Associated PressThe demise of the famed Washington Generals, last week, brought back memories for me. Not memories of the Generals. I barely recall a thing about them which was always the point.
You never watch a comedy gig to see the straight man.
It was Valentines Day, 1995. My wife wanted to go out to dinner. So did I, but not as much as I wanted to interview Darryl Dawkins.
I figured I could buy her some chocolate candy any time, but how often would I get Chocolate Thunder for an interview? Dawkins was playing for the Globetrotters and they were in Salt Lake for a night.
I got to the Delta Center and tried to find a PR person. I dont recall ever seeing one. So I went in the locker room before the game and there was Dawkins, the man who named one of his dunks the Chocolate-Thunder-Flyin', Robinzine-Cryin', Teeth-Shakin', Glass-Breakin', Rump-Roastin', Bun-Toastin', Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am.
He was as funny as I expected. I appreciated that even though his NBA career was finished, the entertainment wasnt. He played right along. Then I went out into the stands and watched half the game. The gags were the same as always, but they still made me laugh.
I didnt give a second thought to the Generals. They had done their job become completely invisible.
For that, they deserve a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Chocolate Thunder? He belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of Great Interviews.