447: 170: Welcome Home, Dom (Request for Monthly Votes!)_3 447: 170: Welcome Home, Dom (Request for Monthly Votes!)_3 The only source of light beamed on him.
Above the big screen, footage of Wilkins participating in the slam dunk contest appeared.
His dunk battle with Michael Jordan was a hundred times more explosive than Aaron Gordon VS Zach LaVine in the 21st century.
Back then, the dunk contest wasn’t a place for idle talk to gain popularity; people genuinely wanted to see who was better.
Wilkins watched as the young number 21 repeatedly slammed the ball into the hoop with various exaggerated moves, lifting the slam dunk contest trophy in triumph, even outshining Michael Jordan.
When Wilkins held the trophy, the commentator delivered the classic line, “Today, the sky’s the limit!”
Afterward, a highlight reel of Dominique Wilkins began to play on the big screen.
The focus of the reel was on the legendary yet tragic game of his career, the 1988 East semi-finals Game 7.
The battle for survival, Boston Garden, the most explosive small forward at the time versus the most skillful small forward at the time.
He and Bird went head-to-head numerous times, inflicting damage on each other.
Wilkins scored a total of 47 points, while Bird scored 20 points in the fourth quarter alone.
The two left behind countless unforgettable moments, including another classic commentary line: “You are witnessing everything the word ‘great’ stands for!”
To this day, 47 points remains the record for the highest single-game scoring in a Game 7 of the playoffs.
Last season’s epic Eastern Conference Game 7 showdown between Roger and Jordan saw Roger only tying the 47-point record, not surpassing it.
Of course, the outcome was heartbreaking.
Dominique Wilkins, despite scoring 47 points, lost the game, with the Boston Celtics extending their glory by stepping over the fallen Hawks.
And that was the furthest the “movie essence” had gone in the playoffs.
Wilkins trembled; the decisive battle with Bird felt like it was just yesterday, and he could still feel how annoyingly glaring that green was.
After the reel ended, the big screen displayed the words “Thank you Dom, welcome home.”
At that moment, the entire crowd stood up, applauded, and chanted, “Thank You, Dom, welcome home.”
The lights came back on throughout the arena, and Wilkins was already in tears.
Just those few minutes seemed as though 15 years of time had passed before his eyes in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, regret, anger, fervor, and passion all seemed to have been left behind.
Wilkins covered his face; he had no idea the Hawks had prepared this tribute for him at home.
It was Magic’s last game in Atlanta for the season, as well as the last time Wilkins would play in Atlanta in his career, and the Hawks acted as if they knew it was his last season.
Indeed, how would they know?
He had never talked about it with anyone else.
He only mentioned it to Roger yesterday.
While Wilkins was puzzled, a strong hand gripped his shoulder:
You’re a true legend.
People recognize your efforts, your hard work, and your brilliance hasn’t been buried.
And your career is just one ring away from perfection.
Hang in there; you’ll get it.
The 1988 incident won’t happen again.
Because this time, the bastard who can score 20 points in a quarter is right by your side.”
Roger believed this boost would keep Wilkins’ spirits up until the end of the season.
The moment he was recharged, Wilkins leaned on Roger’s shoulder, like Jordan did in his feverish state.
Countless photographers pressed their shutters, capturing the moment forever.
People couldn’t foresee the value of that moment, not until it became a memory.