Hawks defensive specialist Wilkins now also looking for points

There was a night not so long ago when Damien Wilkins lit up the scoreboard in Atlanta much like his uncle Dominique once did.

It was Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, and Damien Wilkins was the star. He went off for 41 points to send Seattle to a 126-123 double-overtime victory over the Hawks.

"I remember my family and friends being there and everyone being so excited about it," Wilkins said. "And I remember being comfortable. That was one of the times in my career I was really comfortable within an offense."

Things are different for now for Wilkins, now a reserve swingman for the Hawks.

If he plays 51 minutes and takes 20 shots, like he did in that 2007 game, then something has gone awry. Wilkins outscored Joe Johnson (39 points) back then. Now he sometimes draws tough defensive assignments so Johnson can be free to score.

As it turns out, that big night against the Hawks was an outlier for Wilkins. He hasn't scored even 30 points since and has scored 20 points or more in 13 games, none since the 2007-08 season.

So the Hawks aren't expecting any scoring eruptions from Wilkins. Nor do they ask for one. They will take more efficient, productive efforts like the eight points he scored on 4-of-5 shooting in Atlanta's 99-92 victory at Washington on Saturday.

That was significant, given Atlanta's paucity of bench scorers outside of Jamal Crawford and coach Larry Drew's egalitarian offense.

"Bringing him in here, I want his priority to be defense first and I have made no bones about that," Drew said. "I just think that will bring more value to us than his offense will. But I know he is very capable of scoring. I know he has the ability to score and I am not going to pigeon-hole him."

Wilkins believes he can deliver more performances like the game at Washington now that he's earning regular minutes. Statistically Wilkins has been a marginal offensive player over his seven-year career but he said he wasn't playing to his potential during three previous stints with the Hawks this season.

While playing initially with a non-guaranteed deal and then on consecutive 10-day contracts, Wilkins was trying to learn the plays and fit in. Now that Wilkins is signed for the rest of the season and has carved out a role, he expects the points to follow.

"The more I am out there, it will show me without [Drew] having to tell me that Coach has trust in me," he said. "Then I can just go out there and relax and play confident."

Wilkins is shooting 47 percent from the field (22 of 47) while averaging 7.7 points in 12.2 minutes per game. He's averaging just two field-goal attempts per game but has been the best on the team by far at getting to the free-throw line on a per-minute basis.

Wilkins has attempted 27 free throws in 293 minutes, making 19.

"The more experience you get, you [learn to] go out there and try to get as many easy shots as you can. And one of the easiest ways is free throws," he said.

When Wilkins scored 41 points against Atlanta, he played alongside Kevin Durant, who would go on to win the rookie of the year award. He said opponents paid so much attention to Durant that he could "sneak under the radar" for scoring opportunities.

Wilkins can do the same in Drew's offense, which is based on moving the ball until an open shot becomes available.