1. Sept. 3, 1982: Dominique Wilkins acquired from the Utah Jazz in exchange for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash.
Wilkins was drafted out of Georgia by the Jazz with the third pick of the ’82 draft, behind North Carolina’s James Worthy and DePaul’s Terry Cummings. He was less than enthusiastic about about playing for a franchise that at the time was struggling financially and in the standings. And he was not shy about saying so.
Wilkins recalls: “They (the Jazz) told me Adrian Dantley was going to play small forward, and I was going to play power forward. I thought oh, no, no, no, might as well trade me today. I’m 205, 210 pounds playing against guys 260, 270? Oh no, no, no, trade me today. (When) I heard Atlanta, I was so happy I didn’t know what to do. I probably cried.”
2. May 22, 1988: Plays one-on-one with Larry Bird in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics won, ruining the Hawks’ best chance ever to advance beyond a conference semi. But not before the two stars put on a classic performance. Wilkins scored 47 points that night and was practically perfect from the field (19-of-23). Bird scored 34, 20 coming in the fourth quarter. If anyone else was on the court, who noticed?
Wilkins recalls: “It was the third quarter, we’re taking the ball out of bounds and (Dennis Johnson of the Celtics) was guarding me on the inbounds. He tells me, ‘You are a ballin’ (expletive). We shouldn’t even be at this point (with the Hawks still in the game).’ It blew me away. That let me know I was respected all through this league.”
3. Feb. 2, 1993: Breaks Bob Pettit’s career franchise scoring record.
Playing for the St. Louis Hawks from 1954-65, Hall of Famer Pettit amassed the standing record of 20,880 points. Wilkins was 33 when he broke that mark in a victory in the Omni over Seattle — and would be traded by the Hawks a season later.
Wilkins recalls: “That put you in an elite group. Bob Pettit was one of the elite power forwards in the league.”
(Asked if he remembered the record-breaking shot:) “It wasn’t a dunk. A baseline drive runner.”
4. Feb. 10, 1985: Wins his first All-Star slam-dunk contest, in Indianapolis.
They don’t make dunk contests like this any more. Here was the field facing Wilkins: Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Clyde Drexler, Darrell Griffith, Larry Nance and Terence Stansbury. This set the stage for an on-going dunk-contest rivalry between Wilkins and Jordan, ’Nique clinching this one with a two-handed windmill dunk.
Wilkins recalls: “It was a big deal then, but really more fun for the fans than for any accolades for myself. We enjoyed competing for the fans.”
5. April 12, 1986: Scores 34 points to clinch 1986 season scoring title.
Wilkins averaged 30.3 points per game that season. There was a small window for him to claim his one scoring title, for Jordan would win the next seven and 10 of the next 12.
Wilkins recalls: “I thought that showed my efficiency all year as far as scoring. Dunking was a tool for intimidation, but it wasn’t the only tool I prided myself in having. I could score in a number of ways.
“I chased Michael Jordan for seven more years until finally after that I decided I wasn’t chasing Michael anymore. It was too hard.”
6. March 25, 1994: Returns to Atlanta with the Clippers, scores 36 in a 97-94 win.
Traded 31 days earlier from a first-place team to a last-place one, Wilkins was considered expendable by the Hawks because of his age and the uncertainty of his contract status following that season. The team believed Danny Manning would get the Hawks over their playoff plateau. He didn’t. Wilkins’ return to the Omni was emotionally charged.
Wilkins recalls: “It was one of the best games I ever played, under the circumstances. I got more of an ovation (at pregame introduction) than at any other time of my life. People stood up for 10 minutes. I was so jacked up, I only had four points at halftime. Had to tell myself, OK, ’Nique, calm down relax and do what you came to do. And I told (guard) Mark Jackson to give me the ball and get out of the way.”
7. Nov. 6, 1992: Scores 30 points in first game back after Achilles injury.
Hawks long-time radio man Steve Holman said he remembers getting choked up on air twice — when Wilkins was traded and that night in January when his Achilles ruptured during a game against Philadelphia. Wilkins’ season was done, and who knew about his career? On his return next year at the age of 32, he actually averaged more points per game (29.9) than that shortened 1991-92 year (28.1).
Wilkins recalls: “People were saying my career was over; I was too old. I not only came back, but I had my best all-around season — defensively, rebounding, assists. I learned how to play the game on the ground as well as in the air.”
8. Dec. 10, 1986: Ties a career-high with 57 points against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
He scored 57 in a game twice, once against the New Jersey Nets and again against the Bulls. There was no question about which occasion was most memorable. Wilkins often took meetings with stars such as Jordan personally. The Hawks won in a rout, 123-95.
Wilkins recalls: “That was Chicago. The Bulls. Yeah it was big. (Hawks coach Mike Fratello) took me out of game when we were up 20, saying that’s enough. I wanted to break my record but I didn’t really play in the fourth quarter.”
9. Dec. 8, 1992: Sets NBA record, going 23-for-23 from the free-throw line.
Here he went breaking another record held by Pettit, who once went 19-for-19 (two other players later tied that mark). In that game, a victory over the Bulls, the Hawks as a team shot 39-of-40 from the line.
Wilkins recalls: “I didn’t realize what was happening until I came bench near the end of the game, and someone said, ‘You know, you’re about set a free-throw record. By that time, I already had broken it, shattered it.
“When came into the NBA, I shot 60-something percent from the line (68 percent). I went to work with a guy named Hank Slider for two weeks in Pennsylvania; he was one of the greatest shooting coaches ever. I ended up shooting nearly 82 percent for my career.”
10. April 19, 1986: Scores 50 points in a 135-127 playoff win over the Detroit Pistons.
Obviously, one glance at the final tells you that defense was not a priority in this one. And unlike the famed shootout with the Celtics, Wilkins actually could savor the experience of a postseason victory along with that of filling up a box score.
Wilkins recalls: “That was so much fun. I remember going against Kelly Tripucka in that one. I got on one of those tears. I was in the zone.”
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