NBA Legends Explain Why Dominique Wilkins Was Not Human 

One of the worst happenings to ever occur in the NBA was leaving Dominique off that top 50. In no way was Bill Walton's career and career numbers better than Dominiques' and he's just one I picked. Leaving him off was a whole slap in the face to kids who grew up in the '80s and '90s. I'm still bitter about that shit

His toe-to-toe showdowns with Larry Bird was the stuff of legends! Edge-of-your-seat type action

I'm a Laker fan of 30 years. Dominique absolutely should have been put on the top 50 ahead of James Worthy. He scored 10k more points in his career. If the Lakers had drafted Wilkens and Worthy fell to the Hawks, Worthy wouldn't even have made it to the hall of fame. Worthy would have made 2 all star games and Wilkens would be the guy with the career that people give all the recognition to.

People don’t realize that Dominique tore his achilles and came back the next year and was just as amazing. I remember when they didn’t include him in the 50 greatest players, I was shocked and couldn’t believe they picked Shaq, being he had only played 5 years in the league. Of course in hindsight Shaq turned out to be Shaq but, at the time that decision was controversial.

Quite possibly one of the most underrated NBA players ever.

As good as it can get. As kids in the 80s we had Turner networks, TBS, TNT, TNN - and we got to watch Wilkins 3 times a week. Unfortunately he had Larry and Michael and The Bad Boy Pistons in his conference. People dont know how great this guy was and is. The most unstoppable swing man that existed then, and with the modern game, i dare say the most unstoppable ever. I was so blessed to grow up in Nique's era. Loved him

I watched Niques entire career. He was my fav player growing up. The guy was always overlooked and underrated. His Hawk teams could never win the big game. He was incredibly athletic, turned into a solid jump shooter and was an underrated rebounder. 26k career points and the best dunker of all time, hands down.

Dominique was one of the greatest athletes I ever seen play anything!! MJ could not even come close to stopping Dominique and omg the man did incredible things!! No doubt so criminally underrated!! Fun for kids of all generations!!

One of the greatest players to never win a title. “Human Highlight Film” was well earned and is remembered by all true fans

2:42 Strongest Rebound ever recorded ... Nearly Punctured the ball 🤯

The difference between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins is that Jordan got blocked few times in his career going for a dunk. When Dominique Wilkins went for a dunk, Nobody ever blocked the Human Highlight Reel.

He is a class act and was as good as any of the top names that come up.

The One on one with bird known as the 'DUEL' not only one of the great moments in basketball .but one of the great moments in sports history .

Best dunker of all time & top 10 player in the 80's & 90's.

This made my day. I'm from Atlanta, and I have been a fan of 'Nique since his college UGA days. Thanks for spotlighting such an underrated NBA great

Nique & bird had some incredible rivalries with eachother. Really helped make the ECF playoffs in the 80's to early 90's. Loved the human highlight reel ! He was robbed in Chicago in 1988 for the slam dunk contest

dude had to play against prime bird and mj and still survived and got his too. badass ❤

Dominique is amazing, so much fun to watch to this day. he had sweet jump shot too

Being from Chicago and of course being a die hard Chicago bulls/ MJ Fan, But The human highlight film known as D. Wilkins was an exciting player & scorer to watch he gave crazy work to the best of em and I was also a big fan of his also.

So much more to his game than just dunks. (Although he was an insane dunker!) Great post up player, great mid range shot, & he became a respectable 3 point shooter. One of my favorites!

DOM-AH-NEEK was one of my favorite players from the 90s! He beat Jordan in that dunk contest in Chicago. What a close contest that was!

There is no way he should have been left off of the top 50. Simply a fantastic player!

I'm Greek and I'm glad that Dominique also played for my Panathinaikos and got the Euroleague championship in the city where he was born! Paris! But obviously I remember more of his Atlanta days! I remember having Dominique Wilkins' poster next to my Julius Erving's poster and under my Larry Bird poster! Dominique! According to Danny Ainge he's a top 25 player of all time! And according to Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins is the only player that he feared! And Dominique felt the same! Great job Sean! Speaking of Bernard King, can you do a Bernard King video please? And a George Gervin video? You the man!

Crazy how he was not included on the top 50. The Human Highlight Film indeed.

Championships don't make a great player and Wilkins is proof. Sadly people forget how far he took his team with less talent. He was the actual MVP most of his career because most of his career he elevated a non playoff team without him on the roster.

Definitely one of the best SF's ever.

Wilkins' dunks and alley-oops were better than Jordan's. In particular, Game 7 of the conference semifinals against the Celtics on May 22, 1988 was truly a masterpiece. I really liked the Hawks when they had the unique stars of the 80s like Wilkins, Rivers, Webb and Willis.

greetings from greece. he was a huge factor for panathinaikos to win the euroleague in 1996

The wars between Nique and Jordan made that such a great time for basketball. MJ could (and still can) knock some pretty serious players...But he never took a shot a Nique, not then, not now. Mike's respect for (in my eyes) the second best player of that era...is palpable. Even those last few years when Nique was basically a journeyman for the Clippers, Magic etc. When Mike came to town...Nique was his old self again, back and forth poking at each other. Those two fought wars....such a great time for the NBA...Giannis reminds me of Nique sometimes.

Worth mentioning is Nique was one of the best ever to use the glass. His ridiculous arsenal of bank shots is something current players should study if they want to increase their shooting percentages. In my mind, he was as good as Tim Duncan and Kevin McHale at using glass and maybe even more versatile with it because he would jump over people and bank in 8 to 15 footers with regularity and ease.

Dominique Wilkins is a class act on and off the court. 👏🏀

Top three dunker ever hands down!

I agree Nique got shafted by not being on the dream team. And again by not getting included in the top 50 of all time list back in the day. He was a top star and explosive scorer. Some say his defense wasn't great but he always outscored his opponents. When he was in his prime the Hawks never really gave him much help. He averaged 25-30 points a game and 7-8 boards for quite a long stretch. He never had all that much help. Just Doc Rivers and Moses Malone in the final third of his career. I know I watched the Hawks all the time as a kid on TBS. He made them a perennial playoff team and they usually were a tough 2nd round matchup. They usually lost to Boston which is no shame they had a stacked roster during that era. Then in the late 80s they had to deal with the Bad Boy Pistons and then Jordan and the Bulls after that. The East was stacked in the 80s and early 90s. The Bucks had tough teams too back in the 80s. He had so many great dunks that I feel like he got almost typecasted as a one dimensional guy who was only known for power dunks. But his stats are very, very impressive. He obviously had a lot more to his game than just dunks to average multiple 30 point seasons with 8 or 9 boards.

My personal FAVORITE PLAYER EVER. & til this day I am still pissed about not only he not being named top 50 player, but the way & how the Hawks did him in what was probably his best chance of reaching the finals (next to the 88 playoffs game 7 Bird vs Nique showdown at the Garden). I felt they showed him total disrespect. It wasn't like he wasn't having a good season or anything. Or that Danny Manning was the answer. Yes, he was a bit younger, but Nique still performed just as good as Manning did for the season as a younger Manning did. & even though he was top 75, it still does nothing giving him something he deserved 25 years earlier. So it didn't move my feelings at all. Just a cover up for their fk up. That's all.

He deserved more, he was a fantastic player and human being, another player for whom I will gladly pay the ticket to watch a game.

The most underrated NBA player ever. I'm glad i watched Nique playing a lot. He Always was among my very top favorites, and should be present even in a top 30 list. He had an excellent mid and long distance shoot jumping, an electrifying reverse, his dunks on games were contest quality.. the best in history rebounding/dunking his own failed shots..so powerful, so classie and so humble.So respected by everybody. He dunked on everybody's face a million times, and you never watched him challenging nor provoking the guy trying to stop him. Many trashtalked while Nique just played. A gentleman inside and outside the court.

Always been one of the most underrated players should've been 50 greatest and on dream team 1

It's sad he was not on top 50, it means something to me to hear Larry B. Say what he said. May God bless you all

Bird's gentle ribbing while respecting the man lol!

Still to this day I can't believe we had the honor to have Dominique Wilkins on Panathinaikos, and win Euroleague. Golden childhood years. Me and my best friend imitated his signature way of walking for 2 months straight when he arrived in Panathinaikos.

When he came into the league he couldn’t shoot at all. By year 5 he was a lights out midrange shooter. I can’t imagine how much time he put in to get there.

One of the greatest ever💯

Watching him and Jordan go toe to toe Mike's first few years was electric.

Dominique Wilkins is my all time faved NBA player! #21 💯💪🏾🏀 Top 50 fa damn sho!!!

my fave player as a kid in New york during the 80s...whenever the hawks came to New york , my father would take me to the Garden to see him...he always put on a sick display..just as cool as a cat could be...

Man, D. Wilkins ... no words.

Absolutely one of the best in-game dunkers of all time... PERIOD...

Nique was/is a true gentlemen and ambassador of the NBA. Atlanta was lucky to have him the majority of his career. We were lucky to have TBS!!

The greatest NBA super star ever to play in Europe, it was an absolute honour for us , i remember when he arrived at the Greek airport 5000 Panathinaikos' fans were there to welcome him. Absolute madness back then, Dominique Wilkins playing for a Greek team, he was seen as the Messiah!

My Dude for life one of the greatest

Should have easily been on the original “Top 50 Players”

Dom Wilkins recovered from achilles injury in record time; that was 30 years ago. He was no joke

One of the Greatest of all time and very much underrated!!

Sean, when will you get around to covering the original "Round Mound of Rebound" >>> Wes Unseld? He was phenomenal, and criminally underrated. He took a team that was last place before his arrival to winning the division title his first year, and carried them to four NBA finals in his career. He won an NBA Championship with the Bullets. The BULLETS !!...(now Washington Wizards). Edit: He's also #50 on ESPN's top 75 NBA players of all time...only 4 places behind Dominique.

A fairly early subscriber, I'm so happy to see BTM grow. You are hitting the sweet spot for us 50+/60- with a fading memory. Thanks!

Dude was Doing show Dunks in Games. Direct quote.

1. Of The Most Greatest Players Of All Time. But Was Underrated By Many. But In Reality Was A Monster On The Court. He & Jordan Made Sports-center Famous Back In The Day. I Would Make Sure To Watch The Highlights. Must See T.V. An Absolute Legend!.

#21 was my favorite player back in the days. Usually, I just stick with Knicks and Nets. But much respect to Wilkins, Bird, and Joe Dumars!!!

Nique is my favorite 80's NBA player I wasn't even alive when he played 4 da Hawksbut I've seen many of his games via internet and I often play as him and the 86 hawks on 2k.

When Dominique was in the open court, he was just as feared as Jordan was. He posterized anyone without second thought. Two foot jumper with rim rattling power to go with legendary bounce on the wing.

Another Top BTM. There has been so many Underrated Players over the Years and Wilks is defo on that List i feel but i am so glad he is getting his dues nowadays tho and everyone can see how great he really was.

No one could guard Wilkins back then...and no one could guard him now. He's one of the most elite athletes the NBA has ever known. I can't remember any other player tip-dunking his own misses the way Wilkins did. Bird's quote is hilarious! Larry Bird: "I'm pretty sure it (the statue) wasn't made with you in a defensive stance." Congrats on your statue, Mr. "Human Highlight Film!

Nique was my favorite player growing up. If the league paid close attention, they’d see that he was always second to Jordan damn near every year in scoring and stats. How the hell is this man not of the top 50 best players? Put him against any player ever and I guarantee he’ll put on a show. He was a beast and a humble player! To be robbed of what was well deserved makes me sick! It was an honor to have lived to see him play and and wear his number all the years I played basketball as well. He’s a true icon to the sport! 🙏🏽💪🏽

Great content new subscriber Dominic belong in top 50 awesome basketball player and entertainer 😀😀😀

Not sure that ive seen a player with Wilkins type of athleticism, smoothness and skill.

Underrated just a great player and definitely should've been in the top 50. The best in game dunker it wasn't no chance jumping or fouling Neek once the human highlight took flight.

He’s in my top 5 favorite players

I recommend you constantly to anyone I grew up with that were basketball fans or around my age (43 now) you deserve more love for what you're doing here! I was huge Kenny Anderson fan as a teenager I'm going to search if you did one on him now...

My favorite Dominque Wilkins moment. He yelled at me outside of the Hotel I was working at, that Hawks were staying at. (Kimpton Milwaukee, Wi). He thought I was one of the players I was chatting with the signature chasers hanging outside. Im 6'4". He sees me smoking, Dark Green American Spirits, and he starting yelling at me about shooting practice the next day. "Who are you?". "I'm the guy that checked you in". [Added note: He didn't see our valet, who was 6'7"]

One of the most underrated players ever. I had the fortune of being able to watch him play in most of his games as a Hawk. He was absolutely scary good. Great, great guy as well!

Dominique was the reason i wore a bright red and yellow bomber jacket around Southern Ontario in the early 90's.

I finally met him at a signing in Federick MD a couple weeks ago. Fun and full of personality! It was cool and enjoyable.

Nique and Kemp are THOSE DUDES. Love the Wilkins love. Great video

The only player whose default dunk was a windmill 😳

Real Talk.... Dominique Wilkins was one of the top 10 all time NBA scorers when he retired. It's no way he should have been left off the top 50 list. He was more than a dunker. You don't score that many points all on dunks. Besides, he played defense as well. I remember seeing him play in the Omni against Jordan and he would go toe to toe with him, sometimes outscoring Jordan. The Hawks couldn't get past the Celtics and Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals which would been a big moment for Nique. The year of Jordan's first retirement was Dominique's best chance to get to the finals. However, Lenny Wilkins traded him for Danny Manning.

Most underrated player in NBA History

The interesting part that people don't realize but watch a dunk highlight reel from Nique and you will see most of the time when he jumps he jumps with 2 feet on the ground, compared to most just going off 1 leg. It's actually amazing try and touch the rim when running and jumping off 1 leg then try it off both legs and you will realize how hard that was.

So chuck went back in time, got drunk on his big wheel & crashed while watching Dominique? God Damn. 😂😂

Such a Fan of Nique that I named my son after Him! The Human Highlight Film was just that…Sit back and Watch cause every game He Came With It 💯

I’m an eighties kid from Springfield so your videos literally hit home for me 🏀

Great video. Thanks 💯

One year the Detroit Pistons played at the silverdome.swear to God Dominique caught the ball at top of backboard on a rebound slam.

You’re awesome. Thanks as always.

'Nique was THE TRUTH! The most ferocious dunker of that time! He was literally unguardable one-on-one. Too bad he played in the same conference with Larry Bird and Jordan and the Pistons. He should've went to at least 1 NBA Finals with the 80s Hawks.

Great episode

One of my favorite players from my NBA viewing era.

You should do a video on Nate Thurmond. The man was a beast that no one talks about, and he had the first quadruple double

Nique is so underrated today. The dude beat Jordan in a dunk contest-- I don't care what anybody says.

One of my favorite players of all-time, and one of the very best dunkers you will ever see footage of. As a kid who grew up in the '90s in love with the game of basketball, Dominique Wilkins was the stuff of legend. To the Atlanta Hawks, he is the icon of the franchise as far as I'm concerned (I feel that Bob Pettit is a player from before my time that deserves tremendous recognition, and believe his accolades place him among the game's all-time greatest as well. However, unless one is a student of the history of basketball, Pettit is likely one who most are unfamilar with these days, whereas with Wilkins, you have a superstar who played during the era which saw the NBA grow into becoming the globally-renowned league that we have today. To know ANYTHING about the history of the Hawks is to know of The Human Highlight Film.) Wilkins' impact and the excitement he injected into the game with his must-see jams and overall abilty to light up a scoreboard, make 'Nique an important figure in the timeline of basketball's evolution. So glad that he was honored among the 75 Greatest, as he was somehow snubbed from being on the NBA's 50 Greatest back in '96. An "oversight" that left even a 9-10 year old fan like myself outraged at how he could have possibly been overlooked at the time. Though Atlanta was never my favorite team, Wilkins was such a tremendous player that there are few people who I believe could have been fans of basketball who saw Dominique in the 80s or early 90s, and NOT be convinced that this was truly one of the greatest players to ever lace up some sneakers and step onto a ball court... Wilkins was, for years on end, a consistent scorer to the tune of averaging around 30 ppg. He was a legendary finisher who would attack the rim and manage to convert dunks that would be awesome to see on a wide open fast break. Wilkins would go strong to the hoop in the half-court, or on the fast break, with such ferocity that even seven-footers were just as likely to end up posterized as anybody assigned to matchup with Wilkins defensively at the SF position. The dude was awesome. Plain and simple.

Nique is a top 50 MAN!! Hands down. I'm in Ga. And he is/was Atlanta give him.his props!! Look this fact up. While at UGA he took a quarter off the top.of the backboard. That's a true leaper! Thank you for giving Mr. Dominique Wilkins his due! Congratulations to you Mr. Wilkins!

I grew up a Cs fan but Wilkins was my favorite NBA player. Dude was a beast

Yes, I feel Domenique should be in the top 50. His all around stats are better than some, in the top 50. He could have been a little better at defense, and rebounding, with his height, strength, speed, and leaping ability, but those stats are fairly competitive. He was a great scorer, though, and could have used a few more good teammates than he had. Since he has done some media work, since retiring, I have learned that he is a genuine, cool person, and has a lot of class. I also thought Atlanta trading him, after his comeback from injury, was a shitty deal.

My favorite NBA games were the Bird/Wilkins matchups.

One of my favorite players in the 80s.

I am a Laker fan because of Magic. I respected Jordan as the greatest but Nique was my favorite to watch. That battle between him and Bird is still my second favorite game to watch behind MJ winning his first title against Magic. And the human highlight film and Barry Sanders are maybe the highest character athletes I ever rooted for, a long with Grant Hill, and I was in love with Tamia and still couldn't bring myself to not like Grant Hill. 🤣🤣🤣 PS there will never be a running back better than Barry but I hope JK Dobbins prove me wrong 💜🖤 and 💛💜

i saw him in berlin against alba berlin as he played 4 barca.he lost but at the end he made one 4 the fans. thx 4 thats dominique i wantg never forget.

In my opinion best dunker of all time.

Niq was the best tip dunker ever. Hands down.

I started liking Atlanta Hawks just because of Dominique when I was a kid and I definitely had the Brooks

It was one thing to see Nique on TV… I remember seeing him in person as a kid at MSG in the late to mid 80’s and it was arguably one of the greatest displays of explosive athleticism I have ever seen… he was a metahuman among boys… playing freakish above the clouds and destroying the rim 🔥🔥👏👏💯💪💪