A quick response to recent comments from Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins on recent signee Jabari Parker.
Dominique Wilkins is easily the best player in Atlanta Hawks history. The Human Highlight Film delighted audiences in the 1980s and 1990s and led the Hawks to multiple playoff appearances during his 12-year tenure in Atlanta.
Wilkins’s time with the Hawks was typified by some incendiary dunks from one of the most athletic players of his generation as well as some memorable playoff battles against the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics in the 80s.
Now, Wilkins serves as the color commentator on Fox Sports Southeast’s coverage of each and every Atlanta Hawks game alongside play-by-play savant Bob Rathbun – easily one of the most enjoyable duos in the NBA in terms of commentary.
In a recent public appearance in front of the Augusta Bull Dawg club, in which the group held their 2019 kick-off part, Wilkins was given the key to the city and he made some memorable comments about new Atlanta Hawks forward Jabari Parker.
“He is going to surprise a lot of people. People don’t really know how good this kid is,” Wilkins said in a story on local news network site 12WDRW.com. “This kid can play. I mean plain and simple, Jabari Parker has talent. I think you’re going to see an amazing young player.”
Certainly, Parker will likely have an important role as a bench microwave scorer at the wing position – where the Hawks might need some scoring if the rookies there (De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish) take a little while to get comfortable getting used to NBA speed and athleticism.
Though both should be able to make an impact on the defensive end from day one, offense takes a bit longer to develop so Parker might have a chance to showcase that innate ability that Dominique is expecting from day one.
No matter what, the 2019-20 season couldn’t get here soon enough for Atlanta Hawks fans.