He is a big name in the NBA. Even more than that: Julius Erving is a icon. Among the precursors of the Great League, the one nicknamed the Doctor wrote a real page of history, and his imprint is still present today.
Elegance, grace, gestures coming out of nowhere, an often blue jersey, a number 6 and an afro cut… that’s how to describe Julius Erving, “Dr J.”, the one who popularized the dunk in the Big League. Inventor of the modern, airy, spectacular game, the winger was also one of the very best players in the NBA at the end of the 1970s. Champagne basketball was him.
Born in New York, on Roosevelt Island, on February 22, 1950, Julius Winfield Erving II is the son of a rather poor housekeeper, and lives in the Hempstead district. In the city that never sleeps, Julius Erving made a name for himself, a nickname, and forged a legend, not on the courts but on… the asphalt. And yes, the dazzling athlete did not catch the eye of colleges and therefore does his range on the mythical playground of Rucker Park. Here, Erving breaks everything and becomes a true legend of New York and national streetball. The nickname “Dr. J.” was born, as the expression “the doctor operates tonight”, meaning that the friend Julius was out on the asphalt.
“They called him different names, like Little Hawk, The Claw, Black Moses… He went to the announcer who was commenting on the game and said, ‘I’m not Little Hawk, it’s Connie Hawkins. If you want to call me a certain way, call me The Doctor’.” – Don Ryan, his childhood coach
In Harlem, the man with the afro has earned the right to his own nickname. He is now very popular and scrutinized by all. He shines against the best specialists during pickup games. In front of an ever-growing audience to watch him, Julius Erving became a superstar in the field. Enough to catch the eye of universities.
Now on his way to the NCAA, to finally launch his career. At 18, he joined the University of Massachusetts, where he progressed in all other areas, but where he could not showcase his talents, the dunk being… forbidden. In two seasons in the college league, The Doctor has 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds. Yes yes, you’re not dreaming, this line of stats did exist and it’s totally crazy. Two years of madness, which will earn him a place in the professional world in… ABA, the rival league of the NBA.
It was therefore within the American Basketball Association that he had a blast, this league more spectacular than its big sister, when he landed with the Virginia Squires in 1971. The twirling winger made a quiet debut, with 27.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 4 assists average. Quiet.
He then trains with the Hawks but some salary details will then prevent him from joining the Big League. In 1972, he therefore left for a season with the Squires. Erving dominated night after night and finished top scorer in the League. In 1974, he won the more than legendary Slam Dunk Contest (which would be taken over by the NBA later), where Erving would write a page in the history of the dunk. But the franchise, in financial difficulty, is forced to sell its nugget to the New York Nets, still in ABA. He took the opportunity to win two championship titles and three times the MVP award. Always making the best of every situation, the Nets also playing at… Hampstead, home of Julius. In five seasons in the competing league, the doctor has 28.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists, there’s worse, and at the same time Erving becomes a true icon, like a Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
In 1976 came the merger of the two leagues. The New York Nets move to New Jersey and must sell the rights to their star to the Philadelphia Sixers. The Doc and the NBA finally meet.
His arrival at the Sixers propels the franchise among the best in the League. From now on, The Doctor is not only a dunker but a real superstar, versatile. But several years pass and Julius Erving does not manage to win his franchise. In 1979, he bowed to nothing against the Lakers. In 1981, he won the regular season MVP trophy and became the first player to win this award in both leagues. The Holy Grail would finally arrive two years later, in 1983. The Sixers, who had seen Moses Malone join them the previous season, established themselves as real favorites for the title. And if they make short work of the Playoffs, they still face the Lakers in the final. This time, Philly did not miss his chance and finished champion. Dr J finally wins the trophy he coveted so much.
One of the league’s leading scorers, an MVP, a multiple All-Star. But what does Julius Erving lack to become a true legend? A legendary move of course. He will arrive on January 5, 1983. During a confrontation against the… Lakers, Dr. J will literally pulverize the circle on a counter-attack. Erving retrieves a trailing balloon, and despite pressure from Michael Cooper, The Doctor will clear it in no time. In two dribbles, the man with the afro jumps and performs this mythical pendulum movement with his arm. The Cradle Dunk “Rock The Baby” was born. Julius Erving has just become an icon, a name that will be remembered for years, decades.
“I stayed with my mouth wide open. He really did that? I thought, ‘What should we do? Put the ball in touch? Ask him to do it again?’ It’s still the most beautiful move I’ve ever seen on the field. The most beautiful of all time.” –Magic Johnson
At 33 and after winning one of the only trophies he lacked, Julius Erving is a bit behind. He is less dominant even if he remains All-Star, the time is in the future at the Sixers. The Doc knows it, and he will end his career four years later, at the end of the 1986-87 season. His jersey, his number 6, will obviously be retired in Philadelphia.
It may be fine because it’s getting dated, but Julius Erving doesn’t get enough credit. Those who saw him play, those who rubbed shoulders with him on the pitch, know who we are talking about. A precursor, the symbol of the emergence of a league, an influence on several generations… but also a mixture of inventiveness, grace and power. That was all Julius Erving. The unforgettable Doctor J.
