40 years ago today, my friend Darryl Dawkins shatters a backboard in the NBA

[scho63]

This was the first time in the NBA and not the last time Darryl shattered a backboard.

He was a gentle giant, a great guy who loved kids and I got to spend time with him both in Italy when he played for Telemarket Forli and in New Jersey when he returned to coach. I knew his second wife's father-in-law really well and Darryl introduced me to John Amos of Good Times and West Wing.

Shame he died too young.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18028678

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1J86HLTyiM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here he is playing for Telemarket Forli in Italy

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5sigNsGwI5U" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[PAChiefsGuy]

I meant him once at a restaurant. Such a nice guy, dude was HUGE...

[notorious]

I had the pleasure of flying him from Austin to Dodge when he coached the local Semi-Pro basketball team. Dude was very kind, and cool as hell.

[Deberg_1990]

This was the first time in the NBA and not the last time Darryl shattered a backboard.

He was a gentle giant, a great guy who loved kids and I got to spend time with him both in Italy when he played for Telemarket Forli and in New Jersey when he returned to coach. I knew his second wife's father-in-law really well and Darryl introduced me to John Amos of Good Times and West Wing.

Shame he died too young.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18028678

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1J86HLTyiM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here he is playing for Telemarket Forli in Italy

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5sigNsGwI5U" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Dawkins was a beast!

How is John Amos? I’ve always been a fan.

[stevieray]

IIRC, the very first person to shatter a backboard was none other than The Rifleman, Chuck Conners.

[PunkinDrublic]

There was this really funny SNL skit where they parodied A&E’s biography and they named Darryl Dawkins one of two most important historical figures of the 20th century.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Dude named his dunks. He was the George Clinton of the NBA.

"The Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam."

[Yehoodi]

I remember when he blocked a shot from Cedric Maxwell. Max went to the lane to dunk the ball and Dawkins jump in the air and block the ball in Max's hand and it basically stopped Max's forward movement and he felt backwards. There was a momentary pause with Max in the air and the two were suspended in the air.

[scho63]

Dawkins was a beast!

How is John Amos? I’ve always been a fan.

I only met John Amos at a barbeque at Darryl's house in Marlboro NJ a long time ago. He was pretty low key from what I remember and a nice guy. Not too much interaction and sadly I didn't know at the time his Chiefs history or else I could have bonded with him.

[Fishpicker]

' the hell is good time?

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i like that Amos fella, though

[Pitt Gorilla]

He was awesome.