What Is 1966–67 St. Louis Hawks

Overview

The 1966–67 season marked the 18th year of the St. Louis Hawks in the NBA and their 11th since relocating from Milwaukee. Despite a sub-.500 win-loss record, the team remained competitive in a tough Western Division, showcasing strong individual performances from key players.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the Hawks played their home games at the St. Louis Arena. Though they missed the elite tier of the league that season, they continued to draw solid fan support and laid groundwork for future campaigns before the franchise eventually moved to Atlanta in 1968.

• Lou Hudson emerged as the team's leading scorer, averaging 24.4 points per game, a career-high at the time, showcasing his offensive prowess.
• Richie Guerin, who served as both head coach and player, contributed 17.7 points per game, blending leadership with on-court production.
• The team finished with a 39–43 record, a slight decline from the previous season’s 46–36 mark, reflecting increased competition.
• They placed third in the Western Division, behind the San Francisco Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, missing the top seed by 10 games.
• In the playoffs, they were eliminated in the Western Division Semifinals by the Warriors in a five-game series, falling 4–1.

How It Works

The 1966–67 St. Louis Hawks operated under the NBA's team structure and competitive format of the era, featuring a 14-team league split into Eastern and Western Divisions. The season consisted of an 80-game schedule, with playoff qualification based on divisional standings.

• Regular Season Structure: The NBA played an 80-game schedule in 1966–67; the Hawks played 40 home and 40 away games across the season.
• Player Roster: The roster included 12 active players on average per game, with Lou Hudson, Bill Bridges, and Walt Bellamy as core contributors.
• Coaching Leadership:Richie Guerin served as player-coach, a common role at the time, balancing on-court duties with strategic decision-making.
• Scoring System: Teams averaged 115–120 points per game league-wide, reflecting a faster pace and higher scoring than modern eras.
• Playoff Format: The top four teams in each division qualified; the Hawks secured third place but lost in the best-of-seven semifinals.
• Home Arena: The St. Louis Arena, with a capacity of about 12,000, hosted all home games and was central to the team’s local identity.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1966–67 St. Louis Hawks compared to other top Western Division teams that season:

The table highlights that while the Hawks were outperformed by the top two teams, they remained competitive compared to the rest of the division. Their scoring output was strong, but defensive consistency and road performance limited deeper playoff success.

Why It Matters

The 1966–67 season is a notable chapter in the history of the St. Louis Hawks, illustrating the team’s transition phase before relocation. Though not a championship contender, it featured the rise of Lou Hudson as a franchise cornerstone and reflected the evolving nature of the NBA in the mid-1960s.

• The season demonstrated the competitive balance in the Western Division, where just a few games separated playoff teams.
• Lou Hudson’s development signaled a shift toward younger talent, crucial as older stars like Bob Pettit retired.
• Playing in St. Louis, the team maintained a loyal fan base despite declining attendance trends compared to larger markets.
• The use of a player-coach model with Richie Guerin highlighted coaching strategies common in that era.
• It foreshadowed the 1968 relocation to Atlanta, as ownership sought better financial opportunities and market size.
• The season also reflected broader NBA expansion trends, with new teams like Chicago entering the league in 1966.

Ultimately, the 1966–67 St. Louis Hawks represent a bridge between the team’s earlier success and its future as the Atlanta Hawks, preserving a legacy in Midwestern basketball history.