photo: nba.com
During this holiday season, I’ll be dipping into the archives to offer up some updated goodies in the form of some of the most delectable “The Playground Gave Us…” joints from ‘08.
You had to know that this one was coming!
Jacques Dominique Wilkins exemplified the playground in its purest essence. His above the rim pyrotechnics made folks fall out of their seats as they wondered if their eyes had the capacity to lie!
He is, to this day, one of the sports’ greatest scorers, dunkers and players: one of the most entertaining and aesthetically pleasing aerial artists that the game has ever produced.
photo of larry bird and dominique: nba.com
And yet, he remains an underrated commodity. Because he shared an era with MJ, Magic, Bird, The Dream and Barkley and never won that coveted ring, people tend to downplay his phenomenal legacy and overlook what a beast he was.
There is no player alive today, with the exception of King James, that can elevate to such extremes and flush it with the immense stealth force in the face of challenging D. If you’re too young to remember, or simply need a gentle reminder, peep the illmatics below:
Nique – who was born in Paris, France – grew up in the projects of East Baltimore, Maryland and it was the playground that offered him refuge and a path toward stardom. Prior to his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame, he shared these thoughts with Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Sekou Smith as he drove through the land of The Wire -
“When I was growing up around here (East Baltimore), this was the area with the highest crime rate in America. But I had a free pass. There was an order on the street that I wasn’t to be messed with. If you did, you were going to have a problem. That was the code. Because I played basketball and the guys that ran the streets believed I had the talent to make it out of there. I could go to any court on any block and it was no problems. And I’ll never forget those guys for what they did for me. They taught me how to play the game. They taught me to respect the game.”
photo:bcallstarsbasketball.net
He shared the city’s asphalt with B-More legends like the incomparable Skip Wise and Ernie Graham. I dipped into the rolodex to hear in their own words, their memories of the young fella -
Skip Wise: “He went to Patterson High School his freshman year and lived around East Baltimore where I was from. He was just a young boy when he played with us. But he went to Carolina, took everything he learned from us in Baltimore and really started improving.”
photo:si.com
Ernie Graham: “He was a little younger than me and we played with and against each other around the playgrounds and different tournaments like Project Survival and the BNBL (Baltimore Neighborhood Basketbal league). He was developing when he ran with us. The game we play out here is strong and when we go someplace else to play, we let them know what Baltimore is all about. That’s what he did when he left town.”
He moved to North Carolina for his sophomore year of high school, where the B-more ingredients marinated to produce a rare talent that had hundreds of colleges drooling at the prospect of ‘Nique in their school uniform.
The Human Highlight film came into the public’s consciousness after jumping out of the gym and taking the Southeastern Conference by storm at the University of Georgia. He turned a moribund program into winners, a precursor to taking the Atlanta Hawks – who were doo-doo in a shoe before he got there – and making them contenders in the ’80s.
photo: nba.com
He’s included in the rare group of players that have scored more than 25,000 points in the NBA. In the ’80s era owned by the Celtics and Lakers, ‘Nique’s Hawks were a bankable 50-win ballclub. Because they never won a championship, those Atlanta teams coached by Mike Fratello, a.k.a. “The Czar” are mostly forgotten about today. But believe that Dominique, Doc Rivers, Spud Webb, Kevin Willis, John Battle, Cliff Levingston, Antoine Carr, Tree Rollins, Randy Wittman and Eddie Johnson were no joke.
If one small slice could capture the essence of ‘Nique and what he meant to the game, the times and his franchise, you’d have to isolate the ‘88 Eastern Conference Semi’s. The Hawks lost to the Celtics by two points in Game 7. But it was that series that propelled The Human Highlight Film from supreme scorer to all-time legend.
The one-on-one battle waged between ‘Nique and Larry Bird in the 4th quarter of Game 7 is one of the greatest ever, considering how much was on the line. Bird dropped 20 in the game’s last 12 minutes and finished with 34. ‘Nique dropped 47 while sinking an astounding 19 of 23 shots.
The excitement that he created and shared with a mesmerized worldwide audience was birthed, nourished and cultivated in the parks.
THE PLAYGROUND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE SOLUTION!
Big Ups to my man Kool Bob Love, who inspired this post with his discussion on the old school Brooks footwear.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Jaquam Aka jaysmoove says:
wow this is a great post Dominique wilkins is one of those players who wasn’t playing in my generation but i can agree that no one now except for lebron can do crazy dunks in traffic one of those dunks that he did reminded me of one game where lebron did a crazy reverse baseline dunk 2 seasons ago against the mavs in dallas and the one he did against the knicks last season when he dribbled it between his legs on the baseline and slammed it now that was crazy too.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
ali says:
yeah, jaysmoove, dominique was a monster.
glad that, even though he wasn’t playing while you came up, you could peep this and appreciate the skills. i can’t see someone other than lebron that can dunk as hard and beautiful in the teeth of some good defense.
lebron is an insane blend of old school talents like elgin baylor, oscar robertson, dominique, karl malone, magic, penny hardaway, jamal mashburn and a few others. indeed, lebron and dominique’s above the rim game is awe inspiring.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Blk Caesar says:
You know how I feel about Nique since in the last post I said Walton is occupying his spot on the top 50 list… He was a beast!!!! I love watching clips of old Bulls vs. Hawks games and seeing him and Mike go at it.. Classic material! I forget what NBA video tape (yes VHS) I used to watch, but there is one where Isiah is talking about Nique and Mike going hard at each other (he mimics both of them dunking and then saying to each other “Come on, Come on with it”… Just thinking about how described it is bringing a smile my face.. Man I miss those days!!!
December 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
ali says:
yes blk cease, i feel you. i miss those days too. mike and nique going at it? that’s the ultimate manifestation of the playground aesthetic taking the nba’s center stage. i’m smiling too.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
illest says:
ali…wow you give lebron high praise.
i definitely remember that nique and jordan tape. like a great scorers of the nba or something like that.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
ali says:
yeah illest.
when i watch the young fella play 4 positions and show the kind of skills in his repertoire, i do find myself amazed. now, don’t get me wrong, he’s not all of those guys wrapped into one, but i see elements of each in his arsenal. he’s got some more development in store and i just think that when it all comes together, he’s going to shock and amaze.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Blk Caesar says:
I remember the tape now.. It was on Michael Jordan’s playground… Peep it and smile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uef3jED3k-M
I like Lebron’s game alot and I have seen him play many times, but I didn’t fully appreciate it until the Olympics where it was clear how much of a problem he is to handle just with his size, strength, and mobility.. Once his jumpshot is automatic and he goes in the post a little more he will be unguardable (which he is already pretty close to now)
December 9th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Lawrence says:
I believe that LeBron is one of the the Very Few Player that can go back in the 80’s and Dominate. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the athleticism is greater now but, I believe the game was a lot rougher back then. With that being said, I think that if ‘nique were playing now. he would’ve averaged 50.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
illest says:
larry….i agree with nique averaging a high number…not 50 probably 36-40. i think a lot of those 80s guys scoring numbers would be higher.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Casey Lee says:
Shout out to Deakyland!
East Baltimore puts out products period.
Case and point today: Rudy Gay.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
funkalot says:
Ali,
By way of reference, who are the players in today’s game which most resemble Dominique’s, besides Lebron. Casey’s mention of Rudy Gay fits, but are their others? When I looked at NBA Rosters for dudes 6′9″ who can handle, shoot and dunk with ferocity there is a noticeable void, which underscores how “Unique” he was.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
ali says:
blk ceaser, when the j clicks for lebron and he gets real comfortable on the block, it’s OVER!!!
lawrence, no doubt, ‘nique would easily average 30-plus in today’s game with no hand checking. his athleticism was a preview of what was coming down the pike in later years. and lebron would dominate yesterday, today and tomorrow. his talent is an all decades thang.
funk, i don’t see many on the landscape that resemble ‘nique. i don’t really see rudy gay at that level yet. he’s smooth and will enter that top level soon as he gets stronger and his game gets more refined. amare makes more sense with the stealth of his slam game, but he’s more like a hybrid – he’s like the love child of ‘nique and shaq.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Keyes says:
When you talk about the greats, comparisons can’t help but to be made. Dominique didn’t when a ring (one of the reasons I am sure he is being compared to LeBron). That is a point of contention for some, but it should not be a metric because you would miss other beasts of the game (I’ll Throw it down your throat like Barkley!). At the risk of sounding old, I can remember a game where Dominique shot the ball and penetrated the lane to catch the rebound. What made this play so amazing was he was about 4-6′ out from the rim. Somehow he caught the ball mid-air and kept extending his arms and torso until he jammed the ball into the rim. It looked as if he was touching his toes as he dunked (picture that). I remember another dunk contest during allstar weekend where Dominique’s acrobatics were robbed against a more popular MJ (can’t rember the year). He didn’t believe in layups – he believed in DUNKS! His dunks were ferocious, original and elevating. All in all, a ball player can be meaured by his physical abilities, his stats (including rings), but don’t forget about the ability to electrify and excite the game. Among the best, Dominique Wilkins was one of the best. He was also a class act. Even in those lil’ass shorts.
On another note, Mr. Lee can we get a piece on another great, Bernard King? Talk about scoring 50+ with ease…and still losing the game. One of the Greatest Misses of all time!
December 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
ali says:
keyes,
ask and you shall receive. the bernard king piece is right c’here -
http://www.bouncemag.com/2008/09/05/bernard-king-king-of-new-york-playground-basketball-new-york-playground-legends-alejandro-ali-danois/
and the comparison i made with bronnie wasn’t about the lack of a ring, it was simply about the elevation, force and downright beautiful above the rim game that electrifies entire generations of hoop fiends.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:40 am
illest says:
as much as ive watched both nique and james i never seen any comparisons with james to wilkins. nique played like a forward when lebron plays like a guard. nique would post up and had a mid range game when lebron doesnt have that yet. james is a better passer. as far as dunks….last night james had some nice dunks. but all of his dunks are the same. he has no creativity at all. i would never want to see james in the dunk contest. at least nique would have variations of his windmills. and the power nique would dunk with ive havent seen anyone with that.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:56 am
funkalot says:
Illest,
I agree it is hard to find an appropriate comparison for ‘nique. I think though, you can find composite elements in other players. Ali mentioned Amare for his ferocity in dunks and Bron Bron, likewise. I think Rudy Gay, if he develops more assertiveness will be the comparison. You are correct in that LeBron is more guard like, ala Scottie, because Dominique had limited handles. Vinsanity brings similar flair and posterization, but he is 2-3 inches shorter. So, Dominique in retrospect was a very unique figure.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:01 am
ali says:
illest,
you can’t be serious. lebron would win the dunk contest hands down. lebron plays like a guard and a forward. when i make the comparison, i don’t mean that they play exactly like each other. i mean that lebron is the only player, right now, who can match the strength, elevation and stealth of nique’s above the rim game. and i think lebron definitely has a mid range game that is developing but he can do more offensively than nique ever could. in terms of being able to get buckets, 30 points plus consistently, they’re similar. and i would beg to differ about lebron’s creativity. he makes things look very easy but i don’t see anyone, kobe included, that can do the kinds of things lebron does when it comes to tearing down the rims in a game situation. the power of lebron and nique are in the same neighborhood but you are right that no one has been able to come close to nique’s windmills and flexibility while in extreme elevation.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:05 am
ali says:
exactly funk. i’m speaking compositely. no one mirrors ‘nique the way kobe is a very close facsimile to mike. i’m talking ferocity. but watch as lebron incorporates the low post and mid range game. money is downright bananas! he’s a collage of some of the all-time greats from the 1 through the 4 spots on the court.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
funkalot says:
Ali,
For a future story how about the most underrated or underappreciated players. Reggie Theus, Mitch Richmond, Kevin Porter, Kevin Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, Bob Lanier, Bob Petit, Billy Cunningham, Charlie Scott etc.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
funkalot says:
Ali,
I am with you on the high praise for LeBron. He is the next phase in the evolutionary process for ballers. Let us be real, no one has ever had his skill package in totality. No One!. LeBron is, as has the modern athlete been described, “bigger, faster, stronger and eventually smarter” than all of his predecessors. Where we go from LeBron is a mystery,perhaps a seven footer with a similar skills package. I do not know where we are headed in the basketball odyssey, but anxiously await the next shorty from the playground to hit us off.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Cisco KIdd says:
With ability like Niques you know there is a God. He was absolutely one of those players you don’t want to take your eyes off of or you could miss a move made for the first time in basketball history and copied by others.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am
ali says:
see now funk, there you go again. great minds think alike. i’ve had moncrief, kj, reggie theus and mitch richmond on the brain for future shine in TPGU diaspora.
and where we go from lebron? hot dog a frog, i can’t even imagine. maybe a 7-foot cat able to play all five positions with isiah’s handles, kidd’s passing, the glove’s d, mj’s air, ‘nique’s force, dream’s shake, kareem’s sky hook, rodman and barkley’s re’s and mark price’s free throws. man, i can’t wait to see it.
and cisco, i couldn’t have said it better. couldn’t take your eyes of the human highlight film for fear of missing that which has never been explored before.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:05 am
illest says:
ali…lebron does the same dunks. there is a reason he has not been in the contest. i dont think he thinks he can win. all of the great dunkers have been in the contest except him. even doc at 36 was in it. you can name all of his dunks. what dunk has he done that you havent seen? he is a great game dunker but not a dunk contest dunker. james definitely is the next phase of ball player with all the skill sets.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
ali says:
illest,
true, he hasn’t appeared in the dunk contest but i can’t speak to his motivations why. i, personally, think he’d take it hands down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9TAoPPgKQ&feature=related
pay particular attention to #’s 7, 6 and 5 on the link above. if he’s doing that in the game, you don’t think he can surpass that in creativity with no D?
December 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Blk Caesar says:
The closest thing to Nique dunking wise was Shawn Kemp in my humble opinion… I agree with Illest though. I think Lebron’s in game dunks a nice but they are generally the same.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
zack says:
Yo, I love this series. Its making me feel old b/c Larry and Nique were the guys that had me glued to the TV in my pre-teens but whatever. Thanks for the reminder.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
ali says:
zack,
glad you’re loving the series. and we ain’t gettin’ old, we gettin’ better. keep checking back for more. we’re gonna keep bringing the heat!
December 11th, 2008 at 9:14 am
illest says:
ali…those are nice but weve seen those. the in thing now is the between the legs and whatever else. could he add to that? maybe
December 11th, 2008 at 10:04 am
ali says:
it just seems like with his elevation, strength and hang time, lebron could, creatively, push the boundaries of the slam dunk game. but you’ve got to admit that during games, in the face of some serious D, he goes over the acceptable standard.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
illest says:
ali…lebrons in game dunks with his power and speed to the basket is scary. could that translate to the nba slam dunk? its possible but you wouldnt get the same feeling that you would get from his in game dunks. he might win the title this year.
December 11th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
ali says:
possibly illest. but if he’s doing that kind of ish w/some D in his face, imagine him flowing free of all obstacles with some more leeway and creativity.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am
illest says:
he needs to be in the contest at least once then. all of the great dunkers were. that doesnt exactly mean that he should but it would be nice to see.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
ali says:
it would be nice to see. maybe he wanted to establish himself before getting in. i remember his rookie year, when everyone was clamoring for him to be in, he said something to the effect of not wanting to be seen as a novelty.
i’m prone to believe that he’ll enter the contest in one of the next few years. and the excitement behind his appearance would give the event the electricity it’s been missing since spud webb won.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
illest says:
ali….how could you forget 2000 when vince carter changed the whole contest? that was just as much electricity as spud.
December 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
ali says:
yeah illest,
vince resurrected the event from a pronounced slumber with some 22nd century assaults.