DANTLEY JACOB LEWIS
Like most of us, someday you will probably wonder how you got your name... so here is the story:
Your Dad and I like to have a list of names and wait until we actually see the new baby before we choose. That way if our favorite name doesn't seem to fit we have some back ups.
There were several names on our list before we ever thought of Dantley.
One we both liked was Marius from Le Miserables, another one we agreed on was Grant.
Your Dad also liked Dante and Dominique
and I liked Garrett, Brennan, Byron and Asher.
Trey was pushing for Marshmallow Sticks, but much to his dismay, we never added it to our list.
When I was younger my favorite name was Adrian. I thought I would use it for a girl someday, but one of my cousins used it and after that I didn't like it as much. The reason I liked Adrian is a whole story of its own. My family, especially my dad, were huge fans of the Utah Jazz. Occasionally we even drove from our home in Green River, WY to Salt Lake City to watch games live. Before the Stockton to Malone era, Adrian Dantley was my favorite Jazz player. I liked him so much that I became a Detroit Pistons fan after he was traded in 1986. Dantley played for the Utah Jazz from 1979 until 1986 (Stockton was drafted to the Jazz in 1984 and Malone was drafted in 1985). Also know as A.D., Dantley wore knee high socks and was a scoring machine. He was the first player that I actually could watch for the duration of an entire game. My love of the game likely was kindled in those early years watching Jazz games.
"In Utah Dantley reached his peak establishing his reputation as a prolific scorer, twice leading the league in scoring (in 1981 and 1984). He averaged over 30 points per game each season between 1981 and 1984. In his seven years with the Jazz, Dantley picked up all six of his All-Star appearances and two All-NBA second-team honors. Utah traded Dantley to the Detroit Pistons after the 1986 season. Dantley was still an effective scorer but did not get as many shots with Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson and Bill Laimbeer all averaging at least 10 points per game. Midway through the 1989 season Detroit traded Dantley to the Dallas Mavericks for Mark Aguirre. Dantley played two more seasons in the NBA before retiring after a 10-game stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1991. (wikipedia)" He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
One day while Jake and I were discussing names, one of us mentioned that we really liked surnames. I remembered how I used to love the name Adrian and half jokingly said -- "We could name him Dantley." We both stopped for a second and Jake said "I actually really like that." I really liked it too, and the more we thought about it the more it grew on us. Once we coupled it with Jacob as a middle name it stayed number one on our name list for the rest of my pregnancy. Jake has always been against giving one of his sons his name as a first name -- too much confusion with two in the house, and he is not a big fan of using junior -- but as a middle name there were no arguments.
So after waiting to meet you and see your little face the name was easily agreed upon and Dantley Jacob it is. We think the name has a great ring to it, but are more excited about who you are. You are such a wonderful addition to our family and joy to have around. I know you will have your own talents and attributes and we can't wait to see them develop and be part of your life. We love you little D man.
