Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II was born on the 22nd of February 1950 in East Meadow, New York. He moved to Roosevelt at age 13 and attended Roosevelt High School. A high school friend named Leon Saunders gave him the nickname "Doctor" during their time together as buddies. The moniker evolved into "Dr. J" over time after other players called him "Black Moses" or "Houdini." Erving insisted that anyone calling him anything should use "Doctor." He enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1968. During two varsity seasons he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game. This made him one of only six players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in NCAA history. An NCAA rule adopted in 1968 prohibited dunking so his teammates were the only ones who saw his aerial skills before college ended.
Erving left Massachusetts after his junior year to sign a four-year contract worth $500,000 with the Virginia Squires. The American Basketball Association had instituted a hardship rule allowing players to leave early. The Squires forfeited their first round pick in the 1972 draft to allow this move. NBA rules barred teams from drafting players fewer than four years removed from high school. The Milwaukee Bucks selected Erving 12th overall in the 1972 NBA draft. Prior to the draft he signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks worth over $1 million including a $250,000 bonus. His agent Steve Arnold was employed by the Squires and convinced him to sign below market value. A dispute arose among three teams across two leagues. Judge Edward Neaher issued an injunction on October 2 prohibiting him from playing for any team other than the Squires. He joined Pete Maravich at the Hawks training camp but played only exhibition games. NBA Commissioner J. Walter Kennedy fined the Hawks $25,000 per game for violating the ruling. The judge sent the case to arbitration because of a clause in Erving's contract with Virginia.
Erving returned to the ABA where his game flourished. He achieved a career-best 31.9 points per game during the 1972, 1973 season. The cash-strapped Squires sold his contract to the New York Nets the following year. Erving signed an eight-year deal worth $350,000 per year. The Nets paid the Hawks $425,000 to reimburse legal fees and fines. The merger between the ABA and NBA occurred after the 1975, 1976 season. The Nets and Denver Nuggets applied for admission to the NBA before that final season. Erving led the Nets to their first ABA title in 1973, 1974 defeating the Utah Stars. In the postseason he averaged 34.7 points and was named Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. This was the only season in either league where a player finished top 10 in points rebounds assists steals blocks free throw percentage free throws made free throws attempted three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals made. The Philadelphia 76ers bought Erving's contract for $3 million when owner Roy Boe reneged on a salary promise.
Erving requested jersey number 32 but it was retired for Billy Cunningham so he wore No. 6 instead honoring Bill Russell. He became leader of his new club leading them to a 50-win season. The Sixers defeated the Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference. They faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals. Maurice Lucas and Darryl Dawkins fought a famous brawl igniting the Blazers' team. Erving executed the legendary Baseline Move during the 1980 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. He drove past Mark Landsberger and went in for a layup. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar blocked the route forcing him outwards. Erving managed to reach over and score despite his whole body being behind the hoop. The Lakers won the series 4, 2 with superb play from Magic Johnson. Larry Bird entered the league in 1979 reviving the Celtics rivalry. These two teams faced each other in the Eastern Conference Finals four times between 1980 and 1985. The matchup inspired an early Electronic Arts video game titled One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird.
In the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest Erving faced George Gervin Larry Kenon Artis Gilmore and David Thompson. He started by dunking two balls in the hoop. Then he ran to the opposite end of the court and back to dunk from the free throw line. Although Jim Pollard and Wilt Chamberlain had done this before Erving introduced it to a wider audience. This event brought the slam dunk contest to national consciousness. Another memorable play occurred during game 6 of the 1977 NBA Finals against Portland. Erving ran the length of the court with five defenders chasing him. He performed a crossover to blow by multiple defenders seemingly gliding to the hoop. Bill Walton waited in the post as Erving threw down a vicious slam dunk over his outstretched arms. This move is considered one of the strongest dunks ever attempted. It was one of the highlights of his arrival to a more television-exposed NBA.
Erving retired in 1987 at age 37 after announcing he would leave following that season. Opposing teams paid tribute to him in the last games played in their arenas including Boston and Los Angeles. His number 32 jersey was retired by the Brooklyn Nets and No. 6 by the Philadelphia 76ers. He became a businessman obtaining ownership of a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Philadelphia. In 1997 he joined the front office of the Orlando Magic as Vice President of RDV Sports. Erving and Joe Washington fielded a NASCAR Busch Series team from 1998 to 2000. The team had secure sponsorship from Dr Pepper for most of its existence. He served on boards of Converse Darden Restaurants Saks Incorporated and The Sports Authority. As of 2009 he owned The Celebrity Golf Club International outside Atlanta though it filed for bankruptcy soon after. He performed narration in a 1991 concert honoring Martin Luther King Jr with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Riccardo Muti.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was Julius Erving born?
Julius Winfield Erving II was born on the 22nd of February 1950 in East Meadow, New York. He moved to Roosevelt at age 13 and attended Roosevelt High School.
Why did Julius Erving get the nickname Dr J?
A high school friend named Leon Saunders gave him the nickname Doctor during their time together as buddies. The moniker evolved into Dr J over time after other players called him Black Moses or Houdini.
How many points per game did Julius Erving average at UMass?
During two varsity seasons he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game. This made him one of only six players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in NCAA history.
What happened when Julius Erving signed with the Atlanta Hawks?
Judge Edward Neaher issued an injunction on October 2 prohibiting him from playing for any team other than the Squires. NBA Commissioner J. Walter Kennedy fined the Hawks $25,000 per game for violating the ruling.
Which teams did Julius Erving play for during his career?
Erving played for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets in the ABA before joining the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He retired in 1987 at age 37 after announcing he would leave following that season.
When was Julius Erving's number retired by which teams?
His number 32 jersey was retired by the Brooklyn Nets and No. 6 by the Philadelphia 76ers. He became a businessman obtaining ownership of a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Philadelphia.