Report: NBA legend Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins dies at 58

[erpowers]

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]

1. He's left for the planet Lovetron.

RIP

[Doctor_J]

2. where all of the women are brick houses

Farewell to a nice dude

[Leontius]

3. Very sad news.

[Still In Wisconsin]

4. ka-BAM!

Rest in peace, Thunder.

[John1956PA]

5. I remember the network promotional spots showing him shattering backboards.

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 6’10” 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]

7. Dr. J looking saying wth

Sad news, and it is one of the best nicknames ever.

Peace

[jmowreader]

6. This is the guy who forced the NBA to introduce breakaway goals

[V0ltairesGh0st]

8. He hates those Rims !

with no regard for human life!

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

10. He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans!

[BeyondGeography]

9. A fearsome teddy bear

gone way too soon. Sad news.

[AngryAmish]

11. Our loss is Planet Lovetron's gain.

[Dont call me Shirley]

12. Darryl...

[Archae]

13. I still remember a TV ad for Wheaties he was in...

He pulls the entire backboard down.