Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks: A Complete Guide for Fans in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, chances are you’ve heard someone talk about Al Horford in the same breath as the Atlanta Hawks. For many Atlanta basketball fans, Horford is one of the players most closely associated with the team’s rise from rebuilding seasons to regular playoff contender in the 2010s.

This guide walks through Horford’s history with the Atlanta Hawks, why he matters so much locally, and how fans in Atlanta today can still connect with his legacy—whether you’re catching a game at State Farm Arena, exploring team history, or just trying to understand why his name keeps coming up whenever Hawks centers are discussed.

Who Is Al Horford, and What’s His Connection to the Atlanta Hawks?

Al Horford is a professional basketball player who spent the core of his early career with the Atlanta Hawks, becoming one of the franchise’s most important modern-era players.

He was:

• A multi-time All-Star while with Atlanta
• The starting center and sometimes power forward
• A key part of the Hawks’ long streak of playoff appearances in the 2010s
• One of the faces of the team during its move from Philips Arena days into a more modern identity

For Atlantans, when people talk about the “Joe Johnson–Josh Smith–Al Horford” or the later “Teague–Korver–Horford–Millsap” eras, they’re talking about the time when the Hawks were regularly competitive in the Eastern Conference and downtown Atlanta basketball became a reliable spring activity.

Horford’s Time With the Hawks: A Quick Timeline

Here’s a clear snapshot of Horford’s Hawks years from an Atlanta-focused perspective:

During his years in Atlanta, Horford became known for:

• Versatility – solid scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and team defense
• Unselfish play – often making the “right basketball play” rather than chasing stats
• Stability – rare for high-impact players to stay as consistently productive for one franchise over so many seasons

For many fans in Atlanta, Horford was the on-court anchor that made the Hawks’ team-first style work.

Why Horford Still Matters to Atlanta Hawks Fans

Even though Horford has played for other teams since his Hawks days, his impact on basketball culture in Atlanta remains strong.

1. He Helped Redefine the Hawks’ Identity

Before Horford’s era, the Hawks often swung between short playoff bursts and down years. With him as a centerpiece, Atlanta:

• Made the playoffs year after year
• Developed a reputation for unselfish, system-based basketball
• Showed that Atlanta could be a serious basketball city, not just a stopover market

For locals who went to games during those years, the style of play—ball movement, spacing, smart defense—became part of how they think Hawks basketball “should” look.

2. He Anchored Some of the Hawks’ Most Memorable Seasons

Hawks fans in Atlanta still talk about:

• Deep playoff runs
• Regular-season success where the team sat near the top of the Eastern Conference standings
• A roster built more on chemistry and balance than individual superstars

Horford’s calm presence, interior defense, and ability to stretch the floor later in his career helped shape those teams.

3. He Raised the Standard for Big Men in Atlanta

When locals now evaluate:

• New Hawks centers
• Draft prospects
• Trade rumors involving big men

They often compare them—directly or indirectly—to what Horford gave Atlanta: two-way play, reliability, and team-first attitude. That sets a kind of “baseline expectation” in Hawks conversations around the city.

Experiencing Horford’s Legacy in Atlanta Today

Even if Horford isn’t currently suiting up for the Hawks, there are still several ways to connect with his Hawks story while you’re in Atlanta.

Visit State Farm Arena for Hawks Games

Location:
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

This is where:

• Horford played home games through many of his prime seasons
• Longtime fans still remember playoff matchups and big regular-season wins
• The modern Hawks continue to build on the foundation that players like Horford helped lay

When you attend a game:

• Look for historical references around the arena—video features, throwback nights, or mentions of past playoff teams.
• Talk with longtime season ticket holders or local fans around you; many will have personal memories of the Horford-era Hawks.

Explore Hawks History as an Atlanta Fan

If you’re trying to understand Horford’s place in the franchise:

• Browse team historical materials sold at the arena store, like season recaps and commemorative items.
• Look at older rosters and playoff brackets to see how frequently Atlanta appeared in the postseason during the Horford era.
• Pay attention to how Horford shows up in team record books, especially for big men.

This helps you see how his Hawks time fits into the broader story of pro basketball in Atlanta, from the Dominique Wilkins era to the current Trae Young–led teams.

How Locals Talk About “Horford and the Hawks” Today

If you live in or around Atlanta, you’ll notice Horford’s name still comes up in a few common ways:

• Barbershop / sports bar debates – comparing Horford-era Hawks to current teams
• Talk radio and podcasts – using Horford’s time as a reference point when discussing whether the franchise is progressing or regressing
• Fan expectations – many Atlantans still use Horford-era success as proof that the Hawks can be a consistent playoff team when built correctly

When someone in Atlanta says, “Back when we had Horford…,” they’re usually talking about:

• Strong regular seasons
• Balanced rosters
• A sense that the Hawks were always “in the mix” in the East

Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta

If you’re new to the city or just visiting and want to understand why Horford is such a big deal here, you can:

1. Catch a Hawks Home Game 🏀

• Sit in the lower bowl if possible to feel close to where Horford once played.
• Listen to older fans around you; many will reference past players like Horford when talking about what the team needs now.

2. Visit Team Stores and Look for Throwbacks

Inside or near State Farm Arena, check:

• Retro jerseys or shirts that reference earlier Hawks eras
• Vintage-style designs that feature or nod to the 2010s playoff teams

Even if Horford-specific items aren’t always on display, the era he headlined is often represented in how the team markets its history.

3. Talk to Longtime Atlantans

If you’re watching a game at a local bar, restaurant, or community center in Atlanta, ask people who’ve followed the Hawks for years:

• “What do you remember about the Al Horford Hawks teams?”
• “How do those teams compare to today’s Hawks?”

You’ll hear real, ground-level perspectives that help you understand how Horford shaped local fan expectations.

What Horford Represents for the Future of Basketball in Atlanta

For many in Atlanta, Horford symbolizes:

• A time when the Hawks proved they could win consistently without a single overwhelming superstar
• A model for how a big man can fit into modern, team-oriented basketball
• A reminder that the franchise can build multi-year playoff teams with the right mix of talent and culture

When people in the city talk about building around current stars, drafting young bigs, or adding frontcourt help, they’re often—whether they say it out loud or not—measuring those moves against what the team once had with Al Horford in an Atlanta Hawks jersey.

If you’re an Atlanta resident, a new fan, or a visitor trying to connect with the local sports scene, understanding Horford’s era with the Hawks gives you a solid foundation for following where the franchise is headed next.