David Thompson Highlights

[@jaycarlos3559]

I am convinced that North Carolina mj and 80s mj was basically David Thompson 2.0

[@hoodiexslime4580]

basically

[@x-man9473]

you're pretty much correct.

[@jpbefree]

I almost think Thompson had a touch more length and athleticism than even MJ……

[@rpmredshogan]

@@jpbefreeon 2k it’s written DT had 6’7 wingspan I believe he had more of a 7 ft wingspan look how his elbow sticks out

[@jpbefree]

@@rpmredshogan I wouldn’t doubt it; either way I’m genuinely blown away at this guys athleticism and how big/skilled he plays.

[@FireAttack0811]

Underrated as fuck definitely top 5 best players from the 70’s

[@blackricktheruler]

If anyone watched a young MJ you can easily see where he got a lot of his moves from.Thanks for uploading this video,kids need to recognize that even the goat needed a blueprint.

[@bryanventura2778]

Rick Scorsese Jordan admitted that he never watched the NBA in high school. Jordan's time in Dean Smith's system limited his ability to use his entire game, as he was forced to play offball and share the ball. Once Jordan joined the NBA he was able to display his ball handling and playmaking abilities. Jordan had no blueprint, he created one.

[@ErnieIsleysabeast]

@@bryanventura2778 Jordan said out his mouth david Thompson, baylor n erving were his idols ana who he took everything from and if he didn't watch them he didn't know where hed be lol stop making shit up

[@bryanventura2778]

Son of Sound False. WATCH their games and tell me Jordan's game is similar to theirs.

[@bryanventura2778]

Watch Jordan's hall of fame speech.

[@francismarasiganiii4549]

@@bryanventura2778 He watched David Thompson when he played for NC State. The TV set they had in Wilmington didn't get CBS but had ABC and NBC so he was able to watch some college games. Him and his brother Larry emulated a lot of his moves.

[@kareemsupremet.v.5189]

This was Michael Jordan's favorite basketball player of all time

[@msway836]

Plus he said another Idol was Dr. J..

[@capitanfuturo594]

@@msway836 stop writing nonsense. David Thompson was the only Michael Jordan's idol.

[@panama8009]

DT at one point, was highest paid player in NBA. Kareem was second. These highlights shown why.

[@bdww4072]

​​@@capitanfuturo594shit up. He also had a Marques Johnson poster on his wall at UNC.

[@user-zf3mb2rh9n]

Jordan definitely took that super fast stutter to first step from him, that shit can create enough space. This upload is special,I have new respect for the game and must look deeper, thank you 🙏🏽

[@vias70]

The greatest and most heavily under-rated player, ever.

[@gregorysweer9951]

Vias David Thompson was never considered underrated lol

[@tarawillis3995]

you're not underrated if no one knows you. just too long ago

[@bakgammon]

@@tarawillis3995 if your hardly mentioned in history then that alone makes you underrated. People talk about the SAME players like only a few played

[@beckywatt5048]

There was a guy named Willoughby that played for the rockets with Moses Malone , he was a small forward , he could sky like Thompson , don't know what ever happened to him.

[@sanmck4013]

@T Dillinger dumb

[@BasketballJones48021]

Wow, 21 minutes of David Thompson's offensive highlights? Amazing upload! He's definitely one of the best athletes the game has ever seen (crazy-fast twitch muscles and insane jumping ability), while also being very skilled... Just a great player in his prime.

[@PockyCandy]

BasketballJones48021 I'm glad you enjoyed it! Finding all of the footage was difficult to say the least.

[@Primus-ue4th]

The way he always crossed his feet when dunking added so much style. Jordan idolized him, and I think he used a bit of that same style when he dunked

[@Sheepskin501]

Videos like this deserve much credit, so many people like myself weren't even born when this guy was playing. It's good to appreciate the pioneers

[@shivaneepatell]

Dunks like a BIG man!

[@cesarbriones2419]

OMG! This dude’s 100% Air Jordan!!!! The way his shoulder lowers and then extends his forearm and smashes the rim. Sideways, Str8 up, He plays the low post same spots MJ would take his defender and set him up. MJ has vision, Thompson’s game is exactly what MJ brought. It is. Kobe did MJ and MJ done DT. Everyone wins 😉

[@jarvasedundy1]

I don't see it lol

[@guccimane623]

@@jarvasedundy1 well, then put your contacts in, buddy. 😜

[@Wis_Dom]

@@jarvasedundy1 Me neither. But Jordan is the more famous and better one. So by human nature, people are looking to tear him down and overrated the lesser known guy. Classic "underdog story syndrome". Jordan looked up to him, but Jordan CLEARLY is WAAY better.

[@truthtruth3717]

@@Wis_Dom Jordan got his game influence from him and Dr J and you can see it in all Jordans moves he jus took it to another level

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

@@truthtruth3717 Jerry West as well. Remember he avg 11 AST in the Finals… MJ is an amalgamation of those 3

[@juanvigil8913]

David Thompson was fun to watch back in the day, even in the nosebleed seats when Boys Club Central in Colorado Springs would take us. 1970s Denver Nuggets 🏀

[@edbremson]

I saw most of David's career when he was at NC State. This video, however, I'm amazed at his speed. He's always been a great leaper. He was never allowed to dunk in college, and so played a different style, more of an outside game, with the alley-oops of course. But in this video he's given free rein to score, and he does it magnificently. Thanks for the highlights.

[@bigcheese1280]

When we would go to the park and play pickup games as kids. Everyone wanted to be David Thompson. I'm old enough that I remember him well. I was 12 when he was drafted.

[@darrylnelson05]

Jordan said he grew up a NC State fan because of David Thompson. He wanted to be the next Skywalker.

[@juanescudero4675]

MJ also grew up in North Carolina

[@x-man9473]

@@juanescudero4675 and went to the university of north carolina

[@PockyCandy]

With the new season almost upon us, it's time for some NBA highlights! The man that MJ patterned his game after was exciting and high-flying and made a bunch of great plays. As always, I hope that you enjoy the video, and tell me who you would like to see next. And of course, I got the footage of David Thompson's game against the Nets from LamarMatic's video. I'll put a link to it in the description box above. - Pocky -

[@PockyCandy]

And yeah, I know that most of my viewers don't care about watching these NBA videos. Oh well.

[@bryanventura2778]

Disagree that Jordan patterned his game around Thompson. There are a few similarities but Jordan created a blueprint for the modem wing player. Did Thompson influence Jordan's playmaking? Postgame? Defense? Handles? Jumper? I haven't seen any of these in this Thompson's game having watched a number of his highlights.

[@DeeNice681]

Jordan wasn’t only influenced by Thompson and Dr. J. He was influenced by Walter Davis from the Suns, and Marques Johnson from the Bucks. He got his jumper from Davis, and a lot of his handles and spins from Marques Johnson. Jordan was creative, but he did take a lot from people who don’t have all their highlights out there!

[@peteasarisi2536]

Wow great video! remember hearing this dudes name in the early 80's i just missed his career started watching in '84. Great to see the hype my older friends give him was real

[@_alison_playz_8885]

Now I know where it all began,.,the way MJ played the game how he revolutionized the game of basketball, it's because of this guy his idol, his predescessor!

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude

[@choward5430]

Thompson, Baylor and Connie Hawkins...great players no one talks about.

[@lainiwakura4678]

Elgin is routinely mentioned among the greats actually. By knowledgeable people anyhow. I have him top 13-15

[@theasiankidjalen7649]

@Ben DC4L and my boy fat lever

[@Jimmy-bucketsda_DON]

Everyone from their era damn near dead and gon is why fam

[@calvinbrice.t2140]

All three of those players along with Jerry West and Dr J influenced Michael Jordan

[@jonathanorr44]

Love it! Would love to see Bob Mcadoo, Spencer Haywood, Paul Westphal, and Dave Bing.

[@richardpeetrinpeetrin9817]

I pulled a autographed, authenticated David Thompson card quite some time ago. A very rare autograph indeed!....

[@jeffboy13]

I met him and got his autograph a few times in my junior and high school days. I grew up in the same county as James Worthy, one county next to David Thompson in NC. He came and talked to us about not doing drugs in the 90s

[@firstlast1222]

Could have been one of the greatest

[@cheebateam]

One of my favorite players growing up...

[@michaelt.robertson]

In my opinion the best dunk DT was in the first instersquad game in the ABA....caught a shot coming off the basket ..and tomhawked a dunk over the stretched arms of 7' 1" Marvin Webster The Human Eraser. Fans went crazy!!!!..

[@dennymk6454]

still remember when he put up 73 points in one game against the Pistons

[@astutemoneymaker]

This guy was simply incredible.

[@abdullahussien6683]

HE WAS A JOKE COMPARED TO TODAYS DUNKERS,ALL HIS DUNKS WERE SIMPLE AND LAME!

[@Amick44]

Uh, don't forget, he couldn't palm the ball and was only 6'3. Not like Nique, Lebron and others who were MUCH taller.

[@sanmck4013]

@@abdullahussien6683 it's been two years so I hope you have had time to reflect on the stupid thing that you said

[@teedepefanio4974]

6'2-4"Flat-footed hop.. straight-up for easy stuffage.. like, he hovered there to make sure they got it on film... lol.. David Thompson is a pioneer.. they shoulda called the "alley-oop" the "david thompson".. dude breakin anklez 😎

[@pepperzxpepperzx5173]

As geat as he was, Thompson was also one of the pioneers of starting his dribble with a flat-out travel, routinely gaining advantage by taking the first step with his pivot foot.

[@motizagor6966]

great player!!!

[@ashleygreen6277]

DT was fearless at taking the ball to the goal. He didn’t even have to have a clear lane. And his acceleration was so too much for anyone else to keep up with, so often they just got out of his way rather than pick up a pointless foul.

[@Feinmess]

Regarding NBA players who ushered in the era of human highlight reels, originality, and creativity, I do believe when ranking players chronologically it starts with Oscar Robertson, then Elgin Baylor, then Doctor J (he took it to a whole different level) and then David Thompson. These guys were the foundation that brought us guys like Jordan, Kobe, Magic, and the Vince carters of the world.

[@mattgoldberg4335]

Don't forget the Hawk, Connie Hawkins, who kind of took the game from Elgin to Dr, J.

[@Feinmess]

@@mattgoldberg4335 Duly noted. Yes, Hawk was an NYC legend, unwittingly connected to the point shaving scandal of the early 60s and subsequently never even put on an NBA uniform until he was 27 (and with a bad knee from his ABA years). His NBA career was sort of mediocre but you are correct, he had awesome moves. So many great 70s players like George Gervin, Bob McAdoo, Elvin Hayes, Pete Maravich, Bob Dandridge, Jo Jo White, Earl Monroe, Dave Bing, Walt Frazier and hundreds more

[@rcdaluz]

Why is David Thompson not named among the 50 greatest players of the NBA?

[@larrygreen8912]

gliese3b Because he failed drug test and was suspended.

[@rcdaluz]

@@larrygreen8912 Yes I heard that drugs ruined his career but I still think David Thompson and Connie Hawkins are more deserving than Dave Debusschere and Jerry Lucas

[@larrygreen8912]

gliese3b He was a fantastic guy to fans I met him many times when I worked at Leith Lincoln in Raleigh while he was playing for NCSU . People I meet outside NC will say something about MJ being THE greatest and my response is in my opinion David Thompson was the greatest basketball player to come out of NC the rules were against the high flying, for a guy that is 6’4” he would go over the big men all day long . Ask Bill Walton .

[@pgonzo98]

@@larrygreen8912 coke....

[@dwightlove3704]

@@larrygreen8912 Yes Bill Walton called him his FATHER lol.I remember when NC St played UCLA in that Championship Game when the finals were televised on Saturday afternoon.

[@BubbubTopps]

At 1:45 that was Dr. J he dunked on, I never saw Dr. J ever get dunked on! 😱

[@natashatomlinson4548]

He used to use and abuse Dr J back in the day . That says nothing about Dr J being a bad player but about how supremely talented DT was. Thompson was only about 6 ‘ 4 1/2 but he could hold his own and mote against the 6’7” doc.

[@panama8009]

​@@natashatomlinson4548correction, really 6"3 and could not palm the ball mind you. DT was Incredibly gifted.

[@xonigga6684]

1st Generation: David Thompson. 2nd Generation: Michael Jordan. 3rd Generation: Kobe Bryant.

[@Santaclauseeee]

You forgot Dr J before all

[@romemiller1504]

At the 1:42 mark. "Dr.J" Julius Erving is guarding him and he just blows by with a thunderous dunk !!!!

[@dalepress1581]

Blew past the doctor!

[@JelaniB28]

One of North Carolina’s finest

[@larrygreen8912]

JB79 North Carolina’s Greatest of All Time

[@jeffboy13]

NC has put out a good bit. Thompson, Jordan and Worthy. Thompson and Worthy were from Gastonia and Boiling Springs. Like 30 minutes apart. Jordan from Wilmington. Phil Ford from Rocky Mount. Brad Daughtery. Jerry Stackhouse. Atawn Jamison and Pistol Pete grew up in NC. Chris Paul, Bob McAdoo

[@HampETX903]

Was ahead of his time 6:58😭

[@garywhitt98]

I grew up in Carolina when David Thompson was playing. What an athlete! He used to take dollar bills that had been placed on the top of the backboard.

[@CLewey44]

This should be required viewing for any basketball fan under 50.

[@dwightlove3704]

He was the reason for Michael Jordan being inducted into the NBA HALL OF FAME.

[@mattgoldberg4335]

A few things. DT is the greatest and most exciting college basketball player I've ever seen, and I was young when I saw Alcindor and a little older for Walton. You could tell MJ was special in college, but wasn't at that level then. These highlights seem to only be taken from a handful of games. I won't say his career is up there with Doc, Kobe or MJ but his first 6 years were remarkable until addiction and possibly an injury got him. That said, I've never heard a bad word about him. Seems like a genuinely great guy. Unfortunately, living in the Philly market, you just did not see Denver very often -- and his first year in the ABA just wasn't televised in my market. Comparing him to Doc or MJ, he's much smaller. Doc was 6'6 or 6'7, and MJ was 6'6, while DT was listed at 6'4, which may have been generous. DT, improbably, did not have big hands, and Doc and MJ had huge hands, and the other two had bigger, stronger frames. Thompson was wiry and fearless. DT was a great outside shooter -- really pure stroke, even when twisting in mid-air - better than either Doc or Jordan, His first step was lightning and like Doc and Michael, he had wonderful body control. A unique player and a deserving Hall of Famer, who had top 5-7 talent.

[@markanthonycgranados]

He is fearless.

[@johnnycee9325]

That first step though...

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

I remember when he scored the 73.

[@akumawani]

in a league where you could fistfight and keep right on playing- and without the three point shot...

[@shannongreen1520]

This shit is awesome. Once again you bring the gift that keeps on giving. You keep doing what you do. Any chance of getting Walt "Clyde" Frazier on?

[@markredgrave6282]

😂 I got to meet Thompson and the whole Wolfpack team when i went to basketball camp there after my 7th grade year in junior high in Atlanta after they won the NCAA title. Tom Burlson took us campers from our dorm all out for pizza one night.

[@clintgantt2180]

North Carolina have always had the best hoopers

[@matthewpredmore6523]

A classic case of “what if”. The Skywalker in his prime was something to behold. The man could score in so many ways, plus he was an excellent jump shooter. He and the Doctor had some great games over the years before Thompson’s career was pretty much over due to cocaine and a bum knee. If he had stayed out of trouble and had a long career like Doc and Moses and Kareem etc had, he would set the standard for all 2 guards going forwards. How about this for a 1970’s starting five: Kareem at center, Moses at the 4, Doc as swingman, Skywalker at the 2, and Tiny Archibald at the point? I think that team could win a few games .

[@netodelgado1988]

Michael made it look more flamboyant

But still, MJ wasn't the first which is all that matters.

[@aleksamuel5780]

MJ was more graceful than any player thats ever walked this earth. Still Thompson was who he modeled his game after as a young player.

[@cojack636]

@@aleksamuel5780 Jordan had Thomson's game with Dr. J's body.

[@samuelherrington4376]

Did y’all know that the “Alley Hoop” was named after him? He injured his head against the backboard and fall once while in college during the “Alley Hoop” because dunking was prohibited in college basketball during that time!

[@aleksamuel5780]

David Thompson is your favorite players favorite player.

[@MinneapolisLegend28]

Maybe 20 or 30 years ago. Young players nowadays barely got to watch Kobe lol

[@aleksamuel5780]

@@MinneapolisLegend28 im talking bout "your favorite player" as in MJ

[@DrVonChilla]

Guys like David Thompson, Julius Erving and George Gervin were MAGICAL to watch back in the day. IMHO, their graceful, gliding, FunkyFlyFresh styles were SO much more fun & entertaining to watch than the generic, dime-a-dozen chest-thumpers of today. Indeed.....when the league began prohibiting any kind of meaningful defense, professional basketball became a lazy, egocentric showboaters' dream. Not hating.....just sayin'......

[@MrBronx61]

My family moved to Uniondale in 1974. My dad would take us to Nets games at the Nassau Coliseum. I was so lucky to see the cats you mentioned in their prime!

[@darrylhayes3662]

Thee original SKYWALKER that’s a 48 inch vertical leap

[@Carter-o8h]

David Thompson is my great grandmas great uncles grandson so my great cousin is a nba hall of famer how crazy

[@paulco4145]

Fantastic video, thanks so much!

[@PockyCandy]

You're welcome!

[@illbomber1185]

Ok i get it now!!! I see where MJ got his shit from. Clearly!!

[@foxmccloud7055]

0:37 Where did Skywalker come from?

[@stever1791]

For a 3 or 4 year stretch David Thompson was the Best Player in Basketball Worldwide

[@idipped2521]

He was never better than Kareem

[@stever1791]

@@idipped2521 Kareem Didn't rebound or Defend. David was the better Player

[@panama8009]

Actually, David Thompson at one point surpassed Kareem as Highest paid player in NBA in late 70s. Unfortunately, it was the start of his downfall in his career. Look it up. Kareem was the Man of the 70s though....

[@stever1791]

@@panama8009 David was an unbelieveable Player

[@shivaneepatell]

No wonder MJ called David Thompson his favorite!

[@cornellmuhammad3912]

Amazing video.

[@kevindickson2178]

i tried to pattern my game after DT. it didn't work.

[@dwightlove3704]

The greatest 6-4 leaper in basketball annuals the only person who was close to him was Darrell Griffith of Louisville another 6-4 leaper in the early '80s

[@diegochavez679]

Na Derrick rose

[@dwightlove3704]

@@diegochavez679 David Thompson came long before DRose if you really want want to be technical look up a man named JUMPIN JACKIE JACKSON he started out in the '50s playing with The Harlem Globetrotters.He played college basketball at Virginia Union a member of the HBCU FAMILY

[@duk3335]

@@diegochavez679 rose 6’2

[@master-kq3nw]

He was great dunker

[@nba5617]

7:38 great layup

[@spencerparks5108]

1:43 on Julius Erving 😳

[@deannichols8054]

David thompson greatest acc player in history

[@jpbefree]

Actually blown away by how he moves, looked like MJ attacking the basket but almost better….

[@billbright100]

He was good but MJ was on a whole nother level

[@LostUndertheSky]

I think Klay Thompson is probably even better than his dad. But David Thompson is absolutely legend

[@mysterygamermgclues8864]

You're joking right?

[@panama8009]

Klay's dad is Mychal Thompson of 80s Trail Blazers and Lakers.

[@MarkSilva-py2eb]

He got pushed down a flight of stairs at studio 51 was never the same

[@ironlion2121]

In my day.Playing High school ball.My favorite player was DT,DAVID (SKYWALKER) THOMPSON.

[@vanjohnson9837]

He was a night-mare for the other team.oct2020.

[@longdang3602]

Is David Thompson another version of Clyde Drexler?

[@issajoke2437]

No. Thompson came way before Drexler. It could be the other way around but I don't know.. I grew up watching a later generation of players

[@longdang3602]

@@issajoke2437 i really like clyde drexler as a player.

[@juanescudero4675]

Thompson was first step faster than Drexler. He fly right by you

[@Lawrence-dn1oe]

The think about him he could jump but he was real fast!

[@pattrell5257]

He has to be All-decade for the 70s; barring injuries or an off night, how do you stop him?! Imagine Jabar, Lanier, Gervin, Thompson, and Maravich. Then, on the bench you had McAdoo, Hayes, Barry, Havlicek, and Frazier?! Gervin and Thompson used to have hotly contested battles for the scoring title and that has even come down to the last game. They'd be on the same team battling for best team of all time...

[@dskywalker3397]

Now show Gervin!

[@brandonlogan2600]

Whose else accidentally typed in david Robinson then was like "oh shit I meant david Thompson" on the way here? 🤣

[@louishamilton1710]

...remember seeing him dunking wearing a bandage on his head.

[@notgregorcreg_]

Someone compared jah morant to this guy.. I can see it 100%

[@AZ-ym8oy]

😎

[@oratomo4454]

I can see donovan Mitchell

[@VirantRoss]

I wanna see his jumpshot not his dunks..

[@jaybrown7811]

Why

[@garyjones7378]

he put a quarter on the top on the back board

[@daniel_dumile]

He runs like a spring.

[@theredrexy]

They called him skywalker

[@pretorious700]

You could see guys considering trying to block a DT dunk. Then they reconsider, not wanting to get chumped and be on a highlight reel.

[@jackjackson404]

The first DWade

[@TerryTempleton2990]

Nah he shoot way better than wade lol

[@jswin2084]

He reminds me of young Westbrook

[@notsofast8568]

MT made MJ

[@capitanfuturo594]

Michael Jordan's idol.

[@smokesmitty1]

WHO HERE CAUSE ISIAH THOMAS SAID ZACK LAVINE PLAYS LIKE THIS DUDE

[@stephensandin451]

A faster Michael Jordan

[@HardKore5250]

No

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

look everyone passed how nice lol.........

[@ShangoDC]

Probably only 6’3”.

[@GeorgeFitness-yo8bl]

Greatest dunker of all time

[@MrBarborosa]

Who doesnt do coke?? This guy is chill

[@WinnerVictorious]

There was Thompson then copied by Jordan with his additions, then kobe with his additions now kahwi who lazy to put his additions

[@DavidJohnson-vp5yc]

How could Michael Jordan love David Thompson? And go to unc, what a joke.

[@worldlfree]

Because they recruited his parents well

[@jasonrfoss248]

And yet somehow all of these players including Dr. J and David Thompson all look very slow and unathletic compared to today’s players.

[@naturenupe6]

Jason Foss are you crazy? They are just as athletic if not more! They aren’t wearing trampoline sneakers like today. And they are playing on real hardwood. Without breakaway rims.

[@biggfine7334]

Not sure what videos you’re seeing. They were more methodical but on the break Dr and David Thompson were quick and flew to the hole ! A lots changed. But they were all time athletes

[@fungames1594]

David is faster than jordan... what you talking about? The white players?

[@lainiwakura4678]

It's the low resolution and the short shorts

[@maninblack9850]

Jason Foss 2:24 and 4:22 looked like Westbrook to me...not sure what you are seeing. Maybe the low quality video is messing your eyesight up.

[@mrbuddy0008]

#DavidThompson #DavidONeilThompson #DenverNuggets #TheDenverNuggets #Denver #TheNuggets ⛹🏽 🏀

[@IsaiahMccrary]

0:29 that pull up looks modern asl. Feet wasnt under him but the whole sequence was giving dbook footwork…. WTF ARE WE TALKING ABT PLUMMERS FOR BC NOT ONLY ARE U DISRESPECTING PIONEERS BUT ALSO ESSENTIAL WORKERS🤌🏾💯