In his 15 years as a star in the NBA, Dominique Wilkins certainly had his run-ins with Michael Jordan. The two were considered the best dunkers of their era, and among the best of all-time, and had three showdowns in what was, at the time, a newly formed slam-dunk contest over All-Star weekend.
Wilkins topped Jordan in 1985, but Jordan came back with wins in 1987 and 1988 to solidify his legacy in the contest and propel himself to stardom.
Jordan and Wilkins were never very close like Jordan and, say, Charles Barkley once were, but Wilkins has gotten to take the measure of his rival over the decades. And for Wilkins, the latest move for Jordan--he will contribute to NBC's broadcasts once the network takes over NBA broadcasts next year--left Wilkins stunned.
June 5, 1998; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
If there's one thing Wilkins can say for sure, it's that NBC surely had to write a major check to get Jordan on board.
“I was shocked. And I know this: if Jordan is doing this, it’s got to be a huge payday,” Wilkins told eSports Insider, via Awful Announcing. “Huge. I’ve seen some of the rumors (on pay) and it’s like, ‘I get it.'”
They're just rumors, but there have been suggestions that Jordan will rake in $40 million annually to contribute at NBC. That's not based on any solid reporting, however, and besides, the exact nature of Jordan's role has yet to be determined.
Whatever his contribution is, Wilkins--who is a color analyst for Atlanta Hawks games --said he will be fascinated to follow Jordan's arrival on the broadcast scene.
“I love it, because we’re going to see another aspect of basketball from the greatest to ever do it,” Wilkins adds. “How would you combat that? Like, how would you question his outlook on the game? It’s going to be interesting. They are going to hear it from a guy who has done it on a level that only a few get a chance to achieve.”