Darryl Dawkins Top 20 Dunks

The Top 20 legendary dunks from Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins during his career.

[@cd6xc]

He dunked with his back to the basket against FREAKING BILL WALTON. It's kinda of terrifying, even. What a player and character, so sad he passed away too soon.

[@airkuna]

He died?? When why???!!! :O

[@cd6xc]

@@airkuna Heart attack in 2015, He was only 58. So sad.

[@sundromos9456]

He had a great deal of success in his life, both as a professional athlete and as a family man. Glad to see people still giving him recognition so long after his playing career ended.

[@jimvick8397]

I've never seen that one before... nasty...

[@strongvaughn]

My dad told me about this guy. He would make Draymond Green cry

[@mattmaceo]

I absolutely love how he tried to murder the rim each time he dunked. R.I.P. Chocolate Thunder

[@GAjjl]

I always felt embarrassed for the guys that got stuck underneath and just leaned out-of-the-way and covered their heads. Damn shameful. 😊

[@decadedamaddimperial]

THE NEXT TIME YOU HEAR THUNDER, IT'LL BE DAWKINS DUNKING AND SHATTERING ANOTHER BACKBOARD IN HEAVEN !!!

[@victorbrown1234]

RIP big brother thanks for all the memories. The best game dunker of all times.

[@classic-kool]

After he retired, he worked with kids at a local gym in Old Bridge NJ with very little fanfare... Always said "What's Up??" with a big smile... Great guy! RIP.

[@micmic612]

Man how I loved watching those games. Dr J , Moses Malone, Bobby Jones, Moe Cheeks. And the man started naming his dunks, Chocolate Thunder Darryl Dawkins my favorite 6er's. R. I. P. DD.

[@pierino104]

RIP from Turin, Italy. We all loved him during his years in Italy.

[@massimocernecca2864]

Ce lo ricordiamo pure a Trieste ✌

[@Junkay2]

If there was a Slam Dunk Hall of Fame, "Chocolate Thunder" would be on the first ballot. I am saddened that he has left this world through a relatively early death.

[@rayjr62]

+Chauntel Bland God Bless Darryl. R.I.P.. I bet him and Maurice Lucas are hanging out, having a ball.

[@deekaymusiclover2481]

His left handed dunks were SWEET!

[@tbr2109]

I hope they have strong backboards up there in heaven.

[@mikeb.6502]

Well said, brother, well said. Can you imagine this one-on-one match up in Heaven...Samson vs "Chocolate Thunder".

[@rds9201]

He's shooting hoops in hell.

[@theeteetop]

Stay classy.

[@elistewart3170]

+Rd S Fuck off

[@soulfulman1971]

If you here that loud thunder, that would be Darryl Dawkins breaking another backboard.

[@jimmyt9446]

Unlike O Neal who hanged with all his weight on the board in order to break it on purpore , Darryl Dawkins used pure strength and explosion to do it. Such an impressive player

[@dbboykid10]

Yeah ok I love Darryl but Shaq would treat him like a ragdoll in his prime, we probably won't ever see a player that large move with such speed (in his prime in Orlando before he got lazy in LA)

[@birmingham0613]

@@dbboykid10 Yeah,BS.Shaq was an unskilled oaf on the court.

[@lukephillips770]

You didn’t see Chocolate Thunder. He would be around 270 and dunk on Shaq

[@spicydoughnut8397]

​@@dbboykid10Nope, Thunder will gas him out trying to defend him and Thunder would just slam the ball in his face everytime.

[@jjcnyc6313]

The most electrifying, power dunker there ever was or will be. You showed 20, he had 2000. I had the privilege of watching him almost every nite with the NJ Nets. Dunked on everyone & anyone at anytime.

[@soulfulman1971]

Before there was Shaq, there was Darryl Dawkins.

[@garyaugustus1009]

Daddy Dawk...

[@the6footplustree75]

Before Dawkins, there was the Big Dipper

[@JimmyButlersdreads]

Before Blake Griffin, you mean

[@lloydkline1518]

Darral dunklin nice postup moves around the basket

[@ParticularSky413]

Shaq was never a crazy dunker just a dominant one. Dawkins would do windmills while dunking on people Shaq would just back you down and two hand dunk

[@wetagua]

True legend! One of the best Dunkers in NBA history. The man was ridiculous, he straight up changed how NBA hoops are made. Rip chocolate thunder.

[@MTingyy]

Rest in Peace big fella..

[@no40acresandamuleforyou.47]

One of the most underrated players on history.

[@makaylas7812]

rip. so sad to see you go bro. I was fortunate enough to meet you at the basketball hall of fame a few years back, I'll never forget that day you were so amazing and nice

[@surfshack2]

Dawkins was incredible. One of the greatest dunkers of all time. Unbelievable power and strength and athleticism. If only he put more effort into rebounding and scoring, who knows he could've been a hall of famer. He had all the talent and ability. Pretty amazing he went straight into the NBA outta high school. Still it always seemed as if he never played to his ability. Regardless of all that, he was a beautiful person and always seemed to be having' fun playing. You can't beat that. Thanks for all the memories RIP Daryl, Mr. Chocolate Thunder from the Planet Lovetron! In Yo Face Disgrace!

[@aleksthegreat4130]

Number 10 is definitely underrated dunk,better than number 6,Darryl Dawkins was great center,remember him playing in Europe.

[@28ernieb]

Darryl Dawkins gave ALL basketball fans incredible memories that will last for generations. R.I.P. " CHOCOLATE THUNDER! "

[@Dom2K]

he will be missed.

[@RIKKO.CASEMO]

Wdym

[@babatunde8463]

@@RIKKO.CASEMO he’s dead

[@jakefleming2528]

@@babatunde8463 i met him 2 years before his passing, he was incredibly kind.

[@lewismitchell9740]

@@RIKKO.CASEMO . TX

[@todrickwilliams7082]

He returned to lovetron!!

[@MrBruinman86]

Celtics fan here. Sorry to see him go. Always liked him. RIP.

[@williammacdonald6266]

One of my all time favorites. What a show he could put on.

[@po3jet]

GREAT ATHLETE AND EVEN BETTER PERSONALITY...WHAT A CHARACTER

[@JAWrightonline]

Number 4 should be Number 1!!! "Chocolate Thunder flyin', Robinzine cryin', teeth shakin', glass breakin', rump roastin', bun toastin', wham, ham, glass breaker I am jam!!!"--Darryl Dawkins

[@pierovittori1076]

do you know which one was the Go-rilla dunk? just curious We had him play here in my town for 2 years. Guy was 38 and used to dunk over anyone at any time. He set several all time record seasons in Italian league for 2pt shooting %. If memory is not failing he had a 78% 2pt shot season. At 18ppg. Simply unstoppable - edit - memory failed. Just checked: 1992-93 season 82,2% 2pt shooting @ 17,8 ppg; 1993-94 season 85,5% @ 19,5 ppg. Insane.

[@BasketballJones48021]

Greatest dunking center in NBA history.

[@lukavujosevic603]

What about Shawn Kemp?

[@BasketballJones48021]

luka vujosevic Power Forward

[@notoriousfinn6635]

Kemp is up there but Dawkins was before Kemps time so there both in top 10

[@1990758]

BasketballJones48021 today's players don't even dunk like that anymore they throw it in and I call it a dunk or they just drop it in

[@BasketballJones48021]

@Zach Altif Shaq is close but I’d put Dawkins a bit above, in terms of overall dunking.

[@krakenwoodworxkennedy9954]

So much fun to watch growing up in the early 80's. He seemed like a really nice guy as well. Always laughing and joking around.

[@jesserothbeind950]

Gone too soon thx for all the great memories. RIP big fella!!!

[@billbright100]

That left dunk over Bill Walton was insane! Great stuff he is top 10 greatest dunker of all time.

[@matteomonti9525]

R.I.P. and thank you for bringing great Basketball to Forli', Italy! Legend!

[@joethomassheffield2700]

We imitated Daryl Dawkins a.k.a. "Chocolate Thunder & Julius Erving a.k.a. "Dr J" in the playgrounds everyday.. great memories on the asphault court at Carver Park on Cook St in Tullahoma, TN!

[@Olmazey57]

same here..they even called me "baby dawkins" lol

[@thespy7795]

I remember the Get out of my waying, game delayin, backboard swayin, dunk!

[@MrBubblecake]

Most people won’t believe this story, but for those who can. I met Daryl Dawkins. When I was about 5 years old, my mom had to put me in after school day care because of my her and my step fathers work schedule. One day when the other kids and I were waiting for our parents to show and take us home, my step dad came to get me that day and when he got there, I told him how one of the kids dads was even taller than him (My step dad was 6’5) and how he was even “browner than I am” (lol) My step dad walked in to the next room with me to see what I was so excited about and suddenly he was more excited than I was, he said “That’s Daryl dawkins” and brought me over and he gave my step father his autograph and my step dad explained why they called him “chocolate thunder” To this day he was the biggest man I’ve ever stood next to in person. (if anyone doesn’t believe this story, the day care was in a place called Allentown in Pennsylvania, today I live about 45 mins away in Reading, PA now look up where his kids were raised)

[@vernpascal1531]

He was the best, and most exiting dunker ever in traffic! I don't think People can'really appreciate when you are young, way back before we hadn't seen thousands of incredible dunks in games and on youtube, in the late seventies... how much it meant.

[@suttonsplash14]

still the best dunker Ive ever seen. #7 is insane. RIP Choco Thunder

[@exclusiveme89]

I was talking 2 my family, a few days ago. About Darryl Dawkins aka Chocalate Thunder. And 2 hear him passing. Is heart felt. His familly is in my prayers. And he will not be 4 gotting!!!!!

[@abrahammitchell5599]

Still to this day I remember

[@VICTOR-py7hn]

Chocolate Thunder was a man before his time. Pure Entertainment!

[@malibu4464]

Squawkin Dawkins! Saw him play twice, a man among boys. Greatest physical talent i've ever seen. If only he could have lived up to his potential. Still could put on a show when he was interested. Now he's up in heaven "tuning people up" as he use to say. :-)

[@bigt5699]

He was a baaaad man ! Those left handed jams were filthy

[@ericaallispn3079]

Most powerful dunking power slam man I've ever seen

[@sundromos9456]

Saw him in high school when his team came over to St. Petersburg. The entire arena was just buzzing, his reputation was already so great.To this day, I still don't think I've seen a big man (6'11" or above) this athletic combined with such explosive strength. Shaq was just not as quick and mobile as Darryl. He was like Shaq and Shawn Kemp in one body. At times, he seemed like he was absolutely trying to murder the hoop, like it was payback for some grievance.

[@malibu4464]

Unbelieveable talent. Greatest i've ever seen. Must have been something in high school. I saw him play twice with Philly.

[@terrancevanliew1814]

What people don't realize about compilations like this is that the available footage of players before the 2000's is severely limited. I guarantee some of the dunks near the bottom of this list wouldn't be here if not for the small sample size.

[@FistNation]

#2 has got to be one of the greatest dunks I ever seen.. Right when I saw it i was like O.O

[@travistovey3736]

RIP. A legendary player a very nice guy and great character as well. Btw, He got really big hands like Dr. J. MJ and Wilt.

[@L4dude5]

what a beast, one of the best dunkers i have ever seen

[@MrAntiSellOut]

Chocolate Thunder. Gone but never forgotten.

[@robocat10]

I remember that last one. It was the best. Chocolate Thunder would try to dunk you and the ball if you got in his way.

[@DeeNice681]

Best in game dunking center ever, R.I.P. To Chocolate Thunder!

[@oleskool61]

I was a hugh fan of the 76er's before I became a Lakers fan. DAWKINS would post that big body down low and damn near drag the ball across the floor and then come up with a power dunk. Man he was strong. RIP Big Daddy D.

[@bladerunnergonzalez]

I saw him playing in Tracer Phillips Milan against Estudiantes Madrid in European championship during his last years playing... FANTASTIC DARRYL DAWKINS!!!!!! 💕💕😢😢

[@LizMichellePrim1993]

the # 4 and #3 dunk were insane😮. One of the best dunkers of all time 💪.

[@kingmessiah2234]

wow. the last 3 drunks. my jaw dropped

[@johntheprofessional5039]

It was clear, when Dawkins made up his mind to score... NO one could stop him. Very few players can decide when they're going to score, and how they want to do it. Rarity!

[@greatwhitesufi]

+king Messiah #7 for me, especially.

[@prince_sach50]

*dunks foo

[@master-kq3nw]

one of the best dunker ever

[@charleybarley914]

A Sixers fast break with the Doc on one wing, Bobby Jones on the other and Choc Thunder trailing was a sight to behold.

[@isotopefeeney]

because of the DD shattered backboards, the NBA changed the engineering of the hoops so they're now on springs (which you can see sometimes in current games: the hoop 'gives' a little bit during an an 'atomic' dunk). Fun fact: Too long a story to type here, but Darryl Dawkins picked up me and a buddy one time when we were hitchhiking (in New Jersey). Unbelievable that a zillionaire would do anything like that! I'm from Boston so I was a Celtics fan --- but after that, anytime DD was playing any other team, I was rooting for him. You always wanna think that the famous people you see on TV (sport or otherwise) are nice guys. He absolutely was !! PS he had a big car.

[@Dmdirmrjr33]

Yea sure . He picked me up too and took me to Disney land

[@isotopefeeney]

@@Dmdirmrjr33 I'm not makin' this up!! (But your response is one of the reasons I rarely tell these stories.) Didn't go to Disneyland - - - it was a short ride (to the nearest shuttlebus for the PATH train connecting NJ to NY). I don't post this anecdote to suggest how awesome I am, but how awesome a guy HE was for picking up a couple of guys he didn't know from 2 holes in the wall. [BTW, I didn't recognize who it was when I got into the car. My buddy sat in front, I got in the back. It was some kind of humongous landboat (a Lincoln TownCar or something), and as I got in the backseat I was surprised to find that I could barely fit 'cuz the front seat was pushed so far back, it was right up against my nose. Perplexed, I looked over the dividing seatback to see what was what, and I saw that the driver's legs (he was wearing shorts) were like two massive treetrunks. (I mean, you could tell that he was a big guy even sitting down , but not how long his legs were.) I remember thinking Man! This guy is HUGE!! Then he reached over to shake my hand and introduce himself. He was driving from NJ (I guess that's where he lived) to a kids summer basketball camp that he was associated with. [There's a tiny bit more to the story, but I'll wait until someone else disses me before I extrapolate.]

[@georgemallory797]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if it weren't for Chocolate Thunder there wouldn't have been a break away rim invented.

[@dietrichwilliams2913]

Darryl we miss these day's!, you where one of a kind brother!!!

[@jonathanwalls8849]

RIP Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins (1957-2015 ) He will be Missed

[@raskorak777]

Wow! I didn't know that this guy was such a beast! I have recently read the article about him, because i remember him from Europe - back in 1992 Euroleague semi-finals he played for Philips Milan against my team - Partizan Belgrade and commentator during the whole game talked about Dawkins and that is the essential to stop him in the paint. And we did it, and later we won the title :) It's a pity that a man who played with the legendary Dr. Irving didn't know when it's enough :(

[@geraldocesarrodrigues8285]

Darryl Dawkins, Dominique Willkins, Shawn Kemp e o melhor de todos em todos os tempos, Michael Jordan: Show, espetáculo. Amazing!

[@knoxharrington666]

...and Vince

[@geraldocesarrodrigues8285]

@@knoxharrington666 . Yés! Vince Carter; Darryl Dawkins; Dominique Wilkins; Shawn Kemp e Michael "Air" Jordan 23!

[@Panthro22]

The Original SHAQ!!! Double D......Darryl Dawkins....."Chocolate Thunder"! You will really be missed big man! RIP!

[@58dhart]

Damn Darryl. I don't think folks realize just how funky you were!! You definitely got yours Big Fella'! Madd respect RIP C.T.

[@shermanmiller3203]

Ain’t nothing like hearing Brent Musburger call a Sixers game, he was made for that Sixers team

[@bumpymandingo]

R.I.P. "Chocolate Thunder" has gone back to planet "LoveTron".

[@jordanjordan5630]

One of the best danker in basketball history. Also one of the most memorable player. And rimbraker of course. RIP

[@corkystorky]

I'm glad you cut it to 20, I mean he dunked 824 times doing the same thing

[@ericmcdowell5762]

I think it's "funny" when they say how tall B-ball players are. When I was in college, we played against IUPUI as a pre-game to a Sixers - Pacers game, in Indy, ... and Dawkins wasn't any taller than me, as our team stood in the tunnel where the Sixers came thru before getting on the court, and he walked right by me. I am 6'7", ... yet I was listed as 6'9" on our college roster.

[@lwmson]

Great raw talent, but I always maintained, and still do, that he should have played at least two years in college. if he did, he could have vastly developed his skills and would have become an NBA all-pro and a HOF player.

[@sundromos9456]

Agreed. But the financial difficulties of his family removed that option from the equation.

[@lwmson]

@@sundromos9456 True. IDK. He said himself once when asked if he ever regretted not going to college, "Not at all. I could have went to college, turned sour, and would have wound up with nothing at all," and he was right. And as he said before he died, "I may not ever make to the hall of fame, but I played 15 seasons in the NBA and five years of pro ball in Italy, so I must have done something right."

[@malibu4464]

Can you imagine a few years at UCLA being coached up? He would have been a monster.

[@Shawn-ho6de]

Wish I could have watched you play!! One of the original power players!

[@ripgreens1]

Mr. Dawkins changed the game of basketball. Collapsible rims were invented because of him. There was nothing better than watching a Celtics/Sixers game back in the day. RIP Mr. Dawkins.

[@pianotnt]

his nickname came from stevie wonder

[@pgo301]

JEEZ!!! I remember him coming out of high school around Orlando in the mid 70's to the pros. He was the talk of our high school in Bradenton, Florida long before the 76er's got him. The guy exceeded physical expectations and was ferocious on the offensive court. Nobody could stop him, would have liked to see him paired up with a much more offensive play-making guard like John Stockton or Magic!!

[@birmingham0613]

Cheeks was as good as either of those guys.

[@jimkana2351]

A true legend; the first to pass directly from hi-school to NBA; he has been really a 'natural' thunder!

[@gl6996]

What if he had played 2 yrs of college ball? Totally unstoppable

[@buddymilagro3295]

The very first man to dunk and shatter the backboard in the NBA called his jam "The Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam"... R.I.P Darrell. You will be missed.

[@stevenyoung6364]

Rest In Peace, Big Man.You were awesome&will be very missed-God Bless!

[@codeine_ninja]

Legend💗🔥 gone too soon :c

[@michaelrogers3331]

D. D. from Love Tron...R.I.P Double D. I'll wear his Jersey and treasure the time we spent at the vfw hall in vineland..you had to be there.

[@daveruegg6769]

The NBA lost a great one today... he brought such a unique blend of talent, size, athleticism and RAW POWER to the fame, not to mention his truly one of a kind personality. He had over 30 names for his dunk- like the spine chilla- thrilla, the thank you ma'am wham bam I am jam, the funk from yo mommas trunk... awesome dunk highlights way ahead of his time... Def going to play as him in NBA 2k tonite

[@trell1738prod]

1. Under Basket Rim Pulls 2. Under Basket Athletic Flushes 3. Back Scratchers Off Two 4. Side Arm Tomahawks 5. Athletic Front Tomahawks 6. Straight Arm Tomahawks 7. Windmills Off One 8. Athletic One Handers Off One

[@CNVRSKDAJW]

*Biggest Personalities Ever*...maybe a lil Immature (but he was straight out of High School) to Fame and Fortune! With a Boatload of Talent, *Force*, Sweet Jumper, *Power Dunker* and a *Legend*!...as I kid, I copied: The *One Hand Rebound* (On the Trampoline) the 2-Handed (take it behind your head) *RIM-ROCKA* *RIP DARRYL DAWKINS*...*I LOVE YOU, MAN*

[@therealoinjman]

Number one is out of this world.

[@mrthundaboots]

Darryl+Rainman+Shaq= badassery

[@lisahoward1754]

take your rest 'Chocolate Thunder' you will be miss

[@ReneeNme]

Darryl was a good friend of mine. He was in high school and I was in junior high. His nickname for me was "Little Buddy". 😁

[@rick188888]

One of the best dunkers of all time!

[@malibu4464]

Squawkin Dawkins! What a talent. Never lived up to his potential but it just wasn't meant to be. R.I.P.

[@kbw.rvwhntr]

Chocolate Thunder was in a class by himself. Rest eternally.

[@jayweewong]

So underrated

[@krlm2280]

Rip to one of the greatest dunkers and big men in history mr Darryl Dawkins the original backboard breaker I remember when shaq first came in the league he was compared to chocolate thunder Dawkins and Magic Johnson are probably the most beloved personalities in basketball history

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Humongous strength. Unbelievable.

[@THESNEAKERADDICT]

RIP

[@robertbrown1826]

Sir Slam R.I.P. Darryl Dawkins.

[@airkuna]

Whadda heck?? When was this??? 80's 70's ???? Maaaan some of these dunks were so tough and strong like dunks nowadays!!!!

[@Deucealive75]

4:05 is amazing! Sheer power. RIP Darryl.

[@muratseyification]

definitely facinating

[@damonrichardson8329]

Remember those sneakers they were wearing back then and they were still getting up.

[@tgpbegleri]

R.I.P. Chocolate Thunder

[@therealoinjman]

Had a really nice style with his Monster dunks.

[@1fatbiker]

RIP one of my favorites old schoolllllll