NBA 3 on 3 Tournament: Atlanta Hawks Historical Entry

SB Nation is profiling 3 on 3 teams as if every team would send one to a tournament. So we at PTH thought, who would be the entry if we used an all-time Atlanta Hawks team?

The concept of 3 on 3 is relatively new to Americans and the rules to be used in this fictional contest will rely on FIBA's rules (at the bottom of the page) with some exceptions:

• Inside the arc baskets are worth two instead of one point and three-pointers are worth three instead of two in FIBA.
• Games are 1 10 minute period -- team ahead at the end of 10 minutes wins;

UNLESS a team reaches 31, in which case that team wins (FIBA rules state 21, but that's with 1 and 2 pointers)

• 7 fouls results in the bonus situation
• You can't foul out (since we didn't allow subs)
• 12 second shot clock.

So you would need a creative ball handling type that can shoot, a someone else that can spot up and shoot from the outside and a finisher with some size.

The Atlanta Hawks have many people that can fit the bill, but for the purpose of this exercise, we're not choosing someone who is currently on the roster -- that we will save for our actual entry.

So looking back on Hawks history, this is who we chose:

1. Dominique Wilkins

Can't have a 3 on 3 without one of the greatest finishers in the game and the GOAT Atlanta Hawk. 'Nuff said.

2. Pete Maravich

Can you imagine Pistol Pete setting up 'Nique? Pete could score in any way possible against any competition. A must have for this tourney.

3. Joe Johnson

The 3 on 3 game can get physical, so we need someone that can shoot from the outside but be able to score with a bump and Joe showed over his years in Atlanta that he can absorb an awful lot of contact and still get the job done.

This team would be defensively challenged but have two excellent combo guards who can shoot with Nique inside to finish. With the no foul out rules if a team had someone like Shaq or Wilt on it, they could simply put those poor free throw shooters at the line and good luck rotating to keep up with our playmakers.

There are so many possibilities but we want to leave that open for discussion in the comments area so the obvious Exit Question is: Who would be your historic (not including current Hawks) 3 on 3 team?

Here are the assumed rules for the contest (from FIBA)

FIBA 33

Official Rules of the Game

1. Court

The game will be played on a half court of a regular FIBA basketball playing court.

2. Teams

Each team shall consist of a maximum of four (4) players (3 players on the court and 1 substitute)and one (1) coach.

3. Game Officials

The game officials shall be one (1) referee assisted by three (3) table officials, namely a scorer, a timer and a ten (10) second operator.

4. Beginning of the Game

4.1. Both teams shall warm-up (3 minutes) simultaneously.

4.2. Before the game, a player from team A will take a 3-point shot. If made team A shall begin the game with a throw-in, if not, it will be team B. The team that did not start the game shall be entitled to the ball at the next jump ball situation in accordance with the alternating possession arrow rule. The arrow will be directed to the bench of the team which is entitled to the ball at the next alternating possession opportunity.

5. Playing time/Winner of a Game

5.1. The regular playing time shall consist of two (2) periods of five (5) minutes each.

5.2. However the first team which scores 33 or more points will be the winner of a game if ithappens before the end of a regular playing time or extra period(s).

5.3. If the score is tied at the end of the last period, the game shall continue with as many extraperiods of two (2) minutes as is necessary to break the tie.

5.4. There shall be an interval of one (1) minute before each period and each extra period.

5.5. The game clock shall be stopped after the successful field goal only in last one (1) minuteof the last period and of the extra period.

5.6. A team shall lose the game by forfeit (33:0) if three (3) minutes after the scheduled starting time the team is not present on the playing court with three (3) players ready to play.

6. Fouls by Player/Fouls by Team

A player who has committed five (5) fouls must leave the game. A team is in a penalty foulsituation when it has committed four (4) fouls in a period.

7. Ten second device

The team must attempt a shot for a field goal within 10 seconds.

8. How the Ball is Played

8.1. Following each successful field goal or last free throw:

A player from a non-scoring team will resume the game by passing the ball fromthe place directly from the court underneath the basket (not from behind the endline) to his teammate to any place on the court. However, if that place is not behind the three-point line, the ball receiver must dribble/pass the ball to a place on the court behind the three-point line.

Once the ball is behind the three-point line, at least one additional pass must bemade to a teammate before an attempt to score is made.

8.2. Following each unsuccessful field goal or last free throw:

If the offensive team rebound the ball, it may continue to attempt the score without returning the ball to behind the three-point line.

If the defensive team rebound the ball, it must return the ball (by passing or dribbling) behind the three-point line.

Once the ball is behind the three-point line at least one additional pass must bemade to a teammate before an attempt to score is made.

8.3. Following the steal, turnover etc: If it happens within the two-point area, the ball must be passed/dribbled to a place behind the three-point line. Once the ball is behind the three-point line, at least one additional pass must be made to a teammate before the attempt to score is made.

8.4. Should the first offensive player who has dribbled/received the ball at a place behind thethree-point line attempt to score, it is a violation.

8.5. All throw-ins following the fouls (without free throws), violations, out-of bounds, at the beginning of the first and second period and of the extra period shall be taken from the outof-bounds place level with the top of the three-point line, closest to the infraction. The places shall be marked in out-of-bounds by 5 cm line. The referee shall hand the ball to theout-of-bound player. The thrower-in must pass the ball to his teammate to any place on thecourt. However, if that place is not behind the three-point, the ball receiver mustdribble/pass the ball to a place on the court behind the three-point line.8.6. Dunking of the ball is not permitted unless pressure-released rings are used.

9. Substitution

The substitution shall be permitted when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped.

10 Time-outs

There are no time-outs granted to any team at any time.