“Get tough, X! Get tough, X!”

That’s one of my favorite quotes and moments from the classic NBA Super Slam VHS tape from the late 80s. The man saying it was my favorite X-Man ever: Xavier McDaniel!

The 4th pick by the Sonics in the 1985 Draft was one of the toughest players the league has ever seen and a very underrated one too. X was capable of putting up 20 and 10 on a nightly basis while playing alongside scoring machine/All-Star forward Tom Chambers. He did make one All-Star appearance (1988) before becoming a mentor for future All-Star forward Shawn Kemp during the Reign Man’s rookie season.

X also gave some advice during his great cameo in the Generation X film Singles. Too bad that trick didn’t work for Kemp.

X bounced around in the 90s with the Suns, Knicks, Celtics and Nets but it’s the Sonic X that will always be one of my favorite characters of all-time.