Dawkins spent parts of 14 seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Utah and Detroit. hide caption. "Darryl touched the hearts and . The 1950s is often viewed as "baby boom" and a period of conformity, when young and old alike followed group norms rather than striking out on their own. [32] The following autumn, the two were planning to divorce when she committed suicide on November 1, 1987, at her parents' home in New Jersey; Dawkins was in Utah with his team at the time. American basketball player-coach. List of National Basketball Association career playoff blocks leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most blocks in a game, "Stevie Wonder gave Darryl Dawkins his 'Chocolate Thunder' nickname", "A Game Played Above the Rim, Above All Else", "Dawkins Does Not Regret Heading To Nba 25 Years Ago He Left Maynard Evans High School In 1975 To Help His Family Make It Through Financial Difficulties", "Why Pros Spent 20 Years Shunning High Schoolers", "Philadelphia 76ers at New Jersey Nets Box Score, November 5, 1983", "Nets Franchise Single Game Record Blocks", "For the 76ers, it was almost a Net loss", "To the New Jersey Nets, there's no place like", "Mavericks defeat Lakers - 2011 (Western Conference semifinals) - Greatest NBA Playoff Upsets - Photos - SI.com", "1984 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Nets vs. Dawkins' shows of force unquestionably changed the game. Thoughts and prayers go out to Janice and the entire Dawkins family on the passing of a gentleman. Sa fortune s lve 5 000 000,00 euros mensuels The news came weeks after the late-August death of former Sixer Darryl Dawkins, 58. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawkins family. By Sarah Cassi 'He will be missed but not forgotten': Darryl . Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum top NBA quotes of the week, Shaken by deaths, union to help retired players, MacMullan: How Moses Malone mentored a young Charles Barkley, Recipient of Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award. "But simply being an NBA player is not one of them.". Dawkins died Thursday in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania hospital. The rim and backboard needed some beefing up. Darryl Dawkins in 1980 with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the head coach of the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs of the United States Basketball League until they folded. "The Sixers family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an absolute legend, Darryl Dawkins. [12] The Nets won the first two games in Philadelphia of the best-of-five series, which were the first playoff game victories in team history. Currently Reading. He then played a little bit of minor league basketball in some leagues that do not even exist anymore. And Dawkins is definitely a noteworthy player. Lanier said many retired players recognize the formula for healthy living, but the pounding of a long NBA career has left many of them hobbled and, in some cases, incapacitated, thus unable to exercise at all. The 76ers suffered another postseason disappointment in 1982 when they reached the Finals but lost again to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. He was selected No. 5 in the 1975 draft by the 76ers. Of course, this is true of nearly every NBA player when he was in high school. Dawkins spent parts of 14 seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Utah and Detroit. Surely, a 19-year-old is not ready to walk into a grown mans world no matter how big and athletic he is. As I mentioned, it was two dunks. While there still may be potentially acrimonious labor negotiations looming between Silver and Roberts over the current collective bargaining agreement, which includes an opt-out for both sides in 2017, the sudden death of two of the NBA's biggest brethren has linked Roberts and Silver in a joint effort to ease the health concerns of its retired players. Darryl R. Dawkins (January 11, 1957 August 27, 2015) was an American professional basketball player. Then they lost again in 1980 to the Lakers. People are taking better care of themselves. Prior to the 197879 season, Philadelphia traded McGinnis to the Denver Nuggets, clearing the way for Dawkins to be a permanent frontcourt starter. On November 3, 1983, Dawkins grabbed what would be his largest rebound total as a Net, with 15 during a 112107 win over the Chicago Bulls. He was 58, and even though officials said an autopsy would be performed on Friday . Frustrated with the team's inability to handle Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sixers management traded Dawkins to the New Jersey Nets and Caldwell Jones to the Houston Rockets for Moses Malone, who helped Philadelphia win the NBA championship the following year. Trending Former 76ers star Allen Iverson tweeted: Condolences to the family of Darryl Dawkins, a great man! But he slowly increased his minutes and production each of his first seven years in the league. Lanier believes those concerns can be rectified with the support of the current union leadership. Dawkins languished on the Sixers' bench for his first two seasons. See, for that joke to work, people have to know who Darryl Dawkins, or Chocolate Thunder, is. He then tried to make an NBA comeback where he went to training camp with the Orlando Magic but didnt make the team. "We need to do some additional research on these guys," Rogowski said. [18] His tenure with Utah lasted just four games before the Jazz traded him to the Detroit Pistons for a pair of second-round draft picks and an undisclosed amount of cash. A shaken Silver called Roberts the morning after Malone passed away. That study, O'Keefe said, is not applicable to basketball players. When Dawkins died suddenly from a heart attack in August at age 58, the news literally took Silver's breath away. August 27, 2015. . "I understand why the players feel the way they do," Byrne said. [17] For the playoffs, Dawkins averaged 18.4 points. "You could use the model they have for dogs," Bove said. Dawkins died Thursday in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania hospital. He committed one more personal foul during his career than Michael Jordan, despite playing nearly 350 fewer games.[25]. Well, probably not the only thing. Darryl Dawkins, the 14-year NBA vet . The Lehigh County coroner's office announced that an autopsy would be performed on August 27, but according to a statement released by Dawkins' family, the cause of death was a heart attack. Dawkins appears in NBA Ballers and the NBA 2K video games as a reserve member of the 1980s Legends East Team. As a 6ft 10in (2.08m) senior at Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, Dawkins averaged 32 points and 21 rebounds to lead his team to the state championship. A similar program for retired players, said Dr. Tim Byrne, who is part of the Phoenix Suns medical staff, would be more than sufficient. We have very effective treatments available to us.". His best scoring season was in 1985 when he averaged 16 points per game for the lowly New Jersey Nets. He was taken fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, and with his speed and imposing physical presence, Dawkins was expected to make an immediate impact and though started slow during his first few seasons, he eventually became a key contributor to Sixers squads that battled for Eastern Conference superiority in the late Seventies and early Eighties. The guest was Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder. The team was led by Dr. J, Julius Erving. . "I was trying to help one of my grandkids learn how to ride a bike," Lanier said, "but I couldn't keep up to balance her because my joints hurt so much. "Darryl touched the hearts and . Ex-NBA player Darryl Dawkins was known for thunderous dunks. Hawkins, 50, died at a hotel in Bogota, with the band due to play at a music festival this weekend. "We will always remember Darryl for his incredible talent, his infectious enthusiasm and his boundless generosity. bclc lotto app not working; signs your internship will turn into a job; mary suehr schmitz. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. He drifted for several years, floating through Italy and the Continental Basketball Association and even had a brief run with the Harlem Globetrotters, not fully retiring from basketball until 2000. Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart," the statement said. On August 27, 2015, Darryl Dawkins died of non-communicable disease. and just last year explained how Stevie Wonder gave him his famous nickname. Darryl Dawkinss ferocious dunks became his calling card. Darryl Dawkins, one of the most colorful characters in NBA history, has died. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. It took the arena crew over an hour to clean everything up and bring out a whole new basket support. [1] He was known for his powerful dunks, which led to the NBA adopting breakaway rims due to him shattering a backboard on two occasions in 1979.[2]. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. Darryl Dawkins died on August 27, 2015, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 58. What are Darryl Dawkins' nicknames? He then went on to play a number of years in Italy where he was a very popular player. June 4, 2021 by Sports History Network. Darryl Dawkins's ferocious dunks became his calling card . The situation was far worse. Longtime 76ers center Darryl Dawkins died Thursday at the age of 58. A spokesperson for Lehigh Valley . He was the fifth overall pick in the draft that year and helped the Sixers make three NBA finals before his trade to New Jersey in 1982. Darryl Dawkins, whose backboard-shattering dunks earned him the moniker "Chocolate Thunder" and helped pave the way for breakaway rims, has died. Dawkins played 13 seasons in the NBA after being drafted out of high school by the Philadelphia 76ers. Dawkins' role in helping the Sixers win the Eastern Conference championship established him as one of Philadelphia's top players, on a team that included Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Lloyd Free, and Doug Collins. Darryl Dawkins was once summoned in the Philadelphia 76ers' locker room to meet a celebrity who wanted to meet the man known for dunking with backboard-breaking force. Chocolate Thunder, Double D, Dawk, Dr. Dunk, Sir Slam, Zandokan the Mad Dunker, Dunk You Very Much, Candy Slam, Sweet D, Big Dawk, Master of Disaster, Squawkin' Dawkin, Double D Dunk, Sir Dunk, Dunk It, Pure Pleasure, Cool Breeze, Dr. Jam, Demon of Destin are nicknames for Darryl Dawkins. He was 58, and even though officials said an autopsy would be performed Friday, his family released a statement saying the cause of death was a heart attack. You were the originator of the dunk. Dawkins took his anger out on the 76ers locker room by tearing a toilet out of the wall and dislodging a locker stall and barricading the door with it. Darryl Dawkins, the first high school player to go straight to the National Basketball Association when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975, died Thursday at a hospital in Allentown, Pa. The Lehigh County coroner's office announced that an autopsy would be performed on August 27, but according to a statement released by Dawkins' family, the cause of death was a heart attack. Something needed to be done with the actual equipment. He attended Maynard Evans high school in the early 1970s and was absolutely destroying the high school scene in Florida. His 57.2 field goal percentage is seventh best in NBA history. "I remember him yelling that he broke a backboard and that he wanted to renegotiate his contract because he could break a backboard.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sports History Network is not affiliated with, licensed, sponsored, authorized, or endorsed by any college, university, team, league, artist, athlete, venue, other brand, or any licensing entity. You may not think about it much today but the breakaway rim exists because of guys like Darryl Dawkins. Today, that is no big deal because guys like LeBron are announced as being from their high school. We've lost a dear friend and an iconic figure, both on and off the court. The union's coffers will be replenished by a lucrative television deal with ESPN and TNT that kicks in for the 2016-17 season. While there was an obvious benefit to exercising, there was also data, according to O'Keefe, that showed some marathoners who engaged in "extreme" exercise over many years developed enlarged hearts and scarring from tearing of tiny heart muscles. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. No cause of death was immediately announced and an autopsy was scheduled for Friday. Inside Jim Jordan's Disastrous Search for a 'Deep State' Whistleblower He signed a seven-year contract worth $1 million. Sources: Bucks favored to sign veteran Dragic. Dawkins, 58, had a . In the second game of the series, Dawkins got into a fight with Maurice Lucas, resulting in both players being ejected. "Simply put, Darryl Dawkins was beloved -- by his family, friends, former teammates and his fans all over the globe," 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil said. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? Simply put, Darryl Dawkins was belovedby his family, friends, former teammates and his fans all over the globe. He would coach there for five years before dying of a heart attack in 2015 at the age of just 58. Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart. Dawkins . MacMullan: Deaths of Dawkins, Malone raise health concerns for NBA retirees, Owner: Snyder, Fields will bring Hawks success, Isaac has surgery on adductor, done for season, Clips' Powell out at least a week to treat shoulder, Kyrie teams with Luka for 82: 'Had to join party', LeBron to have tendon injury checked in 3 weeks. The NBA introduced collapsible rims not long after that, leaving Dr Dunkenstein to perform more traditional assaults on basketball rims. No cause of death has been determined; an . [10][11] In the first round of the playoffs, the sixth seeded Nets were matched up with Dawkins' former team, Philadelphia 76ers. He died on Thursday at age 58. The entertainer is blind, yet even he could tell there was something unique about Dawkins' game. "[26] He named other dunks as well: the Rim Wrecker, the Go-Rilla, the Look Out Below, the In-Your-Face Disgrace, the Cover Your Head, the Yo-Mama, the Spine-Chiller Supreme, and the Greyhound Special (for the rare occasions when he went coast to coast). That was the hardest dunk anyone had ever seen at the time. But Dawkins did not have a university. Date of death: August 27, 2015, Died Place: Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States: Nationality: . They could have selected Leonardo DaVinci, Mozart, Einstein, Galileo, or George Washington. Over 600 people attended his public casket viewing. He spent several seasons in Italy, playing for Torino, Olimpia Milano and Telemarket Forli. He would name his dunks - the "look out below," the "yo-mama" and the "rim wrecker" among them - and often boasted that he hailed from the "Planet Lovetron.". The biggest surprise about Darryl Dawkinss death on Thursday is that it came at age 58. "This is a new age in treating the heart. Increasingly rainy and windy with a brief wintry mix this evening changing to rain; wintry mix lasting longer in the Poconos, where 1-3" of snow and sleet plus a glaze of ice possible. Dawkins died on August 27, 2015, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 58. The Commissioner at the time was Larry OBrien. The Sixers won both playoff series and advanced to the NBA Finals. He was also 611 and had really filled out at around 230 lbs. Jim Spanarkel played with Dawkins in Philadelphia during Spanarkel's rookie season in 1979-80. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. "I feel badly these guys feel they are at risk for a shorter life span, but there are other factors that are leading to that.". Most of our guys do not. Sometimes, Dawkins would also shave his head and have it oiled along with wearing an earring. "Darryl Dawkins is the father of power dunking . [20] Dawkins was often inactive for games as he was still recovering from his back injuries and dealing with the death of his estranged wife. A native of Orlando, Fla., Dawkins was part of the 76ers' playoff teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s, alongside Julius Erving and World B. Death date: 23 November, 2002, Saturday This memorial website was created in memory of Jerome J Labanz, 71, born on June 8, 1931 and passed away on November 23, 2002. Nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder," Dawkins played 13 seasons in the NBA after being drafted out of high school by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975. Darryl Dawkins, seen here at the 2013 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, died Thursday at age 58. . Not many. But the fans could not get enough. [32] In 1988, Dawkins married a former Nets cheerleader, Robbin Thornton; they divorced after 10 years. We want to shine a light on forgotten stories that need to be remembered again. Dawkins leaves behindwife Janice, and four children. His endearing charm, infectious smile and unparalleled sense of humor will be sorely missed. "Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart," his family said. Darryl Dawkins was once summoned in the Philadelphia 76ers' locker room to come meet a celebrity who wanted to meet the man known for dunking with backboard-breaking force. So, once again, the game was delayed for over an hour as the arena crew had to completely replace the entire basket support. Roberts said action from the players' association on providing screening for their retired players is "imminent.''. He remained enormously popular after his playing days were done, even during his stint as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. the cause of death was a heart attack. His power and talent tested the nuts and bolts of basketball literally. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. And Ill get to that in a moment. He only played six games in the 198687 season, after a second back surgery in less than two years. So, join us next time we answer the question, what does fashionable footwear from 100 years ago have to do with playing basketball. Rest easy OG. "Being tall does increase the risk for atrial fibrillation, but that is not a fatal condition and can be treated with medication," O'Keefe said. This November 1979 file photo shows Kansas City Kings' Scott Wedman and Philadelphia 76ers' Julius Erving watching as Kings' Bill Robinzine, left, and 76ers' Darryl Dawkins run for cover after Dawkins shattered the glass backboard during a basketball game in Kansas City, Mo. In 1979, Dawkins shattered two backboards in separate games. No cause was of death was given, an inglorious end to an oversized life. He was the head coach of the American Basketball Association's Newark Express. He also had a similar necklace that has another nickname "Dr. Dunk" in gold script. Dawkins spent parts of 14 seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Utah and Detroit. Darryl Dawkins, a high-scoring, big-dunking center who played the bulk of his 15-year NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, has died at the age of 58 . He seemed a player who should have gone to college, maybe maturing before coming to the NBA. I can't believe that you're gone. Short on ego, long on kindness, Darryl always made time to speak with everyone . He always seemed destined to either die early or live on forever. Unfortunately for Dawkins, he wasnt able to stick around with the 76ers to win a championship. No cause of death was immediately announced and an autopsy was scheduled for Friday. Regardez le Salaire Mensuel de Charles Nelson Reilly Cause Of Death en temps rel. 5 in the 1975 NBA draft by the 76ers. Dawkins appeared to return to form the following season averaging 15.3 points and shooting .644 from the floor, but an injury midway through the season kept him out of 31 of the team's final 32 games. A few days after that the NBA created a new rule that breaking a backboard was an offense that would result in a fine and suspension. Maurice Lucas of the Trail Blazers hauling down a rebound as Philadelphia's Darryl Dawkins battles for position during their NBA championship . Louis Dollagaray/Getty Images But they lost the Finals in 1977 to the TrailBlazers. Jeff Green, Ronny Turiaf and Channing Frye are among the players who were diagnosed with serious heart issues through routine screening. His family said the cause of death was a heart attack. No cause of death was immediately announced, and an autopsy was scheduled for Friday. An autoposy will be conducted on . Dawkins resided along Glacier Court in South Whitehall Township. That bending motion is what keeps the backboard from shattering. Darryl Dawkins at the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown during the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend. I can't tell you why that is. And this is also true, but Willoughby was drafted in the 2nd round, after Dawkins. Darryl Dawkins in 1995 AP He claimed to have come from a planet called Lovetron and called named himself Chocolate Thunder, claiming the nickname was given him by Stevie Wonder. Darryl Dawkins was not only a champion on the court but also in the community and local reaction to his death has been an outpouring of love. 2009. Because the first dunk was done in Kansas City. Dawkins named the first backboard-breaking dunk "The Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam. He also played in the NBA Finals three times as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But in a move that shocked everyone, he declared for the NBA draft. He had recently worked as an NBA Nation Ambassador, andtraveled the country in a promotional role for the league. . "It's too soon.". He was 58, and even though officials said an autopsy would be performed on Friday his family released a statement saying the cause of death was a heart attack. You were very inspirational to a lot of young players. Dawkins was as revered off the court as he was on it. Discover what happened on this day. Darryl Dawkins, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, died Thursday of currently unknown causes, as confirmed by the Lehigh Valley County Coroner's office. INTRODUCTION The Clerk has sent to the Court for review a pro se civil.20230302561 And he included the name of the man he dunked on. "I'm just one of his sons.". Chocolate Thunder has gone back to Lovetron. Dawkins was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1982, and he helped the team make the playoffs for four-straight seasons. "Darryl touched the hearts and . A Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest spokesperson confirmed to Comcast SportsNet that Dawkins died there on Thursday. Each time he shattered the glass into little shards that looked like tiny bits of ice strewn around the court. "If you were a writer, he was a delight because everything that came out of his mouth was shocking or entertaining," Spanarkel said. And that is also true, except that Malone went to the ABA, which was still a completely separate league. "We had some great conversations," Silver said. Current and former NBA players took to social media to respond to Dawkins' death. Darryl Dawkins, seen here at the 2013 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, died Thursday at age 58. The nomenclature-obsessed basketball lifer known for his ferocious dunking ability and outsized personality was truly one of a kind. For his NBA career he averaged 12.0 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. Combien gagne t il d argent ? The commissioner realized that the rule may not be enough to stop players from doing this in the future. And when he dunked basketballs he did so with a ferociousness few had ever seen. He averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds in 726 career regular-season games. Your smile personality and energy will truly be missed!!! This one was called the Chocolate Thunder Flying, Robenzine Crying, Teeth Shaking, Glass Breaking, Rump Roasting, Bun Toasting, Wham Bam, Glass Breaker, I am Jam.. Join to be notified of new content from Sports History Network, given to him by Stevie Wonder, and that nickname is Chocolate Thunder. Who could forget the In-Your-Face-Disgrace? An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Seventeen days later, Moses Malone, who had spent the weekend enjoying the annual Hall of Fame festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts, was found dead in a hotel room in Norfolk, Virginia. Mr. Dawkins was the fifth selection in the 1975 draft by the 76ers. After Philadelphia won the next two games, the Nets won a decisive game 5 when Dawkins' defense on reigning MVP Moses Malone helped New Jersey overcome a late deficit to win their first playoff series. Dawkins also played in Italy, the Continental Basketball Association and even had a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. 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. He averaged a career-best 16.8 points per game that season, with only foul trouble -- 386 that season, still a league record -- holding him back. 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He went to college first and joined the NBA four years later. With the fifth overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Dawkins. Still, few players can say they left a mark literally on the game and inspired perhaps the biggest equipment change in 50 years with collapsible rims. As promised Dawkins was fined and suspended. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. / CBS/AP. But on this night when he shattered the backboard for the first time, he had a special name in mind. In 2005, Dawkins was one of several former NBA players to audition for an analyst position with ESPN, as part of the network's reality series Dream Job. Dawkins died on August 27, 2015, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 58. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead on sale for nearly $7 million. Dawkins played up his otherworldly abilities by claiming to hail from Planet Lovetron, where he spent the offseason practicing interplanetary funkmanship.. He will be missed but not forgotten. Its worth watching. His family released a statement Thursday afternoon, indicating the former NBA great died of a heart attack. The Mercer County, N.J., prosecutor . The good-faith actions of current players were welcome news to retired veterans who have been rattled by the spate of cardiac-related deaths. Not bad for a kid from Lovetron who never went to college. In the 1981 season, Dawkins produced a .607 field-goal percentage, second in the NBA to Artis Gilmore's .670. It worked. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. His death came less than three weeks before the Sixers community lost another former center in Moses Malone, who died Sept. 13, 2015, at age 60. DECISION AND ORDER BRENDA K. SANNES Chief District Judge. The cause of death is said to be a heart attack, according to Dawkins' family. Dawkins, 58, had a 14-year NBA career with four different teams. He was then selected No. The Orlando native played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending the majority of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. 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.". "I have health insurance through my wife's job. Once he became a regular starter the home announcer in Philadelphia was in a bit of a dilemma because when the starters are announced in the NBA, they include which university the player came from. It was during those early years that Dawkins also displayed the power that would become his claim to fame: In the span of one month during the 1979 season, he threw down a pair of monstrous dunks that shattered backboards in Kansas City and Philadelphia plays that would become highlight-reel staples for decades to come and would lead the league to implement the use of so-called breakaway rims to limit the possibility of player injury. The Lehigh County coroner's office announced that an autopsy would be performed on August 27, but according to a statement released by Dawkins' family, the cause of death was a heart attack. But the one thing he could always do from the beginning was to dunk with such ferocity that he left the backboard shaking after each one. Dawkins averaged 14points and 7.2rebounds for the year, but Philadelphia failed to return to the Finals. An autopsy was performed Friday and the cause as well as the manner of death are pending further forensic studies. Karl Anthony-Towns, the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, tweeted: I'm going to miss you so much Uncle Darryl. Injuries plagued him late in his NBA career, and he went overseas for several more years to play primarily in the Italian league. We were lucky that Dawkins came along before sports was ruined by image-makers and professional basketball athletes dared to show personality. Darryl Dawkins was selected with the 5th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1975 NBA draft.
