How Good Was Julius Erving REALLY?
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- An evaluation of the career and talent of the Doctor, Julius Erving.
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#JuliusErving #NBA #76ers
How do you rank the top 5 greatest Small Forwards of all time?
Top 5 small forwards of all time in my opinion.
1. Larry bird
2. LeBron James
3. Dr.J Irving
4. Kevin Durant
5. Kawhi Leonard
Honorable mention: Scottie pippen
Also great work on this video bruh, keep up the grind.👍
J Irving
L Bird
D Wilkins
S Pippen
J Worthy
J Havlicek
E Baylor
C Mullin
P Pierce
R Barry
LeBron
Bird
Erving
Durant
Kawhi
Bron
Bird
Dr J
Kawhi
Pippen
L3-6 and KD snake not even top 10 not playing in the weakest/softest era of the NBA. Only young dudes would think so
When the Sixers won the NBA Championship they did it with an All ABA frontline!!! Bobby Jones, Moses Malone and Dr. J were all former ABA players!!! The ABA deserves more respect than it gets!!!
BingCherry11, Yes. The NBA absolutely raped the ABA in the process of the merger. Yet, the 4 former-ABA teams held their own in the NBA (meaning their average quality was equal to the average quality of the merged NBA); and the All-NBA teams had their fair share of former-ABA players. Further, the two Leagues had had many pre-season exhibition games - which, contrary to the usual exhibition games, were highly competitive because both Leagues were trying to prove their superiority. After the first couple of seasons, the ABA teams actually won more than half those exhibition games.
I have Dr J AHEAD of Larry Bird; and have him in my GOAT Top 10.
@@teddy1234599 I only got to see one of those games and Dr. J played very limited minutes. If Dr. J had played the entire game the ABA would have won that game!!!!! Before the game took place many of the kids in my neighborhood were thinking the NBA would beat the ABA by a lot of points!!!! But one kid in our group said "Not if Dr. J has something to say about it!!! We all asked him "Who is this Dr. J????" How will he score vs Frazier and Monroe??? The kid answered he will dunk on them!!!!! As a matter of fact he will dunk on Kareem!!!! At that point we all said "We have to see this Dr. J"!!!!!
@@BingCherry11 Thanx for this (I wonder if I could ever get tired of Dr J stories?). Born and raised in New Jersey, with my dad being a huge George Mikan fan; for us the #1 source of entertainment was going to see the Harlem Globetrotters. That year they had this amazing "point guard" ... what was his name? Oh, yeah - Wilt. I "followed" Wilt into the NBA; and instantly fell in love with Dr J's forerunner: Elgin Baylor. Been a "rabid" NBL-ABA-NBA fan ever since.
All my GOAT dunks are by Dr J; with the exception of one by Elgin - he's floating across the key getting ready to unload one when Wilt comes over ready to swat the ball and him into oblivion. Elgin flips the ball to his opposite hand and hammers it home!
Probably my favorite PLAY by Dr J is he's on a one-man fast break against the entire other team; he tries to squeeze thru an impossibly tight spot - between two opposing players; at full speed, he dribbles the ball between his legs, zooms right between them and ... another all-time highlight.
@Spurgeon Godwin You mean this one: ruclips.net/video/FN7xKAVDlg8/видео.html ? Thanx for mentioning it! Killa!
The NBA is The ABA. All they need now is the three-color Basketball. The only thing the ABA didn't have was the Euro-Step!!!
The entire offensive philosophy of the NBA especially in the Western Conference is ABA.
Dr. J was the Jimi Hendrix of basketball. Swag for days
Love this comparison.
DR . J AND MICHAEL VICK CHANGED THE WAY BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL IS PLAYED [ . ]
That Jimi Hendrix comparison was spot on point !!!
You nailed it! Most will compare numbers (stats). I was lucky enough to see Dr. J play and watch Secretariat win the Triple Crown. Somehow numbers don't fully represent what we are witnessing-simply the best that can be.
YES!!! Also Bruce Lee
Julius Erving was to basketball what Muhammad Ali was to boxing and what Bruce Lee was to the Martial Arts.
He is poetry in motion. Beautiful to watch.
WHAT away to put it "INDEED " 👍
Dr J revolutionised the basketball not MJ
Michael C. Gonsalves AGREE 👍👍👍
Touche'.
All his teammates loved him because he was very considerate of his teammates feelings, treating them with the utmost respect no matter their how low their status was among the team.
That's why the 76ers didn't win more because The Doctor had to sacrifice so much of his game, with the 76ers.
@@sulaimanbeyah3308 ...Stop!
He was a gentleman
Doctor J, laid the foundation for the way players play today. He made players step up their game.
One of the best things I ever heard was, "if I were to start a team I'd start with michael jordan. If I were to start a league I'd start with dr.j." pure class
@All Team San Diego yeah but after you'll go 6-0 in the finals with 6 finals MVP'S😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@traslenpatterson3478 Well good thing it's not boxing, all those blows to the head from Tyson you would not have an opportunity to recover from failure.
@@CreativeBigL bro everybody have failure, it's what you do after failing.🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 CELEBRATING!!!
Julian Rojas that’s a great line! Who said it?
He was the Face of The ABA & The NBA.
And he did it being one of the classiest guys ever to play the game.
He also did a lot of it in Canvas or inferior sneakers. People don’t factor in the difference in footwear. It’s totally different now and these guys get a new pair every game. Huge difference in wear and tear every night
@@harrypool71 the whole sports science in general was alot different. so much has changed today in terms of coaching, fitness, nutrition, etc... i mean they used tp think smoking cigarrettes was good for you lol
the most underlooked fact of all of them.
Dr. J is the one who revolutionized the basketball the way he moves is like poetry in motion.
He is more than good, he is great, he’s a legend
I know. I saw him play in person. Not many adjectives that can describe Doc's greatness.
Said LeBron
Do you think he is as great or as skilled as magic johnson
@@ajgreen6851 Hard to say. They were two different type of players.
He was the prototype, originator. I think Drexler was the closest thing to Doc. Drexler was kinda like Doc 2.0 in that era. Similar movements
As a Celtics fan in the early 80's, he drove me nuts. Every damn fast break he was on the wing, I knew the ball was going to him and then right through the hoop.
I was a huge Dr. J and Sixers fan as a high schooler during the same time as you (early 80s), except I felt the way you did about Larry Legend. I really didn't like Bird back in the day - ALWAYS respected his talent and game though).) By the end of the 80s/into the early 90s I came to really appreciate his game and what he accomplished. Doc, Larry and Dominique are my three favorite players from that era and probably all-time. As much as I love(d) Julius, I have to admit that Bird is the best forward to ever play the game. Period.
I love this one. Dr. J is my ALL TIME favorite player. Spot on assessment.
The Doctor is the only reason I watched the NBA as a teenager back in the late 70s and early 80s. He's the greatest forward and he could teach the guys playing today about class and respect.
Me too jeff, my idol as a child,
Me too!! I luv Dr j. My all time favorite
Jeff Worrill Happens. Hi. Thanks. Goodness
Mine Too. Dr. J was the Best
As an older Sixers fan, I was lucky enough to watch Doc play most of his games in Philly, and it was an honor.
You lucky dog. I’m only 27 so I missed it, I only get to experience his basketball godlyness thru clips like this.
Itz Akuma check this out if you haven’t already.
ruclips.net/video/AKwXf0EQLhU/видео.html
The Spectrum was absolutely electrified!!! Doc gave so many thrills & chills every single season!!!
I was at that play off game right under the basket when he flew from one side to the other, got the pic from the news paper The Day Doc Flew...
Gary Smith Grover Washington Jr wrote a song about that move. I don’t want to sound like Uncle Drew, but that was real basketball.
Not only a great player , even a better human being!!
He didn't take care of his daughter
Indeed so, unlike Michael Jordan; whom he undoubtedly passed the torch to. Live long Dr. J...
@@richardmanuel9812 he made up for it, what are you griping about smh
@@mrdubya5786 how the hell you go make up for paying your daughter to stay away for 25yrs
never cheated the fans by chasing numbers and padding stats to solidify 'legacy'
People don't realize how great he was. Most exciting player of all time.
"Dr J. was dunking from the free-throw line before Jordan and Kobe were even born"... Puts things into perspective!
Here some perspective for you Doctor J is only 13 years older than Michael Jordan
he said LeBron not Jordan
@@fredsteeples8491 You mean he meant to say lebron!read before u comment
@@georgekarson6599 no he said lebron and kobe he didnt mention jordan
@@fredsteeples8491 Fred u need to learn to read first before you comment hes clearly says Jordan and Kobe duhh 🤣u guys need fact check before u comment
I met Doc when I was a kid and what I remember most was just how smooth and classy he was.. he was a cool ass brotha!! its like you would hear jazz music in your head when he got near you
That's how cool this guy was
Truth Indeed
@Galvanization 9D no
Nice....
Im 18 and i can definitely visualize jazz music playing when he walks in the room in a clean suit with a chinchilla 😂😂
I met him in Indpls Pacers old ABA
He was a total gentleman, great personality, genuine , class act !
Dr J SAVED THE LEAGUE. The ABA folded and the NBA only agreed to merge because they were going bankrupt. In short, there wouldn't have been a league for Magic, Bird and Jordan to inherit.
You got that right! The ABA merger and its influence is the NBA today. The All-Stars weekend, the 3-pt shot and the flashiness from the old ABA were responsible for making the NBA being the greatest league in the world. The only thing that the NBA left out was the red, white and blue basketball, except for the 3-pt contest.
Alton Lee you forgot Isaiah Thomas Detroit Pistons
@@keithlabarrie3098 The 1980's were the best time for the NBA ever - 4 great teams dominated the decade, the Celtics, the Lakers, The 76ers and, of course, the Bad Boys with Daddy Rich as coach (the Detroit Pistons for those not in the know).
@@davidcharles7106 the 80s was not just a great decade for the NBA, but for basketball period, including high school and college.
Despite playing in the ABA he was considered the best player in all of basketball by the public.
Til this day, this very day. Dr J. Is the Godfather of the NBA... Every player after him, that we love and respect!!! Followed his footsteps!!! A true legend beyond words...
Respect for that being said
Rahmel Pervez There won’t be a Michael Jordon without a DR J and there won’t be the great power centers without Chamberlain. BOTH changed and made the NBA plus the rules were much tougher in those days. They didn’t have 3 point scoring or Rick Barry and Jerry West would hold all the scoring in that department. DR J’s scoring would have increased by a lot as his outside shots were from the perimeter.
No Doubt!!
@Greg A He is a really great player during the 70's but in the 80's it was Magic & bird.
Exactly! Well said!
When I was a kid, everyone wanted to be Dr. J He was phenomenal. His athletic ability was far above anyone else. Him and the Ice man George Gervin set the league on fire. It was something to see!
Damn right
No Dr, no Jordan. Erving was ahead of his time.
FALSE. David Thompson was MJ's idol. The only similarity that they had was their huge hands and cradling the ball. MJ's game is more similar to Thompson.
@iluvankles-The reason why MJ pick up the basketball was David Thompson not Dr. J. So its false. The ABA didn't have national televised games so MJ watched college games available in North Carolina TV networks. At that time David Thompson was the biggest college star in North Carolina. That's why in his hall of fame induction David Thompson was on his side and not Dr. J.
Abs-On-The-Lootly,...Ahead of his time!
@@crisaracon7379 Not false. Thompson was good. Jordan admired him because he was 6'4" and could jump out of the gym, had a nice mid-range game, etc. And he did introduce him at the hall of fame induction. Julius Erving was a trend setter for the high flying above the rim game. You better take another look at the impact the Dr had on the entire league, ABA and NBA. Dont forget about the free throw dunk that Jordan copied to win two dunk contests, and the under the basket reverse lay ups, constantly dunking over guys bigger and taller.
@@jamesgraham3116 What I'm talking about is the fact that MJ would be still in NBA even if Dr. J. did not exist due to the fact MJ did not know Dr. J. until MJ was already in college. Dr. J's popularity was more like word of mouth and it hadn't reached at national level. Since the NBA merged with ABA, Dr. J. wasn't able to raise NBA's popularity by failing to win an NBA title in the late 70s and the arrival of Bird and Magic further reduced Dr. J's popularity.
Dr J was a god at that time. Only those without basketball knowledge can dislike this video.
Larry Long Good
Julius "The Doctor" Erving was a Superstar and Ambassador of the NBA. If he had played during Facebook/Twitter and social media...OMG!🏀🤴🏾
Saw Doc in his prime. Had he played entire career in NBA, top 3-5 greatest ever.
Without a doubt. In today's open game TOTAL ATTACK ON THE RIM. TODAYS MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN TREATMENT...GOOD GRIEF 35-40 EASY EVERY NIGHT.
I went to a Sixers game in 78 in Kansas City when the Kings were still there. I was all excited to see Dr. J in person. He got injured in the 1st quarter and went to the locker room then came out in street clothes shortly after. Talk about a buzzkill. Lol
The Doctor was the classiest player, the most exciting, the most difficult to defend, the best responder to pressure situations and historically he was the pace setter for iconic players. He was the greatest!!!
You Got that Right, nobody could fly like The Doctor.......
One of the Greatest ever. I was so glade I was able to see guys like him, Bird, Magic, and Jordan.
Amen to that!
And I am jealous
I'm slightly envious of that. My basketball knowledge kicks off just after the end of the Bad Boy Pistons, the tail end of Magic and Bird I never got to experience Dr. J in my memory. Hell, the year his Sixers won the title was the year I was born.
The true Legends! Great point
Underrated as a passer and team player. Also a great rebounder in important situations.
Underrated defender too.
So accurate. I'm glad someone made this vid & it sucks that ABA stats weren't cumulative with NBA stats. It really undercuts his legendary importance to basketball.
He was at his best in the ABA. If he got off the ground between the foul line and basket it would usually be some kind of dunk. That is why he didn't have a better jump shot. He took it to the hole and couldn't be stopped. His ABA stats should be included.
That you out nu out 9 it out it it out oit you out
The doctor was my favorite growing up he had such a badass style in the air
Original airwalker
The Doctor was and always will be one of my all-time favorite basketball players. He had the skills of any modern player and more class than any of them.
Thank you for your tribute to Doc! He deserves it!
Right On Brother
In my day {early 70's} he was considered a "god of basketball." Literally he was a dominant figure in the ABA / NBA.
I was in that time as you I born 59 so I know Dr J like you he was awesome had moves like no other he was a class act truly a treat to have been able to see him play
ABSOLUTELY
There is not much footage on Connie Hawkins, but his autobiography is a good read. His exlpoits are mentioned in Wilt's, Bill Russell's AND Dr. J's autobiographies as well. Like Ali, he was denied "practicing his Craft" during his prime.
From the time I was 6 years old, (1971)until I he retired, he was definitely a god of basketball. Earl the Pearl, Connie Hawkins, Elgin Baylor, Jazzy Cazzie Russell, Larry Special K Kenon, who incidentally was “Dr. K” at first, none of those dudes compared to the Doctor! And every one of them cats was bad in their own rite.
not to mention the rucker...
Never truly understand why Dr J was so underrated defender, he average 1.7 blocks and 2.0 steals his whole career.
How many small forwards even have 1 block per game average?
He was that great!!!
Right on man you a hundred percent correct
The greatest comment of all. Doc blocked even more because those stats were not kept officially in his early days. At six six he blocked over 2 a game for most of his NBAcareer! Veraging 2 steals for career is incredible. In my mind he is the best small ever. Jordan magic doc bird and jabbar my alltime team.
@@howardharris4522 I saw him block Jabbar's sky hook, lol
@@tommywordsmith7491 ...Dam that man could get off the ground!!!
The Doctor. Watch him operate! Still considered to me the games most exciting player. The "original" Jam Master.
I would also add Bernard King in the list of best small forwards.
I saw him play in the ABA. He's the best that I ever saw.
Here-Here! I remember him all the way back to his early days in the ABA with the Virginia Squires before the New York Nets got him from them. amd he's as good as I ever saw too. I mentioned it before in one of my comments that anything people ever saw Michael Jordan or Koby Bryant(RIP) or whoever do in the NBA, Julius Erving had already done it 10, 15, or in some cases 20 years prior to that. He was as unstoppable and untouchable in the ABA as Michael Jordan was in the NBA, IMO.
Dr. J is a legend, hall of Famer, and increased the level of style and competition if the NBA. I love that you gave some love to Julius Irving.
Someone please tell me honestly how many people won championships in both the aba and nba? Please and thank you.
Adrian Parker dr. J is the only one that won championships in the ABA and NBA
He was the only person I knew for sure had won in both.
Rick Barry Bill Melchioni won championships in both leagues, but Barry did not play in ABA finals his team won cause he was injured and Melchioni was heralded rookie on Sixers all time great team that ended Celtics string of 8 in row, was on both Net ABA title teams.
Dr. J. The Most Exciting Player in NBA HISTORY!!!
The ONLY reason Doc isn't remembered is because Doc wasn't PROPERLY MARKETED!!!
The ONLY reason why players in the NBA AFTER Julius "Dr. J" Erving are remembered is because they were OVERMARKETED, & they had ESPN constantly building HYPE about them!!!
Every last one of Post Dr. J. players should get down on their HANDS & KNEES and THANK Dr. J., for opening up the NBA. For making the NBA honor another way of playing the game.
Dr. J. CREATED the "Above The Rim" game that is taken for granted TODAY!!!
WITHOUT DR. J. THERE IS NO MICHAEL JORDAN, THERE IS NOBODY, & the NBA is STILL playing Basketball BELOW THE RIM!!!
@prowlifik I don't know what you're talking about explain yourself.
@prowlifik It wasn't Doc's timing, it was Converse's inability to SEIZE Doc's STAR POWER, i.e. make Doc a HOUSEHOLD NAME!!!
Converse had the monopoly on the NBA being the ONLY Company supplying shoes to the Pro's. Of course Converse thought it would last FOREVER!!!
When Doc came into the NBA it was perfect timing because the NBA was flat on its BACK!!!
They were losing Stars and fans to the ABA by the boatloads. Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Zelmo Beatty; Spencer Haywood, had defected, and many others were making the jump. These players were paid more to play in the ABA.
The ABA was beating the NBA in the College Draft. College Players were opting for the ABA.
Doc was already the FACE of the ABA, the ABA marketed Doc very well, and that was what was crushing the NBA, EVERYBODY wanted to play with or against the Doctor.
In the off-season Rucker Park was the center of attention ALL THE PLAYERS WERE THERE. In Philly, we had the Baker League.
Converse didn't see NIKE coming. NIKE started at the College level giving schools shoes. When those players became Pro's NIKE WAS AT THEIR DOOR WITH SHOE CONTRACTS.
CONVERSE HAD Magic Johnson & Larry Bird, but they couldn't overcome NIKE.
The ABA wasn't losing money, they couldn't get franchises in NBA Cities, because of something called territories.
So the ABA was operating in markets not friendly to Pro Basketball, that's what killed the ABA!!!
The NBA bought out the ABA and their best markets, and suddenly the NBA was back in business because they had Dr. J. who was the TARGET ALL ALONG. The NBA swallowed the ABA just to get DR. J. then squandered the opportunity to market THE KING OF BASKETBALL!!!
They didn't miss with Jordan tho', they sold Jordan to the WORLD, whether they liked Basketball or not!!! They even put Jordan in the OLYMPIC GAMES, with the U.S.A. FIRST EVER PRO BASKETBALL TEAM IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES!!!
THAT'S CALLED MARKETING!!!
Don't forget Elgin Baylor and Connie Hawkins were high flyers who preceded Doc and David Thompson was around in his era...
@prowlifik Dude, I never asked you to reply!!! STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!
@@omoowobhd Without a doubt. Doc has said on many occasions that Hawk & Eldge were players he admired.
Hawk was cut down before he really got started, but managed to get back to the NBA as the NBA'S OLDEST ROOKIE, and still was playing at a high level. Hawk ran with the Globetrotters and won a Championship with the Pied Pipers in the ABA.
Poor Eldge, the Lakers tricked him out of his Championship, after all he did for the Lakers.
They let Eldge retire without letting him know they were going after Chamberlain. Eldge retires, and the Lakers pick up Chamberlain, and Eldge misses the Championship run!!!
There are a lot of disappointed players in the NBA many of whom are in the Hall of Fame.
Dr. J is the reason I first fell in love with the game of basketball.
Me too
Same here. He's the first basketball player I ever paid attention to and I tried emulating his game when I was a kid.
Loved watching Dr. J. His sneakers were my all time favorites back in the day
Mine too. Loved my Converse All Stars.
Such a star who is rarely recognized
My ex girlfriend in high school father played for the Cavs as a 6ft 7in forward and he told me how he knew before the games even started Doc was gonna embarrass him just from watching Doc in the layup line before the games. Lol
At MSG when the Sixers came to town, we would all go to the Sixer side of the court for the layup line which was really a dunk contest in itself. Nobody wanted to follow Doc because their dunks looked wimpy compared to his.
Yo why did you and ur ex broke up?
How great was Dr. J? I was Dr. J in 1978 as a 7yr old with an ABA basketball. Everyone wanted to be the Doctor.
I was Dr J
I had an ABA basketball in 1972.🤓
The first game I ever saw in person was the 76-77 Sixers when I was 9. I wanted to be Dr. J so much my nickname was Dr. B.
Yep, in 1978 I was 11 living in Bethlehem, PA and Dr. J. was the reason I became enthralled with basketball. My own basketball was the red, white and blue ABA version.
Its so nice hearing yall stories and memories of the iconic DR J, too bad I wasn't alive back then
I loved the video, but in my opinion, Dr. J is number one.
Ole' Bill Russell ain't too bad. I must give the Doctor his due. If ever an argument to raise the basket to 12 feet, Erving and David Thompson could make a case?
Duane David E3 Drae Edwards One on one with Lebron and Lebron would need oxygen to try to keep up with The Dr.
Although I believe MJ to have been the more complete player, Dr. J would have had an easier time covering MJ than MJ would have covering Dr. J.
Size and physicality matter, and Dr. J was a power forward with a point-guard’s body control, a shooting guard’s mentality, a small forward’s agility, a power-forward’s power, and a center’s shot-blocking ability.
Dr. J wasn’t as skilled as a perimeter defender, but inside the key and in the low post he was better than MJ. That’s where MJ gained most of his points.
Turn it around, and MJ’s perimeter D wouldn’t have made much of a difference. Guys like Dennis Johnson, Sidney Moncrief and Michael Cooper were three of the greatest perimeter defenders ever - MJ has said that they all gave him pure h3ll - and they couldn’t slow down the Dr.
When the Dr. went to the hole, he was bringing the thunder.
it's larty for me but I respect your choice
I grew up in the era of the Doctor and yeah HE WAS THAT GREAT!!
Game 6 of the 77 nba finals is my favorite DrJ game. Backs against the wall he threw in a cool 40 while dunking over Gross and Walton. His take it the entire court and dunk over Walton is my all time favorite. The doctor was truelly cool!
The best player ever til this day. Everybody’ wanted to play like Doc myself included. It was a joy to watching play. Nuff respect
Yeah!!!!!!!!! As we were making that move towards the basket as kids, we were saying, "J" And we didn't mean "Jordan."
Lol you right Doc or the Iceman and in Denver it was DT once he came into the league!!
Anyone who was alive to see Dr. J lead the Nets to two ABA Championships would hold him in very high esteem!!! I remember the opposing team was putting so much pressure on the Net guards that Dr. J had to bring the ball up court!!!! And he did a great job!!!!
Julius Erving was absolutely unbelievable. I think historically he's way underrated. He ranks right up there with the very best whoever played the game.
Part of the problem is back then there was no ESPN or FOX Sports to broadcast every game. Truth is, few people saw Doc in the ABA. Well maybe in NY but you were truly lucky to have seen him in Virginia. If he played today though, he would run circles around some of these guys.
@@maclairetx Absolutely!!!
Yesssssss
Reminds me how great Bobby Jones was as teammate. Totally unselfishly, shot blocking, passing.
Dr. J! One of the all time greats! My favorite player of all time! He got me in to playing basketball and later being a coach. Phenomenal both on and off the court.
Great video. Funny how he's overshadowed by his own dunking flair legacy. His pure stats and wins as a player are overlooked by some.
He is the REASON why I watch basketball.
Sorry Jordan but Julius Erving is truly the come fly with me player you just copied the dunk of Dr J
Amen, amen!!!!!👍☺️
Well, did Julius Erving dribble the ball? NO! Did Michael Jordan dribble the ball? YES... So MJ DID NOT copy the dunk of Dr J...
YT Guy I think your a joker. Did you watch the have you seen he doesn’t dribble the ball when he dunk? 🤣🤣🤣 you’re talking about the free throw line? No dribble? Yeah. But the dunk itself were talking here. Who copiied?
No matter what yall say in the year 2090 they will still say jordan and oh yeah dr j was the Shit simple and it goes to show his greatness cau se all love to take a shot at him but that is what happens when u are the goat
Dr j copied connie Hawkins
in an era where you could fistfight and do anything you wanted to stop a guy this side of using a machine gun- he was really really good... revolutionized the game.
Dr.J was like a more athletic Kawhi. Dunking in everyone.
Dr.j the greatest
For his time" period!
Dr.j is one of the most influential players in the history of the game. in many respects he was mj, before mj. elgin baylor was the template for every high flying perimeter before Dr. J. Dr.j took athleticism to a whole new level.
timsmith1033 There is no MJ before MJ but there is one Julius Erving
@@daffyduckfan4478 your right and very well said
Don't leave out Connie Hawkins
Somewhere along the line u forgot about Bernard King.
He woulda destroyed these modern day players--he was too strong and fast.
His strength is rarely mentioned.
Lucky young people don’t follow this. They’d be all over you with a bunch of crap about the past having inferior athletes and so forth.
What they will never understand is it’s much easier to look spectacular when you have no resistance.
Dr. J. Couldn't go left to save his life so defenders like a Jordan or Kobe would exploit that and make his right ass go left and that would shut down Dr. J. Lol
The Dr. certainly would've been hall of fame in any era. And there may not have been a Lakers/Celtics dynasty had Doc been of that era. Perhaps, it could be said that with great teammates around him championships in any era would've had to go through The Doctor...
Doc was great in his era. However he wouldn't make the league today. And before the outrage pours in, find me a video of Doc hitting a jump shop? When could he guard today? Lebron, Greek Freek? The foreign Kid in Dallas? Klay Thompson? Kawaii?
In the 82-83 season dr j was older and wasn’t in his prime his prime days was when he was in the ABA
He had the most beautiful moves taking the ball to the basket ever. No one has even come close since.
As great as Dr J was, I'd take James Worthy.
I am biased on the the subject, but I grew up in the era of the "Doctor " and I agree with you that he has to be one of the top three forwards in the game
Grew up in an ABA city ⛹️♂️⛹️♂️⛹️♂️ Dr. J was phenomenal and he deserves more attention and a higher ranking amongst the greats! ⛹️♂️⛹️♂️💯
L McG Jr. Thanks. Hi. Yes. Goodness. Bye
L McG Jr. Dr.J. Yes. Happens. Goodness. Hi
Aside from being freak athletes they say one of the key reasons The Doctor and MJ were so special and could do things others couldn't was because they had unusually large hands.
Very true. It's a huge advantage to be able to grasp the ball as they did. Connie Hawkins was the first guy that was a star with the huge hands...maybe the largest ever. Elgin Baylor and Gus Johnson were two more guys that could make the moves with one hand.
Amazing player and an iconic legend. He was the definition of cool. He has to be the top 3 SF, top 15 all time, And top 5 in Charisma. KD? Lol he was The Doctor. So nice to see these true Legends, bring Up more!
Dumb question to ask about a legend, great or icon of his status. He'll always be a stand out among any player, past or present. Julius "Dr". Erving
A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-amen!
Without Dr. J in the ABA there probably be no Pacer, Nuggerts, Spurs. Dr. J revolutionized the game and forced the old school NBA to get into dunks, fast breaks and showtime. If Dr. J played in the NBA fro the beginning who knows. The fact that he was in the ABA made that league official.
Julius Erving was THE best --------EVER ! ---------------Better than MJ, Kobe, or anyone else. -----------The ABA was fantastic-----it was pure athleticism, & pure B-Ball ! --------The ABA had some fantastic players ---------many far better than the NBA had. --------Being from Denver, & there, in the days of the ABA, I will tell you, there was some truly great, great players in that league, & it was Hoops, at it's purest, fastest, & most fun. ------The old, stodgy NBA was desperate for ABA players. ---------WolfSky9, 72 y/o
Yeah right, you don't have no empirical data to back up that claim, yeah he guarded Larry Bird and got torched😂😂😂
Doc dunked over 7 foot all-stars! LeBron ain't doing that, no defense either.
He's not better than MJ but he was the GOAT in his era.
You crazy
Wolfsky9, I'm gonna burst your bubble with one of the most underrated players of all time. Are you ready for this: Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain. Eat 🍽 your heart 💞 out. Numero Uno.
Dr. J will always be my favorite player. I’m a die hard Laker fan and Magic is my favorite Laker, but Doc is the only basketball player living or dead that can stir my emotions to tears. When I played in high school my older brother bought me a pair of those Converse All Stars by Dr. J because I worked so hard to make the team. Tears of joy just overcame me. That was 40 years ago and every time I see or hear anything about the “J”, all those fond memories come rushing back. All the stats, dunks(like the one on my Pasadena, CA homeboy Michael Cooper and Laker) and downright unbelievable plays(the unforgettable behind the backboard reverse layup against my Lakers) are constant reminders of his greatness after the ABA days. There may be more exciting players that came along after Doc, but he is the ONE who set in motion the style, finesse, and athleticism we see on the NBA floor today. In my book, there will never be anyone like Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
My hero too, dr.j used to palm the basketball while dribbling, his bank jump shot original airwalker etc etc
Ebony and Mani
Spot on Bro!
Reading your post reminds me of my dad...you must be about the same age. I'm a 4th generation Lakers fan, since my great grandfather grew up in Minnesota (Minneapolis Lakers), he loved Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. My dad brought me up on Showtime and Magic was our favourite, but when he was really honest he was talkin' the Doc, did a school report on him in high school, I think he also mentioned having those shoes when he played. When I was small my dad even still had one of the old ABA balls, the one I learned with. The Doctor sure had class. Cheers!
@@calebsteingruber6906 Very cool Caleb!! Thanks for sharing your story.
Doc's defense is so underated. He was a great team defensive player. Always ranked in steals and blocked shots for his position. Also, people who know Doc like we do in Philly understand that his dunks were second to his endless array of moves around the basket.
He had the best dunk ever! So classy player!
The Doctor was so good, I thought there would never be another player like him ever, that is until MJ came along.
Michael Jordan had a great supporting cast other than that Jordan 1 2 1 6 rings what he did so
@@roycurtis5669 mid career on he did. Took Bulls some time to build it.
Although Michael Jordan is a superstar there is only one king of the Air and that is Dr. J Julius Erving
David Thompson and Dr. J are two players MJ modeled his game after. Dr. J was special man, I was born in the early 90s but even through 70s film you can tell just how incredible the doctor was. He was just as athletic as guys like MJ, LeBron, Westbrook, etc and helped define the way wing players played the game.
Mj only happened cuz of Dr. J, there's no discussion!!!
I was down only put him near the top as a small forward I'll put him near the top is one of the greatest basketball players of all time
He's #3 on the SF list after Bird and LeBron. I got Kawhi about 2-3 spots below him on the all time greatest player list and KD about 10-12 spots below Dr. J
I think you are spot on- as someone who lived in the dr. J era i remember him being the player that every kid wanted to be- in fact he is the pioneer of the "above the rim" basketball
He was the 1st player I watched get "old" and "slow".
I was born the year he merged into the NBA. My dad didn't even like sports and told me how Dr J was the truth.
I think I was 9 when I found out the Gods were mortal. It was a lot to process at that age. I saw him go off for like 3 years and then go gray on TV.
Top 3 Small Forwards.
Mount Rushmore of most ENTERTAINING NBA players ever
2:17 His right foot actually walked on the air. Insane....
Dr. J is The Greatest Of All Times he revolutionized the basketball. Period
No
@@richardmanuel9812 yes
@@coryburns1905 no he is not
Dr.j used to drove people to nba area, fancy airwalking towards the basketball, love his bank shot palming the basketball while dribbling
Top 3 most aesthetically pleasing to watch play the game
Top 1 my man. :)
YARK 💯
Thank you for posting a very well tribute to Dr. J. He is my all time favorite basketball player for all time .
Not only is he in my opinion, one of the top 10 players of all time, but, his influence and imprint on the game is telling. It's almost as if the game would not have been as successful as it is today without the contributions of so many former great basketball players and especially Dr. J.
He was personally involved in team development and Vice-President of the Players Association during ABA years, and generally regarded as League Ambassador during NBA. The kind of influence Michael or LeBron seem to have emulated. This was all Dr. J.
I think to describe his abilities it would be great to interview players who played during his time. From what I've gleaned so far, is that he did things during the game that no one, not to day nor yesterday has ever done. I do have to give much credit to all players and commentators who have spoken or commented on his play, that they have indeed recognized the good Doctor of how good he truly was.
Still, he is in my opinion, the greatest small forward. If you compare a time line of age, play, and impact on the game, Dr . J is in the top 5 automatically.
The first 35 seconds of the video: I approve of this message.✅
Dr. J was the Greatest and is still the Greatest in my heart ❤️. Better the Michael Jordan . But Michael was the best of the best. Over all Dr. J the Greatest in his time and Michael the best of his time. A lot of love ❤️ and they are both Awesome and Dr. J is always #1 in my book. Larry bird #2 Michael Jordan priceless
I grew up with Dr. J my hero he changed the game playing above the rim he did things jordan or james have not done. He had the first signature shoe converse Dr. Js all leather high top im glad you made tbis video in my opinion Doc was the greatest he slammed on everyone jabbar included walton great plyats ABA should count there was a time NBA had 8 teams and tbe game went ABA style not NBA. Doc was the best player i ever seen not jordan or james jordsn traveled alot james he swurches teams to win
Some of those dunks against Portland are among the greatest ever. He was power and poetry. A truly amazing talent.
He was like the ABA: jazz and improvisation.
@Randall Denison He didn't get the ring. But outside of Portland, those moves are immortal and no one remembers the portland team. Sixers used J as a decoy on the final shot, what a waste. Portland was great team, no doubt. Dr. J was the only legend to come from that.
@Randall Denison True. Walton was great. He and Julius really put on a show.
Exactly
His 2 in your face dunks on bill walton and bobby gross were VICIOUS!!
I still remember them like it was yesterday, they were so memorable
Ummm what does that have to do with the two dunks i mentioned?
SMDH
I remember Dr. J when he first entered the league (ABA and later NBA after the merger). In my opinion he was the first modern basketball star along with Pistol Pete.
I remember him playing in the ABA. One word... Masterful. He was the best at what he did!
Lived in Richmond when Doc played for the Squires. He almost personally sold out the house.
I was there too. You are right
This may sound impossible but Dr. J is probably the most underrated basketball player ever
I agree he is my all-time favorite!!!
He wasn't an elite shooter and played out of control a lot of the time. But still an all-time great.
Strong analysis. I think you nailed it.
I AGREE, and I would add Dr. JAY'S ORIGINALITY was not only Superb but Unmatched by any who play ball.
Definitely in my top 10 greatest of all time!!! No matter the competition, greatness shows through.
Back in the day, my friends and I made sure to watch Dr. J. He kind of cruised through a game. And when he turned on his super athleticism, it appeared effortless and would be something to remember. He’d rebound over centers and block seven footers. He had an explosive style of play and ended plays with a bang. To slow him down Larry Byrd had to foul him, a lot. So who’s better?
The original hang time before MJ. That reversed layup was insane !
Same with those reverse dunks.
Nah he waz never a team player hw was just superstar of the gane .. .if we could have pinned him to a team ...would a been the greatest story ever told ... ..i know erving.
MJ did copy Dr.j move just look at the RUclips videosvit tell it all
Facial, after facial, after facial...!!!
Julius Erving rank number one all time small forwards and in the top five fly all around best player
I was a New York Nets fan in the 1970s. It was major news in New York when the Nets acquired "The Doctor" from the Squires. I was lucky enough to watch him regularly both on TV and in person the entire time he was with the Nets.
I don't know about number rankings. All I can say is that Erving was as dominant and unstoppable a player as any of the usual suspects, Jordan, Bird, Magic, Lebron, Koby. He's right there with all of them. When he went to the Sixers, he dialed his game back a bit to fit into a team concept and accommodate other very talented star players. If the NBA hadn't been the stodgier league when he came over from the ABA, he could have easily put up the same numbers and played the same way. As it was, whenever his team needed him to take over a game, he could do it.
I grew up watching Dr. J destroy players at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island with the Nets. I even went to his basketball clinics at Nassau Community College. He was super athletic and extraordinarily graceful. TV could NEVER capture the beauty of his movement entirely. You had to see him live.
thats deep Gene..I know exactly what you mean. Aesthetically he is still the greatest I have ever seen. As great as Jordan was, he was a jerky-jerky contortionist compared to Julius...
In fact, I will go out on the limb and say that Julius transcended basketball itself (even winning and losing) for two reasons: 1st the artistic genius of his game. He basically is what I would call the peak blossoming moment in basketball. Sure you had Elgin Baylor and Connie Hawkins before him and then MJ, Nique' Vince and all the others afterwards--- But the gap is bigger between Julius and his predecessors than the one between him and those that came after him. Also--there are moves Julius did in game that cannot be replicated by ANYONE EVER.
2ndly-- He was the most beloved player of all-time, and that is undisputed. He is the only player in the history of the game who was so beloved, there were fans from the opposing team (namely the Lakers in 83') who actually wanted HIM to win the title. The whole league wanted him to win.
Julius is basically the Bruce Lee and Hendrix of basketball...and I feel sorry that the younger generations will never really know. As you said Gene, the television couldn't capture the reality, I should say the spirit energy that he emanated in his movements. And I would add, that even if you got to see him on TV in real time, that cannot be encapsulated by watching a youtube video 30 years in the future. If you catch my drift (some kind of metaphysical conjunction there I think)
@@brandonterzic AGREED. Even going to the games was not the same as being on the court with him at his basketball camps. He was fluid like water to a degree I HAVE NEVER seen in another human being. EVER.
His cousins lived around the corner from me. They were gorgeous, 6ft tall girls and 6'3 to 6'5 guys. Only one played ball though. He would hibernate smoking weed all winter, show up at the park in the spring and dunk on people and pin their shots on the backboard until the fall. Then disappear again while we all played in gyms through the winter. It was comical because it was ALWAYS like he NEVER left. He was ferocious though, all force and power. NOT smooth like Julius. His gorgeous sisters all ended up with thug ass losers. Sad.
Gene Davis ...The New York Nets was televised locally on WOR-TV, Channel 9, in New York City. Many bandwagoners are always using Air Jordan to attack Doc. The latter was still in his prime when he went to Philly. Jordan referred to Julius Erving as "the guy who started it all!" I went to Uniondale to watch the New York Nets, myself. Thanks-a-million, Gene!
The Virginia Squires team also had another legend on that squad: George Gervin.
'The Iceman!'
parkdale76 Wait a minute! DID HE JUST SAY THAT MOSES MALONE WAS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM... DEFINITELY?????!!!!! IS THIS DUDE CRAZY OR SOMETHING?! Listen, points scored DO NOT... I REPEAT, DO NOT, make one the best. Why? Because it's EASY TO GET THE BALL TO THE BIG MAN TO SCORE, IT'S THE MAIN OBJECTIVE TO BE HONEST. That being said, could Malone drive the ball baseline to baseline slam dunking? NO. Could Malone handle the ball weaving in and out of the paint to lay it up amongst other 6 footers? NO. Could Malone hit from 3 point range consistently?! NO. Could Malone electrify the crowd getting them so involved that they become literally " THE SIXTH MAN/PLAYER ." HELL NO!!! So I state, that Moses Malone; granted he was good and a major contributing factor of the championship win. However... HE DEFINITELY WAS NOT, I REPEAT... WAS NOT THE BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM. HANDS DOWN THAT ACCOLADE BELONGS SOLEY AND UTTERLY TO JULIUS " DR.J ERVING ! "
The 'Doctor' and the 'Surgeon', Erving and Gervin! Saw a Squires game in 72-73, Both scored 40+!
No lie...
and Charlie Scott
Doc is always #1 overall in my book 4ever ,pure excitement was what he was and is nuff said !!!!!
Dr.J opened the way to MJ and to a more ABA-oriented playing style.........It's his legacy
He was swesome.i was 12 years old he played for Virginia squires and sixers.no body had more flash.he dunked from foul line.he was great person to..dr j and george mcginnis were a killer tandom.lo e the doctor.he always delievered.and great defensive player to.