Ranking Each Member of Atlanta Hawks Roster and Their Best Highlight Play

While the conundrum that is the NBA lockout marches on, we have little to do but rank players and their highlights.

So that is exactly what I'm doing.

Last season was another mildly successful campaign for the Atlanta Hawks and their new head coach, Larry Drew. Still, the Hawks entered all too familiar territory as the 2nd Round of the playoffs proved to be too much to handle.

Things however, looked brighter than usual for a few reasons: they didn't lose every game by an average of 25 points; they beat Orlando in the first round, a team that completely and utterly destroyed a helpless Hawks team just a year before; and they won their first 2nd Round game in the modern era (they'd been there twice before, but were swept each time) while a point guard finally emerged from the rubble that was the Atlanta bench in Jeff Teague.

Roughly half of the team may be departing next season, but it shouldn't hurt the Hawks terribly considering most of them are practice players or bench players.  

While the Hawks future may be filled with question marks and blurry vision, hindsight is 20/20.

Here we rank each current Atlanta Hawks player, and provide the best highlights from the top 10 during time in the ATL.

16. Magnum Rolle

Magnum Rolle was picked up for multiple 10-day contracts last season before being signed for the rest of the season. He never saw the court and was a reserve.

He's currently a work in progress as he was called up from the D-League last year. 

15. Hilton Armstrong

Hilton Armstrong was acquired in the Washington trade in the middle of last season. He came in with low expectations, and he fulfilled those very expectations. The Hawks got just what they expected, a fringe rotation player that hardly put forth any contributions. 

At this point, Armstrong is just a journeyman with sufficient flaws in his game. His mid-range shot is decent, but he's scrawny and has bad hands. His post skills are defunct, and that's putting it kindly.

Armstrong is still a solid practice player as his athleticism and length can potentially provide problems defensively, and he can definitely be Keith Benson's new chew toy. Benson is similar in stature, but is the opposite of Armstrong skill-wise.

14. Etan Thomas

Etan Thomas, the burly man with dreadlocks, is entering the twilight of his career. 

There was a time when Thomas could put forth solid minutes and contributions. Now, his time on the court is mainly spent as a placeholder. He's just there to be a big body.

Thomas is a solid rebounder, but he's slow and honestly, he's dilapidated, a shell of what he once was (and he was never that good). 

13. Josh Powell

Unfortunately, head coach Larry Drew had an infatuation with Powell when he really wasn't all that good. His mid-range jump shot is his best attribute, and the athleticism that once made him semi-usable seems to be washed up.

Powell is a big body who doesn't completely lack post moves, but he doesn't quite have an entire arsenal either. 

While he no doubt performed more admirably than Thomas or Armstrong, because he does have somewhat of an offensive repertoire, his best days in the league are behind him.

Frankly, his best days were never all that good anyways. 

12. Keith Benson

The potential-filled second-round draft pick may have a wiry frame, but he's as bouncy as they can get with a knack for blocking shots.

His Summit League accolades are through the roof: he's the all-time leader in blocked shots for the Summit league and the only player to ever record 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 300 blocks in league history.

He's also Oakland University's fourth all-time leading scorer and the second all-time leading rebounder. In college, he was a stud.

College analysts raved about him being a potential first-round pick when the NCAA tournament rolled around. Unfortunately, he got dominated in workouts by the more brawny of men, and his skinny frame stood out more than ever.

Still, a team was definitely going to take a chance on this guy, and the Hawks did. His main focus should be adding some weight and putting some meat on those bones so he can put his solid post moves to use.

He has agreed to play in Italy while the lockout continues, but has an opt-out clause that states he can come to the Hawks when the lockout is lifted. 

11. Pape Sy

The rookie Pape Sy finally got tossed a bone in the closing games of the season, logging his first ever NBA minutes. He's an energy-filled, athletic shooting guard who has all of the raw tools to make it in the league, but is going to need to be coached up to learn how to use them to his advantage. 

He performed decently considering it was the first time he ever sniffed the court due to his back injury that excluded him from even getting cupcake minutes in the waning seconds of blowouts.

However, he was reckless with the ball, turning it over all too often and losing his dribble. His decision making is what needs the most work, followed by getting a tighter grip of things fundamentally.

There are some crazed Hawks fans that think he might have a future in the league, consider me one of them.

10. Jason Collins

When you watch this clip, you may not see Jason Collins at all. His name won't be mentioned. However, if you want a reason or two as to why the Hawks won that series, let me give them to you: Jason Collins and Zaza Pachulia.

Jason Collins became affectionately known as the "Superman Stopper" after successful regular season stints against Dwight Howard. While looking at the stats show that Howard had his way with just about anyone in the series, looking at how well Orlando did offensively when Collins was on the floor says otherwise.

When Collins was on the floor, Orlando's offense produced at a much slower rate as he wasn't afraid to hack Howard, and hack him hard.

He's big and strong, and can hold his ground defensively with the most dominant big men in the NBA. New Jersey used him to slow Shaq and Atlanta used him to slow Dwight.

His offense may be untraceable as you'd be lucky to get three points out of him, but his defense leaves an unquestioned presence on the court.

9. Damien Wilkins

The nephew of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins found himself in an Atlanta Hawks uniform, and while not much was expected of him, he was actually an admirable contributor.

Wilkins was able to come in and provide a defensive presence while also providing the occasional offensive boost. He always made the smart play and was aggressive on both ends of the floor (right Carmelo?).

There was a time three or four years ago where Wilkins was a legitimate offensive threat. However, injuries and aging have slowed him, but he showed this year that as a serviceable veteran, he would still play hard.

Wilkins definitely has some "good ole' Uncle Nique" in him, and that dunk is far from his career best. He's been dunking pretty well for a long time.

8. Marvin Williams

Marvin Williams had issues living up to the ridiculously high expectations that accompany being taken with second overall pick in the NBA draft, ahead of the likes of Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

He tends to disappear on offense and when he is alive and moving, he takes the worst shot in the game of basketball every time he shoots (in case you're wondering it's shooting with your heels on the three-point line).

His three-point game is subpar, and his mid-range game is okay. He's athletic and fast, despite minor injury issues. 

Still, he all too often becomes a non-factor in games when he should be stepping up. He has all the physical tools to be successful in the NBA, but can't fully piece together his game.

His best individual highlight from his Hawks' career came last season when the Hawks overcame a 19-point second half deficit against Chicago. With the Hawks chipping away at the lead, Williams sent league MVP Derrick Rose an emphatic message at the rim, refusing to become part of a poster. 

Williams was at one point a very serviceable role player, but oddly enough, as his career continues and he moves into his primal years of physical condition, his play is regressing seemingly year by year.

This has been rather noticeable, especially after he slowly built his way up into a solid all-around starter.

7. Kirk Hinrich

While this is just supposed to be Hawks highlights, it's really not fair to Kirk Hinrich, who came over in a midseason trade and hasn't had time to develop a cool, usable highlight despite his solid overall play.

So I decided to pick my favorite one of last season, which is still the season he became a Hawk. Here he is making J.J. Redick look like a fool, just like it's the Sweet 16 in 2003.

It's no surprise Hinrich became a Hawk as Rick Sund is the GM, and he is known for his infatuation with Hinrich's play; for good reason, too. Hinrich showed his smarts and ability to run an offense in his short stint with Atlanta, providing stability at the point guard position and canning his open shots.

However, when he went down with an injury in Game 6 against Orlando, he opened the door for Jeff Teague, who may take over the starting point guard duties next season.

Hinrich will still be an oft-used guard whether he starts or not, as the defensive prowess he provides is far too advanced to have him wilt away on the bench. 

6. Zaza Pachulia

Pachulia may not be the most dominant big man in the game today, but he's the perfect backup center.

He's gritty and rough, and he's not afraid to play hardball. He's gotten in two famous playoff scuffles that have thrust him in the spotlight as he assumes the Hawks' role as the enforcer. 

Not just to self promote, but to read more of my thoughts on Zaza, click here.

He truly is the epitome of a team player, and he's got the highlights to show. Here, is the famous playoff encounter as he headbutts Jason Richardson.

Unfortunately, his best moment as a Hawk cannot be found anymore. All the videos of it seem to be gone, but for the life of me, I cannot find Pachulia's skirmish with Kevin Garnett. While Joe Johnson carried the load in that series, it was Pachulia who set the tone.

In the mean time, all the LeBron haters can enjoy Zaza's grand theft auto.

5. Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague was underutilized all season, and he showed why Hawks fans were begging Larry Drew to put him in with a stellar playoff performance. 

He challenged Derrick Rose tooth and nail, and showed that his speed is nearly unmatched. His bad decisions that cut his minutes down in the regular season turned into good decisions: 12-foot floaters became five-foot floaters, bad passes turned into good passes, everything wrong decision he made, he reversed it.

His top highlight in his two-year career as a Hawk was his barrage of steals he put on against Portland at the end of the first quarter this season.

After this is when the Teague supporters came out in force, begging for more minutes. The wish was eventually granted, and like previously stated, he wowed in the postseason. 

His play in the playoffs has Hawks fans thinking that they may have had their point guard of the future all along.

4. Jamal Crawford

I really couldn't decide between the play to your left and this play.

While the latter is clearly more impressive and more epic, that was in the regular season while the play to your left was a critical post season game. In terms of weighing importance, clearly the shot against Orlando takes the cake.

Crawford is the absolute master of the shake and bake move and often puts on spectacular displays of highlight brilliance.

He's a spark-plug off the bench, claiming the 6th man of the year award in 2010. He's a streaky shooter who leads the league in the history of made 4 point plays. He's probably the Hawks most reliable clutch performer.

Unfortunately, it is doubtful he'll be back in the ATL next season as the Hawks and Crawford were unable to come to agreement on a contract extension this season. He is a free agent, and it would behoove Atlanta to keep him.

Still, the Hawks could focus elsewhere and target a replacement such as Marcus Thornton who is less of a defensive liability. 

If Crawford does leave, he will be missed by Atlanta fans for his absolute gutsy play.

3. Al Horford

While Horford has had his moments in his career (like canning a game sealer in Game 3 against Boston its about 55 seconds in), they all paled in comparison to him leading the magical comeback against Chicago earlier this season.

It was a regular season game, but Horford put up some gaudy numbers, tallying 31 points and 16 rebounds. The Hawks trailed by 19 in the second half, but led by Horford, they rallied. 

Horford may very well be the future of this team. He's one go-to low post move away from becoming a dominant scorer in the league, and while his defense may need work, it's not terrible.

Rumors are swirling that the Hawks may be trading Josh Smith in order to commit to Horford at the power forward position. Speaking of J-Smoove... 

2. Josh Smith

From what I've seen, and I've seen a lot, this was Josh Smith's best career game. Considering the stakes, considering the pressure, considering the criticism he'd been receiving, this is the game where he shut everyone up.

Smith racked up 23 points, 16 boards and eight assists while absolutely playing his heart out in every facet of the game, and you can tell from watching this highlight clip. He passed, he ran the floor, he worked inside, he refused to back down to a superior Bulls team, and as a result, Atlanta tied the series up at 2-2.

Hawks fans may boo Smith, but he doesn't deserve it. No matter how annoying the occasional 19-foot upchuck is, he brings so much more positive than negative to the floor. He brings intensity and he brings life. He's the heart and soul of the team.

Now it's time for the dunkathon... click here, click here and click here 

This one is my personal favorite.

1. Joe Johnson

Say what you want about Joe Johnson and his way too big contract, but he's a hell of a player.

Sure, he struggled last season as he shot an atrocious (at least for him) 29 percent from downtown, but that can also be attributed to injury. Johnson is sure to bounce back, and while his best days are most likely behind him, that doesn't mean that good days aren't ahead.

Speaking of his best days, that clip is what Joe Johnson is all about. In one of the great Hawks playoff performances of all time, up there with Mookie's 36 on Jordan's Bulls and Nique's 47 in the famous Bird-Wilkins shootout in 1988, Joe Johnson lit Boston up for 35 points.

He dropped 20 in the fourth quarter, and turned the Celtics defense into a playground. He was all over the monkey bars and the swings, making it look easy. 

In a much shorter clip than the one displayed, here is Johnson's biggest play of the game in a special "Where Amazing Happens" commercial. 

Johnson has been the Hawks offensive centerpiece for years now, and in those years he's provided some great highlights, including two buzzer-beaters, one against the Timberwolves, and the other against the Bobcats.

That's not mentioning his bomb in Dwyane Wade's face either, which was in a crucial playoff Game 7 where the Hawks would prevail under Johnson's direction.

In short, despite his struggles, he's still the Hawks' best player.