Despite being an NBA journeyman, Adrian Dantley continued to perform wherever he played. He deserves more credit than he’s often given.
The Buffalo Braves drafted Adrian Dantley with the sixth overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft. He joined Bob McAdoo and Randy Smith, and immediately earned his spot by putting up 20.3 PPG his rookie year and shooting 52% from the field. He also won Rookie of the Year honors.
A.D. in Utah (photo courtesy Yahoo! Sports)
The future looked a bit brighter for Buffalo fans, but the front office didn’t feel the same. Dantley was traded to the Indiana Pacers before the 1977-1978 season. It was Buffalo’s loss and Indiana’s gain. Dantley averaged 26.5 in 23 games, but evidently it wasn’t enough. The Pacers traded him to the Lakers for the remainder of the season
Dantley’s time in LA was so-so, largely because the same reference fit the team overall. On the trade block once again, Dantley was dealt to the Utah Jazz, and the third time turned out to be the charm. Right off the bat, Dantley led the Jazz with 28 PPG, hit nearly 60% from the field, and earned one of his multiple All-Star nods. Dantley had arrived as one of the NBA’s elites.
Six more seasons in Salt Lake City followed, including four straight 30-plus PPG seasons, five more All-Star nods, multiple MVP votes, and two All-NBA 2nd Team nominations. Unfortunately, Dantley ended his tenure with the team without achieving real playoff success. But even better times lay ahead.
Dantley vs. Bird (photo courtesy 70s Fan on YouTube)
In 1986, Utah traded him to Detroit, where he joined Isaiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Joe Dumars. Dantley instantly found success, averaging 21.5 PPG and helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics. Boston eliminated Detroit in seven games, but they looked to run it back. The following season yielded 20 PPG from Adrian as well as more MVP votes. But the undeniable peak was an NBA Finals berth against Dantley’s former team, the Lakers, even though LA prevailed in seven games.
On the road once again, in midseason 1988-1989, Detroit sent Dantley to the Mavericks for Mark Aguirre. That move sparked a decades-long rivalry between Isaiah Thomas and Dantley. A.D. believed the Pistons forced him out so Thomas could get more of the spotlight and also be reunited with his old friend Aguirre. The teeth-grinding conclusion for Dantley that season was how things turned out for Detroit — an NBA Championship.
Making things worse, the trade was the beginning of the end for Dantley’s NBA career. He finished out the 1988-1989 season, played one more season in Dallas, played one year with Milwaukee, and then headed overseas to play in Italy.
All in all, A.D. had a remarkable career that could have been even better if he hadn’t been a trade pawn for multiple NBA franchises. Still, his play made him a standout during that NBA era. He is a name to remember.
