No one had a bigger impact on the NBA during the 70s than the high flying, jump shooting forward named Julius Erving. Erving made spectacular plays look easy, dazzling the fans of the NBA’s rival, ABA during the early 1970s; winning three straight MVP Awards; and leading the New Jersey Nets to championships in 1974 and 1976.

The ABA became Erving’s personal playground and every night he did something new, prompting his teammate to call him the doctor. The nickname stuck and he would be forever known as Dr. J. Erving. Dr. J cemented his place as the most exciting player by making the mother of all dunks. During the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, Dr. J made his famous dunk from the free throw line, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

After the 1976 season, the ABA folded, sending four teams, (including the Nets) to the NBA. Dr. J made an immediate impact. Since Elgin Baylor left the game in 1972, the NBA didn’t have a player who could jump in the air and hang up there until he got the shot off.

The NBA and the ABA were two different types of leagues. The NBA players were more clean cut, white collar players who did not embarrass the opposition with spectacular dunks and fancy layups. The ABA was totally different. Players were allowed to showboat, making the game fun and exciting to watch.

When Erving and the Nets joined the NBA, Erving was considered the most electrifying player they had. Erving became an instant gate attraction and spokesperson for the league. Fans talked about what Erving did on the court for days and when he didn’t play, young inspired basketball players mirrored his moves on playgrounds across America.

Many youngsters watching the NBA today see players such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as revolutionary in the way they play the game and even those who were lucky enough to watch Jordan in his prime often refer to him as the one player who made the game exciting to watch. But those of us who remember Dr.J in his prime, will tell you that he was the one who left everybody in awe.

Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson, who also helped the NBA strive during the 1980s couldn’t help but to watch in amazement when he played against Dr.J. (Sometimes he had to pinch himself so he would remember that he was playing against him and not be spectator). Magic was a witness to greatness when the Lakers played Philadelphia during three NBA finals competitions. One of Erving’s most memberable plays was when he did a reverse layup underneath the basket, going up and under the rim, avoiding the outstretched arms of the 7′2 center Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Players and fans couldn’t believe their eyes, and once again, Dr.J was the talk of the NBA.

The moves you saw Michael Jordan complete in the mid 80s throughout the 1990s are all credited to the style in which Dr.J created. The shots you see Kobe and LeBron make are also tributes to how Dr.J revolutionized the game. If you can get footage of a young Julius Erving in action, you’ll understand how much he meant to the sport. Before fans wanted to be like Mike, they wanted to be the Dr. J.

- John A. Roberts

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Tags | ABA, Dr. J, lakers, NBA, New Jersey Nets