Remember The ABA / NB70s: Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins

In 1969, still recovering from knee surgery in his final ABA season, Connie Hawkins hit the ground running with the Phoenix Suns, when he played 81 games and averaged 24.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. In the final game of his rookie season, Connie had 44 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 5 steals. The Suns finished third in the Western Conference, but were knocked out by the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game Western Conference Finals series in which Hawkins carried the Suns against a team that had future Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. For the series, Hawkins averaged 25 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists per game.
He missed 11 games due to injury during the 1970-71 season, averaging 21 points per game. He matched those stats the next year, and was the top scorer on a per-game basis for the Suns in the 1971-72 season. He averaged only 16 points per game for the Suns in the 1972-73 season. Averaging 11.3 points nine games into the 1973-74 season and having been replaced in the starting lineup by Mike Bantom, Hawkins was traded from the Suns to the Lakers for Keith Erickson and a 1974 second-round selection (31st overall-Fred Saunders) on October 30.
Injuries limited Hawkins' production in the 1974-75 season, and he finished his career after the 1975-76 season, playing for the Atlanta Hawks.

[@josepg.2479]

An underrated player who deserves more recognition.

[@Flametree1492]

Loved to watch Connie play! Especially in playground play. Everything, every move always seemed without effort! Totally the opposite of MJ that who exerted great efforts to score! Connie played like a warm summer breeze the breezed by all the major stars of his day. He was a pleasure to watch!

[@klicknkreate7077]

The Hawk is one of the smoothest players ever. Ice was nice but the Hawk could glide to the hoop with the greatest of ease!

[@loydkline]

Connie hawlin had revolutionary low post 📫 moves towards the basket super big hands & super long arms unstoppable

[@Wixom2200]

First MVP of the ABA. ABA was the league. Back in the 60s and until 1976. we had TWO Pro basket ball leagues. I did my highschool work and read the Sporting News. Loved it! All these cats were cool Alcindor, Clyde Frazier, Hawkins etc. Me too!

[@HiNRGboy]

my favorite player of all time! One of the greatest forwards ever.

[@ShadowHawk4219]

I'm with you on that. Such a damn shame he was banned unfairly for many years.

[@HiNRGboy]

@@ShadowHawk4219 yes same with the Pacers Roger Brown. He didn't even get a chance to play in the NBA at all. I'm glad Connie did, his first few years with the Suns were great.

[@ShadowHawk4219]

@@HiNRGboy I used to play ball in Wingate High School park back in the 70's where he went to school as i lived a few blocks away. I went to Erasmus Hall high on Flatbush Ave. There is a plaque with former athletes who went there, Billy Cunningham and Doug Moe.Great memories.

[@Tonyconner74]

There is no doubt in my mind that Connie was the most creative offensive player the NBA has ever seen.....

[@ScottH22175]

Awesome to see the Hawk again! Thanks!!! Read the book "Foul". Good read.

[@chrishutch13]

I read it as a kid. I was much more into ice hockey but read it for some reason and it was indeed a very good read. One of the most memorable I read as a kid.

[@elvispresley5921]

Connie was an amazing player...ahead of his time for sure! AND...One of the nicest people on the planet, as well. He is truly missed! I love the story he tells about Wilt Vs Magic & MJ's team.....yep...LUV IT !

[@emeanuele]

What story about MJ's team?

[@david.tousignant20]

Youre right. Also, those mits allowed him to palm the ball like no-one. It is impressive !

[@elvispresley5921]

@@emeanuele I shortened Magic to MJ , Wasnt talking about Jordan.. but if ur still interested in hearing it , sure , i'll tell ya ^ ^

[@LadyDuchess]

I’m still waiting to “hear” this story tho lol….💅🏾

[@lloydkline1518]

❤️ onnie hawkins ; unstoppable in low post offense

[@TomTrikilis]

HE WAS ONE OF A KIND!! The most UNIQUE FORWARD EVER!!! Could do things with the ball that no one ever could! He was the greatest SHOW on earth and a MAGICIAN with the ball!!

[@56original]

One of the greats.

[@stevereber]

My dad used to mention Connie Hawkins. Good Song ! First time I seen his highlights. I started following NBA 1979 -80 Bird Magic Days. Football 1978, Baseball 1978

[@jdsoultrn]

I really enjoy these highlights. The “Hawk” was a little before my time but he looks similar to Dr J before Dr J. So smooth!!

[@sakhemit]

I saw the Hawk play as an 18 year old senior at Boys High in Brooklyn-people look at me like I’m crazy when I say Kareem was the second greatest player to come out of NYC-but anyone who did not see Connie play in the mid 60s did not know how great he was

[@jingqi9106]

Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins was probably the best player fans in the 60s never saw. A gambling scandal that was never proven kept the Hawk out of the NBA until '69-70 and the loss was ours as well as the NBA's. There have been few combo forwards of his level in the history of the NBA and for good reason - the Hawk was a long 6'8" that could handle the ball like a guard and he was a high level facilitator that could lead the break and could make unbelievable assists in the half court. The Hawk could could score with his beautiful soft J as well as finish above the rim with slam dunks or artistic finger rolls the likes of which had never been seen before in the history of pro basketball. The Hawk played for the Pittsburgh Rens of the ABL at the age of 19 and was named the MVP of that fledgling league before it folded. The Hawk took his playground flair to the Globetrotters and thrilled fans with his great skills and ability to create with his huge hands that could palm the ball like a grapefruit. In '67 Connie took his high wire dunking act to the ABA and led the Pittsburgh Pipers to the chip and the basketball world saw first hand what the Hawk was capable of and the kind of excitement he could bring to the court. Unfortunately, Connie badly injured his knee in the ABA and by the time he entered the NBA, he no longer had the same jumping ability or mobility. However, Hawkins could still glide with effortless grace, had the smooth moves, and could pass and score with the best. Hawkins could still rebound the ball with one hand, seemingly change direction mid flight like the Doctor, pull up from 20 to softly swish the ball through the net, and dominate a pro game while making it look easy. There is nobody like the Hawk in history of basketball but at least NBA fans got to see him near his peak for a few years. The Hawk is arguably one of the greatest players ever and certainly could entertain the fans as well as anybody. One of the best basketball books ever is Connie's book "Foul!: The Connie Hawkins Story". Do yourself a favor and pick that one up.

[@dwannbrown2565]

I READ IT, WHEN I WAS A SHORTY!! YOUR POST IS POINT BLANK A TRIBUTE 2 THE HAWK!! I AM GLAD SOMEONE KNOWS ABOUT HIM, WHO LET UNBELIEVERS KNOW!!

[@jingqi9106]

@@dwannbrown2565 I went out of my way to watch The Hawk!

[@ScottH22175]

Came hear just to tell people to read Foul.... Great book!

[@jingqi9106]

@@ScottH22175 Foul was a great story and well written!

[@walterlee5682]

HALLELU!!!

[@misterb7070]

Not enough people saw the Hawk play in his prime, when he got to the NBA he was on the downside of his skills

[@victorwiley3739]

true- but still 1st team all pro as a NBA rookie in 1969-70

[@JackFlaps]

coolest thing about him is he never bounced the ball shooting free throws

[@thalmus7784]

I recall Doc said he copied some of Connie's moves.

[@dwannbrown2565]

THE HAWK!! BEFORE THERE WAS A DR.J., OR JORDAN!! THERE WAS CONNIE "THE HAWK" HAWKINS!! HE DID BETTER THAN DR. J. AND JORDAN!!

[@UKESRfertilizer]

Sweet connie hawkins😊 thank you