How Chocolate Thunder Got His Nickname – NBC Sports Philadelphia

I was lucky enough to sit down with Sixers legend Darryl Dawkins back in January of 2009 to chat about NBA nicknames, the game's best dunkers, etc.

But I was not wise enough to ask him about the origins of his "Chocolate Thunder" nickname. Thankfully, the hoops junkies at Dime Magazine know what they're doing.

Dime: How did the nickname Chocolate Thunder originate?

DD:
Stevie Wonder used to come theball games and they would have a guy
sitting with him. And the guy wouldbe holding on to his arm, telling
him what’s going on, and he wouldsay, “Hey, the big chocolate guy just
put down a thunder dunk. Thechocolate guy with another monster dunk.”
And Stevie Wonder actuallygave me the nickname Chocolate Thunder. So a
guy who never saw me cangive me that name. I think I can wear that
well. I don’t even know if heremembers, it’s been so long, but I’ll
keep that.

A truly amazing anecdote about one of the greatest nicknames ever.

Hat tip to TBJ.

>>Darryl Dawkins reveals the origin of his nickname and recalls his first dunk [DIME]

You can read our interview with Dawk from a couple of years ago here. It included the below video: