Most of you ABA and Denver Nuggets fans know that David Thompson's autobiography "Skywalker" was published late last year. It's a great read. However, many of you may not be aware of the amazing David Thompson documentary film ("Skywalker - The David Thompson Story"). The film was produced by Rick Clemens at TriMotion Films. It aired on the College Sports Television cable network earlier this year, but is now available on both DVD and VHS.

If you are an ABA fan, or just a Denver Nuggets fan, you must see this documentary. There lots of ABA photos (some from Remember the ABA). There are a few ABA video clips. You will also see numerous post-merger photos and video clips of D.T. (with the Nuggets) slamming dunks home over helpless opponents. They really searched the archives for these - many of the photos have never been published before. And, most of the video clips have not been seen since they originally aired the 1970's.

If you buy the documentary, I highly recommend the DVD version. The picture is great, plus the DVD has some "bonus extras" of interest to ABA fans. There is a special slide show with a wide variety of action photos from D.T.'s career. There is also some brief "bonus" footage of the famous slam dunk contest held at halftime of the 1976 ABA All-Star Game. The ABA dunk contest footage is new - it was discovered during the production of the documentary. You'll see Dr. J's free-throw line dunk (and three of his other dunks) from a brand-new angle. You'll also see some closeup film footage taken moments after the end of the dunk contest (including D.T., Byron Beck and a very, very young Larry Brown). The cost of the film (VHS or DVD) is $19.99 plus shipping/handling.

David Thompson

Nicknames: "Skywalker," "D.T."
Ht. 6-4
Wt. 195
College - North Carolina State
ABA Team: Denver (1975-76)

3-Time All-American at North Carolina State. Selected # 1 in the 1975 ABA Draft by the Virginia Squires. Selected # 1 in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. College Player of the Year in 1974. ABA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie team for 75-76. 75-76 ABA All-Star. MVP of 1976 All-Star Game. Famed for tremendous 42" vertical jump. Member of 75-76 ABA All-Pro Team. Member of Basketball Hall of Fame.

GP Min FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% TReb AST PF Stl Blk Pnts RPG APG PPG
Career ABA Totals 83 3101 807 1567 .515 3 19 .158 541 681 .794 525 308 282 136 102 2158 6.3 3.7 26.0
ABA Playoff Totals 13 508 127 237 .536 1 4 .250 88 105 .838 83 39 54 16 5 343 6.4 3.0 26.4
ABA All-Star Totals 1 34 9 18 .500 0 0 .000 11 13 .846 8 2 4 - - 29 8.0 2.0 29.0

MEMORIES OF AL HOFFMAN: "My favorite player was (and still is) "The Skywalker", David Thompson. I had a #33 jersey, his poster, the whole works. He was just such an exciting, explosive player. I got his autograph several times and he was always very gracious. He could do everything that Dr. J could in the air, and he was 3 or 4 inches shorter. What many people forget is that he was a good shooter. He had a great mid-range jumper. If you played too far off of him then he would drain the 15-20 foot J. But, if you got too close, he'd blow by you and create some great memories. I still remember listening to the final game of the 1978 season (after the merger), when he lit up the Detroit Pistons for 73 points. Seemingly, he had won the NBA scoring title until the Iceman dropped 60-something on the Jazz that same night to steal the title back. I remember consoling myself by saying: "At least David lost it to an ABA guy.""

MEMORIES OF SCOTT KNASTER: "It's largely forgotten now, but David Thompson was perhaps the greatest player in the game during his first two seasons, rivaling even Dr. J,before drugs destroyed his career. His first step could beat any player in either league, and his vertical leap was incredible. Although listed at 6'4", Thompson was more like 6'1" or 6'2", making his leaps and dunking all the more incredible."

MEMORIES OF KIM MERRILL: "My favorite ABA memory was attending the exhibition game between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors on October 10, 1975. The game was played at the Oakland Coliseum Arena, home of the NBA Warriors. The Nuggets won 111-107. I finally had the opportunity to see David Thompson play. I was a huge Thompson and NC State fan. This exhibition game featured both Thompson and his little guard, 5-7 Monte Towe, also from NC State. I was able to get both of their autographs during warm-ups that evening. Of course, everyone had heard and seen Thompson's leaping ability on TV (at least to some degree -- there was no ESPN back then!). But during warm-ups what we witnessed was astonishing. "Skywalker" Thompson was taking off from near the free-throw line and dunking. He also did a few 360 dunks. And he did them effortlessly. It really was an incredible sight to see."

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