Wilkins has surprisingly effective debut for Hawks

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

MIAMI -- On Thursday, Damien Wilkins was shooting baskets with regular guys at a gym. By Saturday, he was facing down LeBron James, the NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player, with a frenzied crowd at American Airlines Arena expecting James to put on a show.

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JIM BRYANT, AP New Hawk Damien Wilkins (right, with Seattle in 2006) is the nephew of former Atlanta star Dominique Wilkins.

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The circumstances weren't impossible to imagine since Wilkins had played 390 NBA games before the Hawks signed him on Friday. The result, though, was remarkable.

Wilkins effectively harassed James to help spark Atlanta's comeback attempt in the third quarter. The Hawks lost 89-77 but if Wilkins' debut is any indication, he's well suited to meet coach Larry Drew's desire for an energetic and tough wing defender.

Wilkins showed those qualities when he closely guarded James during stints in the first and second halves. James seemed annoyed that he couldn't shake Wilkins, who wouldn't allow him much space to start one of his dynamic drives to the basket.

"I didn't even want to feel that way, because the minute you feel comfortable is when he goes by you for a spectacular dunk," Wilkins said. "I just wanted to keep pressing up on him [and] not let him see the rim easily. He's a heck of a player and a heck of a talent, obviously, so he is going to get his shots and opportunities."

Wilkins' strategy was best illustrated during a third-quarter sequence against James. Wilkins leaned against James and placed his arm against his back. James jab-stepped, but Wilkins didn't budge. James feigned a shot, but Wilkins stayed put.

Finally, Wilkins poked at the ball and the two wrestled for it as they crashed to the floor; officials called a jump ball.

“I love that," Hawks center Al Horford said. "I love his intensity. I love his toughness on defense. It’s something we need. I’m saying it now: I hope we keep him and he’s with us for the long run. A guy like that can be helpful.”

After Joe Johnson was lost for at least a month because of elbow surgery, the Hawks signed Wilkins to a non-guaranteed contract for the veteran's minimum. His contract would become guaranteed on Jan. 10.

He provides a bigger and longer option at small forward than Mo Evans, who has started the last three games in place of Johnson at shooting guard.

"I was a little skeptical about putting Damien in because he's only been here a day and a half," Drew said. "We brought him in to give us some toughness and to give us some defense. Tonight he did that. He did a great job on LeBron and just competing against him and challenging. ... Under the conditions and circumstances, to come in and have to compete against a guy like LeBron, he just did a magnificent job."

Wilkins is the nephew of former Hawks star Dominique Wilkins, who was at Saturday's game in his role as color commentator for the team's TV broadcasts.

"I'm not happy with the [team's] results, but it felt good to be out there with the guys in the uniform," Damien Wilkins said. "I know everyone back home was watching, my family and friends. All I wanted to do was just come out and compete hard defensively."