Looking Back at the Atlanta Hawks’ 2012 Roster: Who Played in the Highlight Factory Era?

If you follow basketball in Atlanta, Georgia, the phrase “Atlanta Hawks 2012 roster” probably brings back memories of Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena), playoff pushes, and the early days of what would become the Hawks’ modern playoff identity.

Below is a clear breakdown of the full 2011–2012 Atlanta Hawks roster, what role each player had, and how this team fits into Atlanta’s basketball story. This is written for fans in Atlanta who want to remember who played here, newer fans trying to catch up on team history, or visitors interested in the city’s NBA culture.

The 2011–2012 Atlanta Hawks at a Glance

The 2011–2012 Hawks were a playoff team built around:

• Joe Johnson – scoring All-Star wing
• Josh Smith – versatile forward and Atlanta native
• Al Horford – all-around big man
• A strong supporting cast of vets like Zaza Pachulia, Kirk Hinrich, Marvin Williams, and Tracy McGrady

Home games were played at Philips Arena, downtown at 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303 (same location, now known as State Farm Arena).

Full 2011–2012 Atlanta Hawks Roster

The table below lists the key players who suited up for the Hawks during the 2011–2012 NBA season (the lockout-shortened year), grouped by position.

Core Roster Summary

Backcourt: Point Guards and Shooting Guards

Jeff Teague – The Emerging Point Guard

In 2012, Jeff Teague was just coming into his own as the starting point guard:

• Known for his speed and dribble penetration
• Important for getting Joe Johnson and Josh Smith their touches
• Helped push the tempo at Philips Arena, energizing home crowds

For Atlanta fans today, Teague is often remembered as part of the core that eventually led to the 60-win season a few years later.

Joe Johnson – The Scoring Star

Joe Johnson was the face of the team in that era:

• Played mainly shooting guard, sometimes small forward
• Reliable late-game scorer and isolation option
• Multiple-time NBA All-Star during his Atlanta stint

If you attended Hawks home games around 2012 in downtown Atlanta, Johnson was usually the player you expected to take big shots late in the fourth quarter.

Kirk Hinrich – Steady Veteran Guard

Kirk Hinrich provided:

• Defense on opposing guards
• The ability to play both point guard and shooting guard
• A stabilizing presence when Teague was off the floor

Atlanta fans who like gritty, defensive-minded guards often remember Hinrich fondly for his role in tough playoff series.

Bench Guards: Willie Green, Jannero Pargo, and Veterans

• Willie Green (SG) – Microwave scorer off the bench, able to hit timely jumpers.
• Jannero Pargo (PG) – Smaller guard, known for three-point shooting in short bursts.
• Tracy McGrady (SG/SF) – Once a superstar, McGrady joined Atlanta in a reserve role, providing experience and occasional playmaking.
• Jerry Stackhouse (SG/SF) – Another veteran wing who contributed leadership more than heavy minutes.

For fans in Atlanta at the time, seeing big names like McGrady and Stackhouse suit up for the Hawks, even late in their careers, was a unique part of that season’s identity.

Frontcourt: Forwards and Centers

Josh Smith – The Local High-Flyer

Josh Smith, from College Park, Georgia, was a true Atlanta story:

• Played both power forward and small forward
• Known for athletic blocks, dunks, and versatility
• One of the most exciting players at Philips Arena during that period

If you lived in metro Atlanta then, you probably remember the energy when Smith caught alley-oops or chased down blocks in transition.

Al Horford – The Interior Anchor

Al Horford was the Hawks’ main center/power forward:

• Brought rebounding, smart defense, and mid-range shooting
• Served as a stabilizing leader on both ends of the floor
• Missed part of the season due to injury, which shaped the team’s rotations

Horford later became central to several deep playoff runs, but in 2012 he was already a core piece of Atlanta’s basketball identity.

Marvin Williams – The Versatile Forward

Marvin Williams often started at small forward:

• Provided a mix of size, shooting, and defense
• Could slide to power forward in smaller lineups
• Helped space the floor around Horford and Smith

For local fans, Williams sometimes flew under the radar, but he was a consistent part of the nightly rotation.

Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins, Erick Dampier – The Big Men Rotation

Behind Horford and Smith, the Hawks used several centers:

• Zaza Pachulia (C) – Physical defender and rebounder; a fan favorite for his toughness and personality.
• Jason Collins (C) – A strong screen-setter and post defender, used in specific matchups.
• Erick Dampier (C) – Signed for depth; another big body to help against larger frontcourts.

If you were at games in Atlanta, you often saw Pachulia bring an extra jolt of intensity, especially in physical playoff-style matchups.

Ivan Johnson – The High-Energy Forward

Ivan Johnson became something of a cult favorite:

• Played power forward/center
• Brought relentless energy, physicality, and hustle
• Gave the team toughness off the bench

His intensity resonated with Atlanta fans who appreciate blue-collar effort and grit.

Vladimir Radmanović – Stretch Forward

Vladimir Radmanović offered a different look:

• A power forward/small forward who could shoot from deep
• Helped space the floor for drives and post-ups
• Used in lineups where outside shooting was needed

In a city that has increasingly embraced three-point-heavy basketball, Radmanović was an early stretch option compared to more traditional bigs.

How the 2012 Hawks Fit into Atlanta’s Basketball Story

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding the 2012 roster helps explain how the modern Hawks evolved:

• It was a bridge team between the early 2000s rebuild and the later 60-win “team basketball” era.
• The roster mixed homegrown talent (Josh Smith), drafted core players (Horford, Teague, Williams), and veteran names (McGrady, Stackhouse, Hinrich).
• Home games downtown gave Atlanta crowds competitive basketball and frequent playoff appearances, helping solidify the Hawks as a regular postseason presence.

If you currently go to State Farm Arena for games, the in-arena experience, civic pride, and focus on playoff-level expectations trace back in part to this 2011–2012 core.

Visiting Hawks History in Atlanta Today

If the 2012 Hawks roster has you feeling nostalgic and you’re in Atlanta:

• You can still watch the current Hawks at
  State Farm Arena
  1 State Farm Dr
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• The arena is easily accessible from MARTA’s GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station, making it convenient for locals and visitors.

• Inside the arena, you’ll sometimes find nods to past eras, including former players who helped shape the franchise’s identity, like Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford.

Understanding the Atlanta Hawks 2012 roster gives you a clearer picture of how Atlanta’s NBA team moved from a fun, competitive playoff fixture to the more modern, system-driven squads that followed—all rooted right here in downtown Atlanta.