‘I’m blessed’: Hawks’ TV play-by-play voice still having fun 30 seasons in
Thirty seasons in and Hawks play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun is still having fun.
In his time as the voice of the Hawks’ television broadcast, Rathbun has almost seen it all, from the 56-win season under legendary coach Lenny Wilkens to the 60-win season under coach Mike Budenholzer, to Eastern Conference finals runs in 2015 and ’21.
In his three decades behind the mic, Rathbun has seen the Hawks go through two ownership groups, eight coaches and a few different All-Stars.
“I’m blessed that the good Lord gave me an enthusiasm to work,” Rathbun told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’ve been doing this since I was 19 years old. I don’t know how to do anything else, but I remember a line from Don Shula, the legendary football coach, and he said, ‘The closer I get to the stadium, the faster I walk.’
“And I still have that enthusiasm. … I’m as excited about (the next) game as any I’ve ever done, because it’s the fans you do it for.”
The longtime broadcaster has seen the Hawks franchise at some of its highest peaks, as well as some of its lowest valleys. But he has a consistent presence, bringing his wit and charm to the broadcast, becoming a beloved part of it.
Just don’t ask him about his favorites of those years — it’s akin to asking a parent to name a favorite child.
“I get that question a lot and I really don’t have a (favorite) call, but what I remember probably the most was the 60-win team,” Rathbun said of the 2014-15 squad. “Because we went through the month of January unbeaten, which had never been done and probably will never be done again in NBA history — 19 straight games, which is a quarter of your schedule, and just to see the city just turn on to the Hawks like they were, I mean, we were the biggest thing in town. And it reminded me of Nique’s (Dominique Wilkins’) days with Nique and Doc (Rivers) and Spud (Webb) and Kevin Willis, all those guys in the ’80s when they were battling the Celtics and the Bulls, the Pistons.”
Rathbun has seen the evolution of the franchise, including the relocation of the team’s G League franchise from Erie, Pennsylvania, to College Park. He has seen the Hawks’ practice facility move from the practice courts at the arena to a state-of-the-art setup in Brookhaven.
“But gosh, where we’ve come from to where we are now,” Rathbun said, “I mean, every night’s a sellout, basically, and it’s a party. It’s the atmosphere; it’s one of the best in the NBA. Everybody who comes has a great time, regardless of whether we win or lose.
“And it’s, to me, the best of both worlds. You get the basketball and you get the party scene. So, it’s great.”
With their 9-5 record, the Hawks have gotten off to their best 14-game start in three years. They also have one of their deepest and most talented rosters, navigating much of this first section of the season without All-Star guard Trae Young.
They’re also tied for third in the Eastern Conference with the Cavaliers, who are among the preseason favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
The Hawks still have plenty more games ahead of them before they can think about the playoffs, but in the meantime, Rathbun will continue having fun, along with Wilkins, who sits alongside him as the TV analyst.
“I think just the baseline is to have fun,” Rathbun said. “You know Nique’s the perfect foil to be with me. I broadcast a Dominique Wilkins game when he was in high school. I did a game in the NIT when he played at Georgia. I did a game at the tail end of his NBA career.
“And, of course, he’s been my partner now. I think this our 16th year together. So, we’ve seen a lot of basketball together, and we’ve just we’ve done so many games, I know how to have fun with him.”
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