Julius Erving: Basketball
Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), also known as “Dr. J”, is a retired NBA Hall of Famer guard and forward who introduced a modern style of play like high-flying, above-the-rim abilities in the court. He even helped the American Basketball Association (ABA) be legitimized and became the most well-known player in that league when ABA merged with NBA after the 1975-76 season. Erving was also one of the sport’s best dunkers.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Julius Erving won three championships, four MVP awards and three titles with Virginia Squires, New York Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. With 30,026 points, he is the fifth-highest scorer in both ABA and NBA history.
In 1993, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, was also named at NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time, named one of the 40 Most Important Athletes of All Time by Sports Illustrated and was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.
Why Was He So Good?
Erving became the leading light who changed the way the game was played. He was admired for slam dunking from the free-throw line in slam dunk contests. Julius Erving is courteous, noble and disciplined – he was the ultimate ambassador of basketball with his embodiment of class. He is the most respected player of the sport.
What You May Not Know
- It was his mother’s persistence that led him to basketball and out of the ghetto. Julius Erving grew up in a housing project.
- He is the only player voted MVP in both the ABA and NBA.
- In 1995, Erving was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.
- He was known for this quote – “With black kids, it’s always a struggle for pride. Basketball was my way out. I worked hard to make sure it was.”
- Erving is the father of tennis player Alexandra Stevenson. It was a fact that wasn’t made public until she reached the Wimbledon semis in 1999.
Was he a legend?
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Related Pages
- More basketball players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of Basketball
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