Dominique Wilkins (Part 2)

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8 Mar 2024

Dominique Wilkins (Part 2)

During the 1984-85 NBA season, Dominique Wilkins showcased his scoring prowess, averaging 27.4 points per game, which ranked him sixth in the league. Additionally, he contributed significantly on the boards and defensively, ranking second on the Hawks in rebounding and steals. Wilkins also displayed versatility by improving his three-point shooting and maintaining a free throw percentage above 80% for the first of ten consecutive seasons. Despite his individual success, the Hawks finished with a 34-48 record and missed the playoffs.
The following season, 1985-86, proved to be a breakout year for Wilkins as he claimed the NBA scoring title with an impressive average of 30.3 points per game. He earned his first NBA All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA First Team at season's end. Although he fell short in defending his Slam-Dunk Championship title, Wilkins' impact on the court was undeniable.

The Hawks experienced a dramatic turnaround, winning 16 more games than the previous season and finishing with a 50-32 record. Wilkins continued to excel, recording a memorable 57-point game and contributing across various statistical categories. Despite the team's improved performance, they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the eventual NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. Throughout the playoffs, Wilkins maintained his high level of play, averaging 28.6 points per game.
In the subsequent 1986-87 season, Wilkins solidified his status as one of the league's premier scorers, finishing second in the NBA in scoring behind Michael Jordan. He reached the milestone of 10,000 career points and was recognized with All-NBA Second Team honors. The Hawks enjoyed another successful season, setting a franchise record with 57 victories.

However, their playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals once again, this time at the hands of the Detroit Pistons. Wilkins continued his postseason excellence, averaging 26.8 points per game.
Overall, these seasons marked a period of individual achievement and team success for Dominique Wilkins and the Atlanta Hawks, establishing Wilkins as one of the most dynamic scorers in NBA history.

In the 1987-88 NBA season, Dominique Wilkins showcased his scoring prowess by posting the highest scoring average of his career, averaging 30.7 points per game for the Atlanta Hawks. However, despite his impressive performance, he finished second to Michael Jordan in the NBA scoring race, with Jordan averaging 35.0 points per game. Wilkins also competed against Jordan in the Slam Dunk Championship at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago but was defeated by the Chicago Bulls superstar.
Despite falling short in individual accolades, Wilkins earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team and became the first Hawks player to be named NBA Player of the Week three times in a season. He continued his scoring dominance in his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance, leading the East squad to victory with 29 points.

The Hawks finished the season with a 50-32 record, marking their third consecutive season with at least 50 wins. They advanced to the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals but were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven-game series. In Game 7, Wilkins and Larry Bird engaged in a memorable duel, with both players delivering exceptional performances. Wilkins scored 47 points, while Bird contributed 34 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, leading the Celtics to a narrow 118-116 victory.
During the 1988-89 season, Wilkins's scoring average slightly dropped to 26.2 points per game, but he continued to excel as an All-Star for the fourth straight year. He shot a career-best .844 from the free-throw line and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team at the end of the season. Despite the addition of Reggie Theus and Moses Malone to the team, the Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the 1989-90 season, Wilkins regained his dunking prowess by winning his second NBA Slam-Dunk championship. He averaged 26.7 points per game and led the Hawks in steals for the first time since 1985-86. However, the team struggled to a 41-41 record under coach Mike Fratello, failing to make the playoffs for only the second time in Wilkins's career.

In the 1990-91 NBA season, Dominique Wilkins showcased his versatility by averaging a career-high 9.0 rebounds per game, leading the Atlanta Hawks in that category for the first time in his nine NBA seasons. He also maintained his scoring prowess, leading the team in scoring for the eighth consecutive year with an average of 25.9 points per game, which ranked seventh in the league. Additionally, Wilkins displayed improved playmaking skills, registering a career-high 265 assists while incorporating a three-point shot into his arsenal. He made 85-of-249 three-point attempts, marking a significant increase in his three-point shooting compared to previous seasons.

Wilkins earned his sixth All-Star Game appearance, contributing 12 points in the East's victory over the West. He was recognized for his outstanding performance by being selected to the All-NBA Second Team for the third time in his career. Despite his individual achievements, the Hawks faced a tough challenge in the playoffs against the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons. Although Atlanta pushed the Pistons to a fifth game, they were ultimately defeated, with Wilkins averaging 20.8 points in the series.
During the 1991-92 season, Wilkins suffered a setback when he ruptured his Achilles tendon against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 28, 1992. Despite the injury, he managed to score his 20,000th career point before undergoing surgery. Despite his injury-shortened season, Wilkins posted a scoring average of 28.1 points per game, marking his highest average in five years. His performance included a remarkable 52-point game against the New York Knicks in December, the highest single-game scoring performance of the season by any NBA player.

In the following season, Wilkins made a remarkable recovery from his injury, demonstrating his scoring prowess once again by averaging 27.7 points per game in the first month of the season. He set an NBA record for most free throws made without a miss in a game, sinking all 23 attempts against the Chicago Bulls on December 8. Despite a setback due to a fractured ring finger on his right hand, Wilkins returned to form, averaging 29.4 points per game in January and 31.5 points per game in February. By the end of the season, he averaged 29.9 points per game, ranking second in the league behind Michael Jordan. Wilkins also showcased his improved three-point shooting, hitting 120 of 316 attempts from long range. Despite his individual success, the Hawks were swept by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.