Dominique Wilkins is mostly remembered by posterity as one of the greatest dunkers of all time. 1985 gave us one of the most epic moments in NBA history as Nique went up against a young Michael Jordan, who was an extremely athletic 21-year-old at the time, coming off an impressive rookie season. The contest would culminate in the 1988 showdown between MJ and Wilkins, where the latter’s rim-rattling dunks reverberated through Chicago. Nique recently addressed his contests against MJ on VladTV and spoke on the issue of top dunkers like LeBron James and Ja Morant no longer showing interest in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
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The Hall-of-Famer believes that modern players avoid the contest out of fear that it might damage their legacy. However, that was certainly not the case for Wilkins, even though he had lost his battle with MJ on the eve of 88.
Dominique Wilkins calls out LeBron James and Ja Morant
Dominique Wilkins, the human highlight reel, who has mesmerized fans with gravity-defying dunks and electrifying performances throughout his career, recently sat-down with Vlad TV and reflected on a pivotal moment in his storied career. As memories of his all-time great showdown with Michael Jordan came flooding back, Wilkins didn’t just reminisce; he also weighed in on a modern-day trend that’s caught his eye. Here’s what he said:
“I think the problem is I don’t think anyone want to know who the best is…. We wanted to know who the best was. When Mike [Michael Jordan] and I went head up, we wanted to know who the best was. It really wasn’t about us, it was about the fans… A lot of times I think they feel like it’s going to mess with their legacy, and it’s not.”
In his era, the Dunk Contest wasn’t just an exhibition, but a platform where the best of the best competed. Wilkins’ recollections bring to life an iconic showdown that etched its names into the history books. Yet, amidst the nostalgic tales, Wilkins’ observations dipped into the present, where he turned his attention to the current generation of players.
In a candid moment, Wilkins questioned the reluctance of today’s stars, particularly LeBron James and Ja Morant, to take part in the Dunk Contest. In a league that thrives on competition and legacy-building, Wilkins suggested that shying away from the Dunk Contest might just hint at a lack of willingness to stake a claim as the best. His words don’t merely critique the modern dunkers; they’re an invitation to embrace tradition, to carry the torch, and to ignite the stage that’s celebrated some of basketball’s most memorable moments.
Wilkins believes in the unmatched legacy of MJ and Kobe
Speaking from his own experience facing Jordan on the court, Wilkins emphasized that those who have played against Jordan truly understand his greatness, beyond the comparisons often seen on social media. He spoke about MJ during a conversation, where he compared the late great Kobe Bryant to the GOAT on the Knuckleheads podcast:
“People who played against Kobe, they know…Well, see, if you haven’t played against either one of them guys, you don’t realize how good they really were”
Wilkins highlighted the unique perspective gained from going head-to-head with Jordan. He stressed that the intensity and competitive spirit Jordan brought to every game were qualities that could only be fully appreciated by those who shared the court with him.
