The NBA family suffered a major loss on Thursday with the news that legendary rim-wrecker Darryl Dawkins suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 58.
One of the biggest stars of the immediate post-merger era, Dawkins played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 12.0 points per game and 6.1 rebounds on 57.2 percent shooting from the field. He was the first player in league history to be drafted into the NBA straight from high school.
Nicknamed “Chocolate Thunder,” Dawkins was perhaps one of the most powerful players in league history, famous for leaving a series of thunderous slam dunks, shattered backboards, and visionary rhymes in his wake.
RIP Darryl Dawkins. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/FoDnPjqtWT
— Steiner Sports (@steinersports) August 27, 2015
#RIP Darryl Dawkins https://t.co/Sd9x3cVZ2d
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 27, 2015
Since everyone will be showing him breaking backboards, here's Darryl Dawkins posterizing the Lakers…https://t.co/L8oK8QObaJ
— BigHeadSports (@BigHeadSports) August 27, 2015
"Darryl Dawkins had a monster dunk!" R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/ejH3Vn3KGw
— Magic 1 (@magic_uno) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) August 27, 2015
It was Dawkins’ destructive brilliance that spurned the NBA to adopt breakaway rims in the early 1980s.
Dawkins was also one of the NBA’s most feared enforcers, not afraid to unleash hell on anyone who dared mess with him or his teammates.
Both his family and the Philadelphia 76ers franchise released statements on Dawkins’ passing.
Statement from the family of Darryl Dawkins pic.twitter.com/dLyT5GSRmX
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) August 27, 2015
Sixers statement on passing Darryl Dawkins pic.twitter.com/5cYBLEbYec
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) August 27, 2015
Tributes also flooded in from the rest of the NBA community.
R.I.P to Orlando florida's own "Chocolate Thunder" Darryl Dawkins. You will be missed my friend. You paved … http://t.co/NXoiej1nDP
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 27, 2015
Rest In Peace Darryl Dawkins aka Chocolate Thunder pic.twitter.com/0FPKTUel6I
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 27, 2015
RIP to Darryl Dawkins aka "Chocolate Thunder" – a great man, entertainer, athlete and ferocious dunker. He will be missed but not forgotten.
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) August 27, 2015
Rest in peace OG. You were one of my favorite players of all time. You were very inspirational to a… https://t.co/IlJAlcDX3R
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 27, 2015
Condolences to the family of Darryl Dawkins, a great man! Your smile personality and energy will truly be missed!!!
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
Saddened to hear the news about @Thunderdunk53… RIP. An @NBA legend and great guy gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/1HEAzX7PdR
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) August 27, 2015
#RIP #ChocolateThunder pic.twitter.com/PsHPFl7UCO
— Chris Paul (@CP3) August 27, 2015
RIP to the great Darryl Dawkins. He was Shaq before there was a Shaq. #ChocolateThunder
— Tim S. Grover (@ATTACKATHLETICS) August 27, 2015
I'm going to miss you so much Uncle Darryl. There will never be another Chocolate Thunder. Love you so much and going to miss you so much..
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 27, 2015
Darryl Dawkins' bigger than life personality will be missed by all. He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate Thunder. Say hi to your home planet of Lovetron for us.
