Hall of Fame forward Dominque Wilkins knows what it takes to bounce back from a serious injury. Wilkins suffered a torn Achilles tendon in January of 1992, and he says that Brooklyn nets star Kevin Durant must block out the critics as he rehabs from an Achilles injury of his own (via Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports):
“Don’t listen to people telling you what you can or can’t do,” Wilkins told Yahoo Sports. “Because no one knows your heart better than you do.’
“I heard all those negative things. And I used it as fuel to prove [my critics] wrong. So that’s what he has to do. Because you’re going to have your doubters. You’re going to have your naysayers. You’re going to have all these people that have an opinion of what you’re going to be like when you come back.
“They’re going to be quick to say, ‘Well, the guy can shoot the ball and he’s talented, but what about the explosion?’ You get people saying stuff like that. So again, it comes down to, ‘How do you prove people wrong?’ You go out there, believe in yourself and work hard to get back to that star level. And I think everything else will take care of itself.
Wilkins returned during the 1992-93 season with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 29.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 71 games. He serves as an example that superstars can retain their form in the wake of a potentially devastating injury.
Durant will have an even longer layoff than Wilkins (who recovered in nine months) because he is not expected to play for the Nets this season.
The former MVP also seemingly has the kind of transferrable skill set–as a near 7-footer who can shoot over defenders with ease–to have success upon his return.
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