What Is 1962–63 St. Louis Hawks

Overview

The 1962–63 season for the St. Louis Hawks was one of resilience and high-level performance in the NBA's Western Division. Despite missing the top seed, the team secured a strong playoff run fueled by veteran leadership and consistent scoring.

Under head coach Paul Seymour, the Hawks posted a 48–32 win-loss record, finishing second in the division behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Their performance earned them a deep postseason run, culminating in an appearance in the 1963 NBA Finals.

• Record and standing: The Hawks finished the regular season with a 48–32 record, placing second in the Western Division behind the Lakers’ 53–27 mark.
• Star player:Bob Pettit, the team's cornerstone, averaged 27.2 points per game and remained one of the league's most dominant forwards.
• Home venue: All home games were played at Kiel Auditorium, a 12,500-seat arena in downtown St. Louis that hosted the team throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
• Playoff journey: The Hawks defeated the Detroit Pistons in the division finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the third time in the decade.
• Finals result: They faced the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals and were defeated in six games, falling short of their second championship.

Key Players and Roles

The success of the 1962–63 Hawks was built on a balanced roster featuring elite scoring, defensive intensity, and experienced coaching. Each contributor played a defined role in supporting Bob Pettit’s offensive dominance.

• Bob Pettit: Averaged 27.2 points and 20.3 rebounds per game, earning All-NBA First Team honors and finishing second in MVP voting.
• Norm Van Lier: Correction: Norm Van Lier was not on the team; key guard was Lenny Wilkens, who averaged 15.8 points and 7.1 assists.
• Slater Martin: Veteran point guard and former All-Star provided leadership and averaged 6.3 assists per game before retiring mid-season.
• Clyde Lovellette: Provided frontcourt depth, averaging 13.5 points and 8.7 rebounds as a reliable inside presence.
• Joe Caldwell: Rookie contributor who added energy off the bench, averaging 7.1 points in limited minutes.
• Paul Seymour: Head coach who emphasized defense and ball movement, guiding the team through a competitive Western Division.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1962–63 St. Louis Hawks compared to their key rivals and predecessors:

The table shows that while the 1962–63 Hawks were slightly below their 1960–61 peak in wins, they remained elite. Their loss to the dominant Celtics in the Finals highlighted the gap between Western and Eastern powerhouses of the era.

Why It Matters

The 1962–63 season remains a significant chapter in the franchise's history, reflecting both its competitive strength and the challenges of contending against Boston's dynasty. It was one of the last great seasons before the team's eventual relocation.

• The season demonstrated the enduring excellence of Bob Pettit, who retired after the 1964–65 season as one of the greatest players of his era.
• Reaching the NBA Finals for the third time in five years solidified the Hawks as a consistent contender despite playing in a smaller market.
• The loss to Boston underscored the Celtics’ dominance, who won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966.
• It marked one of the final deep playoff runs before the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1968, ending an era in St. Louis.
• The team’s reliance on veteran leadership highlighted a transitional phase before the NBA’s shift toward younger, faster play styles.
• Kiel Auditorium’s role as a home court emphasized the importance of regional fan support in mid-20th century NBA cities.

This season remains a testament to the Hawks’ legacy in St. Louis and their impact on the league’s development during a pivotal decade.