While speaking at a press conference during this year’s CCYAA Celebrity Classic in Toronto, NBA legend Dominique Wilkins shared his thoughts on the Hawks acquiring Dejounte Murray, as well as Kevin Durant requesting a trade out of Brooklyn.
Wilkins, 62, was one of the head coaches at the touted game, which featured NBA champion Jeremy Lin and actor Simu Liu. During the pre-game presser, the Hall of Famer was asked several questions regarding salient NBA news.
When Sideline Sources’ Wenzell Ortiz asked about Atlanta trading for Murray, Wilkins lauded his former team for making the move. Also, he heaped praise on the now-tandem of Young and Murray, extolling them as having the potential to be “one of the top two or three backcourts in the NBA.”
“That backcourt could be one of the top two or three backcourts in the NBA, with two very young superstars that create on their own,” Wilkins said. “And if they can play off one another — in any great backcourt or frontcourt for that matter, you’re going to have to be able to coexist and if you can coexist you write your own ticket.
I think this backcourt is going to be fabulous this year. Both of these guys are looking forward and are eager to play with one another. So we’re going to have a very special backcourt.”
Murray, 25, made his first All-Star team this past season with the Spurs. The six-year veteran also stuffed the stat sheet. He averaged a career-high 21.1 points, as well as 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Murray’s well-rounded offensive prowess will alleviate the pressure that was on Young to orchestrate ostensibly every possession for the Hawks.
However, it is Murray’s defensive tenacity that will prove most auspicious for Atlanta. The 25-year-old is a proven defensive commodity. He earned an All-Defensive selection in his second year and won the steals title this past season. Murray will bolster and spearhead the Hawks’ point-of-attack defense going forward.
Wilkins Believes it is Kevin Durant’s Duty to Stay in Brooklyn
When asked his thoughts on the Durant trade rigmarole, the nine-time All-Star revealed that he is a proponent of players sticking it out. While Wilkins understands the trials and tribulations players endure — specifically Durant and his ordeals during his tenure in Brooklyn — he emphasized that it behooves them to fulfill the duty they are being paid to do.
“I’m cut from the old school cloth,” Wilkins explained. “At some point, players are going to have to realize that no matter some of the trials and tribulations you go through, you got to hang in there and stick it out. We are paid to provide a service for our franchise and so I would like to see guys sticking and hanging with those franchises a little longer.
Yeah, a lot went on in Brooklyn; a lot of moving parts that didn’t quite click or come together. So I can understand his frustration — believe me I can understand his frustration. But sometimes, you know, you don’t want to leave one situation to go to a worse situation. That’s the chance you take.”
Wilkins’ comments contrast with fellow NBA legend Scottie Pippen’s. While on SiriusXM NBA Radio with Frank Isola, Pippen showed his support for Durant and his trade request. The six-time champion said that Durant’s actions are a part of “the game today.” Moreover, “it’s what the owners have been doing to the players for years.”
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