped shape what Atlanta fans expect from their team:

• Team-first basketball: Fans in Atlanta now appreciate unselfish play and smart offense.
• Playoff aspirations: Making a deep run is no longer seen as unrealistic; it’s a benchmark.
• Community impact: The Hawks’ work in Atlanta — from youth programs to local partnerships — gained more visibility as the team’s profile rose.

If you’re attending a game now, much of the energy in the building, the in-game production, and the engagement with the city are built on momentum that grew significantly during that 2015 season.

Tips for Hawks Fans and Visitors in Atlanta

If the 2015 Hawks sparked your interest and you want to dive deeper while you’re in the city:

• 🏀 Catch a regular-season or playoff game at State Farm Arena to feel how the fan culture has evolved.
• 🚇 Use MARTA on game nights to avoid downtown congestion; GWCC/CNN Center station drops you close to the arena.
• 📷 Walk the area around Centennial Olympic Park before or after games to soak in the downtown atmosphere.
• 👕 Look for 2015-era jerseys and memorabilia worn by longtime fans — they’re a good conversation starter if you want to hear firsthand memories.

The 2015 Atlanta Hawks season is a major chapter in Atlanta sports history. For residents and visitors, understanding that team gives you a clearer picture of why basketball matters here, why the city rallies around the Hawks, and how one remarkable year helped redefine what Atlanta expects from its NBA franchise.