Today marks the anniversary of one of the greatest duels in NBA history. It was the deciding Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Dominique Wilkins was trying to lead his exciting Atlanta Hawks over the old guard Boston Celtics led by Larry Bird. The fourth quarter is when the two went after each other. Through the first three quarters Bird was actually having a sub-par game with only 14 points tallied. Wilkins did the opposite; he was leading his team hoping for the upset at Boston Garden. The “Human Highlight Film” had scored a game high 31 points starting the fourth.
Regardless of the outcome, Converse and Brooks would be winners. Both stars were wearing their respective sneakers. Although he wore Weapons for many years, that season Larry Legend was in the newer ERX-400. Dominique rocked his familiar signature white/red Brooks Highlight.
The two put on a show for the ages. Going shot-for-shot in that fourth quarter Wilkins scored 16 points but Bird shined brighter by scoring 20. Bird took that quarter and the Celtics took that closely contested game 118-116.
