I remember watching this game when I was 12. One of the best games I ever saw. Dominique was my favorite player at the time and I wanted him to beat the Celtics so bad. Bird was outta control back in those days and I hated the Cs because they always found a way to win. Great teams, great individual effort = great game. I'll never forget this one
I dont see why Wilkins kept letting Bird drive past him like that. He wasnt even trying to play defense for real except maybe 2 times on this clip!!! Nique was a great scorer, but he couldnt pass, play defense or make his teammates better like Jordan, Magic, Bird did.
Wilkins was one of the best scorers of his era. He is only known for his dunks, but he had 8 straight seasons of 22-26 ppg and is a 1-time scoring champ with 30,0 ppg. Gotta love this duel and the one against MJ
Dominique's only problem was, that he never ever had a 2nd Superstar to back him up during his prime which was extremely unfortunate. He was a very good overall player, not just stationed to a highlight reel. "If" he was on the Celtics, yes they would've won at least one championship if not two, his athleticism along with Parish, McHale would have been ridiculous.
As for Bird, the guys a Legend, again, if not for his back problem, he would've beasted even more.
"... so I'd say Sunday's gonna be a big win for the Celtics" ...
Hehe heh ... one sentence that captures the essence of Larry Bird. When he says something like that, it'd not out of arrogance, he just knows that's what's gonna happen, he knows he's the one that's gonna make it happen and that there's no other way it will turn out.
Amazing! His confidence in his ability to win is just out of this world :)
I like to hear this quote from Dominique: "Neither of us wanted to quite. Just before the end of the game, Bird came to me and said "Both of us deserve to win this game, but unfortunately one of us is gonna come up short." Dominique understood then that he was of the equal status as Bird as a basketball champ.
Nique was so good. He wasn't a great defender or passer/playmaker like Bird, but he deserves more credit than he gets. If he had played in the 90's when the pool of talent was a bit thinner, he would have rings.
@TheNameOfMyAccount He played in the '90s and he was having a great season in '93-'94 having led the Hawks to the top of the Eastern Conference. And then, the Hawks trade him mid-season for Danny Manning. Disrespectful.
the problem of nique (also in Itay) was always his bad defense. Offensivly he was at the top level, an incredible athlete, very good %2... good at rebounds, a highlight film. Bird is Bird.
this was the best game i ever saw. i hated bird and boston back then but i still watch highlights of this game when its on. its was basketball is all about.
I agree with MasterAceman. This was the greatest duel ever. In my 32 years of following basketball, I have never seen two players go at it like this. Bird and Nique put on a show!!
The 2010 NBA is complete DOG SHIT compared with this.
No one can say with a straight face that L.A. or Boston had a snowball's chance in Hell of beating either one of these teams in a seven game series. It would have been laughable.
@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO I'd say both the 2010 Celtics and the 1988 Celtics were about even. Both were an aging group of hall of famers and were dealing with injuries along with a horrendous bench.....the situations are a mirror image even though the players were different.
the 88 Hawks and the 2010 Lakers, I could care less lol
Interesting Doc Rivers played with the Hawks that year, he's now Boston's head coach, and it looks like the Celtics will be going for another championship....
Bird was better passer, and better 3 point shooter, but Dominique was better offensively. My opinion Dominique was better SF than Bird period. Like I said he had no weakness offensively. Dominique was better offensively than any SF in history of the NBA easily that includes old school players like Elgin Baylor. Dominique simply didn't have great players around him like Magic, Bird, and Jordan did. Like I said most underrated in NBA history.
Dominique Wilkens is definitely the most underrated player of all time when you consider his talent, and lack of credit for his talent. Offensively I would say Dominique is the best SF of all time. Yes even better than Bird. Dominique didn't have much weakness if any at all offensively. He oozed pure offense. Better was a better shooter, and passer, Dominique had great leaping ability, and all around game offensively. Severely underrated player Dominique was. No one more underrated in history.
@SamuelMoralesJr I totally agree with you that Nique is very very underrated...but you are talking about Larry Bird. 3 time MVP, who at that time (before his back went out) was so much better than anyone in the league, that it wasn't even close. Bird could score 20 with his left hand if he wished, at that time. Just an awesome player.
@airknightk You mean two human beings in a basketball duel? that is the only similarity between the two. Game 7, playoffs, season on the line versus some random game.
Ya ide say larry mj magic and im sure others were about all the same... they all had there great moments and yes jordan had a much easier road... but bird made his teamates what they were... but whoever said iverson was as good as bird in aspect of the game is so wrong i cant even believe i read it
Sadly, that game marked the end of a good hawks team. Like someone said below, hawks management over reached by signing theus and Malone during the off season after that lost. They were trying to get wilkins help, but theus and Malone broke up the chemistry the hawks had. Neither Malone or theus played any defense either, which was a hallmark of those hawks teams with tree rollins plugging the middle.
If it wasnt for the celtics, the Hawks would be remembered a bit more than they are from the late 80s. Wilkins really was incredible and that loss in 88 was big.
I would like to believe that... But it's a big ask!
Im not a celtics fan.. however I think with now with Nate Robinson and Rondo plus the big 3... they have a chance to beat any team in the NBA. They are going to be Tough over a 7 game series
Bird was the best at 3 pointing. I don't know if any player could ever beat his performance. Bird seemed to top about every player in three's. Nique was the beginning of attacking the rim. Guys before like Dr. J just glided softly through the air. Guys later like Kemp and Lebron tightened the kamakaze dunks. But it seems pretty impossible to beat someone like Larry Bird.
@tulsaman50 well wen it comes to 3-pointers i'd say he had some competition that wasnt in his generation lik, ray allen and pistol pete he was a 90% shooter to me thats insanely good
Hawks won either 6 or game 7 they wouldve never traded for moses malone and reggie theus and they very well may have went on to win a champinship or two in 88 or 89 or 90 or 91 or 92 or 93
Jordans bulls and Dominique's Hawks were the two up and coming contenders while Isiah's pistons were the one knocking on the door for 3 years now and the Celtics were holding em all off
Detroit had their run but the Hawks always did well against themj
i remeber this game i was ten years old an to me it was a great battle plus they guarded each other that what made it special bottom line the nba needs a good white guy in the league
Its just the complete opposite...the bulls never won a playoff against the celtics even when bird was "past his prime"...whatever, could still take jordan today
As a Hawks fan (though I'm also a fan of the 80's Celtics, and Nique went to UGA and I'm a GT fan), I have to disagree. Oh no wait agree with your whole comment haha. But Nique did not have the efficiency of Bird. Also, Bird was underrated defensively, I think
@gtbob12 PISTOL PETE HAD MORE OF THESE KINDS OF SHOTS THAN BIRD COULD EVER DREAM ABOUT..WATCH THE PETE MARAVICH 68 POINT GAME SHOT BY SHOT HERE ON YOUTUBE..YOU WILL BE A BELIEVER OF THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER CREATED...HE INVENTED "SHOWTIME."
@SolidSnakeRules I know the Hawks didn't have 4 hall of famers and another all-star (Ainge) on their team, but their bench was pretty deep. Levingston and Carr were both solid low post defenders as role players off the bench, and Willis (although still not in his prime at the time) and Rivers were both all-stars too. I do hate that 'Nique never gets credit for as good a player as he was. He didn't concentrate on defense as much as his offense, but this game showed he was about wins and not stats
@Geezer895 it also didnt help that he played in the east during the 80's. he had to compete against the likes of bird , MJ, thomas , king, doc,moses, barkley....list just goes on and on
@SolidSnakeRules I agree they would have won...but you could say that of 90's bulls teams and the 80's lakers. Nique is underrated but he couldn't pass like larry which is where mchale and especially parish benefited. Bird's passing made their careers while in Boston. Bird led all of those hall of famers in ppg, rpg, apg, spg, FT% for 11 of bird's healthy seasons. No other player did that except for Oscar....
"51"--Yeah, I did say a couple of things I shouldn't have. I apologize.
If you repeated your comments about me in person, especially the really bad ones and the one about my Dad, yeah, I'd fight you for it. You'd better believe it.
did it ever occur to you that if you had not taken an attitude with me to begin with, that maybe i would not have responded in such a aggressive way...
objectivethirdparty, you obviously love the hawks, but to say Bird was a dirty player and had all the officials making bad calls to make Celtics win is a bit over the top. Dominique Wilkins is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but I think you gotta step back and respect Bird. Probably the most complete basketballer ever. p.s. Badback is obviously a kid, it's really not worth the argument and calling people white trash makes you look like the stupid racist
i just dont think he would be able to chose who wins and who loses without someone finding out. so id have to say maybe not credible or honest but wouldnt decide a series before it began.
Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were the gods of basketball. No player today measures up w/ them. As for who's the best out of the three, MJ may have won against lesser competition than the 80's (though better than today's), but that's b/c he had less reliable teammates. Magic and Larry had Kareem, Worthy, McHale, Parish, Walton, etc... Pippen is the only member of the 50 greatest players in the Bulls other than MJ. If MJ had a great center like Kareem, he would've won in the 80's.
"smoke"--You're loaded with ignorance about basketball and life.
First of all, I wasn't using this game as the only example. Don't put words in my mouth, liar. Secondly, Bird was not on the same level as Jordan, my friend. He and Magic were great players, yes, but Jordan had a narrower-minded approach to the game and had a crisper career than either, not to mention the fact that he just had more talent. He also was better defensively.
You're the one with stupid comments, you complete fool
objetivethirdparty: Jordan's better than Magic and Bird? Well, that's the medias opinion for sure, but it's not reality. That very same sports media said that the New York Giants had no business showing up for the Superbowl against New England. Jordan was the best athlete to ever play in the NBA, but not its best player. MJ was a ball-hog and a Traveling Phantom Foul Generator. At the Dream Team's photo session Magic told Bird not to stand too close to MJ because he may get called for a foul!
"bassman"--Actually, Jordan was better than Magic and Bird at being a basketball player, which is saying something--and the fools at NBC did such a horrible job covering the sport for all those years that viewers were left with no real understanding of the game--as it promoted nothing but highlights with stupid rap music--and biased, shallow commentary.
Also, I called the Giants' Super Bowl win last October and said all year that the Patriots were extremely overrated. N.Y. exposed them.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
"smoke"--As I said, 'Nique and AI had to carry an offense, whereas Bird had four Springfield-bound guys on his team, and don't tell me 'Nique didn't get more than his share of double-teams. Heck, look at this very series: All he did was shoot over Bird and Kevin McHale time and time again.
This game was one of many examples of the NBA's crooked nature, as the free-throw disparity was overwhelming. Boston got by with nearly everything, as usual, and David Stern's mom's favorite team "won."
Like I said, if you truly think Allen Iverson was a better scorer then Larry Bird then you are truly a moron. You may be able to make a arguement for Wilkins, but if you truly think that chucker Iverson is then you truly know nothing about this sport. Allen Iverson pushed everyone around him off that team. He wanted to be the only guy. He wanted to chuck up 25+ shots...he was efficient at all if you even know the definition of that. He was just a chucker plain and simple on the Sixers.
i agree. Bird was a FAR more efficient scorer than Iversin. Post-Up, mid-range, screens, pick and pop....he was more versitile! I'll give AI credit in that he did play hard.
@smoke117 Iverson is one of the greatest SGs of all time. Iverson had pure speed, and great ball@yb25 Iverson is one of the greatest SGs of all time. Iverson had pure speed, and great ball handling skills for penetrating defense, and creating his own shot. Iverson was a very good defensive player despite his small size. To say Iverson sucked is pure nonsense, and that he simply chucked shots. Iverson was a scoring SG.
"merkin"--The other four guys in Boston's starting lineup were exceptional players, lest we forget, and they really could take pressure off Bird. As great as Atlanta was, Dominique had a much-higher scoring responsibility in Atlanta than Bird did in Boston.
Could Bird have been relied on for 30 points/game in Atlanta? I doubt it.
Furthermore, before you try to pass Dominique off as being selfish, remember that Bird impeded the progress of Reggie Lewis, Dee Brown, etc. with his selfishness.
The best player I have ever seen. I'm 36 and have been watching basketball since I was 10 and never seen a player like him. He was with out a doubt the best player I have ever seen. Magic Johnson is 1A and Larry is 1B. I grew up in the golden era of watching the LEGENDS.
No he isn't, in fact I believe Larry Bird was a better player then Michael Jordan when it comes down to it and at the least Jordan is not "head and shoulders" over Bird or Magic...that is just fucking ridiculous, they are all definitely on the same tier.
He out scored him, outplayed him? No. MJ played in a water downed league. Let's also not forget that he had another top 50 players with him. Scottie always guarded the toughest offensive palyers. MJ saved his energy for offesive.
Neither guy was as good as Jordan, and you overlook the fact that Dominique was as good as either guy and had more athleticism. They had more options offensively, which took pressure off themselves.
That's funny, the way I remember it, Larry Bird OWNED MJ. Birds record vs MJ: 23-11 with two sweeps of MJ in the playoffs ;) At one point (Jan 12, 1988 - Fri, Mar 21, 1986) Bird beat Jordans ball hoggin ass 13 games in a row!!!! Oh shit, yo my byaaaatch!! MJ is the greatest Ball-Hog ever, Bird's the greatest Team Player ever, post some more retard comments idiot.
...and Thomas' Pistons have winning records against Bird, Magic, and Jordan. That doesnt mean he's the greatest player of all time. Hold That Son! Bird is one of the greatest, but your boy-love for Bird is silly cuz you say silly shit about Jordan being one-dimensional. Larry NEVER OWNED MJ, The Celtics OWNED the Bulls (duh, they were a one seed- that's their job)
Bird owned MJ if MJ was as great as everyone thinks he is his team would be a #1 seed face it when Bird and Magic retired was when Jordan started winning 50+ games a year the 90s were soft Jordan=most overrated player in history Bird/Magic=hands down the greatest players in NBA history
Wrong! If the league indeed get soft, then how did Moses' 40 win Rockets skeet all the way into the NBA Finals in 80? Talk about a one-man team that yr that basically fast-breaked there way to a Western Championship. Bird was absolutely brillant, but to say MJ is overated is silly. Jordan started winning when his team got deeper and more talented! DUH! You DONT WIN WITH DAVE CORZINE AS YOUR STARING CENTER! Bird had prolly the deepest team since in 67 Sixers...
another 20 year old little bitch that never watched ball in the 80s huh. Bird OWNED mj everytime. mj was lucky to win more than 40 games a year he had no heart and couldnt stack up against the greats
I love Larry Bird and Magic Johnson and grew up watching them battle it out. I hated Michael Jordan and the Bulls from the get go. But you need to accept that MJ is the greatest player ever. It's just the truth.
Its just the complete opposite...the bulls never won a playoff against the celtics even when bird was "past his prime"...whatever, could still take jordan today
remember, 'Nique was hot and cold. Bird did it every night for 4 q's. Bird had a better al'round game too, passing, lefty, rebounding, there was alot of ways Bird could hurt ya. i do agree, Russel was the best. the man invented the jumpshot without ever taking one himself.
One of the problems with Nique, he couldn't go to his left off the dribble unlike Bird. Unless, it was the open floor, he mostly shot from that side from a pass off the inbound or a screen. He taught he couldn't get the ball off the pass or a roll but Boston didn't allow it to happen.
Yes 20 years later I'm still wondering why Levingston got the ball. The biggest game in franchise history and you don't even have your franchis guy (Nique) get the ball? That's unacceptable.
I reminisce about that 1987-88 season a lot... a LOT! That entire season warms my heart, except that the Hawks should've won the series against Boston---but at least we all know (or at least those in the know do) that Boston didn't win outright but instead got assisted by the officials, as David Stern and co. run a league that absolutely lacks credibility and respectability, as everything Tim Donaghy has alleged has many supporting examples, indeed.
Guy always felt like the little brother that didn't get enough glory.
Tryin to throw Larry under the bus like that. Dominique would've won ONE chip MAYBE, even with those two.
Dominique wasn't anywhere near the passer Bird was, and wouldn't have given up shots I don't think. I love Dominique, LOVE the guy, but man Dannie get your head outta your butt with statements like that.
Larry Bird was a better shooter and passer that Dominique, but 'Nique had him everywhere else.
The overlooked part of this fourth quarter was the fact that Kevin Willis and Kevin McHale were playing equally physically, but the refs were calling Willis for everything and Willis for nothing. Even Tom Heinsohn, who called Game 7, commented on this unfairness.
Did you hear Doc Rivers? No room service. So much for Boston wanting to play the game fairly. Twenty years later, no change (Spygate).
Are you kidding me? Bird had over Dominique Pure Shooting, Scoring Efficiency FG%, 3-Point FG%, FT%, True FG% Scorring Efficiency, Rebounding (Bird was one of the Greatest Boxing-Out Schoolers of Al TIme), Assists (Greatest Passing Forward of All Time), Steals and Blocks. Bird is a top 6 All Time EFF Efficiency Player and Top 17 All Time PER Player Efficiency Rating. Bird is also the Wittiest and Smartest player Ever, the Most Clutch Ever and along Jordan, the Most Competitive Ever!
Witties defensively but Bird was the wittiest offensively and defensively. Bird had to compensate his lack of speed, athleticism and leaping ability by knowing the court and fundamentals by memory. Bird could hiponotize you with little details that would tear you apart slowly and even did it witch some elegant trash talk. As D.J said if you believed that hick from french like white slowly boy that can`t jump and doesnt look athletic youd get owned and most of the time u didnt even know how u did
Hey, as I said, Dominique had Bird in all of those categories except for the two I mentioned.
The NBA is a league sorely lacking credibility, and it lacked credibility long before the referee scandal. Dominique deserved the MVP in 1986, but they gave it to Larry Bird instead. The Celtics were better than the Hawks in 1986, but the Hawks were better in 1988. Look at how Game 7 went officiating-wise.
By the way, "aceroy", your grammar is terrible, just like your basketball knowledge.
Bird couldn't play half-court defense and not a good-one on one defender from half-court.
Russell on offense made the right play in half-court set. He did the dirty work; setting screens, put-backs, and dribble right/left to set up the offense (a point center). He had a nice hook shot. Most of the offense for Boston was his outlet pass off a block and rebound. He just couldn't hit free-throws.
Bird could defend on the break when the game is going fast with his excellent anticipation skills.
During Bird's career, he had four Hall-of-Famers around him in Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and Danny Ainge. While the Hawks went from an up-and-coming team to a great team, Dominique didn't have four offensive threats around him like Bird did, so therefore, defenses could focus on 'Nique a lot more closely than they could on Bird, and guess what? 'Nique was STILL a better offensive player than Bird was.
Dominique also endured more physical aspects of the game than Bird did.
Dominique was NOT a better scorer then Bird lol. That is crazy to say that. Have you ever seen their numbers? I'm sure you've seen their ppg because that seems to be all you're going by, but Bird was WAAAAAAAY more EFFICIENT. Nique just took more shots but his percentages were never particularly good.
"smoke"--Actually, Dominique was a much-better scorer than Bird. He also shot against more double-teams and had to carry an offensive load every night that Bird never did. His athleticism was light years ahead of Bird's, and Bird's "more-rounded" game really was nothing more than a comfort zone of feeding off of seasoned-veteran teammates.
By the way, 'Nique outscored Bird in this game. I know 'Nique had 47; Bird had 34 at the most.
No he really wasn't. That is like coming in here and saying Iverson was a better scorer then Bird. Wilkins just chucked up more shots then Bird did, but Larry was a much much more efficient scorer.
"smoke"--You really are covered with layers and layers of nonsense.
Iverson's another example of a guy who had to carry a team's offensive load, and, like Wilkins, didn't have the luxury of hiding behind four offensive Hall of Famers when he wanted to take it easy.
'Nique and AI carried their respective teams a lot more than Bird ever carried the Celtics. Understand?
An asterisk for this game since the officiating was blatantly biased for David Stern's mom's favorite team: the Celtics.
If you are seriously going to sit here and tell me that Allen Iverson was a better scorer then Larry Bird then you truly have no idea what you are talking about and I'm not going to bother responding anymore...stupidity knows no reasoning.
The difference is, Bird knew when he had to have a monster point game to win and he knew when he needed a defensive rebounding game to win. That's the problem with Jordan and Iverson, they chucked up shots and monster numbers and still lossed. Jordan was lucky to get a team player like Pippen that knew how to win.
"merkin"--You're such a stupid liar, and don't use the term "retard" toward me or anyone else (in a recent post you did).
Jordan shot a lot and had a selfish side to him but no more than that of Bird, liar, and Pippen, by the way, fed off of Jordan and followed Jordan's example of team basketball--not to mention the fact that his defense became what it was because he had to guard Jordan day in and day out in practice for years. Of course, I wouldn't expect a lunatic like you to know any topic.
oh i see... obtective-turd-party, you lost your argument with me and now your starting other arguments with other youtube users. your a pussy, you can`t the truth so you hide from it, like all other bullshit peddlers. you should keep your opinions to yourself. you inbred , unintelligent loser bitch!!!
"51"--If you EVER talked to me this way in person, you'd be in for the beating of your adult life, as I'd give you the discipline your apparently-apathetic dad never did.
Secondly, your basketball knowledge is every bit as sorry as your intelligence and typing coherency. Log off the computer, and pursue knowledge, you moronic, propagated, pathetic, cowardly, prejudiced piece of white trash.
As for Bird, he didn't deserve the 1985-86 MVP; Dominique did, just like he deserved unbiased refs.
i did`nt say anything about basketball...? what i said was your name is objective-turd-party, your a pussy,your inbred,your unintelligent loser bitch...! speaking of dad`s was`nt your arrested for ass raping you ?
You don't even know what you are talking about when you talk about all these double teams and this and that and how Bird had a lot better players because the fact of the matter is, teams basically used the strategy the Celtics would use vs Jordan in the late 80s on Wilkins...let him get his points and worry about the rest of his teammates. All these double teams you are talking about is bullshit. Most coaches played to let Wilkins get his and worry about the rest of the team.
who scored more in the 4th quarter during crunch time? Larry Bird did. as the movie said Nique needed to stop larry once to give the hawks a shot, but DIDNT. Larry bird outplayed Nique when it mattered most, which is all that matters.
"hauptishere"--Oh, my, you are easy to refute. First of all, Dominique outscored Bird in the game, 47-34. Enough said. Secondly, Bird couldn't stop Dominique in the quarter. In addition, Bird got by with a walk on a shot he hit from the baseline. Furthermore, the NBA has no credibility due to David Stern, as Tim Donaghy is right about him, and this game is such an example, as Stern's mom's favorite team (the Celtics) got the blatant benefit of the whistle.
"haupt"--Did it ever occur to you that the corruption might START with David Stern? (Donaghy isn't justified for tampering with a game, whether he's told to or not.)
Do you ever read carefully or think before you speak?
If you think Stern's reputable, you've got issues---SERIOUS issues. Pay attention, and seek the truth objectively, as opposed to clinging desperately to prejudiced whims and notions.
You sound just like the typical college professor in that regard: very much propagated.
well honestly david stern really isnt that credible. seeing as tampering scandal happened to occur during his time as commissioner. I dont know if he would go as far as to completely change who wins and who loses but i can see him doing favors for a friend with the spread.
"haupt"--Stern imposes a dress code and unfairly suspends Ron Artest, overlooking in the process the corruption at the league's corporate level and the fact that the players were given inadequate security in Detroit.
Why did Stern change the first-round format halfway through the season that the Lakers were without Shaq? What a bunch of garbage.
Why did Jalen Rose get suspended in Game 5 of the 1998 ECF, and why did Rod Thorn, who suspended him, condone Kenyon Martin's fouling Karl Malone?
2008 Conference Semi Finals - Pierce VS James
just like this :')
yourfriendkelvin 1 month ago
I remember watching this game when I was 12. One of the best games I ever saw. Dominique was my favorite player at the time and I wanted him to beat the Celtics so bad. Bird was outta control back in those days and I hated the Cs because they always found a way to win. Great teams, great individual effort = great game. I'll never forget this one
jsmidash 2 months ago
I dont see why Wilkins kept letting Bird drive past him like that. He wasnt even trying to play defense for real except maybe 2 times on this clip!!! Nique was a great scorer, but he couldnt pass, play defense or make his teammates better like Jordan, Magic, Bird did.
cappadonho 3 months ago
@cappadonho maybe because his teammates were not Pippen or Parish...
gianpanos 2 months ago
@gianpanos hey you are correct!!!
cappadonho 2 months ago
Wilkins all the way.
saqibk1 5 months ago
Wilkins was one of the best scorers of his era. He is only known for his dunks, but he had 8 straight seasons of 22-26 ppg and is a 1-time scoring champ with 30,0 ppg. Gotta love this duel and the one against MJ
woutakasinistra 6 months ago
Dominique's only problem was, that he never ever had a 2nd Superstar to back him up during his prime which was extremely unfortunate. He was a very good overall player, not just stationed to a highlight reel. "If" he was on the Celtics, yes they would've won at least one championship if not two, his athleticism along with Parish, McHale would have been ridiculous.
As for Bird, the guys a Legend, again, if not for his back problem, he would've beasted even more.
TrueSephiros 6 months ago
Love the mutual respect they have for eachother
jdoggoliscious 6 months ago
larry would lead the league in tech's if he played today
jarrenskater 6 months ago
@jarrenskater LOL True! If Jordan was second tier player, he would have more than Rasheed Wallace ever got.
GOINABILITY 6 months ago
bird red face did he get punched?
bootiack 7 months ago
bird the best ever
bootiack 7 months ago
More style than substance? Are you kidding me? Hit stats speak for themselves. WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than Scottie Pippen
mburrill88 7 months ago
Thanks for the video.
kileer7 7 months ago
"... so I'd say Sunday's gonna be a big win for the Celtics" ...
Hehe heh ... one sentence that captures the essence of Larry Bird. When he says something like that, it'd not out of arrogance, he just knows that's what's gonna happen, he knows he's the one that's gonna make it happen and that there's no other way it will turn out.
Amazing! His confidence in his ability to win is just out of this world :)
YossGold 7 months ago
@YossGold Do you want to extract that long white sweaty penis out of your mouth for a minute to catch your breath?
MrYoyoma33 7 months ago
Nique is the nicest man you'd ever wanna meet. Good down to earth guy.
mcstang007 7 months ago
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Wilkens offense 10, defense 9.4, speed 8.4, rebound 8.9, passing 5.0, ball handling 7.5. Bird offense 9.7, defense 9.4, speed 7.5, rebound 9.2, passing 9.0, ball handling 7.5. Dominique Wilkens was a strong finisher, nice layups, finger roll, dunks. Overall Wilkens>Bird.
SamuelMoralesJr 8 months ago
Comment removed
SamuelMoralesJr 8 months ago
no offense but nique that comment is also bird swag
conanbdetective 10 months ago
What a relief a video without DUMB NIGGER RAP
PJHunterTJ 11 months ago
@PJHunterTJ LOL
MrYoyoma33 7 months ago
Too bad Kevin Willis had those T-Rex arms or he might have gotten that block at the end.
tharock220 11 months ago 2
As a Hawks fan, this game still hurts to watch. So close...so close.
phoneke 1 year ago
lol spud looks like a 15 year old on the bench
armiasazariya 1 year ago
I like to hear this quote from Dominique: "Neither of us wanted to quite. Just before the end of the game, Bird came to me and said "Both of us deserve to win this game, but unfortunately one of us is gonna come up short." Dominique understood then that he was of the equal status as Bird as a basketball champ.
KCAASE 1 year ago 5
2:05
Dayyum!!!
"Sunday is gonna be a big win for the Celtics"
Larry birds a beast!!!
orauf1 1 year ago
It doesn't matter. At the end of the day, Bird is a miserable human being and Wilkins is not. That is what they will ultimately judged by.
Don't think Bird is miserable, ask his daughter. It's one of many reasons he's a scumbag.
HTHAMMACK1 1 year ago
(Bird standing beside them)
Willis: Don't let him score tonight.
(Looks at Willis) Wilkins: What are you doing?!
(Bird's eyes became big)
conanbdetective 1 year ago 7
Nique was so good. He wasn't a great defender or passer/playmaker like Bird, but he deserves more credit than he gets. If he had played in the 90's when the pool of talent was a bit thinner, he would have rings.
TheNameOfMyAccount 1 year ago
@TheNameOfMyAccount He played in the '90s and he was having a great season in '93-'94 having led the Hawks to the top of the Eastern Conference. And then, the Hawks trade him mid-season for Danny Manning. Disrespectful.
pancon5 1 year ago 2
@pancon5 You're right. "When he was at his peak abilities" I should have said to clarify.
Less than a month til the new season!
TheNameOfMyAccount 1 year ago
@TheNameOfMyAccount Didn't mean it to come though as correcting you, I saw it more as a chance to bash the Hawks for that decision!
pancon5 1 year ago
@pancon5 Amen.
zengallay 1 year ago
Jeez, Nique had to guard Bird & score on McHale... & he had 47 with a lesser team...
kara1m 1 year ago
Nique is one of the most underrated players ever. He just didn't have a good enough team around him to take down the giants of his era.
UndergroundGrooves 1 year ago
the problem of nique (also in Itay) was always his bad defense. Offensivly he was at the top level, an incredible athlete, very good %2... good at rebounds, a highlight film. Bird is Bird.
bigmez83 1 year ago
this was the best game i ever saw. i hated bird and boston back then but i still watch highlights of this game when its on. its was basketball is all about.
jbrou21 1 year ago
Damn ..Smart bad ass players....
AaronBank 1 year ago
I agree with MasterAceman. This was the greatest duel ever. In my 32 years of following basketball, I have never seen two players go at it like this. Bird and Nique put on a show!!
JellyBean2144 1 year ago
Greatest duel ever.
MasterAceman123456 1 year ago 3
that ni33a dominique is like our lebron james.... ustoppable but got no type of ring.
commonjrod 1 year ago
The 2010 NBA is complete DOG SHIT compared with this.
No one can say with a straight face that L.A. or Boston had a snowball's chance in Hell of beating either one of these teams in a seven game series. It would have been laughable.
MTXSHO9732vV8SHO 1 year ago 2
@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO I'd say both the 2010 Celtics and the 1988 Celtics were about even. Both were an aging group of hall of famers and were dealing with injuries along with a horrendous bench.....the situations are a mirror image even though the players were different.
the 88 Hawks and the 2010 Lakers, I could care less lol
KHayes666 1 year ago
I saw that game.
I could swear at one point in the game it basically became a one on one dual.
The remaining 8 players just stood there watching these two go at it.
One the best games I ever saw
scallejo17011 1 year ago
It's a shame that a bogus goaltending call played a role in the end of this great game...
CountryRoadTrip 1 year ago
Interesting Doc Rivers played with the Hawks that year, he's now Boston's head coach, and it looks like the Celtics will be going for another championship....
jzzlvrmee 1 year ago
I remember seeing this on TV....right when I was thinking that this was a duel, Tommy Heinson(sp)said it himself!!
jzzlvrmee 1 year ago
Bird was better passer, and better 3 point shooter, but Dominique was better offensively. My opinion Dominique was better SF than Bird period. Like I said he had no weakness offensively. Dominique was better offensively than any SF in history of the NBA easily that includes old school players like Elgin Baylor. Dominique simply didn't have great players around him like Magic, Bird, and Jordan did. Like I said most underrated in NBA history.
SamuelMoralesJr 1 year ago
Dominique Wilkens is definitely the most underrated player of all time when you consider his talent, and lack of credit for his talent. Offensively I would say Dominique is the best SF of all time. Yes even better than Bird. Dominique didn't have much weakness if any at all offensively. He oozed pure offense. Better was a better shooter, and passer, Dominique had great leaping ability, and all around game offensively. Severely underrated player Dominique was. No one more underrated in history.
SamuelMoralesJr 1 year ago
@SamuelMoralesJr I totally agree with you that Nique is very very underrated...but you are talking about Larry Bird. 3 time MVP, who at that time (before his back went out) was so much better than anyone in the league, that it wasn't even close. Bird could score 20 with his left hand if he wished, at that time. Just an awesome player.
75samuel75 1 year ago
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"I think only Reggie Miler came close to Larry's 3 point shooting."
I would put Jerry West up there as well. By all accounts, he was a deadly long range shooter.
footballjava32 1 year ago
This is similar to the lebron and melo duel
airknightk 1 year ago
NOT EVEN..
jigi102 1 year ago
@airknightk You mean two human beings in a basketball duel? that is the only similarity between the two. Game 7, playoffs, season on the line versus some random game.
75samuel75 1 year ago
Ya ide say larry mj magic and im sure others were about all the same... they all had there great moments and yes jordan had a much easier road... but bird made his teamates what they were... but whoever said iverson was as good as bird in aspect of the game is so wrong i cant even believe i read it
dayvallen 1 year ago
Sadly, that game marked the end of a good hawks team. Like someone said below, hawks management over reached by signing theus and Malone during the off season after that lost. They were trying to get wilkins help, but theus and Malone broke up the chemistry the hawks had. Neither Malone or theus played any defense either, which was a hallmark of those hawks teams with tree rollins plugging the middle.
nubirthgod 2 years ago
If it wasnt for the celtics, the Hawks would be remembered a bit more than they are from the late 80s. Wilkins really was incredible and that loss in 88 was big.
ashland1977 2 years ago 2
Hawks this year will finally serve justice on the Celtics after all these years.
eslgurucalif 2 years ago 3
The hawks have been trying to do that to the celtics for nearly 30 years!
ashland1977 2 years ago
@ashland1977, hopefully. The current team's future looks bright.
gmlucien 1 year ago
I would like to believe that... But it's a big ask!
Im not a celtics fan.. however I think with now with Nate Robinson and Rondo plus the big 3... they have a chance to beat any team in the NBA. They are going to be Tough over a 7 game series
GingerBreadMan217 1 year ago
I remeber this game on NBA TV... I couldnt believe the shots they hit... it was intense the whole time.... My fav game
eblackman 2 years ago
Larry Bird was the greatest player of all--times, plain and simple. Thanks for posting this..!!
UnionKid15 2 years ago
Bird was the best at 3 pointing. I don't know if any player could ever beat his performance. Bird seemed to top about every player in three's. Nique was the beginning of attacking the rim. Guys before like Dr. J just glided softly through the air. Guys later like Kemp and Lebron tightened the kamakaze dunks. But it seems pretty impossible to beat someone like Larry Bird.
tulsaman50 2 years ago
@tulsaman50 well wen it comes to 3-pointers i'd say he had some competition that wasnt in his generation lik, ray allen and pistol pete he was a 90% shooter to me thats insanely good
chiodori 2 years ago
@tulsaman50, I think only Reggie Miler came close to Larry's 3 point shooting.
gmlucien 1 year ago
lol no we dont lol but that was really funny lol
Nicktimus 2 years ago
there is way too many incredible moments in basketball
TOGGGAA1 2 years ago
Hawks won either 6 or game 7 they wouldve never traded for moses malone and reggie theus and they very well may have went on to win a champinship or two in 88 or 89 or 90 or 91 or 92 or 93
Jordans bulls and Dominique's Hawks were the two up and coming contenders while Isiah's pistons were the one knocking on the door for 3 years now and the Celtics were holding em all off
Detroit had their run but the Hawks always did well against themj
they shoulda never traded for moses and reggie
gocelts34n7 2 years ago
This Hawks team now, if they keep them together, will exceed that '88 team.
eslgurucalif 2 years ago 2
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@eslgurucalif: hopefully. The current roster's future looks bright.
gmlucien 1 year ago
i remeber this game i was ten years old an to me it was a great battle plus they guarded each other that what made it special bottom line the nba needs a good white guy in the league
jeffnfoxylady1 2 years ago
Nowitzki????
malz92 2 years ago
Its just the complete opposite...the bulls never won a playoff against the celtics even when bird was "past his prime"...whatever, could still take jordan today
wontfightnow 2 years ago
I wish i was around to see this first hand.
The magic's missing in the NBA atm.
slimbillybob 2 years ago
i have this game, and i have so many games of magic larry and MJ...in my opinion this is the best 4th QT i've ever seen.
aph83 2 years ago
this was the first version of duels second lebron vs. the truth both amazing..but i think this one is better cuz bird just took over and wouldnt miss
Brararad 2 years ago
Nique was extremely underrated. If you swapped Nique with Bird I think Boston still would have won championships.
Not as many, though. Maybe one. Bird is crazy.
SolidSnakeRules 2 years ago 28
@SolidSnakeRules
As a Hawks fan (though I'm also a fan of the 80's Celtics, and Nique went to UGA and I'm a GT fan), I have to disagree. Oh no wait agree with your whole comment haha. But Nique did not have the efficiency of Bird. Also, Bird was underrated defensively, I think
gtbob12 1 year ago
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@gtbob12 PISTOL PETE HAD MORE OF THESE KINDS OF SHOTS THAN BIRD COULD EVER DREAM ABOUT..WATCH THE PETE MARAVICH 68 POINT GAME SHOT BY SHOT HERE ON YOUTUBE..YOU WILL BE A BELIEVER OF THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER CREATED...HE INVENTED "SHOWTIME."
justcruzzinn 1 year ago
@SolidSnakeRules no way
fazman52 1 year ago
@SolidSnakeRules I know the Hawks didn't have 4 hall of famers and another all-star (Ainge) on their team, but their bench was pretty deep. Levingston and Carr were both solid low post defenders as role players off the bench, and Willis (although still not in his prime at the time) and Rivers were both all-stars too. I do hate that 'Nique never gets credit for as good a player as he was. He didn't concentrate on defense as much as his offense, but this game showed he was about wins and not stats
Geezer895 11 months ago
@Geezer895 it also didnt help that he played in the east during the 80's. he had to compete against the likes of bird , MJ, thomas , king, doc,moses, barkley....list just goes on and on
raiderroyz 9 months ago
@SolidSnakeRules I agree they would have won...but you could say that of 90's bulls teams and the 80's lakers. Nique is underrated but he couldn't pass like larry which is where mchale and especially parish benefited. Bird's passing made their careers while in Boston. Bird led all of those hall of famers in ppg, rpg, apg, spg, FT% for 11 of bird's healthy seasons. No other player did that except for Oscar....
usnate1 6 months ago
Comment removed
hottentot 6 months ago
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@SolidSnakeRules uh uh, no way. Dominique puts points on the board. But passing, team play, seeing the floor the way Bird did? Nope uh uh.
hottentot 6 months ago
@SolidSnakeRules Nique was never mention from analysis or citizens because remember him as a highlight film.
mrsoftnessful 5 months ago
"The bird can fly higher than any hawk"
Someone hasn't been to school.
doraemonrox 2 years ago 40
What a great game this was. Too bad it marked the high-water mark of the Hawks; it's been Mediocrity City ever since for them.
TheSanityInspector 2 years ago
"51"--Yeah, I did say a couple of things I shouldn't have. I apologize.
If you repeated your comments about me in person, especially the really bad ones and the one about my Dad, yeah, I'd fight you for it. You'd better believe it.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
did it ever occur to you that if you had not taken an attitude with me to begin with, that maybe i would not have responded in such a aggressive way...
badback51 2 years ago
objectivethirdparty, you obviously love the hawks, but to say Bird was a dirty player and had all the officials making bad calls to make Celtics win is a bit over the top. Dominique Wilkins is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but I think you gotta step back and respect Bird. Probably the most complete basketballer ever. p.s. Badback is obviously a kid, it's really not worth the argument and calling people white trash makes you look like the stupid racist
BroomeBlocker3 2 years ago
i would just like to say that objectivethirdparty is an asshole... thank you
badback51 2 years ago
"badback"--You want to see me killed, huh? Better be careful about making threats.
By the way, I've attacked your logic, which isn't an insult. You, on the other hand, have insulted me. Where's your apology?
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
My father was at game 5. He still talks about Wilkins to this day as one of the most exciting players he's ever seen. Truly one of the greats!
ymhaguy96 3 years ago
For once Danny Ainge is right. Nique was something special. C'mon he had to carry Koncak along!
ElephantRage 3 years ago
whats the song on 5.45?
Pback2J 3 years ago
Man, good sht. I remember that. I loved watching Dominique and was rooting for the Hawks, was tired of the Celtics. But yeah, Bird was the man.
JamJHolmes 3 years ago 2
i just dont think he would be able to chose who wins and who loses without someone finding out. so id have to say maybe not credible or honest but wouldnt decide a series before it began.
hauptishere 3 years ago
I was at this game, center court floor seats. It was un-fuckin-believeable!
cgavin1975 3 years ago
Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were the gods of basketball. No player today measures up w/ them. As for who's the best out of the three, MJ may have won against lesser competition than the 80's (though better than today's), but that's b/c he had less reliable teammates. Magic and Larry had Kareem, Worthy, McHale, Parish, Walton, etc... Pippen is the only member of the 50 greatest players in the Bulls other than MJ. If MJ had a great center like Kareem, he would've won in the 80's.
jp3813 3 years ago 3
i agree with you 100000 coorect
Soundtrack1000 2 years ago
When I saw this game I just went...greatest basketball game and moment I've ever seen myself. Larry Bird is insane.
smoke117 3 years ago
"smoke"--Just a reminder: Larry Bird got outplayed in this game by Dominique Wilkins, so give credit where credit is do.
Thank you.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
Because taking one game as an example of who is the better scorer is such an intelligent manner of deciding this...*rolls eyes*
smoke117 3 years ago
"smoke"--You're loaded with ignorance about basketball and life.
First of all, I wasn't using this game as the only example. Don't put words in my mouth, liar. Secondly, Bird was not on the same level as Jordan, my friend. He and Magic were great players, yes, but Jordan had a narrower-minded approach to the game and had a crisper career than either, not to mention the fact that he just had more talent. He also was better defensively.
You're the one with stupid comments, you complete fool
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
objetivethirdparty: Jordan's better than Magic and Bird? Well, that's the medias opinion for sure, but it's not reality. That very same sports media said that the New York Giants had no business showing up for the Superbowl against New England. Jordan was the best athlete to ever play in the NBA, but not its best player. MJ was a ball-hog and a Traveling Phantom Foul Generator. At the Dream Team's photo session Magic told Bird not to stand too close to MJ because he may get called for a foul!
bassman5123 3 years ago 2
"bassman"--Actually, Jordan was better than Magic and Bird at being a basketball player, which is saying something--and the fools at NBC did such a horrible job covering the sport for all those years that viewers were left with no real understanding of the game--as it promoted nothing but highlights with stupid rap music--and biased, shallow commentary.
Also, I called the Giants' Super Bowl win last October and said all year that the Patriots were extremely overrated. N.Y. exposed them.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
"smoke"--As I said, 'Nique and AI had to carry an offense, whereas Bird had four Springfield-bound guys on his team, and don't tell me 'Nique didn't get more than his share of double-teams. Heck, look at this very series: All he did was shoot over Bird and Kevin McHale time and time again.
This game was one of many examples of the NBA's crooked nature, as the free-throw disparity was overwhelming. Boston got by with nearly everything, as usual, and David Stern's mom's favorite team "won."
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
Like I said, if you truly think Allen Iverson was a better scorer then Larry Bird then you are truly a moron. You may be able to make a arguement for Wilkins, but if you truly think that chucker Iverson is then you truly know nothing about this sport. Allen Iverson pushed everyone around him off that team. He wanted to be the only guy. He wanted to chuck up 25+ shots...he was efficient at all if you even know the definition of that. He was just a chucker plain and simple on the Sixers.
smoke117 3 years ago
He wasn't efficient at all I meant.
smoke117 3 years ago
i agree. Bird was a FAR more efficient scorer than Iversin. Post-Up, mid-range, screens, pick and pop....he was more versitile! I'll give AI credit in that he did play hard.
yb25 2 years ago
@smoke117 Iverson is one of the greatest SGs of all time. Iverson had pure speed, and great ball@yb25 Iverson is one of the greatest SGs of all time. Iverson had pure speed, and great ball handling skills for penetrating defense, and creating his own shot. Iverson was a very good defensive player despite his small size. To say Iverson sucked is pure nonsense, and that he simply chucked shots. Iverson was a scoring SG.
SamuelMoralesJr 1 year ago
You should truly just shut your mouth because your ignorance is truly glaring and you only serve to embarrass yourself further.
smoke117 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Nique created shots for himself, not his teammates, that's the difference between him and Bird.
MerkinMuffly 3 years ago
"merkin"--The other four guys in Boston's starting lineup were exceptional players, lest we forget, and they really could take pressure off Bird. As great as Atlanta was, Dominique had a much-higher scoring responsibility in Atlanta than Bird did in Boston.
Could Bird have been relied on for 30 points/game in Atlanta? I doubt it.
Furthermore, before you try to pass Dominique off as being selfish, remember that Bird impeded the progress of Reggie Lewis, Dee Brown, etc. with his selfishness.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
The best player I have ever seen. I'm 36 and have been watching basketball since I was 10 and never seen a player like him. He was with out a doubt the best player I have ever seen. Magic Johnson is 1A and Larry is 1B. I grew up in the golden era of watching the LEGENDS.
yayo7182002 3 years ago
"yayo"--Dominique outplayed Bird in this game, my friend, and Michael Jordan is head and shoulders over Bird or Magic.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
No he isn't, in fact I believe Larry Bird was a better player then Michael Jordan when it comes down to it and at the least Jordan is not "head and shoulders" over Bird or Magic...that is just fucking ridiculous, they are all definitely on the same tier.
smoke117 3 years ago
He out scored him, outplayed him? No. MJ played in a water downed league. Let's also not forget that he had another top 50 players with him. Scottie always guarded the toughest offensive palyers. MJ saved his energy for offesive.
yayo7182002 3 years ago 4
Neither guy was as good as Jordan, and you overlook the fact that Dominique was as good as either guy and had more athleticism. They had more options offensively, which took pressure off themselves.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
That's funny, the way I remember it, Larry Bird OWNED MJ. Birds record vs MJ: 23-11 with two sweeps of MJ in the playoffs ;) At one point (Jan 12, 1988 - Fri, Mar 21, 1986) Bird beat Jordans ball hoggin ass 13 games in a row!!!! Oh shit, yo my byaaaatch!! MJ is the greatest Ball-Hog ever, Bird's the greatest Team Player ever, post some more retard comments idiot.
MerkinMuffly 2 years ago 2
Did I mention MJ scored 63 and still couldn't beat Bird, haha, the greatest ball-hogging moment in NBA history.
MerkinMuffly 2 years ago
...and Bird did something that MJ never did...lose to the Knicks in the playoffs!!!! BOO-YAHH!
yb25 2 years ago
...and Thomas' Pistons have winning records against Bird, Magic, and Jordan. That doesnt mean he's the greatest player of all time. Hold That Son! Bird is one of the greatest, but your boy-love for Bird is silly cuz you say silly shit about Jordan being one-dimensional. Larry NEVER OWNED MJ, The Celtics OWNED the Bulls (duh, they were a one seed- that's their job)
yb25 2 years ago 2
Bird owned MJ if MJ was as great as everyone thinks he is his team would be a #1 seed face it when Bird and Magic retired was when Jordan started winning 50+ games a year the 90s were soft Jordan=most overrated player in history Bird/Magic=hands down the greatest players in NBA history
N2Audio4life 2 years ago
Wrong! If the league indeed get soft, then how did Moses' 40 win Rockets skeet all the way into the NBA Finals in 80? Talk about a one-man team that yr that basically fast-breaked there way to a Western Championship. Bird was absolutely brillant, but to say MJ is overated is silly. Jordan started winning when his team got deeper and more talented! DUH! You DONT WIN WITH DAVE CORZINE AS YOUR STARING CENTER! Bird had prolly the deepest team since in 67 Sixers...
yb25 2 years ago
Bird OWNED MJ????? hahahaha!!! Thats way funny...seriously...you should do stand-up
darksiete 2 years ago
another 20 year old little bitch that never watched ball in the 80s huh. Bird OWNED mj everytime. mj was lucky to win more than 40 games a year he had no heart and couldnt stack up against the greats
N2Audio4life 2 years ago
wat r u talking about?
RMBMovieskid44 2 years ago
I love Larry Bird and Magic Johnson and grew up watching them battle it out. I hated Michael Jordan and the Bulls from the get go. But you need to accept that MJ is the greatest player ever. It's just the truth.
MmeDesgranges 2 years ago 3
Its just the complete opposite...the bulls never won a playoff against the celtics even when bird was "past his prime"...whatever, could still take jordan today
wontfightnow 2 years ago
great vid, thanks for posting it.
doobiesz 3 years ago
remember, 'Nique was hot and cold. Bird did it every night for 4 q's. Bird had a better al'round game too, passing, lefty, rebounding, there was alot of ways Bird could hurt ya. i do agree, Russel was the best. the man invented the jumpshot without ever taking one himself.
lemonite1 3 years ago
The jump shot was credited to Hank Lusietti but that is even disputed.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
I have but one question about that series: Why in the hell did Cliff freakin Levingston have the ball at the end of game 6?
3SCboy 3 years ago
One of the problems with Nique, he couldn't go to his left off the dribble unlike Bird. Unless, it was the open floor, he mostly shot from that side from a pass off the inbound or a screen. He taught he couldn't get the ball off the pass or a roll but Boston didn't allow it to happen.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
Nique could go to the left enough to keep you honest. It's just no one could stop him right so why not keep doin it
tateavery21 3 years ago
This is from Mike Fratello. He knows him more than I or you do.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
Yes 20 years later I'm still wondering why Levingston got the ball. The biggest game in franchise history and you don't even have your franchis guy (Nique) get the ball? That's unacceptable.
jasoul07 3 years ago
They tried to do the nique being a decoy thang. I'd rather had doc rivers get it
tateavery21 3 years ago
Are you a Hawks fan? Were you at Game 6?
I reminisce about that 1987-88 season a lot... a LOT! That entire season warms my heart, except that the Hawks should've won the series against Boston---but at least we all know (or at least those in the know do) that Boston didn't win outright but instead got assisted by the officials, as David Stern and co. run a league that absolutely lacks credibility and respectability, as everything Tim Donaghy has alleged has many supporting examples, indeed.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
i would like you to get killed...
badback51 2 years ago
Pshh, shame on you Danny Ainge.
Guy always felt like the little brother that didn't get enough glory.
Tryin to throw Larry under the bus like that. Dominique would've won ONE chip MAYBE, even with those two.
Dominique wasn't anywhere near the passer Bird was, and wouldn't have given up shots I don't think. I love Dominique, LOVE the guy, but man Dannie get your head outta your butt with statements like that.
You're better than that.
bobs3304 3 years ago
Larry Bird was a better shooter and passer that Dominique, but 'Nique had him everywhere else.
The overlooked part of this fourth quarter was the fact that Kevin Willis and Kevin McHale were playing equally physically, but the refs were calling Willis for everything and Willis for nothing. Even Tom Heinsohn, who called Game 7, commented on this unfairness.
Did you hear Doc Rivers? No room service. So much for Boston wanting to play the game fairly. Twenty years later, no change (Spygate).
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
Are you kidding me? Bird had over Dominique Pure Shooting, Scoring Efficiency FG%, 3-Point FG%, FT%, True FG% Scorring Efficiency, Rebounding (Bird was one of the Greatest Boxing-Out Schoolers of Al TIme), Assists (Greatest Passing Forward of All Time), Steals and Blocks. Bird is a top 6 All Time EFF Efficiency Player and Top 17 All Time PER Player Efficiency Rating. Bird is also the Wittiest and Smartest player Ever, the Most Clutch Ever and along Jordan, the Most Competitive Ever!
AceroySangre 3 years ago
I will take Bill Russell as the most wittiest, smartest player, and the most competitive.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
Witties defensively but Bird was the wittiest offensively and defensively. Bird had to compensate his lack of speed, athleticism and leaping ability by knowing the court and fundamentals by memory. Bird could hiponotize you with little details that would tear you apart slowly and even did it witch some elegant trash talk. As D.J said if you believed that hick from french like white slowly boy that can`t jump and doesnt look athletic youd get owned and most of the time u didnt even know how u did
AceroySangre 3 years ago
Hey, as I said, Dominique had Bird in all of those categories except for the two I mentioned.
The NBA is a league sorely lacking credibility, and it lacked credibility long before the referee scandal. Dominique deserved the MVP in 1986, but they gave it to Larry Bird instead. The Celtics were better than the Hawks in 1986, but the Hawks were better in 1988. Look at how Game 7 went officiating-wise.
By the way, "aceroy", your grammar is terrible, just like your basketball knowledge.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
Hey doc rivers did not touch that ball they called a block on danny ainge
tateavery21 3 years ago
Bird couldn't play half-court defense and not a good-one on one defender from half-court.
Russell on offense made the right play in half-court set. He did the dirty work; setting screens, put-backs, and dribble right/left to set up the offense (a point center). He had a nice hook shot. Most of the offense for Boston was his outlet pass off a block and rebound. He just couldn't hit free-throws.
Bird could defend on the break when the game is going fast with his excellent anticipation skills.
Ariamaluum 3 years ago
During Bird's career, he had four Hall-of-Famers around him in Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and Danny Ainge. While the Hawks went from an up-and-coming team to a great team, Dominique didn't have four offensive threats around him like Bird did, so therefore, defenses could focus on 'Nique a lot more closely than they could on Bird, and guess what? 'Nique was STILL a better offensive player than Bird was.
Dominique also endured more physical aspects of the game than Bird did.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
Dominique was NOT a better scorer then Bird lol. That is crazy to say that. Have you ever seen their numbers? I'm sure you've seen their ppg because that seems to be all you're going by, but Bird was WAAAAAAAY more EFFICIENT. Nique just took more shots but his percentages were never particularly good.
smoke117 3 years ago
"smoke"--Actually, Dominique was a much-better scorer than Bird. He also shot against more double-teams and had to carry an offensive load every night that Bird never did. His athleticism was light years ahead of Bird's, and Bird's "more-rounded" game really was nothing more than a comfort zone of feeding off of seasoned-veteran teammates.
By the way, 'Nique outscored Bird in this game. I know 'Nique had 47; Bird had 34 at the most.
'Nique also was more physical than Bird ever was.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
No he really wasn't. That is like coming in here and saying Iverson was a better scorer then Bird. Wilkins just chucked up more shots then Bird did, but Larry was a much much more efficient scorer.
smoke117 3 years ago
"smoke"--You really are covered with layers and layers of nonsense.
Iverson's another example of a guy who had to carry a team's offensive load, and, like Wilkins, didn't have the luxury of hiding behind four offensive Hall of Famers when he wanted to take it easy.
'Nique and AI carried their respective teams a lot more than Bird ever carried the Celtics. Understand?
An asterisk for this game since the officiating was blatantly biased for David Stern's mom's favorite team: the Celtics.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
If you are seriously going to sit here and tell me that Allen Iverson was a better scorer then Larry Bird then you truly have no idea what you are talking about and I'm not going to bother responding anymore...stupidity knows no reasoning.
smoke117 3 years ago
The difference is, Bird knew when he had to have a monster point game to win and he knew when he needed a defensive rebounding game to win. That's the problem with Jordan and Iverson, they chucked up shots and monster numbers and still lossed. Jordan was lucky to get a team player like Pippen that knew how to win.
MerkinMuffly 3 years ago
"merkin"--You're such a stupid liar, and don't use the term "retard" toward me or anyone else (in a recent post you did).
Jordan shot a lot and had a selfish side to him but no more than that of Bird, liar, and Pippen, by the way, fed off of Jordan and followed Jordan's example of team basketball--not to mention the fact that his defense became what it was because he had to guard Jordan day in and day out in practice for years. Of course, I wouldn't expect a lunatic like you to know any topic.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
shut the hell up fagget
bird owns
LilWeezyx99 2 years ago
oh i see... obtective-turd-party, you lost your argument with me and now your starting other arguments with other youtube users. your a pussy, you can`t the truth so you hide from it, like all other bullshit peddlers. you should keep your opinions to yourself. you inbred , unintelligent loser bitch!!!
badback51 2 years ago
"51"--If you EVER talked to me this way in person, you'd be in for the beating of your adult life, as I'd give you the discipline your apparently-apathetic dad never did.
Secondly, your basketball knowledge is every bit as sorry as your intelligence and typing coherency. Log off the computer, and pursue knowledge, you moronic, propagated, pathetic, cowardly, prejudiced piece of white trash.
As for Bird, he didn't deserve the 1985-86 MVP; Dominique did, just like he deserved unbiased refs.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago
i did`nt say anything about basketball...? what i said was your name is objective-turd-party, your a pussy,your inbred,your unintelligent loser bitch...! speaking of dad`s was`nt your arrested for ass raping you ?
badback51 2 years ago
You don't even know what you are talking about when you talk about all these double teams and this and that and how Bird had a lot better players because the fact of the matter is, teams basically used the strategy the Celtics would use vs Jordan in the late 80s on Wilkins...let him get his points and worry about the rest of his teammates. All these double teams you are talking about is bullshit. Most coaches played to let Wilkins get his and worry about the rest of the team.
smoke117 3 years ago
who scored more in the 4th quarter during crunch time? Larry Bird did. as the movie said Nique needed to stop larry once to give the hawks a shot, but DIDNT. Larry bird outplayed Nique when it mattered most, which is all that matters.
hauptishere 3 years ago
"hauptishere"--Oh, my, you are easy to refute. First of all, Dominique outscored Bird in the game, 47-34. Enough said. Secondly, Bird couldn't stop Dominique in the quarter. In addition, Bird got by with a walk on a shot he hit from the baseline. Furthermore, the NBA has no credibility due to David Stern, as Tim Donaghy is right about him, and this game is such an example, as Stern's mom's favorite team (the Celtics) got the blatant benefit of the whistle.
Stern has no credibility, period.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
yeah david stern has no credibility but tim donaghy does right? way to win an argument using something an unhonest bum says about the commissioner
hauptishere 3 years ago
"haupt"--Did it ever occur to you that the corruption might START with David Stern? (Donaghy isn't justified for tampering with a game, whether he's told to or not.)
Do you ever read carefully or think before you speak?
If you think Stern's reputable, you've got issues---SERIOUS issues. Pay attention, and seek the truth objectively, as opposed to clinging desperately to prejudiced whims and notions.
You sound just like the typical college professor in that regard: very much propagated.
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
well honestly david stern really isnt that credible. seeing as tampering scandal happened to occur during his time as commissioner. I dont know if he would go as far as to completely change who wins and who loses but i can see him doing favors for a friend with the spread.
hauptishere 3 years ago
"haupt"--Stern imposes a dress code and unfairly suspends Ron Artest, overlooking in the process the corruption at the league's corporate level and the fact that the players were given inadequate security in Detroit.
Why did Stern change the first-round format halfway through the season that the Lakers were without Shaq? What a bunch of garbage.
Why did Jalen Rose get suspended in Game 5 of the 1998 ECF, and why did Rod Thorn, who suspended him, condone Kenyon Martin's fouling Karl Malone?
objectivethirdparty 3 years ago
You are more full of shit than anybody who's ever posted on youtube, in the history of the world.
Get a life asshole and crawl back under your rock
John19182004 2 years ago
John--shut your sleazy mouth, you white-trash liar.
objectivethirdparty 2 years ago