Poster Review: "Chocolate Thunder" Nike Poster

I'm not exactly sure whether this Darryl Dawkins poster is scary, cool or just scary cool. They're your eyes, so I apologies in advanced, but checkout those ridiculously short shorts. Even considering the shorts, this is a pretty great 80's Nike poster. I love the old school pair of Nikes Dawkins is rockin'. Plus, checkout Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins holding a rim in his hand. He looks like he just tore the entire rim off and shattered the glass of a basketball hoop. Oh wait, he did…twice.

Dawkins came right out of high school and joined the NBA before it was fashionable or even really tolerated to take such a huge leap. He was drafted 5th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, and had an up and down professional career most notably with the Philadelphia 76ers. His tenure in Philadelphia produced four trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and one trip to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the 76ers could never close the deal during that stretch. Dawkins was eventually traded to the New Jersey Nets after the '82 season. With a revamped team that now featured Moses Malone, the 76ers were able to finally get over the hump and win the '83 NBA Championship.

The Nike "Chocolate Thunder" poster came out right at the beginning of the 80's and is highly representative of the flamboyant Walt "Clyde" Frazier 70's NBA that preceded the posters release. The "Love Tron" shirt Dawkins is wearing is pretty crazy too. I also like that the poster celebrates the most enduring aspect of Dawkins' tenure in the Association as a dunker.

This is one cool poster. It's difficult to find vintage copies of, but it can be added to the collection a patient collector. They show up on eBay usually once a month, and typically sell for right around $15 - $25. If you do add this classic 80's Nike poster to your collection, make sure to enjoy your time on Planet Love Tron.