This Day in Basketball History

1954 - David Thompson is born

David Thompson, a five-time All-Star and first overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft, is born in Shelby, North Carolina. 

Thompson would enjoy a dynamite start to his career, averaging better than 24 points per game in each of his first four seasons, all of them earning him All-Star nods. He was named to the All-NBA first team twice, and was the 1975-76 Rookie of the Year. 

A decorated college athlete, Thompson won 1973-74 AP Player of the Year, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, 1974-75 AP Player of the Year, and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, along with being named a first team All-American three straight years. 

2010 - Mavericks trade for Tyson Chandler

The Charlotte Bobcats trade Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to the Dallas Mavericks for Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera and cash. 

Chandler would become a gigantic piece of the puzzle for the Mavericks, starting 74 games and shooting 65.4 percent from the field while providing stellar rim protection. 

The defense and high-efficiency scoring prove to be the elixir for a Mavericks team that had struggled to make the next step as a franchise. The Mavs cruise through the Trail Blazers, Lakers, and Thunder in the Western Conference before beating LeBron James and the Miami Heat in six games to capture the franchise's first championship. 

2013 - Dwight Howard chooses Houston

After plenty of speculation and plane-chasing, free agent center Dwight Howard signs with the Houston Rockets, ending his brief one-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Howard averaged 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per games in his first season with Rockets, making his eighth straight All-Star appearance. 

Unfortunately for D12 and the Rockets, they would bow out of the playoffs after six games, losing to the Portland Trail Blazers despite a 54-win regular season. 

Birthdays

1931 - Frank Ramsey

1954 - David Thompson

1963 - Spud Webb