Mark Eaton Dies

[Carolina Speed]

Didn't see anyone post this. Mark Eaton passed away on may 28th. Apparently he died from complications after a bicycle crash. He was 64. He spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz. Led the league in blocks four times and his average of 5.6 per game in 84-85 remains the highest average ever. His career blocks average, 3.51 is the best in NBA history.

 

[Phall]

RIP! Eaton had an impressive career as one of the best defensive centers ever. In 1985, he averaged 5.61 blocks per game!

Despite his imposing size (7'4, 275 lbs) and instant impact, Eaton's NBA career almost never came to pass. He was not recruited out of high school and barely played at UCLA after transferring there out of junior college. In 1982, the Jazz selected him in the 4th round (72nd overall, undrafted by today's standard). He immediately set the franchise record for blocks.

Eaton was a popular figure in Utah and seems to have been universally beloved. He played on some great Jazz teams against some of the best centers in history. He's as worthy a future Hall of Fame induction as Ben Wallace, in my opinion.

 

[icsept]

How bizarre. First Sean Bradley, now Mark Eaton?

 

[Booth]

How bizarre. First Sean Bradley, now Mark Eaton?

How bizarre. First Sean Bradley, now Mark Eaton?

Bizarre is exactly the right word insept. I don't know any of the details but what are the odds that two 7'4" people get into bicycle accidents?

 

[DWF Upside]

Bizarre is exactly the right word insept. I don't know any of the details but what are the odds that two 7'4" people get into bicycle accidents?

In Utah, nonetheless. Bill Walton’s a huge bike rider. If he gets mowed down before covering a Jazz playoff game we get a zodiac type killer of 7 footers in Utah bike riders. Luckily for the general public there might not be another 7 foot bike rider in the state. RIP Eaton, shocking a giant like that couldnt get one D1 scholarship. Almost like there is a bigger trend at work.

 

[Bucky]

Those Blocks Per Game stats are no joke! RIP

 

[Don Wassall]

He was a beast on defense. RIP

 

[white is right]

He was discovered by accident supposedly a coach for a local junior college was getting work on his car and out popped 7' 4" Mark... He was the greatest down low presence of his era, if Wallace and Mutumbo are in the hall of fame then he deserves to be in the conversation.

I don't have details on his death and injuries to Bradley but maybe the awkward angle that a 7'+ plus man has to have to cycle would make them more vulnerable for a bad accident.

 

[The Hock]

I watched Eaton play at the Salt Palace. You had to see him in person to appreciate what a big player he was. Along with being a legit 7'4" he had a 7'6" wingspan. And he had good instincts and timing to go along with his physical advantages. I suspect some of his blocks came from players thinking this chump ain't going to block me. And then he would block them.

I wonder if a car was involved. I used to ride my bike to work but with the rampant phone addiction (idiots texting as they drive) I've given that up.

 

[Extra Point]

He was discovered by accident supposedly a coach for a local junior college was getting work on his car and out popped 7' 4" Mark... He was the greatest down low presence of his era, if Wallace and Mutumbo are in the hall of fame then he deserves to be in the conversation.

I don't have details on his death and injuries to Bradley but maybe the awkward angle that a 7'+ plus man has to have to cycle would make them more vulnerable for a bad accident.

Very tall people can be injured or killed on bicycles. I know of a case where a 6 foot 8 man was riding down a hill on a bicycle when his bike flipped forward. Unfortunately he was killed.

 

[white is right]

I watched Eaton play at the Salt Palace. You had to see him in person to appreciate what a big player he was. Along with being a legit 7'4" he had a 7'6" wingspan. And he had good instincts and timing to go along with his physical advantages. I suspect some of his blocks came from players thinking this chump ain't going to block me. And then he would block them.

I wonder if a car was involved. I used to ride my bike to work but with the rampant phone addiction (idiots texting as they drive) I've given that up.

I grew up close to a former rural area that became an outer suburb when I was in high school. Literally you took your life into your hands when you rode your bike or even walked in the outer suburb area as cars weren't accustomed to bikes or pedestrians and would make turns and not look in their mirrors for either mode of traffic as virtually nobody used them.

As crazy as it looks but urban areas IMO are safer to cycle because drivers are accustomed to more bicycles and foot traffic and are mindful of other modes of transportation.

 

[The Hock]

I didn't realize that Shawn Bradley's accident paralyzed him.