Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 Season Countdown: Day 27, featuring Joe Caldwell

In this 2016-17 Hawks Season Countdown, we will be counting down the days leading up to the Hawks’ first regular season game. Each day, we will dissect some of the players that have worn the corresponding number during the team’s history.

Here at Soaring Down South, we are counting down the days until the season begins. We’ll continue at 27 days until the regular season starts for the Hawks, with one of the most important people in basketball history and the immortal Zaza.

What Hawks Have Worn #27?

Bob Schafer (1956)
Med Park (1956)
Joe Caldwell (1966-1970)
John Tresvant (1966)
Ollie Johnson (1978)
Zaza Pachulia (2006-2013)

Best Season By A Hawk wearing #27

Joe Caldwell (1969-70)

21.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.2 SPG in 34.8 MPG

Caldwell was a player before his time; one who would have racked up countless endorsements and YouTube views if he was born fourty years later. His stat-sheet stuffing would have had brands lining up to sign “Jumpin’ Joe” to a deal. He is commonly agreed to be one of the greatest defenders of his era, one where basketball was much less popular than it is now. Below are a few quotes basketball legends have said of Caldwell:

“He probably jumped higher than anyone I ever remember shooting a jump shot. (Caldwell) was unbelievably successful because of his athleticism. He was an incredible athlete, ahead of his time.”-Rick Barry

“Joe was one of the two best defenders I ever played against.”- Walt Frazier

“Joe was the most exciting player I’ve ever played with and coached. Him leaving our team for the ABA was really the demise of our team in Atlanta, not Pete Maravich.”- Richie Guerin

All of this, and he isn’t in the Hall of Fame, due to being blackballed out of basketball by the Spirits of St. Louis.

Who wore #27 most recently?

Zaza Pachulia (2006-13)

The hulking Georgian spent his eight seasons with the Hawks carving out one of the most enjoyable careers in team history. He played for sub-20 win teams, and for 50-win contenders, but he brought the same intensity and drive every single night. Drafted in 2003, Pachulia brought a defensive edge to every game he has played in for the Hawks. He played in a total of 556 games as a Hawk, spanning nearly a decade. He patrolled the paint alongside the likes of Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and was nearly every Hawk fan’s favorite center.

Pachulia left for Milwaukee during free agency in 2013, and a gaping hole in the collective Hawk fan’s hearts was created. He nearly started in the 2016 All-Star Game. This, was behind votes from his Georgian followers, both in the United States and Europe. Also, he will undoubtedly be the starting center for the greatest basketball team ever assembled, once the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors take the court.

Who’s your favorite #27 in Hawks history? Come back tomorrow for the next edition of the 2016-17 Hawks Season Countdown!