Kevin Willis - 26 Points & a Dust-Up with the Bad Boys

May 8, 1987 - A product of Detroit Pershing-a high school that also produced the likes of Steve Smith, Spencer Haywood, Mel Daniels, and Ralph Simpson-Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kevin Willis made a habit of giving his hometown NBA team fits early in his 21-year career. Willis' Hawks eliminated the Detroit Pistons in 1986 and the two teams faced off again in 1987. This time, the Pistons held the upper hand. In Game 3, Willis showcased a fundamental and squared off jump hook he'd go on to employ into the new millennium, finishing with 26 points (one short of his playoff career-high) in a 108-99 loss.
Following a three-year run at Michigan State, Willis went on to amass over 17,000 points and close to 12,000 rebounds during an NBA career that spanned from 1984 to 2007. He played for eight different teams (including two-the Hawks and Rockets-for two separate stints), was named an all-star in 1992 (and All-NBA Third Team) and was a member of the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.
Game 3 Box Score: www.basketball-reference.com/...
Full Game (via Sport Mania): • Video

[@Jenny010132]

I’m glad Kevin Willis did eventually get his ring.

[@renzococoy566]

@G. Coleman spurs 2003

[@pierrelouis8188]

The most underrated basketball player who never live.

[@briansam2524]

Willis's short arms made appear "shorter" than his 7-foot height but he compensated it with his strength and athleticism.

[@alwayskul]

2:24 - I wanted to see Kevin Willis and Rick Mahorn fight. Hate it when all these players hold them back.

[@alwayskul]

0:43 - I knew Kevin Willis had strength. If you can push Rick Mahorn out of the way to get an offensive rebound and putback, then you must be really strong.

[@thb1091]

Do you have any footage from the 1991 Pistons Hawks series? I’d be interested in seeing prime Rodman/Salley defending Dominique

[@Swove2204]

The early 90's is a pretty bad time for clean Pistons playoff footage at this point but the RUclips channel Nobody Touches Jordan has a nice mix of Dennis Rodman guarding Nique in Game 2 in '91: ruclips.net/video/67LMgeQkrBM/видео.html

[@isaacd35]

Kevin was a little beast

[@gilbertreyes2205]

Little ? How tall and big you are? I wonder.

[@isaacd35]

@@gilbertreyes2205 4'11'' 120lbs

[@warrensapida7198]

Laimbeer can’t stop Willis!

[@Success2gether]

I forgot Isiah had his full name on his jersey.

[@tonykartracer8032]

I would not want to eff with Willis, that's for sure.

[@rew2949]

3:11 let’s look closely at this play. It was barely a foul! (Even in todays NBA!!)

[@nastypiglosi1788]

Bad call

[@Success2gether]

Kevin Willis...poor man's Hakeem

[@geert574]

That's like everyone not Hakeem