Daniel Lewis Majerle (
/ˈmɑrliː/; born September 9, 1965) is a retired American professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. Known by his fans as "Downtown Dan," "Thunder Dan," and "Dan the Man," he played 14 years in the NBA, primarily with the Phoenix Suns, also with the Miami Heat and, briefly, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won a bronze medal with the US national team at the 1988 Summer Olympics, and won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.[1]
[edit] Biography
Majerle was born in Traverse City, Michigan. He starred for Traverse City High School (now Traverse City Central High School) and Central Michigan University.
The Phoenix Suns selected Majerle with the 14th pick of the 1988 NBA Draft, which the Suns acquired (along with Kevin Johnson) in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Larry Nance. During the draft, he was promptly booed when his name was announced over the public address system. Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons publicly chastised the Suns fans and told them "you'll be sorry you ever booed this young man". His prediction was evident as Majerle was one of the most popular players throughout the years he played in the NBA and was capped on April 17, 2002 when he officially retired in his second stint as a member of the Phoenix Suns.
His "Thunder Dan" nickname originated from his "thunderous" dunks in his early career, but as he grew older his style of play transitioned to that of a perimeter shooter and defensive specialist. He was one of the Suns' better 3-point threats during their '90s playoff runs.
Majerle found his niche as the sixth man off the bench. He was voted an all-star starter by the fans in 1995. He eventually made his way into the starting lineup and continued his great level of play there.
Majerle was inducted into the Suns' "Ring of Honor" on March 9, 2003. In 2006, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Majerle is currently an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns. He also owns three sports grill restaurants. His nephew, Ryan Majerle played for the 2011–12 University of Toledo Rockets men's basketball team[2] before deciding to transfer to Grand Valley State University.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Franchise |
|
|
| Arenas |
|
|
| D-League Affiliate |
|
|
| Culture & Lore |
|
|
| Ring of Honor & Retired Numbers |
|
|
| Hall of Famers |
|
|
| Key Personnel |
|
|
| Head Coaches |
|
|
Western Conference
Championships (2) |
|
|
Pacific Division
Championships (6) |
|
|
| Media |
|
|
|
|
|
| Related programs |
|
|
|
|
|
Lore
|
|
|
|
NBA Drafts
|
|
|
|
WNBA Finals
|
|
|
|
| Related articles |
|
|
| Commentators |
|
|
| Key figures |
|
|
| NBA Finals |
|
|
| All-Star Game |
|
|
| Music |
|
|
| Lore |
|
|
| Persondata |
| Name |
Majerle, Dan |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Basketball player |
| Date of birth |
September 9, 1965 |
| Place of birth |
Traverse City, Michigan |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
/ˈmɑrliː/; born September 9, 1965) is a retired American professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. Known by his fans as "Downtown Dan," "Thunder Dan," and "Dan the Man," he played 14 years in the NBA, primarily with the Phoenix Suns, also with the Miami Heat and, briefly, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won a bronze medal with the US national team at the 1988 Summer Olympics, and won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.[1]
