Tag: Dominique Wilkins

How many Boston Celtics are in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame?

No team in NBA history has produced more. How many can you name?

With Boston Celtics Hall of Fame Paul Pierce officially part of the incoming 2021 class and big man Kevin Garnett getting his formal induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in May 2021 — nearly a year after getting the nod due to the pandemic — all three members of the so-called “new Big Three” of KG, Pierce and Ray Allen have been ensconced in what serves as the Valhalla of basketball.

But they are far from the only Celtics so honored. In fact, there is a veritable host of Boston legends populating the Hoop Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, just a short drive away from the NBA’s titletown. The Celtics have more players than any other team in league history.

Let’s take a look at the 40 Celtics who have been honored with a Hall of Fame induction.

Complete list of Boston Celtics in the Basketball Hall of Fame

Celtics Wire celebrates the 48 members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with ties to the Boston Celtics franchise.

The Boston Celtics are one of the bedrock franchises in professional sports. Legends such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett dazzled fans with their athletic exploits and won the NBA championship in Boston.

A couple of hours down the Mass Pike in Springfield, no fewer than four dozen players, coaches, and contributors with ties to the Celtics franchise have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame over the years, spanning the decades from the first years of the storied ball club’s existence up to the team’s last era of contention.

Below, Celtics Wire celebrates the 49 members of the Hall of Fame with Celtics connections in a photo gallery.

Dominique Wilkins on leaving the Boston Celtics, NBA to play in Greece

The Human Highlight Film became the highest-paid athlete in Europe.

Boston Celtics Hall of Fame forward Dominique Wilkins made a significant career move in 1995 when he left the  Celtics to play for a Greek basketball team. This decision was driven by a combination of factors, including a lockout year in the NBA disrupting the subsequent season and an irresistible offer from Panathinaikos, his Greek ball club.

The Human Highlight Film became the highest-paid athlete in Europe, earning more than both soccer and basketball players in the region. The allure of Greece was not only the generous paycheck but also the opulent lifestyle he experienced. Wilkins lived in a magnificent mansion with gold toilets and marble floors, a stark contrast to the typical athlete accommodations in the United States.

The Paris native recently sat down with DJ Vlad to talk about his experiences playing overseas on his “Vlad TV” podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Dominique Wilkins on setting the record for consecutive free throws

The Human Highlight Film also had some words on watching James Harden snap his record.

Once, after returning from injury, Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Dominique Wilkins set an NBA record by making 23 consecutive free throws without a miss.

Many years later, Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden broke that single-game consecutive free-throw record, and you can bet that The Human Highlight Film was paying attention.

In a recent interview with DJ Vlad for his “Vlad TV” podcast, Wilkins broke down how he set that record the season after a serious injury on an early December night against the Chicago Bulls. He also addressed how he felt watching the Beard break his longstanding record with 24 consecutive unmissed free throws.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear from Wilkins about that record and how he set it, as well as what it was like to see a new generation push the league even further.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Dominique Wilkins on being a Los Angeles Clipper during the Donald Sterling era

Donald Sterling was anything but during his tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Dominique Wilkins had the misfortune to witness it firsthand after being traded there the season before he would join the Celtics in free agency.

Donald Sterling was anything but conventional during his tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Dominique Wilkins had the misfortune to witness it firsthand after being traded there the season before he joined the Celtics in free agency.

Wilkins, a basketball legend, discussed his trade to the Clippers in 1994 while he was with the Atlanta Hawks with DJ Vlad on a recent episode of the “Vlad TV” podcast.

The trade was triggered by financial concerns. Wilkins was a free agent that year, and the Hawks did not fulfill their promises. This move was highly unusual, as the Hawks were leading the Eastern Conference at the time. Wilkins reflects on the unprecedented nature of this trade in NBA history.

To hear the tale from the man himself, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former Celtic Dominique Wilkins on how his agent stole from him

Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca is not the only person connected to the storied ball club who has had an interest in purchasing a soccer team.

Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca is not the only person connected to the storied franchise who has had an interest in purchasing a soccer team. Hall of Fame Celtics small forward Dominique Wilkins also tried to buy a football club — as the sport is called on the other side of the pond — in Birmingham, Alabama.

But for the Human Highlight Film (as Wilkins is called for a nickname) the effort did not pan out — though for the Paris native, it actually ended in an even bigger disappointment. Wilkins ended up firing multiple agents who took money from him, even if it was a small amount.

The former Celtic sat down to talk it over with DJ Vlad in a recent interview for his “Vlad TV” podcast.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what he had to say about his soccer misadventure.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics HoFer Dominique Wilkins on facing off vs. the ‘Bad Boy’ Detroit Pistons

Wilkins also recalled his encounters with Bill Laimbeer and how their on-court rivalry contrasted with Laimbeer’s off-court personality.

On a recent episode of the “Vlad TV” podcast hosted by DJ Vlad, former Boston Celtics Hall of Fame small forward Dominique Wilkins reminisced about his experiences facing the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Human Highlight Reel discussed his victory in the dunk contest, the challenges of playing power forward and the tough matchup against the Pistons, who were known for their physical play and “bad boys” persona.

Wilkins also recalled his encounters with Bill Laimbeer and how their on-court rivalry contrasted with Laimbeer’s off-court personality. The Paris native also spoke about an incident in which he was snatched out of the air during a game by Laimbeer and Mychal Thompson.

To hear more about Wilkins’ feelings about the Pistons of his playing days, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Dominique Wilkins on losing to Michael Jordan in the 1988 NBA Dunk Contest

It’s hard to beat a dunk from the free-throw line.

Dominique Wilkins, the so-called Human Highlight Reel, had made his name with rim-rattling dunks years before he joined the Boston Celtics in the twilight of his NBA career.

However, a loss to His Airness, Michael Jordan, in the 1988 dunk contest lingers in his mind. In a recent interview with “Vlad TV” podcast DJ Vlad, Wilkins reflected on his iconic dunk contest battle with Jordan. The contest took place in Chicago and was hotly contested.

Wilkins began with two perfect 50-point dunks, but on his third try, he received a 45-point score. Jordan, on the other hand, missed his first attempt at the free-throw line dunk. He was granted another try and hit the second attempt. Even Wilkins acknowledges it was an impressive feat due to the distance involved. Wilkins also revealed he’d attempted similar dunks in high school and college but later became a two-foot jumper in the NBA for better control and balance.

Check out the clip embedded below to hear the tale in full for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Who are the best international players to play for the Boston Celtics?

From Charlie Hoefer to Alaa Abdenaby to Rick Fox to Kristaps Porzingis, there has been no shortage of players who were born abroad who have worn the green and white.

The Boston Celtics are a storied franchise for more than just their titles. They have been a trailblazing team in terms of signing and fielding players from all over the world, a philosophy that started in their first season.

From Charlie Hoefer to Alaa Abdelnaby to Rick Fox to Kristaps Porzingis, there has been no shortage of players born abroad who have worn the green and white.

But who were the best and who were the worst? What criteria should we use to judge them across eras? In the spirit of the annual arrival of #RankingSeason, the thing to do is try.

And try the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” did on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear how they assessed the international Celtics of all time.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins on coming back from a ruptured Achilles tendon

Rupturing his Achilles tendon was considered a career-ending injury back then.

Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Dominique Wilkins was known for his hyperathletic feats above the rim as a player. However, for a time, the Human Highlight Film — as Wilkins was justly called for a nickname — was grounded after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

A ruptured Achilles tendon was considered a career-ending injury back then. Despite the negative prognosis, Wilkins was determined to make a comeback. He underwent rigorous rehabilitation, working out twice a day for nine months, aiming to be more fundamentally sound. Wilkins defied the odds with his determination and hard work, and he returned to the court for a full recovery.

To hear more about that tough moment in a legendary career in a recent interview with the “Vlad TV” podcast host DJ Vlad, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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