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Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American former professional basketball player. Regarded as one of the most influential basketball players of all time,[1][2][3] Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA)[4] and was the best-known player in that league when it merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the 1975-76 season.
Erving won three championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and three scoring titles with the ABA's Virginia Squires and New York Nets (now the NBA's Brooklyn Nets) and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. During his 16 seasons as a player, none of his teams ever missed the postseason. He is the eighth-highest scorer in ABA/NBA history with 30,026 points (NBA and ABA combined). He was well known for slam dunking from the free-throw line in slam dunk contests and was the only player voted Most Valuable Player in both the ABA and the NBA. The basketball slang of being posterized was first coined to describe his moves.
Erving was inducted in 1993 into the Basketball Hall of Fame and was also named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. In 1994, Erving was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the 40 most important athletes of all time. In 2004, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.
Many consider him one of the most talented players in the history of the NBA; he is widely acknowledged as one of the game's best dunkers. While Connie Hawkins, "Jumping" Johnny Green, Elgin Baylor, Jim Pollard, and Gus Johnson performed spectacular dunks before Erving's time, Erving brought the practice into the mainstream.[5] His signature dunk was the "slam" dunk, since incorporated into the vernacular and basic skill set of the game in the same manner as the "crossover" dribble and the "no look" pass. Before Erving, dunking was a practice most commonly used by the big men (usually standing close to the hoop) to show their brutal strength which was seen as style over substance, even unsportsmanlike, by many purists of the game.[6] However, the way Erving utilized the dunk more as a high-percentage shot made at the end of maneuvers generally starting well away from the basket and not necessarily a "show of force" helped to make the shot an acceptable tactic, especially in trying to avoid a blocked shot.[7] Although the slam dunk is still widely used as a show of power, a method of intimidation, and a way to fire up a team (and spectators), Erving demonstrated that there can be great artistry and almost balletic style to slamming the ball into the hoop, particularly after a launch several feet from that target.[
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Nice throwing some shine at the baddest man ever to lace them up,I know I witnessed it.M.j is my goat but doc was my hero.big ups bruh
Btw I subscribed only cause that #10 UTEP 2step jersey,I'm bay blood to me the quickest crossover ever they named it "Killa".Tim was my guy.Run tmc was my life at the hat time as a teen.Do 1 when run DMC opened up that playoff game surprisenly like.They lost but that was epic.
Doctor J, the first modern day Skywalker. The man stayed in the air for days. What class.
Connie Hawkins?
Elgin Baylor, Connie Hawkins, Johnny Green, Gus Johnson, Doctor J, David Thompson, Dominique Wilkins... Doc was incredible, BUT he wasn't the first or ONLY. Those huge hands gave him a definite edge though. Finally, listening to Charles describe the Sixers he was drafted to, is this the same guy that said he didn't have any other players and that was why he never won? 😆 Please...
@@oldschoolruler The timing was bad for the Sixers Barkley went to. After the '83 Season, Andrew Toney would only play another 236 games over the next 5 Seasons before retiring in 1988 at 30 years of age. Doc(13th), Bobby Jones(10th) and Moses(10th) were all ABA Transplants. Great Players but Doc and Jones had "REAL MAN" Miles on them and that was Toney's last, truly healthy year. Barkley came off HARD AF right into the league and I had hope for them too, then again I was 16/17 years old and saw the handwriting on the wall when Toney couldn't recover. Lakers/Celtics/Detroit ran the table the first 6 years of his career and the it was Da' Bulls turn to tenderize the NBA. LOL! Barkley hurt his own chances by overzealous celebrating and injuring Kevin Johnson's knee when they were both in Pheonix. THAT! was his best chance.
@@oldschoolrulerDr. Dunkinstine! #35 Utah Jazz!
Dr. J CARRIED the NBA in the late 70’s until Magic and Larry showed up. They don’t come any more OG than Doc. He was the class of the league
Carried the ABA, too.
@@richdouglas2311 he was the ABA.
@@jmad627 No argument there.
I remember when the 76 ers were coming to town the tickets were sold out because of the Dr, he packed the arenas across the country, to see this spectacular player
For all of the talk about Jordan being the greatest, and he may very well be, it’s good to hear MJ talk about how great he thinks the Dr. really was. Very classy, Michael.
Magic is absolutely right. The Doctor made the game beautiful.
...and Maravich.
@@fretfix1 100%
Dr. J captured my generation's imagination! He was out of this world.
I don’t think today’s generation will ever understand just how great and iconic Dr. J was When you try to tell them it almost sounds fictional
And sadly it's becoming that way more and more with Jordan too. Their stories have to be kept alive I guess. Memories are short. I'm always telling people "Watch their highlights, watch their highlights."
Well, Jordan pretty much was inspirational in the same way. He was a bit smaller than Doc, but there's enough footage of him that people can get it, I think.
He was the Greatest of All Time and conducted himself with such class!
I’d say Wilt was but growing up The Dr. Was a close second.
@@DWilliam1 yup picking any one player (other than MJ) as the GOAT is a tough one and open to debate... Bill Russel anybody?
@@bradlywiebe3673 in his era definitely It's an era thing, period. No one is the best of all time of all eras, that's just impossible
That's right!!!
@@bradlywiebe3673 there is no question who the greatest of all time is, Wilt Chamberlain. look up the record books. not team stuff. jordan didnt win crap until he had great players around him the nba had to change the rules for Chamberlain becuase no one could stop him, they tried to make it tougher for him. they changed the rules for jordan because he couldn't play within them.
Before there was Michael. Before there was Lebron. Before there was Kobe. There was the doctor. Fluid strength. Ballet on the court. My father who was 61 in 1977 and was watching Julius play remarked "I've never seen anyone do that with a basketball before". Pure talent ahead of its time. Classy guy as well.
The Doctor is THE ONE who raised pro basketball to the level with the the NFL and MLB
Doc changed everything The game was never the same after him
The Doc and his ABA brethren were the shot in the arm that the NBA needed in the late 70s. They played a style of ball that was so much more entertaining while also displaying such a higher degree of athleticism.
The mid 70's Celtics played the running game to perfection. They were ridiculously entertaining.
Nobody played like the Doctor. He was easily the most exciting player ever. Could do anything and his athletic ability was second to none.
I just watched his life story. What amazes me beyond belief is what he achieved with so much class during the 60's. Think about the time and the landscape. So much against him. He was staying in black only hotels and going to black bathrooms. Vietnam, Martin Luther King. The riots. Fukkk it goes on and on. Insane what he achieved and was still the best to ever do it. He did it all with hard work dedication and talent. His work ethic was second to none. He is the God father of basketball and the goat. Without him there is no Michael Jordan. He changed the game.
He was Mike's predecessor. Dr. Jay was walking on air before there was a Michael Jordan.
Saw him play in the ABA. Played like nobody else because of his athleticism and those huge hands. Ballet
@@michaelholden1239 not the 60s but the 70s
He power gripped the basketball with either hand, like it was an Orange!
Doctor J was poetry in motion
Grover Washington Jr composed an instrumental tune in Doc’s honor: “Let It Flow”!
Doctor was the Godfather of the dunks. And a class act. Everybody loved Doctor J
Like many other brothas born in the 60's & 70's, Dr. J was THE MAN!!
Absolutely!
I'm grew up a Doctor J Fan!!!! 🏀🏀⛹🏾♂️
Dr J was barely born in the 1950s what are you talking about he surely wasn't born in the 60s or 70s in fact he missed the 1940s by less than 2 months. He was born in February of 1950
@@theesotaricitalian6338 I think he was referring to himself.
@@theesotaricitalian6338 I was referring to me being born in 1971 ;-)
I just love how friendly and full of respect Bill Walton always talks about other players. Such a underrated player in his days.
Agreed. I miss him calling games
He was definitely not underrated during his time. He played when big men ruled the game. It was well understood what kind of a beast he was.
@@Eagle7433 maybe i said it wrong. Basketball fans from this era don't understand how good Walton was in his prime.
@@vakp799 You're right. Absolutely agree with that.
For sure, could have been even greater than he was if not for that foot problem
Dr J was the GOAT imo, due to the fact alot of players watch him play when they were younger and pickup alot of plays and moves which made them great. The one and only Goat period
🎯💯
The Doc...wow. He was the man, when he was on the floor it was almost like everyone else was invisible. Baryshnikov with a basketball, cooler than the other side of the pillow. I started watching the Knicks on channel 9 in '66. So i'd seen some players. The Doc came into the picture and turned everything upside down. He was Sly, James Brown, funk on the court from Rucker Park. The style, the fro, the physical ability, no one could match him. There are some things that stand out, make our lives better. Julius Erving was one of those things. Thanks for all you gave us Doc.
It's always said that Magic and Bird saved the NBA. Well, without Dr. J around before them, there would have been nothing left to save.
This isn't really true. He was the ABA, but he didn't join the NBA until pretty late, and close to Magic & Larry's entrance.
@@user-cn8nu6lq4w1976
Dr. j change the game from a two dimential scoring threat (scoring from the floor) into a three dimensional scoring threat scoring in the air! This guy operated in a different dimension which was not seen back in the day!
I loved how he just let his play speak for itself! Doctor J didn't need to promote himself in any way shape or form. He just came out and dominated night after night. I absolutely loved the 76ers growing up.
Dr.J. Was incredible. He revolutionized the game. Who didn't want to be like him . Very humble and a very good role model. THANK YOU Julius Erving!!!!!
I was lucky to be a Long Island kid with ABA Nets season tickets for 3 years. Saw the Doc do amazing things and would stay and get his autograph when he left the building. He was always classy and not just sign but talk to you. BLESSED!
DR J was the MJ of his era... NBA & ABA legend and one of the all time most dominant stars to play at Rucker park...
I think is the other way around, MJ was the DRJ of his era
Fair enough
There's a match up,Jordan,& Kobe,vs Dr j,& magic.
Hands down the greatest dunker during a game when needed to score on any defense in the league
Dr J is poetry in motion. He flew like a butterfly and stung like a bee. His hands could hit what your mind can't imagine.
Even Michael Jordan says Dr J was the goat, wow, he was so pretty to watch in the air, like he could levitate as long as he wanted, incredible.
I used to love the Doctor. He was like watching a highlight reel. Then His AirNess came along.
"Should we ask him to do it again"-- Magic. One of the best quotes ever. I grew up in the '60s and '70s, always cheering for the underdog. Well, no league was ever an underdog like the ABA, but I loved them! And the best of their best? Julius Erving. Yes, they had Thompson, they had Barry, they had Cunningham, they had Gervin. Heck, they even had Connie Hawkins! But no one was like Dr. J. He not only saved the ABA long enough to merge four teams, get two other teams buy-outs, and the guys who owned St Louis the greatest TV deal ever, he then came over and saved the NBA. (Well, let's say he kept the patient alive until Bird and Magic came along a few years later.) When Julius entered the NBA, the finals weren't even broadcast live! They were on tape delay, played at 11:30pm. The league was considered too dull, too drugged, and too Black. Julius changed all of that, especially that last one. They used to say the unwritten rule regarding putting in Black players was one at home, two on the road, and three if you were behind. By the time the 1980s began, teams had no problem fielding all-Black starters, even all-Black teams. Where do you think all that acceptance came from? Well, a lot of guys, but no one as much as the Doctor. Wilt was the greatest player of all time. But Julius Erving was the most important. It's not even close.
Wow I would have never known that...thanks for sharing your perspective.
I hated to see my Spirits of St louis get left out in the cold at merger time. That team could have held its own in the NBA. I believe they also had the ABA rights to Moses Malone had they survived. The ABA was great fun.
@@bartdrennon1764 Well, they didn't exactly get left out. The Silna brothers, who owned the team, surrendered their right to enter the NBA for a 1/7 share of the surviving ABA teams' TV money IN PERPETUITY. (About 2% of the NBA's TV money overall). At the time, the NBA's TV money was small. But then it got really big, and the Silnas made out big time. The received about $15M per year for 40 years, before finally accepting a buyout from the NBA for a much smaller slice in return for $500M. As for the team, I don't know. Their star was Marvin Barnes, and he didn't do anything in the NBA except get arrested a lot. I doubt that team would have done much for awhile. (Kinda like the Nets without the Doctor.) It was the Spurs who became a playoff team right away. But I'll give you this: some of the best dysfunctional stories coming out of the ABA--and there have been quite a few--come from the Spirits.
Thanks for sharing that. I knew the Doctor was hugely important and was the driving force behind the merger, but I didn’t know just how critical he was. I guess I was a bit too young back then to understand what an 11:30 tape delay meant in terms of the NBA’s (lack of) popularity at the time.
Saw Dr J when he played for the Squires. Didn't hit a jump shot the entire game. Scored 42 points! All I can say is WOW!
And that was before the 3 point line was implemented
He was unstoppable going to the rack
I was at the game when we (spirits, St Louis) led 26-1. Okay we lost because of the Doctor.
@ the Scope?
DrJ is the reason I fell in Love with BBALL.. AND my 1st born , named after him..
watching him play, even back in the ABA, he was pure poetry in motion.. windmill dunks, finger roll from the foul line... you never wanted to miss a second
The Doctor. He really flew 😊
When your peers call you 1 of the best nicknames ever, you have are among the elite on Mt Olympus of basketball.
That's not true lol it just means you have a badass nickname and that you are popular among fans! That's all on the court it's not gonna help you at all
His peers didn't give him the nickname. He gave it to himself. He played in the Rucker League with a guy known as The Lawyer. The game announcers had struggled with what to call Erving--The Claw was one of his early handles. Then, one day, he came over to the announcers and said, "Just call me The Doctor." That very soon got shortened to Dr. J., a nickname he brought with him to the Virginia Squires when he left UMass.
He was showtime before showtime was a thing. Kareem, Bill Russel and Wilt were all great and efficient players, but Dr J was pure entertainment.
I'd like too add, Kobe came after Jordan and Jordan came after Dr. J. The last two absolutely emulated their game after their predecessor. Unfortunately for Dr. J his career didn't have cable television and 24 hour sports reporting. Had Dr. J been born in an era where his highlights and games were more accessible we'd definitely be talking who's greater than him, rather than who's greater than Jordan.
The fact that if he wasn't in the aba he would of scored over 30000 points. His stats would of been alot higher. He was of the greats for sure
DEFINITELY
Get real. I've watched pro basketball since 1972. Julius Erving wasn't a good enough shooter to get Wilt/Kareem totals in the NBA. Keep him out of the lane (not easy to do, I grant you) and he was only so-so.
Yes he was, the greatest finisher of all time couldn't be stopped going to the basket
@@dougjones2506 he made it look so easy as well. The underneath the basket while still floating in the air just to do a nasty reverse layup. I was like how did he just do that I believe it was against the lakers he did that too
@@daveconleyportfolio5192 Idk man. Dr J averaged 22.0 in the NBA, and that's including the downside of his career. He lost 5 years of his athletic peak to the ABA. 30k was reachable. Btw, I don't know why you think he was a terrible shooter. He shot 30% from 3 despite playing at the beginning of the 3pt line, when players didn't even practice the shot (according to Larry Bird).
My Dad's favorite player, and probably the most underrated legend ever. I think he has a legit case for top 5 player ever, yet people never put him there. Probably because no one counts his ABA career, which we probably should. ABA was legit. If you include ABA and most of Dr J's prime, his career suddenly looks almost Jordan level.
1st NBA game I ever watched was one of Dr. J's last games, and that's what made me fall in love with basketball. Then shortly Jordan came into the league, and that made me want to play basketball. I was like 5 or 6 lol but I was mesmerized
He may not have been the best, but Julius evolved the game, to the point that he was instrumental in shaping the game into a sport that was exhilarating to watch.. He brought flash and style into the sport. There have been higher scorers and players considered "better", but there has never been an NBA player that played the game with as much beauty and Grace as Dr. J.
Been to Super Bowl, World Series, Indy 500, Kentucky Derby, Final 4, Stanley Cup, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, but possibly the coolest thing I went too was a preseason game with the 76ers when they came to St Louis. Julius is an artist and the coolest dude ever.
Saw Dr. J play in Buffalo vs Bob McAdoo and the Braves. Quite the night.
Dr. J and Magic Johnson were my 2 favorite players in the 80's. Then came that bad man named Jordan. However Julius Erving was such a class act. Definitely the ambassador of the game until Jordan took over the league
I agree with you. I'd only add that my top 5 include Dr. J, Magic, Michael, Bird and Hakeem. All due respect to Kareem and Bill Russel (who are in my top 10), but my top 5 spots are reserved for these gentlemen and I call them all GOAT. I just can't say that there is a single GOAT. The head of that needle must be occupied by all of these 5.
Oh come on no love for Bird ? You kidding me?
Dr J is the greatest NBA ambassador ever. An incredible athlete that led his career with a class unmatched to this day.
Vernon Lee Warren ...Jordan did not take over the NBA.
Yep, same here.
Excellent content!!! Have you ever done one about David "Skywalker" Thompson???
Wish there were more ABA highlights. I can't say he was the GOAT but he's in my top 5. Just an absolute joy to watch him play basketball, he took it to another level.
You'll be happy to know that up here at UMass the Doc's alma mater, the recently unveiled a statue of him along with other notable UMass Basketball icons.
Man, as an "old head" I just love your channel, your videos and your personality and your takes. Don't EVER stop man!!
Ok boomer. Just kidding bro. I'm 40. 🤣
Thank you for doing this video......it is nice to see someone who actually realizes how great Erving truly was. I have stated this many times on so many Twitter posts calling Lebron James the best ever and I quickly point out that I have seen 6 players in my life who could do things with a basketball that were so exciting to watch and that Lebron James was never not when he was young and not now has he ever been one of those....they are Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, David Skywalker Thompson, Kobe Bryant, Dominique Wilkins, and Allen Iverson (Iverson in a different way thatthe others because he was so small yet was breathtaking)......and yes all 6 of these players in my opinion were far superior athletes than Lebron James has ever been and far superior players when it came to being able to totally dominate a game at any time they wanted to. In my opinion when talking about the greatest players all time...my list is based on the players who did things so exciting on the court that I would do anything I could just to watch them play every single chance I got. Players that did things that fans were talking about years later, players who all the kids would say they wanted to be like and players who honestly put butts in the seats for their teams owners..... I point out that regardless of total stats that total stats mean little when a guy has played more seasons than almost anyone as Lebron has and also when the guy is known by many to be a stat padder as Lebron has often been accused of being throughout his career having stayed in many games that his team was winning by large amounts in the 4th quarter just to pad his stats instead of coming out like most starters do in those situations. When it comes to breaktaking magician like plays....Lebron has never did for me what any of the guys I named could do. I have never in all his years in the NBA felt I couldnt miss a chance to watch Lebron play. He has always been a yeah he is good but so what I would rather see this guy play or that guy play instead of Lebron. I dont know he just never has had that Charisma that domination ability on both offense and defense like others had. The thing that I often remember the most about Lebron sadly when looking back on his career is not any great plays or the championships....what I remember most about Lebron is a career filled with constant flopping, constant crying and bitching at officals, and a career of constantly blaming his teammates, Coaches, and front office for his own short comings especially early in his career when he couldnt shoot outside 15 feet at all. When I think of any of the other guys I named I can tell you countless amazing things I seen them do...as if they just did it....but Lebron I can tell you that the only time he ever won anything was when he jumped on a team that either already had a superstar on it (Dwayne Wade, Kyrie Irving) or with the Lakers he couldnt even get them in the playoffs without them trading for a younger A.D. Lebron though blamed everyone for his shortcomings in Cleveland even though he couldnt hit the open jump shot in the playoffs. That was his fault. He had to learn how to win at all from Dwayne Wade a star who already had a championship before Lebron joined him. Again Lebron joined him not the other way around. Then Lebron jumped back to Cleveland where they had a new rising star in Kyrie who honestly was an ice cold killer against Golden State they year the Cavs won as no one could guard Kyrie as he made big shot after big shot to help Cleveland win those last 3 games in a row. Of course Lebron has always took full credit but honestly anyone who watched knows that Draymond had given Lebron fits all series....Kevin Love had been on a milk carton because he may as well have been missing he did nothing...but Kyrie burnt up Steph Curry who could not guard him at all and the much better defender Klay Thompson could do nothing but watch Kyrie knock down 3 after 3 right in his face. ......Young fans and the media give Lebron all the fame and fortune but Lebron has never desevered it as much as his teammates even when he was on a winner....even with Lakers...anyone who knows basketball would tell you it was A.D. who led the Lakers to that Chmpionship. Lebron while he can hit the outside shot now...no longer is as quick or athletic and he struggles on drives to the basket more than he ever did when younger and he couldnt shoot outside. Lebron can now be guarded but when he wants to apply himself no one can guard A.D.. I have always been amazed though at how many younger fans who honestly were not born until after Lebron James was already in the NBA or they were born when Lebron was in High School.....it is those fans who will say things like Jordan and Erving are not as good as Lebron because they couldnt make 3 pointers and these younger fans will say that Jordan, and Erving and Kobe Bryant so on would not be able to play in todays league at all because of the fact that players have to be able to shoot 3's well to make it in the NBA now and those guys couldnt they say.....also sadly David Skywalker Thompson who was like Erving a highlight real player and one of the very best in the 1970s in either the ABA or NBA.....todays fans will always be like who was that.....and its sad they do not know who David Thompson really is or was because there was a time he was worth the price of admission all by himself just to see the kind of things he was able to do on a basketball court.
For the longest time I thought Doc was as good as MJ. Then MJ developed his mid range game and then the 3. As far as getting to the basket I feel they are equal but Doc was more stylish doing it.
Dr J was better than Mike, by a Mile, because Mike wanted to be like Doctor J ... Guaranteed!!!
Dr. J was simply INCREDIBLE!!!
Dr. J is my all-time favorite player. He did so much more than just dunk! He had all the shots, passing skills, a strong rebounder, and a tough defender. Not to mention a great role model and one of the best of the "good guys". Cool...smooth...class.
Every one wanted too Be the Dr He still has the Coldest Name Ever for a Pro Player the Coolest And the Classiest Of all Players
All of these Dunks was in the Game And He’s The Coolest Ever in Sports History We All Love the Doc
My dad used to take me to the Commack Arena to see Dr. J, I shook his hand and signed my ball, still have it, he was my hero, along with my dad,🙏🏽🏀
Back in 1972, one of my aunt's husband's brothers was over at my mother's and asked me who my favorite basketball player was, and I said Lew Alcindor (before he became Kareem). So, I asked him who was his favorite player and he said Dr. J. I was like who does he play for, and he said the Virginia Squires in the ABA. Once I started checking him out, Dr. J. became my favorite as still is to this day. Fifty-two years, wow.
Phenomenal job man thanks and remember keep pushing with 🙏🏾😷
Amen, we had him in Virginia with The Virginia Squires back in the early 70s watched his career ever since, we all wanted to be like DR.J !!!❤
"GOOD?!" He was insanely AWESOME! Dr. Jay PRECEEDED Mike! HE WALKED ON AIR FIRST!
ICON...above legend status. Game changer on Wilt's level but in his own unique way. Most underpaid NBA player in history. Such a joy to watch...you never knew when something amazing could happen!
Not just one of the incredible players of all time and mentor of mine! But also an incredible human and family man with integrity for life!👍
6:05 He'd just say "Okay, that's it. My show tonight. I'm a affect the whole game." -Magic, once again so great at describing things.
I (belatedly) subscribed; I've lost most of my interest in professional sports, but still recall when I had such interest. Your skillful editing and thoughtful commentary draw me back to the years when I enjoyed watching professional sports. Thank you.
When Dr J joined the ABA in 1972, I was 11. Through jr high and high school he was, for all of us, this mythical figure we all wanted to be. The catch was we could only mostly read about him - ABA box scores, SI articles. And the descriptions were what we lived on... even the writers did not know how to capture his ability to fly, hang, hit the "air brakes," change hands, dunk or finger roll. Everyone was stunned, from little kids like me then to the most seasoned players and league journalists. Little did we know that in his later career he would basically re-brand the NBA after the merger from a drug-addled side show (the 1970s were rough) to TV mega heights to be what the league is today. And what class. Even old, rich white people in Philadelphia's Main Line would refer to him as "Dr Erving"!
He was an excellent all around player who was also an underrated defender. In his ABA days, he would guard the best forward, whether small forward or power forward, for over 40 minutes a game, and simultaneously be the best passer, ball handler, and clutch scorer every night.
He was MY CHILDHOOD HERO.. Like many others. As a kid I was calling myself Dr. Dre long before NWA. By far the best role model for ALL young people...
Most of the ABA high lights of him are missing but they are the best & truly Unbelievable!! It’s Been said that he jumped over players heads and dunked. Can you imagine if he had Air Jordans. WOW!!! 🤪
Doctor J was extremely incredibly exciting to watch play basketball. These words just can't describe it enough.
"The Dr is operating tonite"!
i grew up watching dr. J! from the red, white & blue b-ball aba to our hometeam the sixers! i'm so glad you made this video tribute to him, he was a one in a million player!
When a dunk or a signature shot is worth more than the two points on the scoreboard. That was some Dr. J stuff!
I was fortunate enough to be in high school when Dr J played for the 76ers. That was the team in those days, they were so much fun to watch. I used to watch them on a cable television station out of Philadelphia
When a kid, mid 80s, I got a tshirt with a jumping guy silhouette behind the board , wearing #6 and afro hairdo. Pretty rare in Italy. Years later found he was Doc. More years later I discovered it was the move against Lakers. So Dr.J has been my first meeting with NBA. Thank you for posting Sean.
I got to see Philadelphia w Moses Malone, Charles Barkley and Dr. J lose to World B. Free and the Cavaliers many moons ago. I was a huge Dr. J fan and couldn’t believe they lost. I was a heartbroken 12 year old. Now it’s one of the best childhood memories I have.
Raleigh Simmons Coached by Fred Tex Winter. FINALLY, YOU GOT IT RIGHT. Julius Erving was the G O A T. REAL TALK. I was hoping as a young player to see him in the NBA growing up. Had he started in the NBA he would have been in the TOP 5 ALL TIME SCORERS and EVERYTHING ELSE. I saw it ALLLLLLLLL HIS STYLE IS NUMBER 1 and it made other players want to FLOAT from the Free Throw. The brotha is COLD BLOOD DOWN TO THE BONE.
Love all your content man.🏀
Dr. J was playing a different game than his fellow players. Pure poetry in motion.
Thank you for this. Versus the horrible state of players and attitudes and emptiness of inspiration today, this highlights a man who is in all regards a class act, a powerful _positive_ inspiration to children and adults alike, a legendary performer and a hero to all. Back when instead of taking furiously angering actions to cry about racism, guys like Dr. J earned love and warmth from all of us for just being what he was. And man oh man, what he was - while in the air. There are "just legends", and then there's this guy. Whole 'nuther level.
I 100% agree with you. He was one of my childhood heroes
Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Karl Malone, Peter "Pete" Maravich, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, John Stockton, Dominique Wilkins, Charles Barkley, Robert Parish, Isiah Thomas, and Kevin McHale
I remember when I first started watching the NBA there was 2 guys I loved, Dr. J. and the "Iceman" George Gervin.
The GOAT in my book.
Maybe not the NBA, but he's definitely got a the ABA GOAT award in my book. Used to watch the Nets on WOR channel 9 in New York City and he was absolutely amazing as an unstoppable offensive force. He was the original version.
Dr. J...the firts air man in NBA!!! Espectacular!!!👏👏👏
Dr. J was simply the coolest dude to ever grace a basketball court. Dude also had mad style as well. You should check some of those old pics and video of him. The only man you can brag to your wife “daayum! Babe? Look at how cool he is”. Both looking at him mesmerized. 😂😮 Bro got a glide that’s for sure.
Dr.J, was on fire!
I saw him in that Nets uniform at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale NY. Cheap tickets, great ABA championship team. And Dr. J, a Long Island Kid!
I thought, and think today, that Julius Erving may have been the most dangerous player in ABA-NBA History, perhaps the most likely to score and defeat your team of all time. Loved to see him on the court, except when he was playing against my favorite team the Kentucky Colonels. Loved every time he had to go to the bench to rest, or in foul trouble. When the game was on the line, I hated to see him with the Basketball against my team. He was probably the player most likely to hurt your team, or all time. Especially in the ABA because we had the 3 point shot and the NBA did not.
Dr.J was the goat during his prime, even Jordan knew how good he was cause he pattern his game after The Doctor.
He is and always will be The G.O.A.T. of professional basketball.
Been waiting a while for this mr David 👀👀
Doc spoke at our sports banquet, great talk. He then shook each member of our teams hands. Omg, his right hand wrapped around my normal human being hand like 3 times. Great statesman and ambassador of the sport.
Do a George gervin one next buddy
I feel like its a CRIME how Nobody has given Dr.J the love and Credit he deserves. Before there was Michael, before there was Lebron, before there was Kobe, there was the DOCTOR and he was AMAZING!! HE'S ON MY MOUNT EVEREST!!!
Dr. J WAS the NBA in the late 70s and early 80s. With Kareem and Moses, he was one of the top 3 players of his era, but Dr. J was also the top draw and most exciting player. Dr. J was the model that all NBA players followed. He was the model professional and great team player. He transcended race, he merged old school basketball with playground, he merged the NBA/ABA. The NBA took off in the 80s standing on the shoulder of the giants who came before, but none stood taller than Dr. J.
Nothing but love and respect for the doctor
If all NBA legend agree Dr J is the GOAT. Accept that fact.
There was no one like Dr. J. He was simply a giant. Not necessarily in size but in persona.
10:10 Walt “Clyde” Frazier and his Pumas says HOLD MY 🍺
They didn't call him.. "Clyde the Glyde " for nothing , also Earl The Pearl Monroe, was nobody's slouch either ,
If you miss Julius in the ABA, you didn't see the real DR.The man was absolutely devastating!!
AMAZING!!!