One of the most physically gifted players to ever lace up a pair of sneakers, In the era of the big man, he was above them all, soaring through the air as the Skywalker, but David Thompson wasn’t just a dunker. He along with a few others are credited with popularizing the dunk and the alley oop, but Thompson could score however he wanted to and was a perennial 25 point per game guy, who even dropped 73 points in an NBA game. On top of his great scoring, he was an underrated rebounder and one of the first guards who would consistently block shots as on top of being able to jump out the gym, he had hangtime for days and understood how to time his jumps. He lead the NC State Wolfpack to an undefeated season in 1973 and then the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 1974. In 1975, he was drafted first overall to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, and the ABA’s Virginia Squires. He would ultimately end up in the NBA where he became one of the top players along with guys like Julius Erving (Dr. J), George Gervin (The Iceman) and Artis Gilmore (A-Train). However the following season the ABA had merged with the NBA as Thompson’s Denver Nuggets had been absorbed into the league. So, Denver’s great trio of Thompson, Dan Issel and Bobby Jones would help the Nuggets remain a top team even in the NBA. But as time went on, trades happened and eventually the team moved on in a different direction with Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe. But during his Denver days, Thompson had began to struggle with Cocaine which led to a serious addiction that derailed a career with incredible potential. He still gave fans a lot of great basketball, but he spent his last two season with the Seattle Supersonics as a shell of his former self, still struggling with addiction, before a fall down some stairs during a nightclub fight in 1984 destroyed his knee and ended his career. As David Thompson was done playing professional basketball at the age of 29, but when you’re the player that Michael Jordan Idolized, that says everything one needs to know about your game.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/genuine-colour/borrowed-perspective
License code: KM6PUEOIEPBY9PST
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
20 Comments
The OG nuggets goat. Seeing Jamal and Skywalker holding the trophy after game 5 of the finals was such a legendary moment.
I watched DT as a Sonic. I could easily tell he was on drugs as he would inexplicably lose the ball dribbling up the court on his own
It sucks that drugs and the 1984 injury ruined his career. David Thompson deserves his flowers.
I went to school with his daughters. He's an unbelievable person, got the chance to know him, and play with him in pick-up games. My high school coach was his teammate Bobby Jones. Great character guys for a young black kid.
Finally!!!!!!
You can tell Michael Jordan modeled his game after David "Skywalker" Thompson, especially his college game, David Thompson and DrJ were the first players with hang time!
David and Dr J duels in the old ABA are some of my fondest memories. One of the all time greats that doesn’t get discussed enough in my opinion.
So, you outlaw dunking to keep Kareem from dominating the sport with no unfair advantage, just his God-given ability?? Wonder if they ever considered outlawing home runs in baseball since Babe Ruth was hitting more than anyone?
he has no jump !!!
Excellent video! Here are few other old school names I'd love to see featured: Buck Williams, Sleepy Floyd, Kiki Vandeweghe, Kelly Tripucka, John Bagley (deep cut), Jeff Malone, and Terry Cummings.
I saw him smack Dr. J 'sstuff back Lmmfaoooo 😆😆😆😆
Great story one hell of a player do you have a story on Michael Ray Richardson🤔
David Thompson: Only player to get Game MVP in the ABA AND NBA All-Star Game.
Great job on this documentary. If you haven’t already you should make one like this on Spencer Haywood.
larry brown just leaves teams high and dry when adversity rises, NBA franchises kept hiring him he's vastly overrated
Most don't know that he had locked down the starting SG spot with the Pacers in '85 before the public intoxication charge, which from the few accounts I've ever read was a bs charge. He was tearing it up in Indy trading camp and then they just cut him. I want to say Donnie Walsh was the Pacers coach then.
🐺 N.C. STATE great. Still the best player ever from the state of N.C.
Michael Jordan WHO ? 🐺
Plain and simple, for his competition, DT WAS A PROBLEM!!!
5:18 he tries to block a shot and falls over another player's shoulder… damn…
Of course I know about Skywalker David Thompson that is Michael Jordan idol the greatest leaper in history the man was a beast he was the reason we know about vertical leap and the alley opp heart broke knowing that he didn't finish his career due to drugs