When Boston Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown uncorked a windmill slam against the visiting Atlanta Hawks over the weekend, he didn’t just connect on a powerful dunk. The Georgia native was also paying subtle homage to basketball royalty. After all, the windmill dunk was a signature move for Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, who happened to be in attendance to see Brown and the Celtics defeat the Hawks.
Wilkins played for the Celtics during the 1994-95 season, but spent the bulk of his career with the Hawks, and has served as Vice President of Basketball Operations for Atlanta since 2004. Wilkins often makes the trip back to Boston when the Hawks are in town, and he was in the stands during Brown’s exciting slam. Brown isn’t just one of the game’s most explosive dunkers, but has blossomed into a two-time All-star forward since joining the Association in 2016. He and the Celtics are after more than highlight plays, but that didn’t stop The Human Highlight Film from praising Brown’s slam after the game.
Wilkins spoke to Heavy’s Steve Bulpett about Brown’s growth as a player, his respect for the game, and more. Brown also offered his perspective on the dunk in question.
Every angle of Boston's Jaylen Brown's soul-snatching dunk on Clint Capela https://t.co/p45sC3n20B pic.twitter.com/FMDUvoZWVS
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 27, 2023
“The thing about Jaylen is that not only is he athletic,” Wilkins said. “But he is put together, too. He’s solid. He plays with a strength, and he comes to play every night. I’ve always admired his game. He’s strong and he knows how to play. He’s a multi-facet guy. He’s learned.”
JAYLEN BROWN WINDMILL 😱
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/wsSkQoi2H7
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 23, 2023
Brown grew up in the Atlanta metro region, and as a high school star at Wheeler High School, he would work out at Georgia Tech. Brown eventually played college ball at the University of California, Berkeley, but only after establishing his bona fides in the Peach State.
“I knew him when he was a kid coming up,” Wilkins said. “And he was something at Wheeler. I’ve always liked Jaylen. You could see he was always a good player, but he was a good kid, too.”
Larry Bird turned down a $10 million payday before retiring https://t.co/Ukyzi4gFX3 pic.twitter.com/lwxlxJ1I0C
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 27, 2023
Brown has advocated for social change and progress off the court since joining the Celtics. He’s also talked openly about his admiration for those who came before him, such as the late, great Bill Russell.
“A lot of guys don’t know about the history, about the guys that’s come before them,” Wilkins said. “But a lot of guys do, and Jaylen’s one of those guys. He’s been around the NBA game his whole life. Even if he wasn’t a student of the game, just being a player around Atlanta, you couldn’t help but stumble on some history of the game.”
Are the Milwaukee Bucks the Boston Celtics biggest threat? https://t.co/ihRDi792Ow pic.twitter.com/zJjgFkjPRt
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 27, 2023
“But he takes it even further than that,” Wilkins continued. “He knows the guys who came before him. Hey, being here in Boston, of course he’s going to know NBA history. There’s so much of it here. He knows about Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and Bob Cousy and Bill Russell and all them, because he’s living in that mystique as a Celtic.”
For his part, Brown was asked about the dunk against the Hawks over the weekend. In particular, did he know that was a Wilkins special?
“C’mon man,” Brown said. “I’m from Georgia.”
On Celtics' Jaylen Brown, Cavs' Donovan Mitchell looking to build a new era of the NBA https://t.co/JPQM2P7EE0 pic.twitter.com/uVQxZhj9RT
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 27, 2023
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