About Dr. J
The American former professional basketball player Julius Winfield Erving II, better known by his stage moniker Dr. J, was born on February 22, 1950. His estimated net worth is $60 million. 1950 saw the birth of Julius Erving in Nassau County, New York. In high school, he was given the moniker “Dr. J,” and in 1968, he enrolled in the University of Massachusetts. Erving averaged 32.5 points and 20.2 rebounds throughout the course of his two seasons at UMass, making him one of only five players in NCAA history to do so.
Dr. J in the ABA
Erving signed a contract with the ABA’s Virginia Squires in 1971. He became well-known for his exceedingly difficult dunks during his freshman season, when he averaged more over 27 points per game. The Squires couldn’t move on after he guided them to the Division Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks chose Dr. J with the twelfth overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft, but Erving was compelled to play for the Squires and the ABA for the 72–73 season due to contractual obligations. He was moved to the New York Nets after the season.
The ABA Championship and Dr. J
The Nets won the ABA championship in his first year with the team. The Nets won the ABA championship in 74-75, the final season before the NBA-ABA merger, by defeating the Denver Nuggets once more. The New York Knicks demanded payment from the Brooklyn Nets for “invading their NBA territory” with the merger, and the Nets were compelled to sell Erving’s contract to raise the money. For $3 million, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Dr. J’s contract.
in Philadelphia, Dr. J.
Erving took Philadelphia to the NBA Finals in his first season with the Sixers, where they were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers. In 1980, Dr. J and Larry Bird started a rivalry between the Sixers and the Boston Celtics. In 1980, 1981, 82, and 85, the two teams faced off in the Conference Finals. In 1980, Philadelphia would make it to the Finals but fall to the Los Angeles Lakers. Up until 1983, when they were able to sweep the Lakers for the NBA championship, the Sixers would continue to lose in the playoffs. Dr. J left his position after the 1986–1987 campaign.
The Playing Style of Dr. J
Dr. J was well renowned for his intimidating dunks, which helped popularize the move in basketball. One of the most well-known occurred during the 1977 Finals when Erving dunk-covered the 6, 11, and 12 Bill Walton after sprinting the length of the floor. Another legendary dunk occurred in 1983 against the Lakers when the doctor shook the ball back and forth while cradling it.
NBA and ABA Star
In both leagues, Erving was a standout player. He was selected as an 11-time NBA All-Star and a five-time ABA All-Star. He also won the NBA MVP award once and three times in the ABA. With more than 30,000 points, Erving is fifth among all scorers. The Philadelphia 76ers retired his number 6 and the Brooklyn Nets retired his number 32 after his 1993 Hall of Fame induction.
