Dominique Wilkins: Larry Bird was a Vicious Trash Talker, Wouldn't Shake My Hand (Part 7)

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In this clip, Dominique Wilkins revisited his rookie days, sharing an eyebrow-raising encounter with legendary player Larry Bird. Wilkins was a newcomer with Atlanta when he first played opposite Bird, a man he admired greatly. However, when Wilkins attempted to shake hands with Bird, the latter kept his hands behind his back, setting an intense atmosphere for the match. Wilkins admitted that Bird, known for his trash talk, never repeated those words with him after that match, as Bird realized Wilkins wouldn't back down. Wilkins also noted Bird had the ability to back up his words, while Gary Payton agreed that Bird was an accomplished trash talker who would outline his moves before executing them. Payton added that Bird is underrated and should be considered alongside greats like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, being a smart player who constantly showcased his skills.