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Julius Erving

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Julius Erving
Born
Julius Winfield Erving II

(1950-02-22) February 22, 1950 (age 76)
East Meadow, New York, U.S.
Other namesDr. J, Doctor, Black Moses, Houdini
OccupationProfessional basketball player (retired)
Years active1971–1987
Known forABA and NBA basketball player, pioneering slam dunker

Julius Winfield "Dr. J" Erving II (born February 22, 1950) is a retired American professional basketball athlete who played a pivotal role in establishing the credibility of the American Basketball Association (ABA) prior to its integration with the National Basketball Association (NBA) following the 1975–1976 campaign.

Throughout his career, Erving secured three championship titles, earned four Most Valuable Player awards, and claimed three scoring crowns while representing the ABA's Virginia Squires and New York Nets (currently known as the NBA's Brooklyn Nets), as well as the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Across 16 seasons, every team he played for advanced to the playoffs. He holds the eighth position on the combined ABA/NBA all-time scoring list with a total of 30,026 points. Celebrated for his legendary free-throw line slam dunks, Erving uniquely received MVP honors in both leagues. The expression posterized was coined due to his spectacular highlight dunks. His accolades include selection to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980 and induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Additionally, Sports Illustrated named him among the 40 most influential athletes ever in 1994, and he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Erving was also honored on the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams in 1996 and 2021, respectively.

Recognized as one of the NBA’s most gifted players and premier dunkers, Erving revolutionized slam dunking by moving it beyond its previous association with physically dominant big men. He transformed dunking into an artistic skill by performing high-percentage dunks following dynamic maneuvers well away from the basket. This innovation elevated dunking from mere physical power to a tactical offensive weapon, profoundly impacting basketball strategy and culture.

Early life

Born on February 22, 1950, in East Meadow, located on Long Island, Erving grew up from age 13 in Roosevelt, New York. Prior to that, he resided in nearby Hempstead. He attended Roosevelt High School, where he played on the basketball team. The nickname "Doctor" or "Dr. J" was first given to him by a high school friend, Leon Saunders, who called him "the doctor" after Erving had nicknamed Saunders "the professor."

Erving later reflected that during his time playing in Harlem's Rucker Park league—where he was also known as "Black Moses" and "Houdini"—he favored the moniker "Doctor." Over time, this evolved into "Dr. Julius" before finally becoming "Dr. J." His friend and future teammate on both the Nets and Squires squads, Willie Sojourner, was reportedly the first to refer to him as "Dr. J."

College career and Team USA

In 1968, Erving enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During two varsity seasons, he averaged 26.3 points along with 20.2 rebounds per game, making him one of only six players in NCAA Men's Basketball history to maintain averages exceeding 20 points and 20 rebounds per contest. Since dunking was prohibited by the NCAA starting in 1968, Erving’s dunks were only witnessed during practice sessions.

Fifteen years later, fulfilling a promise made to his mother, Erving earned a bachelor's degree in creative leadership and administration from UMass via its University Without Walls program. He also received an honorary doctorate from the institution. In September 2021, Massachusetts commemorated him with a statue placed outside the campus's Mullins Center.

In 1970, Erving represented the United States Olympic Development Team preparing for the Munich Summer Olympics of 1972. Wearing jersey number six as power forward, he led his team both in scoring and rebounding while competing successfully against professional European squads. Around this period, Erving became aware of the ABA’s approach to signing underclassmen as a competitive move against the National Basketball Association. Following meetings with ABA general manager Johnny "Red" Kerr and coach Al Bianchi, he decided in late 1971 to join the ABA—a decision that sparked legal disputes over his NBA rights held by the Atlanta Hawks.

Virginia Squires (1971–1973)

Utilizing the ABA's “hardship” provision, Julius Erving departed Massachusetts after his junior year, securing a four-year contract worth $500,000 with the Virginia Squires. To enable this acquisition, the Squires relinquished their first-round selection in the 1972 ABA draft.

Erving swiftly emerged as a leading talent, posting an impressive 27.3 points per game during his rookie season. His achievements included selection to the All-ABA Second Team and the All-Rookie Team, leading the league in offensive rebounds, and finishing as runner-up for Rookie of the Year. He propelled the Squires to the Eastern Division Finals, where they were narrowly defeated in seven games by the New York Nets.

ABA–NBA contract dispute

Although eligible for the 1972 NBA draft and chosen 12th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, Erving had already inked a contract exceeding $1 million with the Atlanta Hawks following disagreements with the Squires. Due to a conflict of interest involving his agent, he accepted a suboptimal agreement with Virginia.

This situation sparked a multifaceted conflict: Milwaukee asserted their draft rights, Virginia sought to enforce their existing contract, and Erving briefly appeared in two exhibition games for Atlanta before NBA Commissioner J. Walter Kennedy ruled in favor of Milwaukee. The Hawks were penalized $25,000 per game for infractions and unsuccessfully appealed the decision.

Subsequently, Judge Edward Neaher issued an injunction preventing Erving from playing for any team other than the Squires pending arbitration. Erving complied with this order while pursuing an appeal.

Returning to ABA play in 1972–73, Erving achieved a personal best average of 31.9 points per game. However, financial difficulties forced the Squires to transfer his contract to the New York Nets the following season.

New York Nets (1973–1976)

Amid financial strain, the Squires traded Erving to the Nets in a complex transaction that kept him within the ABA framework. Erving agreed to an eight-year deal valued at roughly $350,000 annually. In exchange for Erving and Willie Sojourner, the Squires received $750,000, George Carter, and rights to Kermit Washington. Additionally, the Nets compensated the Hawks with $425,000 to cover legal expenses and fines related to Erving’s contractual issues; arrangements for draft compensation were also made contingent on a future league merger.

Erving led the Nets to their inaugural ABA championship in 1973–74 by overcoming the Utah Stars. His exceptional performance solidified his status as the league’s top player while enhancing the Nets’ reputation and stature. The 1975–76 season concluded with the ABA–NBA merger on the horizon. Both the Nets and Nuggets had applied for NBA inclusion amid delays caused by legal challenges such as the Oscar Robertson lawsuit. Erving spearheaded the Nets’ victory over Denver in ABA’s final championship series, averaging 34.7 points during playoffs and securing MVP honors. That season he uniquely ranked among the top ten across numerous statistical categories spanning both leagues.

Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987)

Following the merger, territorial indemnity fees imposed by the New York Knicks—demanding $4.8 million for encroaching upon their market—combined with prior NBA entry costs led owner Roy Boe to retract promised salary raises for Erving, inciting a holdout. Interest from teams including Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia emerged during this period. The Nets proposed transferring Erving’s contract to the Knicks to waive indemnity fees; however, New York declined—a decision later regarded as a significant franchise misstep.

Ultimately, Philadelphia acquired Erving’s contract for $3 million, effectively exchanging their franchise cornerstone for NBA entry rights. The Nets subsequently endured a league-worst 22–60 record. Boe later expressed regret that terms of the merger “destroyed” the Nets as an NBA entity.

Denied his preferred No. 32 jersey due to its retirement honoring Billy Cunningham, Erving selected No. 6 in tribute to Bill Russell. He quickly assumed leadership of the Sixers, guiding them to a 50-win campaign alongside teammates such as George McGinnis, Lloyd Free, and Doug Collins. The team secured both Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference titles but fell short in the 1977 NBA Finals against Bill Walton’s Portland Trail Blazers after a critical altercation shifted momentum.

Off-court, Erving pioneered athlete endorsements and launched a signature sneaker line; he also appeared in the 1979 basketball film The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. Under coach Billy Cunningham’s guidance, Philadelphia gradually built around him by adding players like Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, and Bobby Jones.

The rivalry between Boston Celtics and Sixers intensified following Larry Bird’s arrival in 1979; they clashed repeatedly in Eastern Conference Finals during early 1980s seasons. In 1980 Philadelphia reached the NBA Finals but lost to Magic Johnson’s Lakers despite Erving’s iconic “Baseline Move” and his lone three-point shot of that series—the inaugural year of NBA’s three-point line.

Erving remained among league elites through 1981–82 but encountered playoff setbacks against Boston and Los Angeles. He earned NBA MVP recognition in 1981 and was named to All-NBA First Team in 1982.

The acquisition of center Moses Malone before 1982–83 completed a formidable roster; Malone famously predicted a "fo-fo-fo" sweep en route to an NBA title. The Sixers nearly fulfilled this prophecy, dropping just one playoff game before sweeping Los Angeles for their championship crown.

Erving sustained All-Star caliber play into his concluding seasons with averages exceeding 16 points per game. After announcing retirement following the 1986 campaign, he received tributes from rivals including Boston and Los Angeles during his farewell tour.

Retirement

Erving concluded his professional basketball career in 1987 at the age of 37. ABA historian Terry Pluto compared his continual innovation to that of Thomas Edison. He is one of the rare athletes to have his jersey number retired by two different teams: the Brooklyn Nets (No. 32) and the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 6). Recognized as a versatile player and often underrated defender, Erving routinely guarded elite forwards for more than 40 minutes per game while demonstrating exceptional skills as a passer, ball handler, and clutch scorer. Many of his spectacular aerial plays received limited exposure due to the ABA’s modest media coverage. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most outstanding dunkers in basketball history.

Combining his ABA and NBA tenures, Erving amassed over 30,000 points. His achievements earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996. At the time he retired, he ranked third in total points scored, third in field goals made, fifth in field goals attempted, and led all players in steals. As of 2022, he holds the eighth position on the combined NBA/ABA all-time scoring list, trailing only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain.

1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest

In this legendary event, Erving faced off against notable competitors such as George "The Iceman" Gervin, Larry "Special K" Kenon, Artis "The A-Train" Gilmore, and David "The Skywalker" Thompson. He began by dunking two basketballs simultaneously and then performed a dunk from the free-throw line after sprinting the length of the court—a move that helped popularize this spectacular feat during the 1976 ABA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest.

Dunk over Bill Walton

In Game 6 of the 1977 NBA Finals, Erving made a full-court dash with defenders in pursuit. Using a crossover to evade multiple opponents, he soared for a powerful slam dunk over UCLA legend Bill Walton’s extended arms. This dunk is frequently cited as one of the most remarkable in NBA history and symbolized a defining moment in Erving’s transition to a league with greater television exposure.

Baseline move

One of Erving’s most unforgettable highlights took place during the 1980 NBA Finals when he executed an extraordinary finger-roll behind the backboard. Driving past Lakers forward Mark Landsberger along the right baseline for a layup attempt, he was confronted by 7′2″ center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who forced him away from the basket. In mid-air behind the backboard, Erving managed to score with a right-handed layup despite his body being positioned beyond the hoop. This play, alongside his free-throw line dunk, became emblematic moments of his career and was described by Sports Illustrated as "The, No Way, even for Dr. J, Flying Reverse Lay-up." Erving himself referred to it simply as "just another move."

"Rock the Baby" dunk over Michael Cooper

Another iconic instance took place during a 1983 regular-season matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. After Sixers point guard Maurice Cheeks deflected a pass intended for Lakers forward James Worthy, Erving raced downcourt facing only one defender—the Lakers’ premier defender Michael Cooper. Approaching inside the three-point arc, he cradled the ball against his wrist and forearm while rocking it before launching into a "Rock the Baby" slam dunk, throwing the ball behind his head and finishing with an emphatic dunk over a crouching Cooper. This dunk is widely celebrated as one of basketball’s greatest ever moments.

Post-retirement endeavors

In 1986, Erving completed his undergraduate studies through the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Following his basketball career, he ventured into business, taking ownership of a Coca-Cola bottling facility located in Philadelphia and also working as a television commentator. By 1997, he had assumed executive roles with the Orlando Magic, serving as Vice President of RDV Sports and Executive Vice President.

Between 1998 and 2000, Erving partnered with former NFL running back Joe Washington to co-own a NASCAR Busch Series team, marking the first NASCAR team fully owned by minorities, supported by Dr Pepper sponsorship. His involvement was driven by a desire to increase NASCAR's visibility within African-American communities. Additionally, Erving has held board memberships at Converse, Darden Restaurants, Saks Incorporated, and The Sports Authority. Around 2009, he was the proprietor of The Celebrity Golf Club International near Atlanta; however, the establishment later underwent bankruptcy proceedings. ESPN has recognized him as one of the premier athletes of the 20th century.

In 1991, Erving provided narration for Copland's Lincoln Portrait during a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti, commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

Erving appeared in brief roles in the 1993 movie Philadelphia, the 1995 sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and portrayed The Minister in Lifetime's 2012 remake of Steel Magnolias. He also featured as himself in "Lice," an episode of The Office in 2013, and appeared in the 2022 film Hustle alongside Adam Sandler and Juancho Hernangómez.

Career statistics

† Indicates seasons when Erving's team secured an ABA championship
* ABA record

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Virginia (ABA) | 84 || || 41.8 || .498 || .188 || .745|| 15.7 || 4.0 || || || 27.3 |- | style="text-align:left"| | style="text-align:left;"| Virginia (ABA) | 71 || || style="background:#cfecec;"|42.2* || .496 || .208 || .776 || 12.2 || 4.2 || 2.5 || 1.8 || style="background:#cfecec;"|31.9* |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"|† | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | 84 || || 40.5 || .512 || .395 || .766 || 10.7 || 5.2 || 2.3 || 2.4 || style="background:#cfecec;"|27.4* |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | style="background:#cfecec;"|84* || || 40.5 || .506 || .333 || .799 || 10.9 || 5.5 || 2.2 || 1.9 || 27.9 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"| † | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | 84 || || 38.6 || .507 || .330 || .801 || 11.0 || 5.0 || 2.5 || 1.9 || style="background:#cfecec;"|29.3* |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia (NBA) | 82 || || 35.9 || .499 || || .777 || 8.5 || 3.7 || 1.9 || 1.4 || 21.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia (NBA) | 74 || || 32.8 || .502 || || .845 || 6.5 || 3.8 || 1.8|| 1.3 || 20.6 |- | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia (NBA) 

|78||||35.9||.491||||.745||7.2||4.6||1.7||1.3||23.1
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |
|style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia (NBA)
|78||||36.1||.519||.200||.787||7..4||4..6||2..2||1..8||26..9
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |
|style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia (NBA)
|82||||35..0||.521||.222||.787||8..0||4..4||2..1||1..8||24..6
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |
|style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia (NBA)
|81|||81||34..4|||.546|||'.273'||'.763'||6..9'||3..9'||2..0'||1..7'||24..4
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" |†
|style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia (NBA)
|72||72||33..6|| .517|| .286|| .759||6..8||3..7||1..6||1..8||21..4
|-
|style="text-align:left; "|
|style="text-align:left; "|Philadelphia (NBA)
|77||77||34..8|| .512|| .333|| .754||6..9|||4..0|||1..8|||1..8|||22..4
|- 
|style="text-align:left; "|
|style="text-align:left; "|Philadelphia (NBA)
|78|||78|||32..5||| .494||| .214||| .765|||5..3|||3..0|||1..7|||1..4|||20..0
|- 
|style="text-align:left; "|
|style="text-align:left; "|Philadelphia (NBA)
|74|||74|||33..4||| .480||| .281||| .785|||5..0|||3..4|||1..5|||1..1|||18..1
|- 
|style="text-align:left; "|
|style="text-align:left; "|Philadelphia (NBA)
|60|||60|||32..0||| .471||| .264||| .813|||4..4|||3..2|||1..3|||1..6|||16..8
|- class ="sortbottom"
|style ="text-align:center;" colspan=2> Career
|>1243 |>442 |>36..4 |> .506 |> .298 |> .777 |>8..5 |>4..2 |>2..0 |>1..7 |>24..2
|- class ="sortbottom"
|>style ="text-align:center;" colspan=2>All-Star
|>16 |>11 |>28..1 |> .496 |> .667 |> .793 |>6..7 |>3..7 |>1..3 |>1..0 |>20..1

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"|1972 | style="text-align:left;"| Virginia (ABA) | 11 || || 45.8 || .518 || .250 || .835 || 20.4 || 6.5 || || || 33.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1973 | style="text-align:left;"| Virginia (ABA) | 5 || || 43.8 || .527 || .000 || .750 || 9.0|| 3.2 || || || 29.6 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"| 1974† | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | 14 || || 41.4 || .528 || .455 || .741 || 9.6 || 4.8 || 1.6 || 1.4 || 27.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1975 | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | 5 || || 42.2 || .455 || .000 || .844 || 9.8 || 5.6 || 1.0 || 1.8 || 27.4 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"| 1976† | style="text-align:left;"| New York (ABA) | 13 || || 42.4 || .533 || .286 || .804 || 12.6 || 4.9 || 1.9|| 2.0 || 34.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1977 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia (NBA) | 19 || || 39.9 || .523 || || .821 || 6.4 || 4.5 || 2.2 || 1.2 || 27.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1978 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia (NBA) | 10 || || 35.8 || .489 || || .750 || 9.7 || 4.0 || 1.5|| 1.8 || 21.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|1979 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia (NBA) | 9 || || 41.3 || .517 || || .761 || 7.8 || 5.9 || 2.0|| 1.9||25.4 |}

Career highs

Statistic Value Opponent Date
Points 45 vs. Boston Celtics
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Field goals made 19 at Cleveland Cavaliers
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Field goal attempts 32 at Cleveland Cavaliers
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Free throws made, one missed 19-20 vs. Chicago Bulls
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Free throws made 19 vs. Chicago Bulls
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Free throw attempts 20 vs. Chicago Bulls
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Steals "8" "vs. Washington Bullets" "
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"Blocked Shots" "8" "vs Detroit Pistons" "
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"Blocked Shots" "7" "vs Milwaukee Bucks" "
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"Turnovers" "10" "at Atlanta Hawks" "
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Records

  • Among only seven players in ABA/NBA history to surpass both the thresholds of over 1,300 steals and 1,300 blocked shots, joining Kevin Garnett, Bobby Jones, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clifford Robinson, David Robinson, and Ben Wallace.
  • The sole NBA athlete to record distinctive game stat lines that combine high scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, alongside outstanding shooting percentages in multiple contests from 1973 to 1986.
  • One of two players to have multiple games with at least seven assists, five steals, and four blocks while maintaining a perfect free-throw percentage; the other being Hakeem Olajuwon.
  • Among a duo of players with several games exceeding forty points combined with significant rebounds, assists, steals or blocks and exceptional shooting efficiency; sharing this feat with Michael Jordan.
  • Belongs to an exclusive group that merges elite offensive output with defensive contributions and near-flawless free-throw accuracy within single match performances.
  • One of three players to post a game with forty-nine points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals while shooting flawlessly from the free-throw line; others include Rick Barry and Amar'e Stoudemire.
  • Achieved multiple rare statistical feats demonstrating versatility and efficiency on offense and defense—key benchmarks in evaluating player performance analytics.


Awards and honors

Halls of Fame

NBA

NCAA

  • Secured two Yankee Conference Championships (1970, 1971)
  • Selected as UPI and NABC Third-team All-American in 1971
  • Earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors in 1971
  • University of Massachusetts retired his No. 32 jersey
  • The Julius Erving Award is presented annually to recognize the nation’s top men’s collegiate small forward
  • Statue dedicated at UMass Mullins Center unveiled in 2021

Media

  • Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association named him Outstanding ABA Player of the Year twice (1974, 1975)
  • Voted Sporting News NBA MVP in 1981
  • Included on Sporting News NBA/ABA First Teams for both the 1970s and NBA’s 1980s decade
  • Part of AP’s NBA All-Decade Team for the 1980s
  • Listed among Sports Illustrated's top 40 Most Influential Sports Figures in 1994
  • Recipient of the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award in 1988
  • Honored with Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012
  • Awarded Nancy Lieberman Charities Trailblazer Award in 2019

Other

  • The BIG3 league named its championship trophy after him starting in 2018

Personal life

Erving identifies as a Christian and attributes his faith as a central influence throughout his life. He is a second cousin to economist Walter E. Williams. From 1972 until their divorce in 2003, he was married to Turquoise Erving; together they had four children. Tragically, their son Cory passed away due to accidental drowning in 2000.

In 1980, Erving fathered Alexandra Stevenson with sportswriter Samantha Stevenson; Alexandra later pursued a professional tennis career. Their relationship became publicly known in 1999, with contact reestablished in 2008.

In addition, Erving fathered Justin Kangas with Dorýs Madden in 2003. He married Madden five years later in 2008, and they have four children together. The family relocated to Buckhead, Atlanta, in 2009 while managing an Atlanta-based golf and country club.

On September 10, 2021, Erving participated in a ceremony at UMass Amherst unveiling statues honoring himself alongside fellow alumni John Calipari, Marcus Camby, and Jack Leaman.

Community art

In 1990, artist Kent Twitchell, collaborating with Mural Arts Philadelphia, produced the Dr. J mural in Philadelphia. Rather than portraying Erving in athletic attire, the artwork features him dressed in a business suit, emphasizing his influence beyond the basketball court. The mural's lifelike precision and strategic location elevated public standards for mural artistry and fostered greater community involvement in arts funding. Today, it stands as a cherished emblem of Erving's legacy both on the hardwood and within the wider community.

See also

Bibliography

External links

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