NBA Hall Of Famer Says Centers Don't Bang Anymore These Days

An NBA Hall of Famer commented on how the game is played inside the paint these days.

Dominique Wilkins is best known for his highlight reel dunks. Back in the 80’s, Wilkins is considered as one of the most competitive and athletic players in the NBA. And now that the game has significantly evolved from how it used to be back then, Wilkins got some interesting things to say.

In a recent interview with Al.com, Wilkins looked back at some of his most memorable moments in the NBA. Aside from revealing that Knicks icon Bernard King is the most intimidating player he has ever faced, the NBA great also shared a story about the late NBA big man Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins.

According to Wilkins, most of the centers and power forwards in the NBA today “don’t bang anymore.” He also explained why he thinks that the NBA stars these days are more of “businessmen than basketball players.”

“The players have definitely changed, but physicality is different. Forwards and centers don’t bang anymore,” Wilkins pointed out.

“It’s become a more hybrid game. These guys are more businessmen than basketball players. One time I dunked on Darryl Dawkins. The next time I came down he put an elbow on my chest. He dared me to get up, and I just laid there. He said, “Shoot your free throws. Don’t ever do that again.” That made me respect that guy from that time on. That’s what the league was like in those days – they made you respect them,” Wilkins recalled.

As for the new Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins is pleased with how Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter have been developing. But based on his assessment, Hunter has the potential to be an all-around player.

“I think out of the young guys, the guy who has stood out the most is Hunter. He was a three-year college player, he’s a seasoned individual, and a solid defender. He will be at the forefront of this young class,” Wilkins pointed out.

“Defensively, they (the rookies) will have to get used to how fast the game is. I look at a guy like Hunter, he has figured out he can guard in this league. When you get everyone having that frame of mind, I think you’re going to see some very special things out of these young players,” Wilkins added.