Dawkins averaged double figures in scoring nine times in his 14 years in the NBA, often ranking among the league leaders in field-goal percentage. "One night, first time he broke a backboard, and I remember going back to the locker room because there was a delay," Spanarkel said. Surely, a 19-year-old is not ready to walk into a grown mans world no matter how big and athletic he is. He was drafted behind David Thompson, David Meyers, Marvin Webster, and Alvan Adams. Discover what happened on this day. Dawkins grew up in Orlando, Florida and made history as the first player to be drafted to the NBA directly out of high school, after applying for the 1975 Draft as a financial hardship case (a 1971 Supreme Court decision allowed players to go pro without waiting the league-mandated four years after graduating high school, provided they could give evidence of hardship). And this is why we do this podcast and blog. "I'm the lucky one," Haywood said. Dawkins averaged 14points and 7.2rebounds for the year, but Philadelphia failed to return to the Finals. You may not think about it much today but the breakaway rim exists because of guys like Darryl Dawkins. Former NBA star Darryl Dawkins' family says he died of heart attack He had recently worked as an NBA Nation Ambassador, andtraveled the country in a promotional role for the league. Steeped in his Chocolate Thunder persona, the indestructible dunking force that earned cult status in the late '70s and early '80s, Dawkins toured the country in recent years to entertain league sponsors. In 1982 they lost to the Lakers again. Darryl Dawkins' cause of death awaiting further tests. I can't believe that you're gone. On August 27, 2015, Darryl Dawkins died of non-communicable disease. Former NBA star Darryl Dawkins' family says he died of heart attack, The former Philadelphia 76er formerly coached the LCCC men's basketball team, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. When he finally established himself, injuries kept him from basketball greatness. Although there is no concrete data linking basketball players who are large in stature to early death from cardiac distress, the prevailing opinion among many former NBA stars is there has to be a correlation. Among them were former boxing heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, former 76ers teammates Billy Cunningham (who also coached Dawkins for five of his seven seasons with the team), former New Jersey Net Tim Bassett, and modern NBA players Jason Thompson and Karl-Anthony Towns.[37]. BAPTISTE v. NEW YORK STAT | No. 9:22-CV-1326 | 20230302561| Leagle.com However, a balky back began to slow him down, and his NBA career ended in 1989 (though he madecomeback attempts in 1994 and 95). Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum top NBA quotes of the week, When thinking about Dawkins, smiles won't end, NBA Players Pay Respect To The Late Darryl Dawkins.
