Let's talk about Dr. J for a moment...

[Schmoove]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Julius Erving is considered a just notch below the level as Mike, Magic, Larry, etc, even though he is well respected? He basically made the ABA and still put up NICE numbers well into the twilight of his career, while still embarrassing teams with his athleticism. He even competed in the dunk contest at age 36!

Julius Erving Stats | Basketball-Reference.com

 

[ImmaGetJoeClarkArrested]

A lot of greats say he was the first Jordan

 

[pete clemenza]

 

[Consumed]

Suffers from having his best season in a league that only those invested into NBA history are well informed about, and although it wasnt a fault of his own the 76ers struggled to overcome the likes of the Lakers (and Blazers in '77) until Moses arrived in '83 and he over shadowed him as the best player on the team. He doesn't have the same level of folklore that Bird or Magic do, despite being just as good as they were in the peak of his career.

Dr J is a well respected player but if you ask someone what made him great they'd probably just settle for his dunking/style, which vastly undersells the fact that he was one of the best all around players of his era. He was a brilliant playmaker, great rebounder and an elite defender who helped anchor some of the best defenses of the 80's.

He's not the only legend that isn't fully appropriate though, Rick Barry probably gets it even worse. Legit a top 30 player ever who led arguably the greatest finals upset ever but you never even hear him talked about among legends of this game.

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

A lot of greats say he was the first Jordan

My dad says this a lot too since he grew up watching him. The exact phrase he uses is "Doctor J was Jordan before Jordan was". Said basically he could do everything on both ends of the floor and always seemed to give a highlight reel type play when you attended games. He even hit a buzzer beater to win the championship in the last ABA game. Fans stormed the court and everything. Sadly his peak was in the 70's when even the finals was on tape delay. I watched that documentary that aired on NBA tv in 2013 about him and when he was playing for both the nets and the Virginia squires, sometimes the games weren't even aired locally.

 

[David_TheMan]

NBA has not been invested in the 70s era players like they did with the 80s player (magic and bird saving the league) and Jordan who stern made the face of the league and professional basketball at the cost of the game.

Hell the NBA really doesn't give the 60s players their props except for Bill Russell, no award named after Wilt, no award or recognition for Oscar, Jerry got the logo but if he didn't have that you would rarely hear the league talk about him, cousy, or any of the great 60s players and teams.

Dr. J was legit , my dad always said Gervin was better so i grew up in a Iceman house. Neither get the props they deserve

 

[gho3st]

deadbeat father

 

[hayesc0]

Yeah I think one of the problems is many dont take the aba seriously with those fast paced inflated numbers players got in that league.

 

[Supreme365]

Yeah I think one of the problems is many dont take the aba seriously with those fast paced inflated numbers players got in that league.

The 80's 60's and today's current era is fast paced I guess these numbers are inflated too

 

[Remote]

deadbeat father

Karl Malone is worse

 

[Schmoove]

Karl Malone is worse

Malone is a c00n so he gets a pass from white controlled media

 

[hayesc0]

The 80's 60's and today's current era is fast paced I guess these numbers are inflated too

No not that simple the 60s and Aba was on a different level some of those reb numbers was

 

[noodles]

Legend. I remember watching a documentary on him and his legend at NY's famous Rucker Park. The announcer in the 60s after one of his dunks rocked the park...

"The operation was a success...the patient has DIED!"

 

[ISO]

The 80's 60's and today's current era is fast paced I guess these numbers are inflated too

The current NBA isn't really that fast paced it's on par with the early 90's at about 96 possessions per game league wide...

In the 80's teams ran 100-103 possessions per game, 60's was probably around 115 possessions per game.

 

[dem bath salts]

Im in my 30's but im just older enough to remember when dr. J was that dude. My perception of him started to change right before Mike won his 3rd ring. Its like the media just stopped mentioning him. shyts weird cuz i use to acknowledge that nikka as a great one but after mj 1st 3peat, i forgot my dude existed

Dr. J and Isaiah really got the shortend of the stick of this superstar thing.