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Back when I was in middle school, I had this DVD called NBA Now where they compared basketball greats of the 70s and 80s to those of the 2000s. When providing the past pairing to Shaquille O’Neal, the choice was Darryl Dawkins.
Dubbed Chocolate Thunder and hailing from the Planet Lovetron, Dawkins would dunk on anyone and everyone, naming his slams like slam poetry. He did so in Nike and also in Converse.
One of the original posterboys for Swoosh hoops, Dawkins thunderous throw downs and out of this world personality would’ve made him a big time signature star had he been born two decades later.
Rest in peace, DD, and thanks for the fun.
Photo via Alvin Blanco
