Wilkins 'The Nicest Superstar'

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I recall learning that we've traded John Drew, one of our best players, for a first-round draft pick from the University of Georgia, a school known more for its football abilities than basketball. Oh well, if we can trade Pistol Pete and Lou Hudson I guess anything is possible. Sometimes I forget professional sport is a business.

Dominique who? It would be the last time I would utter these words.

We were having an informal pre-preseason workout at the Sporting Club the first time I met Dominique. My first memory of 'Nique is of him standing flat-footed under the basket and going up and slamming the basketball. I was impressed. He continued to impress me for the 11-plus seasons he played for the Hawks.

Over the years many things about Dominique come to mind, none more impressive than his passion to play the game. During the 1988 playoffs in Boston [Game 5], 'Nique accidentally kicked the hotel TV stand, splitting the little toenail all the way back to the skin. I remember him coming to the arena with the toe wrapped in a tissue. He came back to the locker room, from shooting around, and said he just couldn't run without pain, we had to do something. After having his nail bed injected, he played the entire game. What I remember most is Dominique's blood-soaked sock after the game. We won that game to lead the series 3-2 with the next game at home in the Omni.

As many of you know, the series was extended to a Game 7, and that was the game where the last five minutes were totally controlled by Larry Bird and Dominique. It was run-and-gun, back-and-forth action.

I remember thinking if we have the ball for the last possession we could win. It was the most exciting exhibition of tension-filled basketball I ever witnessed. Dominique was exceptional that series, averaging 31 points per game.

In the middle of the 1991-92 season Dominique ruptured his Achilles tendon. His injury put an end to our playoff hopes. I can still hear him telling me on the "QT" that he shot around a little even though he was still in his cast following surgery. It was almost impossible for him to give his repair time to heal. He kept assuring me that he would be all right, not to worry, he would be back. And he came back with a vengeance, having the second-best year of his career at the age of 34, averaging nearly 30 points and playing in 71 games. 'Nique was a scoring machine that season. I remember Coach [Bob] Weiss commenting that if Dominique were in a phone booth with two opposing players he would think he was open for the shot.

While I still forget sometimes that professional sport is a business, it was a sad day when Dominique was traded. It was a shame his career could not end in a Hawks uniform.

On a personal note, during my time with the Hawks we endured two family tragedies, and Dominique was so kind. We were both comforted and impressed that he would make the effort to visit us at our home. The following seasons he was always looking out for me. Dominique is, to this day, a very special friend to our family, and we are happy to share in this moment with him.</div>

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