Daryl Dawkins

New Jersey Nets
6-11 275 Center

His back gave out for the second straight season, although last year's injury was in a different place than the one that limited him to 39 games in 1984-85... Was injured Feb. 4 against Pacers... Missed 15 games, played 5 minutes in one, then sat out last 16... Missed first playoff game, scored 10 points in second, and sat out finale... Problem manifested itself in groin area, but emanated from back... Saw battery of physicians, who finally decided he needed surgery... Started three games, then came off the bench, with Mike Gminski becoming starter... Flourished in new role, averaging 15.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg while shooting .644 from floor... Field-goal accuracy would have won league crown, but he didn't have enough baskets to qualify... Has one season left on contract, so it's no play, no pay... Born Jan. 11, 1957, in Orlando, Fla.... Nets can't win without him: they were 10-21 when he sat and 29-22 when he played... Drafted out of high school as No. 5 overall by Philadelphia in 1975... Dealt to Nets for first-round pick and cash prior to 1982-83.

Relevant Stats:
15.3 ppg, 64.4 FG%, 4.92 rpg