I always like Adrian Dantley’s game. He played bigger than his height and had no problem playing with the big boys underneath the basket, yet he could take you from out side as well as post you up in close.
He was well travelled and yet not respected enough for his all round game. His number 4 was retired by the Utah Jazz so go figure.
In the 1976 NBA draft Dantley was drafted sixth overall by the Buffalo Braves.( Which is now the Los Angeles Clippers.) He became the third Buffalo player in five years to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award when he won it after the 1977 season.
Dantley was bounce around the league with stops in Indiana, Los Angeles (Lakers) before really settling in with the Jazz.
In Utah, Dantley reached his peak establishing his reputation as a prolific scorer, twice leading the league in scoring (in 1981 and 1984). He averaged over 30 points per game each season between 1981 and 1984, though he missed 60 games in 1983 after tearing ligaments in his right wrist. In his seven years with the Jazz, Dantley picked up all six of his All-Star appearances and two All-NBA second-team honors. Dantley’s 1980–1984 seasons include two of the top three and four of the top seven spots in true shooting percentage for players averaging at least 30 points per game.Utah traded Dantley to the Detroit Pistons after the 1986 season. Dantley was still an effective scorer but did not get as many shots with Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson and Bill Laimbeer all averaging at least 10 points per game. Midway through the 1989 season Detroit traded Dantley to the Dallas Mavericks for Mark Aguirre.
Dantley played two more seasons in the NBA before retiring after a 10-game stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1991.
Dantley finished his career with an average of 24.3 points per game.
For his career, he shot .540 from the floor — 16th in NBA history — and .818 from the free throw line. He led the league in free throws six times and ranks ninth all-time in that category. He shares the record with Wilt Chamberlain for most free throws made in a regular-season NBA game with 28.
Smallthoughts: Old School Tuesday spotlights…Adrian Dantley.
| Career history | |
|---|---|
| 1976–1977 | Buffalo Braves |
| 1977 | Indiana Pacers |
| 1977–1979 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1979–1986 | Utah Jazz |
| 1986–1989 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1989–1990 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 1990–1991 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 23,177 (24.3 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 5,455 (5.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,830 (3.0 apg) |
smallthoughtsinasportsworld 
I emulated AD’s shooting style for a spell when I was in high school. It was some kind of funk with a side of super fly, and I got it down pretty good too. Except for the part where the ball went swish . . . except for that part.
Wow lol now that’s a good one. The thing with A.D. he was not a leap out of gym jumper but he rebounded and was tough among the bigs.
I loved A.D.
Jamaal Wilkes of the Lakers was another dude I emulated. That rainbow jumper was classic.
Yes it was…he was a complete player
I loved the early ’80s Lakers of Wilkes and Nixon. Before Scott came aboard and it became Showtime. That ’80 squad that beat the Sixers was a lot of fun.
Magic had a lot to do with that filling for Kareem scoring 42 points and filling up that stat sheet
Yes he did. Magic playing center. The man could do it all.
LeBron before LeBron