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Dominique Wilkins reveals a personal message he told Larry Bird at a recent event
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- Dominique Wilkins reveals a personal message he told Larry Bird at a recent event
Fans never enjoy seeing legends retire. That very retirement, however, can actually carry a silver lining. To understand that, you have to remember that those legends are usually fierce competitors, leaving little room for friendship. Only after hanging up their sneakers can that change.
One story recently shared by Dominique Wilkins highlights this, explaining that at a recent autograph event, he and former rival Larry Bird shook hands for the first time in more than a decade. As Nique said, they even exchanged laughter and a few genuine words. It's safe to say neither would have done that while still in their respective NBA careers.
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1980s intensity
Bird and Wilkins weren't just two all-time great forwards; they were also two of the fiercest competitors the league has ever seen. That mix turned every Boston Celtics-Atlanta Hawks matchup in the 1980s into high-intensity basketball.
Today's NBA players are often buddy-buddy after the final buzzer, but back then, in that rawer era, the intensity didn't end when the games did. Wilkins has emphasized this, noting that he and Bird never shared that kind of sentimentality.
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The league surely was better for it. Why? Because without them being such utmost competitors, fans might never have witnessed one of the greatest shootouts ever.
During that particular game, Wilkins scored 47 points for the Hawks . Bird, however, had 34 of his own. He also scored 20 in the fourth quarter, ultimately carrying the Celtics through the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Ultimately, Larry and Nique faced each other multiple times during their storied NBA careers, with the former holding a 40-17 record over the latter, including 10-5 during postseason meetings.
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Rivals reunited
The rivalry between "Larry Legend" and "The Human Highlight Film" never completely faded and would only do so in retirement. The autograph signing event, both attended, highlighted as much.
Wilkins recalled that beforehand, he had told a mutual acquaintance he'd be there, but made sure Bird wasn't tipped off about his commitment to show up.
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When Nique showed up at the event, he suddenly found himself standing behind Larry, his back turned to him. Cheekingly, the Hawks legend then asked if he himself could get an autograph, to which Bird turned slowly, locked eyes with Wilkins and, clearly baffled, said, "What the hell are YOU doing here?"
In an instant, both Hall of Famers burst into laughter. For Wilkins, that was enough to say, "You don't know how it feels when I see you. I get giddy like a kid in a candy store, man."
Wilkins also recalled telling Bird — one of the greatest forwards ever in his eyes — that it still feels unreal to have played in the same era together. He added that he can't stand it when modern players are compared to the three-time MVP.
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"I said I get offended when people try to compare other guys to you," Nique remarked. "I just get offended because I know what you brought. I know who you are."
Nowadays, debates toss around Bird comparisons like Luka Doncic , Nikola Jokic , or, more recently, Cooper Flagg .
Wilkins, however, doesn't go along with that: there is only one Bird — the same Bird he said he once hated but eventually came to truly love.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
