NBA basketball in the 1980s was a bygone era of physical play and intense rivalries. The most prominent were the all-out wars between the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, and the Detroit Pistons. Lost in between all that were the Atlanta Hawks and their battles with the Pistons and the New York Knicks.
The Hawks were led by the “Human Highlight Reel,” Dominique Wilkins , who was the target of many opponents due to his high-flying and acrobatic style of play. Often roughed up and taken down while he was in the air, Wilkins still managed to put up impressive numbers and lead his team to the playoffs year after year.
However, intense competition also brought heated confrontations on the court, leading to fights and scuffles between players. In those moments, it was up to the Hawks to ensure they had one another’s back, which led to an unspoken rule, which Nique revealed on an episode of “All The Smoke.”
It was mandatory to stand up for a teammate
In the 1980s, the Eastern Conference was a fierce battleground where rivalries ran deep. The Hawks, led by Wilkins, were a powerhouse team that constantly clashed with the Pistons and Celtics. As the saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt,” which was certainly true for these teams.