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Post by grandmahoya on Aug 27, 2015 15:23:56 GMT -5
NBA star Darryl Dawkins is dead of unknown causes at age 58. Was lovingly called "Chocolate Thunder" for his glass shattering dunks. May he rest in peace.
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SirSaxa
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 15,620
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Post by SirSaxa on Aug 27, 2015 15:29:19 GMT -5
espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13526002/darryl-dawkins-dies-age-58Very sad. Was one heckuva player - as long as he was focused. I recall having courtside seats under the basket for a Knicks v Sixer game one night, a rare opportunity. I was so close, I could see things I'd never seen - or noticed - before. The interaction of players, the intimidation. Who was calling the shots and leading their teams. The most astounding thing to me was the way Dr. J kept close tabs on Chocolate Thunder to keep him calm and productive. Like a big brother. He valued Dawkins remarkable physical gifts, and worked tirelessly to keep him in the game and productive. Very astute on the Dr's part. But then, Dr. J always was a smart guy, graceful athlete and poised professional. Anyway, an entertaining player for sure. Surprised and saddened to read of his early passing. First to go directly from HS to the NBA.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,132
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Post by hoyarooter on Aug 27, 2015 20:00:56 GMT -5
It made me very sad to read about this. I would hardly call Dawkins a "great," but boy, was he exciting to watch. And it was even more fun to listen to him talk than to watch him play.
Back in those days the office that I worked for had Laker season tickets in the third row behind one of the baskets. I believe it was a Net game I was at, and I swear, every time Dawkins went up for a dunk, I expected him to bring the basket down. The man was that powerful.
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beenaround
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,472
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Post by beenaround on Aug 28, 2015 14:36:48 GMT -5
Dawkins was very very exciting to watch, and he was fun to watch rooting for him or against him. But, for such an imposing brute force, he really had such a happy, kooky personality...Shaq is the closest thing to him, both physically and personality wise. Obviously Shaq, despite the clowning, worked hard enough on his game to be an all time great.
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