As The Denver Nuggets Celebrate NBA Title, A Meadowlark Documentary Feature Will

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EXCLUSIVE: As Denver throws a parade for the Nuggets, who just captured their first NBA championship after 47 seasons in the league, a new documentary project is poised to shine a light on one of the team’s all-time greats.

David Thompson, a star for the Nuggets for eight seasons as well as a force in college basketball with the 1974 national-champion North Carolina State Wolfpack, is the subject of the film from Meadowlark and Backstage Media.

In college, Thompson led NC State to the NCAA championship over Bill Walton and seven-time defending champion, UCLA, in 1974.

He went on to play seven seasons for the Nuggets and two in Seattle, averaging more than 22 points per game during his NBA career. He was one of basketball’s premier dunkers in the 1970s, earning himself the nickname of “Skywalker.” Basketball analysts have declared he was Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan. To Jordan, Thompson was his idol, he was also one of Jordan’s inductors into the Hall of Fame.

However, when the NBA unveiled its 75 Greatest Players list in 2021, Thompson’s name was nowhere to be found. “David Skywalker,” a player who had once scored an effortless 73 points in a single game fell from the rare air of greatness. Addiction plagued his career, and after eight seasons cocaine, alcohol and injury forced it to be over.

In 1996, Thompson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to his impactful career and the milestone of overcoming his demons.

“Watching David Thompson on TV, when he starred at North Carolina State, was my introduction to the beauty of above the rim basketball,” said George. “His professional career coincided with the ABA/NBA merger and the transformation of the game. I am honored to be part of introducing his vital legacy to the current generation of basketball fans.”

“David Thompson was my favorite player growing up and I still believe he is a candidate for the best non-center college basketball player of all time,” said Meadowlark CEO, John Skipper. “It is labor of love to have the opportunity to participate in telling his remarkable story.”

“My fondest basketball memories are of David Thompson, whether it was watching him lead NC State to the title in 1974, sneaking into Denver’s McNichols Arena to see him defy gravity or conversing with Michael Jordan about his idol’s greatness, said Backstage Managing Partner, John Marvel.” “There is no better time than now for an audience to learn the legend of David Skywalker.”

Meadowlark and Backstage will explore the rise and fall of David Thompson’s career as the 50th anniversary of NC State’s title approaches in 2024. Thompson left an indelible mark on the NBA, not known to most because of its premature ending.

Nelson George is an award-winning filmmaker. He has directed several documentaries including Finding the…