By Rigas Dardalis/ Dardalis@eurohoops.net
Nowadays few are aware of how great a player Dan Roundfield was. Even fewer know that the man who gave us the honour at Εurohoops.net to talk about the late great forward of the Hawks, was the one that took under his wing Dominique Wilkins, when the latter began his career in the NBA. Armond Hill is widely known as one of the best assistant coaches in the NBA, sitting next to Doc Rivers on Boston’s bench since 2004, but at the same time is a person who carries decades of experiences and knows quite a few interesting stories from the magic world of the NBA.
“We called him Rounds. Great guy, great teammate, great competitor. Loved to dunk with his left hand. Great finisher! It was sad to hear about his death”, was the first comment made by coach Hill regarding his teammate in Atlanta from 1978 to 1980.
Roundfield played from 1975 to 1987 in the ABA and the NBA and his most successful stint was in Atlanta. During his seasons with the Hawks, he played 3 times in the All Star Game, he was also selected 3 times in the best defensive team and another two times in the second All NBA team.
Armond Hill narrated to Εurohoops.net an interesting story with Dan Roundfield and Julius Erwing.
“We were playing the Sixers with Dr. J in Atlanta. The game was basically over…about 7 seconds left in the game. We were winning by 15 pts. Dr. J caught the ball at half court…they both caught each others eyes. Rounds was standing under the rim…Dr. J took off to the basket for one of his famous tomahawk- windmill dunks. A mano e mano moment! Rounds and Dr. J met in mid air at the peak of their jump…Rounds blocked the dunk and slammed it down to the floor. The place erupted. The fans went crazy. The horn went off and Rounds followed Dr. J, talkin’ smack to the visitors locker room. My first reaction was WOW! My second thought was why did he chase Dr. J to the locker room. Bad move! As fate would have it, we played the Sixers a week later in Philly. I guess Dr. J remembered the moment and scored 40 pts that night with an array of thunderous dunks, windmills and everything else the good doctor could think of. Needless to say, we lost. I (we) learned a valuable lesson. Never embarrass Dr. J!”.
Roundfield was a great competitor until the last moment of his life. He drowned on August 6th at a beach in Arumba, after he saved his wife’s life…