Traditionally, the third Monday of June is like New Years Day in the NBA. Like many of us, we at the Hawks use this time to reflect on last year and look ahead to our future. However, things feel very different this year, even after one of the Hawks’ most successful seasons on- and off-the-court.
We had many firsts — winning the Southeast Division title by posting 60 regular season wins, earning the Eastern Conference’s top seed in the playoffs, posting a franchise-best 19-game winning streak, and ultimately, reaching the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The strong support from our fans this past season also set records for the club, with increases in attendance, ratings, and digital traffic.
In this new year, we have already gotten off to a good start by retaining existing players and adding new ones as well as the unveiling of our new uniforms and colors. Also, both of us are thrilled to have a new ownership group. Led by Tony Ressler and Grant Hill, this group consists of members with a diversity of backgrounds and experience, including a number based here in Atlanta. This group has a clear vision for the club and the enthusiasm and resources to support that vision. We have spent considerable time with ownership, and together, we are focused on building a winning tradition, running the best possible business, and being a source of civic pride and a true asset to our community.
To build a winning tradition, the Hawks will continue to assemble a roster with players that are high character, competitive, and committed to being team players. Our ownership group supports this effort and is committed to providing the resources necessary to retain existing players and secure free agents by making Atlanta an attractive destination, including by investing in a new practice facility and locker rooms.
Running the best possible business means focusing on providing the best fan experience. We are immediately working to deliver better and broader food options at Philips Arena and working with the city to improve traffic flow. In addition, we are focused on offering attractive ticket prices and season packages and securing valuable corporate sponsorships and advertising that are commensurate with a great and growing city like Atlanta. Over the long term, our owners recognize the need to either refurbish or rebuild Philips Arena, and we appreciate the city’s continued effort to improve the vibrant downtown area.
All of our efforts need to enhance the club as a source of civic pride by building bridges through basketball. Just this summer, we have committed to renovating five basketball courts in metro Atlanta, including Welcome All Park in South Fulton, which was dedicated this past Friday — and we have hosted basketball clinics and camps with our community partners for more than 2,000 boys and girls around the city as part of our mission to increase access for metro Atlanta’s youth to play, grow and learn life and leadership skills through basketball. We expect everyone at the Hawks, especially our players and coaches, to serve as ambassadors to the community by using their status to support our core values. This even applies on a global level, as I participate as an assistant coach next weekend at the first-ever NBA Game in Africa.
We are confident that if everyone at the Club does their part, Atlanta will be recognized as one of America’s great basketball cities, a fact we already know is true. Our job is to continue to build our franchise as a civic asset through instilling a winning tradition, strengthening our relationship with our fans and sponsors, and actively providing leadership in the community. We are committed to our players — a certain type of player, to a style of play, prudent business management and energetic civic involvement. These are the qualities that the entire organization is committed to and will give us our greatest chance for sustained success.
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