Mutombo averaged 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and would capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, finishing second in the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots. Christian Laettner had a stellar season as he provided the team with 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Mutombo and Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Mutombo was not the only member of the club to excel on defense, as guard Mookie Blaylock was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and leading the league with 2.7 steals per game, and finishing second in the league with 221 three-point field goals. Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game.