Report: NBA legend Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins dies at 58
Source: WPTV West Palm Beach
NBA legend Darryl Dawkins has died at the age of 58, according to a report.
Pennsylvania's WFMZ broke the news on Thursday afternoon, citing a local source. Dawkins spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and made his home in the Lehigh Valley, according to WFMZ.
Dawkins' NBA career was notable for several reasons. In 1975, he was one of the first players in league history to be drafted straight out of high school. In 1979, while playing with the 76ers, he shattered two backboards in separate games, with thundering slam dunks.
Another iconic part of Dawkins' legacy is his nickname, "Chocolate Thunder." According to CBS Sports, the moniker was given to Dawkins by Stevie Wonder and it stuck through his 14-year NBA career and beyond.
Read more: http://www.wptv.com/news/national/report-nba-legend-darryl-chocolate-thunder-dawkins-dies-at-58
frylock
(34,825 posts)RIP
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)Farewell to a nice dude
Leontius
(2,270 posts)Still In Wisconsin
(4,450 posts)Rest in peace, Thunder.
John1956PA
(2,654 posts)I remember backboard-shattering footage in 1979 network spots promoting telecasts of upcoming NBA games.
Darryl Dawkins Breaks Two Backboards in One Season
By: Elise Bryers
The first player to be drafted into the NBA directly from high school, Darryl Dawkins began his professional basketball career in 1975 for the Philadelphia Sixers. At 610 and 260 lbs., the self-proclaimed "Chocolate Thunder", set himself apart from the rest of the league with his entertaining play consisting of slam-dunks and intensive athletic performances. Darryl Dawkins made dunk history by shattering the backboard and tearing down the rim in the Spectrum against the San Antonio Spurs.
Though he claimed to hail from the "Planet Lovetron", Darryl Dawkins was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where he was the star of his High School basketball team.
. . .
(More at http://www.nba.com/sixers/features/darryl_dawkins_090306.html )
hibbing
(10,098 posts)Sad news, and it is one of the best nicknames ever.
Peace
jmowreader
(50,559 posts)V0ltairesGh0st
(306 posts)with no regard for human life!
Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)gone way too soon. Sad news.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Archae
(46,328 posts)He pulls the entire backboard down.