"Never shook hands, never spoke" - 9x All-Star reflects on Larry Bird’s legacy after Celtics legend's pick for top trash-talker
Atlanta Hawks icon Dominique Wilkins and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird engaged in numerous memorable battles throughout their Hall of Fame careers. However, according to Wilkins, he and his ex-rival never spoke to one another, outside of their trash-talking exchanges, until after retirement.
Following Wilkins' 1982 draft selection, he and Bird quickly developed a rivalry, facing off in the playoffs thrice in the 1980s. Bird finished with a significant career edge, winning 40 of their 57 regular-season and postseason matchups.
Nevertheless, Wilkins delivered several strong performances against the three-time MVP. That includes scoring a game-high 47 points on 57.6% shooting during Atlanta's 118-116 Game 7 1988 Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Boston.
On "All The Smoke" Thursday, Wilkins recounted his and Bird's showdowns, highlighting the strictly business nature of their relationship and animosity toward one another.
"Larry and I, we played against each other 12 or 13 years, we never shook hands, never spoke," Wilkins said. "As a great player back then, you didn't want another great player to get that close to you. So, none of us liked each other, never spoke. I didn't speak to him for 13 years straight."
However, according to the nine-time All-Star, the two always had mutual respect, with Bird later lauding his competitiveness.
"He had an interview where he was talking about trash-talking. He said, 'You take Dominique, I have more respect for him than any player I ever played against.' I never knew he felt that way," Wilkins said.
Wilkins added that he and Bird have moved past their hostility and developed a post-retirement friendship.
"Now, today, we're friends because we're not competitors anymore," Wilkins said. "So, I've always, when I talk about Larry, given him the utmost respect because of who he was as a player."
Dominique Wilkins says Larry Bird's greatness is underappreciated
Later in his "All The Smoke" podcast appearance, Dominique Wilkins raved about Larry Bird's skill set. According to the Hawks legend, Bird's greatness has become underappreciated by today's generation.
"I'm talking about guys that if you didn't play against him, you have no idea because they take your heart," Wilkins said. "You think you're tough, they take your heart."
Wilkins noted that Bird's versatility for his size (6-foot-9) made him virtually unstoppable.
"He had a basketball IQ off the chart," Wilkins said. "... He had very few weaknesses, and he could beat you in any way, being passing, scoring or rebounding. He just knew how to play."
Over 13 seasons, Larry Bird won three championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and three regular-season MVPs. He also garnered 12 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA nods, cementing himself as one of the greatest shooters and all-around offensive players in league history.
Despite Wilkins' apparent view that Bird has become underrated, the latter remains widely hailed as a Top 10 player of all time.
Also Read: “Try to beat them d*mn Lakers” - Larry Bird once admitted Magic Johnson fueled his fire to win NBA championships