Dominique Wilkins, ex-NBA All-Star

This guy will be 88 judge. Of these sprite slam dunk contest who better than Dominick Wilkens to help judge that Dominic it's -- Michael in Boston how are --

Doing great dominate you know what this year is. 2008 notices this is my man that twentieth anniversary. Of the of the year that you were rocked in Chicago you'll robbed you know. Michael Jordan won just because it was a Chicago you out -- of that day and they took that title from and you agree with and he'd.

And I'm. At that they do what happened that I have.

Is -- it was quite excitement you know we me it would mandolin too much about. I'd get that off my outlet that that I gotta pick the one before that though. When it in what is that I let.

We go fix that -- and -- that vote early vote often in Chicago they sometimes say air.

By a you know. It worked in Vegas.

words of -- and and like Boston Chicago has a political history there have been some elections thrown in that down. Historic otherwise it would be now now now.

You know things are a little different in the slam dunk contest this year the sprite slam dunk contest. First the ball that the guys who were in at the four guys who were and it. Have already made pitches to fans it you go to YouTube and watch them -- they're already there already campaigning for both south there.

You know I think -- I think it's great that they do it in a pain you know and you know you'd try to find it going your opponent so I think despite the slam dunk contest will be exciting city but the -- that. I think it would be very.

Well the other thing and and I'm gonna I'm gonna admit my bias here. I don't necessarily like. And voting because sometimes it can become a popularity contest -- Michael Jordan can win in Chicago when he shouldn't that's right and and I worry about fans being able to -- their votes in this year.

And that's why you know hopefully that war that the fans all the creativity of typical the you know give it give you got a fair chance you know and -- so hopefully everybody will be there.

You know Dominic want to ask you about what I dunk does you physically I remember I believe it was 84 Larry Nance verses doctors yet. And and Larry Nance one and I remember he was being interviewed afterward and just kept shaking his hand. And he -- you know it's actually pretty painful to dump. The dunk that often in succession it hurts did you find that when you don't.

You know what. We -- your darker. Not know it and I mean you look at a -- Larry -- and he's the first -- like that to epic at the creativity. He hit the net and Powell. And -- look at their contests he definitely won and now one on and let them grow. And is used to it you know bang you know that -- like. Well what part. Excitement that something. Is that adrenaline --

Former Celtic Gerald Green will be defending his dunk title he's one of the four participants now member of the Minn. Timberwolves. Does that does have big guy like Dwight Howard at 611 just have a natural advantage over a guy like like Gerald Green who's listed at 68 -- ninety centuries that --

Now but not well but banners now they have and it's because it comes now -- developing small like that we have difficulty. That bigger guys don't four. Creativity wise that they have a long way to go for it off the floor. I don't think is a topic as a band at all really out of all the guys that we have bandits because I they got a call from. But so long that. To make a typical adoptive of this but where in the slam -- on the puppy did he really basic but he muscles small mean Matt.

Not -- yes some connections here Boston won your former Boston Celtics. So you play with a guy who is is who's the coach of this team at 399. Was there any indication when you're playing with Doc Rivers in the eighties that he would be a head coach of the best quality.

Oh -- we knew stopped vehicle when they stopped when the court we played his knuckles but we've we've been -- with. -- I'm not surprised coaching. Really he had a point I think -- develop -- a great coach and he's got great people around them and that is -- so I'm not surprised.

What kind of stuff did he tell you when he played that that made you think god this guy thinks he's my coach right now it's well actually -- patella.

Well one you know couple possible match that he would in the you know that was -- exactly -- You know that's pretty shot get a better shot blocking units in -- spot. Kinda which and he wanted and the point bobbled it and we've seen you have to have a rates soon and keep doing -- is --

Everybody when they think of Dominique Wilkins thinks of that may 22 game seven playoff game UN Larry Bird they might not remember that you outscored Larry by quite a bit in the game you had 47 points Byrd had 34. And I read a quote from new afterwards where you set the basket just looked like a well that day.

Wade or unfortunately and his court not and we don't be short though but it was one -- games. That going into it and well have a big game big night and now when and you'd lose that game unfortunately bird. But then -- it but also made it very difficult when it.

What was it like to you know we don't have Boston garden the original Boston garden anymore and you did play there I think. George that the final your Boston garden you played in. What was it like to play there in the eighties when you when you're going against Byrd -- pairs.

We're not like all right for the ball boy -- address it was cold and -- I'm very hot. -- like eternity you don't want but it would regard was oh you could probably -- and -- so late in the --

You know I went down a that's went on and installed -- eighties basketball tangent earlier today and I was making a point that in the eighties. Teams like Atlanta and Milwaukee were very good teams if you put those teams in the NBA right now they be championship contenders unfortunately for you guys. You had to get by Boston you had to get by Philadelphia would you agree that you look at the teams you played on and compare them to the championship teams that today that you'd have a shot.

no question that we have a major. Unfortunately when it I've missed sixteen that was -- Albert -- in the east. -- something -- simply we have seen who hit fifteen wins the when the set when -- And you know -- from all. New York Chicago Milwaukee -- you know on the scene that -- very very very fit in Detroit it. So very hard and typical about that that we want to -- that we all know what. --

You know Michael mentioned -- your brief brief stint in Boston is as a member of the Celtics I'm wondering as an NBA observer and one of the great players. Do you think it's good for the NBA that the Celtics are finally. Rebounding and be coherent and on their way back up do you think it's good for basketball as a whole the Boston as a city where basketball matter again.

Well I think is I think it -- put the ball or but that a bat a team. You know people will be in great dynasty to -- also solid team and you look up which you later and you contender and obsessively or.

So what do what do you think about your former team who will when I think your view I don't think of you as a Celtic I don't think -- view of the clipper I think have you. As a hawk they've always. Did in the position to it to get some lottery picks this year. It seems like the picks that they've had in the past -- really started coming in what you think of the future of the Atlanta Hawks.

Upn -- right that we got on that. With one another you know you always miss. One maybe two pieces here and -- what this -- you know if you learn how to stay consistent and pretty much stay on the same page. Some great things happening with the development -- right now you know and we have a couple of bag game what was in the seventh spot. So -- right in the play off.

You know what I left out when your former team -- the -- that you -- tell us here in Boston does that talking. Had a great Popovic -- David Robinson sit down the whole season so it'd get Tim Duncan this tell us you're on that team.

Would Vernon Maxwell at a golf mom -- that -- better off that it -- news they've it was or.

Hey you were in nine NBR or met named a member of nine NBA All Star Games. Nowadays I I hear guys talking and off like at the weekend did you always consider not only an honor but a duty to try to represent the league when you and.

At what a privilege not you know guys who look down low and -- you know what I would probably won't -- automated. What's past is as heavily -- Nine and time all star and that's not a lot of weight here you know and you know about a you know. Great players in only make off. Don't want to -- what they really true that this is superb all.

What was your favorite part of all star weekend when you play governing.

But the camaraderie with the public appears. With the greatest players in the world. And guys that you kind of came up we've got to play when I in high school college. And now on the pro bowl is that whole fraternity atmosphere.

And speaking of a fraternity atmosphere you've truly had it how many how many pro athletes can say. I got a chance to compete against my brother in the NBA and it didn't let you know you had the opportunity to do that what was that like out -- device that story.

It was fun you know my in my brother. You know coming up in on the -- and be 1 workman -- where is that. Who have a chance to have a -- stay in the NBA and you know it was a pleasant planet if you -- threat.

Put away again and -- the but more or less than about real quickly yet.

And I'm just curious you as a guy who was in what five of these slam dunk contest and -- tool on. Do you think we reached the point where there's just nothing new to do when he more I mean how to guys come up with a new stuff.

Well it or not act on and stuff you can do what can take that same with different variations to that and make them look different.

Dominique Wilkins will be one of the the judges but you guys are judges as well you get to vote you get to texture of voting -- on and you go on NBA dot com and both this weekend as well. For the sprite slam dunk contest. Four participants you get to help decide who the winner is -- Dominic they may they may out vote -- you may have a certain guy you think should win and the fans may tell you know.

That's that possibility. In May happen to Nevin belt but -- active right.

We appreciate taken time to join us thanks for being in west well take -- how many thanks Dominic Wilkens former Celtic I mean if you go through it there's a lot of teams. Ended his career in San Antonio