(Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The image that endures to this day is of a man-child detonating a thunderclap dunk that brings down a shower of backboard glass while defenders scurry for cover and the crowd erupts in awe.
Darryl Dawkins, dunkateer extraordinaire and amateur poet, lovingly christened his master work:
Chocolate Thunder flyin',
Robinzine cryin',
Teeth shaking',
Glass breakin',
Rump roastin',
Bun toastin',
Glass breaker,
Wham bam, I am Jam.
Say that real fast 10 times.
Darryl Dawkins oozed charisma. He was glib, with a DJ's patter.