Ancient Atlanta Hawks NBA Hall of Fame forward and member Dominique Wilkins recently reflected on his legendary battles with two of the greatest players in basketball history, Michael Jordan And Larry Bird. Speaking on the Latest episode of the podcast “All The Smoke”Hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Wilkins shared stories about his encounters with these basketball icons, offering insight into their competitiveness and personalities on the court.
Dominique Wilkins, known as “The Human Highlight Film” for his scoring abilities and athleticism, expressed deep respect for the intensity that players like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird brought to the game, despite his own accolades.
Dominique Wilkins recalls Michael Jordan’s ‘possessed’ behavior on the court
Speaking of Michael Jordan, Wilkins described the Chicago Bulls legend as a player unlike any other. “I’ve played against some of the toughest, most talented players that have ever played the game,” Wilkins said. “He [Jordan] “He was a phenomenon, and he had an attitude to match. When you played against Mike, his eyes were bloodshot every game, like he was possessed. I thought, ‘I have to go to work tonight. Jesus is coming.'”
Dominique Wilkins’ remarks underscored Jordan’s reputation as a fierce competitor, a trait that sets him apart from his peers. The two have faced off numerous times throughout their careers, creating memorable showdowns between Wilkins’ Atlanta Hawks and Jordan’s Bulls in the 1980s and 1990sAlthough both players were elite scorers, Jordan’s relentless drive to win made every game feel like a battle, according to Wilkins.
Larry Bird’s legendary trash-talk fueled a fierce rivalry with Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins discussed his experiences with Larry Bird, who had a proven track record of trash-talking, and the icy rivalry that defined their interactions. “Larry and I played against each other for 12 or 13 years,” Wilkins said. “We never shook hands, we never talked. Never. The great players of that era didn’t want another great player getting that close to you. So neither of us liked each other.”
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Wilkins shared a particular memory from his rookie season, recalling his first experience guarding Bird at the Boston Garden. “I’m guarding him, and the first play of the game, he’s like, ‘I don’t know why you made me guard, home.’ He shoots a three-pointer, and I wasn’t mad that he made three. I was like, ‘Did that son of a bitch just call me home?’”
Despite the early banter, Wilkins explained how Bird respected players who challenged him on the court. After one particularly hard-fought play, Wilkins described how Bird acknowledged him: “He fouled me, and I pointed at him, and he said, ‘Hey, rook,’ and I thought, ‘What?’ He said, ‘I like you, you got balls, but I’m still going to put 30 points on your ass tonight.’ He put up about 37, but I wasn’t mad because I was paying my dues. That’s Larry.”
Dominique Wilkins’ stories shine a light on the fierce rivalries and mutual respect that defined the NBA during its golden age. His recollections offer insight into the mindset of two of the game’s greatest players, both of whom left an indelible mark on basketball history.
