{"id":8608,"date":"2015-08-28T15:50:12","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T15:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/?p=8608"},"modified":"2015-08-28T15:51:13","modified_gmt":"2015-08-28T15:51:13","slug":"darryl-dawkins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/darryl-dawkins","title":{"rendered":"The Lovable NBA legend Darryl Dawkins Dies At 58"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"a6b39195b99473d6c9dd698db2668010\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:2px 0 2px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<center>\r\n\r\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\r\nfunction ShorterThan(widthMax) {\r\n                if (screen.width < widthMax) {return true;}  \r\n                else {return false}\r\n    }\r\nvar LimitWidth = 728\r\nvar MobileZoneID = 348996\r\nvar DesktopZoneID = 348995   \r\n<!--\/\/<![CDATA[\r\n   document.MAX_ct0 ='';\r\n   var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'?'https:\/\/cas.criteo.com\/delivery\/ajs.php?':'https:\/\/cas.criteo.com\/delivery\/ajs.php?');\r\n   var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999);\r\n   document.write (\"<scr\"+\"ipt type='text\/javascript' src='\"+m3_u);\r\n   if (ShorterThan(LimitWidth)) {document.write (\"zoneid=\"+MobileZoneID);} else {document.write (\"zoneid=\"+DesktopZoneID);}\r\n   document.write(\"&nodis=1\");\r\n   document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r);\r\n   if (document.MAX_used != ',') document.write (\"&exclude=\" + document.MAX_used);\r\n   document.write (document.charset ? '&charset='+document.charset : (document.characterSet ? '&charset='+document.characterSet : ''));\r\n   document.write (\"&loc=\" + escape(window.location));\r\n   if (document.referrer) document.write (\"&referer=\" + escape(document.referrer));\r\n   if (document.context) document.write (\"&context=\" + escape(document.context));\r\n   if ((typeof(document.MAX_ct0) != 'undefined') && (document.MAX_ct0.substring(0,4) == 'http')) {\r\n       document.write (\"&ct0=\" + escape(document.MAX_ct0));\r\n   }\r\n   if (document.mmm_fo) document.write (\"&mmm_fo=1\");\r\n   document.write (\"'><\/scr\"+\"ipt>\");\r\n\/\/]]>--><\/script>\r\n<\/center>\n<\/div>\n<p>Darryl Dawkins, also known by the nickname Chocolate Thunder, played for the professional basketball teams of Philadelphia (76ers) and New Jersey (Nets). He became well-known for his powerful slam dunks &#8211; he even shattered the backboard twice. The legendary player succumbed to a heart attack on Thursday at the age of 58.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>An Incredible Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Along with his incredible athleticism, Dawkins became famous for his larger than life personality. He was so famous that his Chocolate Thunder nickname originated from Stevie Wonder. &#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A guy who never saw me gave me the name Chocolate Thunder<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,\u201d Dawkins said proudly in an interview. Dawkins played \u00a0for seven seasons with Philadelphia and for five with New Jersey. He also temporarily played with the Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and the Harlem Globetrotters. After he finished playing basketball, he became an NBA ambassador. He then became a professional head coach with the Lehigh Valley&#8217;s Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs and the Lehigh Carbon Community College men&#8217;s team.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8609\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8609\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-8609 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/nba-best-dunkers-darryl-dawkins-1975-89.jpg\" alt=\"source\" width=\"700\" height=\"551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/nba-best-dunkers-darryl-dawkins-1975-89.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/nba-best-dunkers-darryl-dawkins-1975-89-381x300.jpg 381w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/nba-best-dunkers-darryl-dawkins-1975-89-600x472.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/nba-best-dunkers-darryl-dawkins-1975-89-85x67.jpg 85w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8609\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/resetmag.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Darryl-Dawkins.jpg\">source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">{adinserter CNP5}<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Missed By Many<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Philadelphia 76ers Chief Executive Officer Scott O&#8217;Neill said in a statement: &#8220;T<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he Sixers family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an absolute legend, Darryl Dawkins. We&#8217;ve lost a dear friend and an iconic figure \u2014 both on and off the court. We remember fondly not only his thunderous dunks, but more importantly his powerful presence and personality. \u00a0Simply put, Darryl Dawkins was beloved \u2014 by his family, friends, former teammates and his fans all over the globe. His endearing charm, infectious smile and unparalleled sense of humor will be sorely missed. &#8216;Chocolate Thunder&#8217; will always have a special place in our hearts. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8610\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8610\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8610\" src=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047.jpg\" alt=\"source\" width=\"700\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047-500x300.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047-450x270.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/2047-85x51.jpg 85w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8610\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6bf48bb95a762604a5c9df75b0c60ce25b03ad4d\/0_563_2047_1228\/master\/2047.jpg?w=1200&amp;q=85&amp;auto=format&amp;sharp=10&amp;s=27938e388886a82d4b3196bf4666aca3\">source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Forever Remembered For His Talent<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also issued a statement: &#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The NBA family is heartbroken by the sudden and tragic passing of Darryl Dawkins. We will always remember Darryl for his incredible talent, his infectious enthusiasm and his boundless generosity. He played the game with passion, integrity and joy, never forgetting how great an influence he had on his legions of fans, young and old<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Admired By Everyone<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kevin Foley, the head coach at Lehigh Carbon Community College before Dawkins, noted that he was also an amazing father. &#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I&#8217;ve never seen someone so natural with kids,\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he said<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. \u00a0\u201cHe was a great guy. My kids absolutely adored him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.&#8221; \u00a0He was also a great friend &#8211; \u00a0&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Honest to God, he&#8217;d do anything you&#8217;d ask him to do<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,&#8221; Foley said. &#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I said to my wife many times that I don&#8217;t know how he does it. He&#8217;d come to a summer league basketball game at North Whitehall, and naturally people were attracted to him, and Darryl would talk to all of them as if they were the only people in the room. Other than refs \u2014 he&#8217;d give refs a hard time no matter what the level \u2014 he liked everybody<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8612\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8612\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-8612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/dawkins.jpg\" alt=\"source\" width=\"700\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/dawkins.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/dawkins-480x300.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/dawkins-600x375.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/08\/dawkins-85x53.jpg 85w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8612\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cbssports.com\/images\/visual\/whatshot\/dawkins.jpg\">source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Watch a video of spectacular Dawkins\u00a0dunks<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Daryl Dawkins breakin rims\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lszr5JGNA7o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/worlds-highest-paid-athletes\">SEE ALSO:\u00a0The 10 Highest-Earning Athletes Of 2015<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<!--CusAds0-->\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Darryl Dawkins, also known by the nickname Chocolate Thunder, played for the professional basketball teams<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":8613,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[36],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Lovable NBA legend Darryl Dawkins Dies At 58<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dawkins was famous for his larger than life personality.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.afrizap.com\/en\/darryl-dawkins\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Lovable NBA legend Darryl Dawkins Dies At 58\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dawkins was famous for his larger than life personality.\" 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