Dan Majerle

From Hoopedia

Daniel Lewis Majerle (surname pronounced MAR-lee; b. September 9, 1965, Traverse City, Michigan) is an American former professional basketball player.

Known by his fans as "Thunder Dan" he played 14 years in the National Basketball Association, primarily with the Phoenix Suns, also with the Miami Heat and, briefly, the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his career, he was named to the All-Star team three times, and has the interesting distinction of having once been named an All-Star starter in a year in which he did not even start for his own team. In addition, he was named to the 1994 Dream Team, a team that dominated the 1994 World Championships.

Majerle starred for Traverse City High School (now Traverse City Central High School) and nearby Central Michigan University, where the Suns selected him 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 that they would be sorry they ever booed Dan Majerle. His prediction was evident throughout the years Majerle 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 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 the Suns greatest 3-point threat during their 90s playoff runs. Whenever he scored on a three-point shot in a home game, a deafening clap of thunder was played over the arena's sound system.

Majerle was inducted into the Suns' "Ring of Honor" on March 9, 2003. In 2006, Majerle was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

He currently provides color commentary as part of the Phoenix Suns broadcasting team and owns a popular bar and restaurant in downtown Phoenix named Majerle's.