Tag: Dominique Wilkins

HoFer Dominique Wilkins on playing for the Celtics, living in Boston

The Human Highlight Reel opened up about his time in Boston in a recent interview.

Hall of Fame small forward Dominique Wilkins only played for the Boston Celtics, but the storied ball club left quite the impression on the Human Highlight Reel. Speaking in a recent interview with “Vlad TV” podcast host DJ Vlad, ‘Nique opened up about his time in green and white.

Joining the team at the request of iconic team president Red Auerbach, Wilkins related his positive experiences living in Boston and dismissed the oft-repeated claims of racism during his time living there as a player and after he retired from the game. During that era, Boston did not return to their former glory, but they made the playoffs and ultimately lost to the young Orlando Magic team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.

To hear the story for yourself from Wilkins, 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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Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 12

Today’s installment focuses on the 34 players who wore No. 12 over the years as of September 2023.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack in some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the 34 players who wore No. 12 over the years as of September 2023.

Celtics HoFer Dominique Wilkins on the time Michael Jordan crashed his locker room

The game turned out to be a memorable one, with Jordan scoring over 60 points that night.

In 1987, before a game against the Chicago Bulls, then-Atlanta Hawk and future Boston Celtic Dominique Wilkins had a surprising encounter with Michael Jordan.

Jordan, dressed in a suit and tie, walked into the Hawks’ locker room, leaving Wilkins and his teammates in shock. Wilkins recalls Jordan tapping Randy Wittman’s leg and saying, “Lace them up, it’s going to be a long night.”

The encounter left Wilkins unsure how to respond.

The game turned out to be a memorable one. Jordan scored more than 60 points that night. Despite the intense competition, Wilkins and Jordan both averaged around 30 points per game in their careers, highlighting the fierce rivalry between them. While they were fierce competitors on the court, there was mutual respect between them.

To hear the story 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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Celtics HoFer Dominique Wilkins on the time he nutmegged Michael Jordan

The Human Highlight Reel took the wind out of His Airness’ sails with the inadvertant move.

If you thought former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams was pushing his luck when he “poked the bear” that is Jimmy Butler in the 2023 East finals, you will not believe the tale of how Hall of Fame small forward Dominique Wilkins survived after nutmegging His Airness Michael Jordan during a pickup game under the St. Louis arch.

While the game between the two NBA legends was competitive, it was primarily for fun and the enjoyment of the fans who were lucky enough to witness it. The pickup games were rooted in the playground spirit of basketball Wilkins emphasized in a recent interview with “Vlad TV” podcast host DJ Vlad.

Take a look at the clip embedded below for the full account of how The Human Highlight Reel nutmegged MJ and lived to tell the tale.

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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Onetime Boston star Dominique Wilkins on the time he hung 57 points on Michael Jordan

Wilkins reflected on the remarkable consistency of Jordan’s scoring throughout his career while thinking back on that historic duel.

In a game against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 10, 1986, Boston Celtic Dominique Wilkins produced an impressive 57 points on a night that Michael Jordan scored 42. Wilkins recalls being hot and in his element during that game, and — in his opinion — Jordan was equally on fire.

Together, they contributed 98 points to the final score. With Wilkins so dominant, he did not even play the last eight minutes with his team up by 30 points. In a recent interview with the “Vlad TV” podcast host DJ Vlad, Wilkins reflected on the remarkable consistency of Jordan’s scoring throughout his career while thinking back on that historic duel.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what the Human Highlight Reel had to say about that game 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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Onetime Celtic Dominique Wilkins on going to war with Larry Bird in Game 7 of the 1988 East semifinals

Ultimately, it came down to the wire, with Bird acknowledging that both players deserved to win, but only one could emerge victorious.

Boston Celtics Hall of Fame small forward Dominique Wilkins recently reflected on his experience playing against Larry Bird and the Celtics in Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals in an interview for the “Vlad TV” podcast.

The “Human Highlight Reel” credited his rapid growth as a player to the guidance of vets who taught him professionalism and discipline. Wilkins also recounted the missed opportunity to close out the Atlanta Hawks’ 1988 East semifinals series against the Celtics in Game 6 and how Bird’s bold prediction of a Boston victory motivated him. The game unfolded as a thrilling shootout between Bird and Wilkins; both hit incredible shots down the stretch.

Ultimately, it came down to the wire. Bird acknowledged both players deserved to win, but only one could emerge victorious.

To hear that story from Wilkins’ perspective for yourself, take a look at the clip embedded above.

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 the NBA’s slam dunk contest

They do not call Dominique Wilkins the “Human Highlight Reel” for nothing, after all.

They do not call Dominique Wilkins the “Human Highlight Reel” for nothing. The Boston Celtics Hall of Fame small forward made a name for himself as one of the most exciting dunkers in the history of the game. After his playing days, Wilkins would often sit on the panel of judges for the league’s annual slam dunk contest.

On a recent episode of the “Vlad TV” podcast, Wilkins opened up about the contest as both a former competitor and judge. He discussed how in the past, top players like himself and Michael Jordan eagerly participated, given it was done for the fans and didn’t affect their legacies.

Wilkins also shared his experience in the 1984 Dunk Contest, where he initially felt awed by competing against his idol, Dr. J.

To hear the story in full for yourself, check out the clip embedded above.

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 how fellow former Boston Celtic Larry Bird was a vicious trash talker

Wilkins opened up about their first encounter on the court when he, as a rookie as he attempted to shake Bird’s hand before the game.

Dominique Wilkins recently reflected on his experiences playing against fellow Boston HoFer Larry Bird on the “Vlad TV” podcast. “The Human Highlight Reel” — as Wilkins was sometimes called — recalled their first encounter on the court when he, as a rookie, attempted to shake Bird’s hand before the game.

However, “The Hick From French Lick” refused and immediately started trash-talking his foe from the Atlanta Hawks. Despite the initial shock of the meeting, Wilkins continued to compete fiercely against Bird over the subsequent years, earning his respect over time.

To hear Wilkins tell the tale of how he met Larry Bird on the court for the first time for yourself, 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 Boston Celtic Dominique Wilkins on when his college choice got a cross burned on his lawn

At just 18 years old, Wilkins was confronted with this terrifying symbol of hate.

While most players living in North Carolina would gravitate toward North Carolina, NC State or Duke for college basketball, Dominique Wilkins chose a different path by playing for Georgia. This decision, however, was met with significant backlash and consequences that shaped his perspective.

In the aftermath of his decision, Wilkins faced a series of distressing incidents that highlighted the racial tensions of the era. The most harrowing was the appearance of a burning cross in his front yard. At just 18 years old, Wilkins was confronted with this terrifying symbol of hate.

To hear how his initial confusion and fear gradually gave way to anger and determination, check out the clip embedded below of a recent interview the Human Highlight Reel did with the folks behind the “Vlad TV” YouTube channel.

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 how he ended up an Atlanta Hawk

‘Nique explains how his desire to play for the Atlanta Hawks due to his ties with the city and wish to play small forward made his stay in Utah a short one.

In a recent interview with the hosts of the “Vlad TV” podcast, Hall of Fame  Dominique Wilkins discussed his basketball journey from college to the NBA. The Human Highlight Reel recounted his decision to leave college after his junior year to enter the NBA draft, and his experience at the 1982 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Utah Jazz.

‘Nique explained how his desire to play for the Atlanta Hawks due to his ties with the city and wish to play small forward made his stay in Utah a short one. The future Boston wing was dealt even before the start of his rookie season.

To hear the tale in full from the man himself, take a look at the clip embedded above for the full story of how Wilkins ended up in Atlanta and more.

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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