Basketball history has a funny way of remembering the 1980s. People talk about the Showtime Lakers, Larry Bird’s Celtics, and the rise of Michael Jordan. But if you were actually there in 1986, you knew the scariest person to see on a fast break wasn't Magic or MJ. It was the "Human Highlight Film." Honestly, when we look back at the Dominique Wilkins All-NBA First Team selection, it feels like a fever dream of raw power and scoring gravity.
He didn't just play basketball. He attacked the rim like it owed him money.
Most fans today know "Nique" for the dunks. They see the windmill and the 1988 duel with Jordan and think he was just a contest guy. That’s wrong. In the 1985-86 season, Dominique Wilkins wasn't just a dunker; he was the most lethal offensive weapon in the world. He snatched the scoring title right out of the hands of the league's elite, averaging a staggering 30.3 points per game.
Why 1986 Was the Peak for Dominique Wilkins
To understand the Dominique Wilkins All-NBA First Team honors, you have to look at the competition. The 1980s were stacked with legendary forwards. We’re talking about an era where Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Charles Barkley, and James Worthy were all in their prime. Breaking into that top tier wasn't a matter of popularity—it was a statistical war.
Wilkins didn't just "get in." He kicked the door down.
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During that 1985-86 campaign, he led the Atlanta Hawks to a 50-win season. Think about that for a second. Before Dominique, the Hawks were often an afterthought. He turned them into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. He dropped 57 points in a single game that year. He was relentless.
The Stats That Demanded Respect
It wasn't just the 30.3 points. Dominique was grabbing 7.9 rebounds a night. He was playing 39 minutes per game, basically never leaving the floor. He shot nearly 47% from the field while taking 24 shots a game. People called him a "gunner," but when you're that efficient at that volume, you're just a primary option.
- Scoring Title: 30.3 PPG (1st in NBA)
- MVP Race: Finished 2nd (Only behind Larry Bird)
- Total Points: 2,366
- Double-Doubles: He was a glass-eater for a small forward.
That First Team selection put him alongside Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That is arguably the greatest All-NBA First Team ever assembled. If you are on that list, you aren't just a star. You’re a deity.
The "Human Highlight Film" Myth vs. Reality
People sort of forget that Dominique was actually a very disciplined scorer. Yeah, the dunks were loud. The windmills were iconic. But he made his living on the baseline. He had a quick first step that left defenders stuck in the mud. He developed a bank shot that was remarkably consistent.
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A lot of critics at the time said he didn't play enough defense. Maybe. But when you’re carrying the entire offensive load of a franchise against the 80s Celtics, you've got to pick your battles. He was a pure, unadulterated bucket.
Why It Only Happened Once
Wait, only one First Team selection? It sounds crazy for a guy who scored 26,668 career points. But look at the era. From 1987 to 1993, the forward spots were locked down by Bird, Barkley, and Karl Malone. Dominique made the All-NBA Second Team four times and the Third Team twice.
He was consistently the third or fourth-best forward in a league that had four of the top ten forwards of all time playing at once. It’s bad timing, really. If Dominique plays in the late 90s or early 2000s, he probably has five or six First Team nods.
The Legacy of the 1986 Season
What most people get wrong is thinking Dominique was a "losing" superstar. In 1986, the Hawks beat the Detroit Pistons in the first round. They took the eventual champion Celtics to five games. Nique averaged 28.6 points in that postseason. He showed up when the lights were brightest.
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The Dominique Wilkins All-NBA First Team year was the moment he proved he was more than a dunker. He was the MVP runner-up. He was the scoring champ. He was the soul of Atlanta basketball.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you want to truly appreciate what "Nique" did, stop watching 30-second dunk clips. Go find the full game tape of the Hawks vs. Celtics in the '88 playoffs or his 57-point outburst in '86. Watch how he ran the floor. Watch his second jump—it was faster than most people's first.
- Compare the Era: Look at the 1986 All-NBA voting. See who he beat out.
- Study the Scoring: He led the league in field goal attempts because he was the system.
- Value the Durability: He played 78 games that year. He was an iron man before the Achilles injury later in his career.
Next time you're debating the greatest small forwards ever, don't let the lack of a ring fool you. For one glorious year in 1986, Dominique Wilkins was the best at his position in the world. He didn't just join the elite; he defined it.
To dig deeper into this era, look up the "lopsided" trade that sent him from Utah to Atlanta for $1 million and a couple of players. It’s one of the biggest "what-ifs" in sports history. Imagine Wilkins pairing with Adrian Dantley. But for Atlanta, that trade was the spark that ignited a decade of "Highlight Film" magic.