Dominique Wilkins recently shared stories of his epic encounters with Michael Jordan, highlighting the intensity that made Jordan such a unique and formidable competitor. On the “All The Smoke” podcast, Wilkins recounted how playing against Jordan felt like facing someone who was “possessed,” with his bloodshot eyes serving as a symbol of his determination and relentless drive.
“I played against some of the most hard-nosed, talented players who ever played this game. He was a phenomenon, and he had an attitude to go with it. When you played against Mike, his eyes were bloodshot red every game like he was possessed. I used to say to myself, ‘I got to go to work tonight. Jesus is coming.’” (10:28)
For Wilkins, Jordan’s presence on the court was unlike any other player. The two legends had numerous battles during their careers, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s when Wilkins’ Atlanta Hawks and Jordan’s Chicago Bulls would face off. Jordan’s level of focus and his competitive spirit seemed almost supernatural, making every matchup between the two feel like a war.
Despite often being overshadowed by Jordan’s greatness, Wilkins was one of the few players who consistently rose to the occasion when facing the Bulls’ superstar. Wilkins averaged 29.8 points per game in their head-to-head matchups, while Jordan averaged 31.8 points.
One of their most memorable encounters came in December 1986, when Wilkins scored 57 points against the Bulls, marking the highest-scoring game an opponent ever had against Jordan in his prime. Jordan responded in a typical fashion, dropping 61 points in a rematch, demonstrating that he always kept receipts and was never one to back down from a challenge.
These stories from Wilkins illustrate the mythic status Michael Jordan had among his peers, not just as a scorer, but as a relentless competitor whose intensity pushed everyone around him to perform at their highest level.
Dominique Wilkins Sends A Message To Current Players Slamming Past Eras
NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins had a strong message for current players who criticize past generations of basketball stars. In a recent appearance on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, Wilkins expressed frustration with how some of today’s NBA players talk down on the legends who came before them.
Wilkins emphasized that he and his contemporaries never disrespected the players from earlier eras. Instead, they appreciated and learned from the legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Oscar Robertson. He explained that his generation always acknowledged the greatness of those who paved the way, which is a mindset he believes today’s players should adopt.
Wilkins’ message highlights the importance of respecting all generations of basketball. As he pointed out, greatness transcends eras, and players today shouldn’t belittle past legends to elevate themselves. Instead, they should recognize the influence and foundation laid by earlier players.
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