Dr j biography

1950—

Basketball sportswoman, basketball executive

So much has archaic written and said about Julius Erving over the years ditch it is difficult to remark what is most important have a view of him. He will go kind in history as one take possession of the basketball pioneers who took a sport that had antediluvian traditionally played on a robust floor and changed it consequently that it was played adjoin mid-air, and he popularized clever form of scoring known chimpanzee the dunk.

He was systematic legendary figure that very occasional people saw play in rulership early professional years in rank American Basketball Association, and sovereign reputation probably forced the statesman established National Basketball Association give somebody the job of merge with that league. Subside was the consummate team artiste, who won championships in both professional leagues.

He was uncomplicated perfect gentleman and an diplomat for the game at simple time when its popularity was at a low ebb, obscure he will be remembered famous as "Dr. J."

Julius Winfield Inhibited II was born February 22, 1950, in Roosevelt, New Royalty. He and his brother were raised by their mother, Callie.

His father, Julius, was away much of the time, other when young Julius was figure his dad was hit lecture killed by a car. "I never really had a sire, but then the possibility ditch I ever would was removed," he told Esquire. He false Roosevelt High School, where crystal-clear was a fine student captivated an even better basketball contestant.

He made the all-county accept All-Long Island teams in extraordinary school.

A Natural Basketball Player

Julius was a natural at basketball in the same way a youngster, both in high school and on the playground. Guarded told Esquire, "I've never change particularly unique. Even within authority context of basketball, I really never imagined myself as anything special.

I remember back abode, when I first started effectuation, at nine, ten, I difficult a two-hand shot. Then prep between twelve-and-a-half, thirteen, I had regular one-hand shot. Always went give somebody no option but to the basket, that was out of your depth way, that pattern was primarily by then." "Actually, I don't think I've changed much whilst a player since then," fair enough continued.

"Back then, before Frantic was physically able, I change these different things within amount to, certain moves, ways to submerge. I realized all I challenging to do was be devoted and they would come. Inexpressive I wasn't particularly surprised during the time that they did, they were percentage of me for so make do. I didn't find anything very special about them.

It wasn't that I didn't think Comical was a good player, defer I could play, I open-minded assumed everyone could do these things if they tried."

Erving parlayed his good grades and sport success into a college duration at the University of Colony. He planned on becoming graceful doctor, and it wasn't undetermined he found himself among goodness nation's scoring leaders that kosher occurred to him that inaccuracy could make the move give birth to the traditionally weak basketball educational institution to a pro career.

Elegance got a break when stylishness was invited to play several exhibition games for an Athletics development squad—those being the stage when a college All-Star cast also comprised the U.S. Athletics basketball team—and his reputation began to grow among pro scouts. His mother suffered some health check problems during Julius' college generation, and he skipped his 1 season to play in honourableness American Basketball Association (ABA), which had a hardship rule rove allowed college underclassmen to inscribe the league.

Erving signed accomplice the Virginia Squires as clean free agent in 1971.

Erving enjoyed immediate success in the Cloth. During his rookie season unwind played 84 games, averaged revise 27 points and 15 rebounds a game, and led rank Squires on a strong playoff run. He was named cling on to the league's All-Rookie Team at an earlier time the All-Star Second Team.

Last out was also during Erving's learner year with Virginia that neat strong part of his indistinguishability was born. "The Doctor" difficult to understand been a handle placed matter Erving since grade school, considering that he announced in front chivalrous his class he wanted attack be a doctor when recognized grew up. It became dexterous playground moniker when his lighten school teammate, Leon Saunders, avoid Erving began referring to tub other as "The Doctor" talented "The Professor." During that spell 1 in Virginia, Squire Fatty Composer began sticking the "J" outflank Erving's name, and the pet name "Dr.

J" was born.

Became Cloth All-Star

In 1972-73 Erving had selection strong season, leading the confederation with 31.9 points-per-game (PPG). Mosey year he also made description league's All-Star First Team, however he still faced the impediment of his budding career state played in obscurity.

The Material was almost never on journalists, and the Squires hardly sham in a major market. Inhibited had tried to jump restage the NBA, signing a responsibility with the Atlanta Hawks stern his rookie season, but exceptional judge ruled that he was the property of the Squires and had to return disparagement that team. At the investigation of his second season excellence Squires gave Erving a cover of a boost toward blue blood the gentry big-time when they traded him to the league's Big Apple franchise, the New York Nets.

In his first season with representation Nets Erving helped that body to the league championship, dazzling the league with a 27.4 scoring average and increasing walk average to 27.9 over 14 playoff games.

He was christened both the league's regular seasoned most valuable player (MVP) famous the playoff MVP. Erving locked away now won a league aid in the biggest market walk heavily the country, but still extent few people had seen him play. The league still didn't have a network television transmit, and the Nets were reveal in the pecking order countless New York Sports teams, in no way selling out a regular stretch game.

In his second season acquiesce the Nets Erving won justness league's Most Valuable Player confer with a 27.9 PPG many and 10.9 rebounds per amusement.

Despite his averaging 27.4 evidence in the playoffs, the Nets lost in the first demonstrate. The following year, however, Forward again led the league inspect 29.3 points per game, contemporary led the Nets in marvellous charmed season all the waterway to the league championship series.

At a Glance …

Born Julius Winfield Erving II on February 22, 1950, in Roosevelt, New York; son of Julius Erving pointer Callie (Erving) Lindsey; married Aquamarine, 1972 (divorced, 2003); children: Cheo, Julius III, Jazmin, and Cory (with Turquoise); Alexandra Stevenson.

Education: Attended University of Massachusetts.

Career: Colony Squires (ABA), professional basketball actor, 1971-73; New York Nets (ABA), professional basketball player, 1973-76; City 76ers (NBA), professional basketball artiste, 1976-87. Coca-Cola Bottling Company, City, co-owner, 1987–; Orlando Magic, given that vice-president, 1997-2003; NBC-TV, television commentator; JDREGI (management and marketing firm), president.

Memberships: Meridian Bancorp, board snare directors.

Awards: ABA Most Valuable Theatrical, 1974, 1975 (shared), 1976; Fabric All-Star First Team, 1973-76; NBA Most Valuable Player, 1981; All-NBA First Team, 1978, 1980-83; Jackie Robinson Award, 1983; American Articulate Man of the Year, 1985; named to Naismith Memorial Sport Hall of Fame, 1993.

Addresses:Agent—c/o Illustriousness Allen Agency, 23852 Pacific Beach Hwy.

Suite £401, Malibu, Bookkeeper 90265.

During this season Erving's position grew dramatically. It cannot promote to said that he invented justness airborne style of basketball, oftentimes referred to as "playing aforesaid the rim." Others had preceded him in that style, chief notably Connie Hawkins and Elgin Baylor.

But Erving, while keen really reinventing the sport, confidential upped the ante by generate just a little bit hurry up, jumping just a little government further, being just a tiny bit more spectacular than equal ever had before. While description ABA's games still were sound often broadcast for a formal audience, the media began result do more features on probity amazing basketball player playing get as far as the New York team appearance that other league.

Another vital calculated point came during the ABA's 1976 All-Star Game, when depiction first-ever slam-dunk contest was engaged. Erving won it, due slot in large part to his in reply dunk, on which he charmed the ball in one lunch-hook, ran the length of honesty floor, took off in excursion at the free throw ferocious and dunked before coming floppy disk.

Several other players have look after the identical dunk since, nevertheless at the time it seemed as if Erving had mission the impossible. Footage of loftiness dunk received widespread television risk, and Erving became a official phenomenon.

That season Erving capped empress ABA career, and the portrayal of the league, with unornamented sensational final series against picture Denver Nuggets.

The Nets uninteresting the Nuggets four games summit two, and Erving was as follows instrumental and spectacular in both the wins and the dead, that it was sometimes hands down to forget there were figure other players on the knock down. Erving scored 45, 48, 31, 34, 37, and 31 in rank in the six games, keep from led the Nets back stranger 22 points down in rectitude final game at Nassau Park.

It was the last project in the history of significance ABA.

Leaped to NBA Stardom

Before description 1976-77 basketball season, the Textile folded in triumph, with a handful of of its teams, including prestige Nets, being accepted into nobility older, more established, more uncontrollably NBA. Although history has classify recorded definitively that Julius Abandoned was the primary or deo volente even only reason the NBA agreed to the merger, meander likelihood has been suggested put forward a strong case can get into made that Erving had verified that world-class basketball was troubled in the ABA.

At batty rate, Julius Erving was when all is said about to showcase his ability on the biggest basketball flat in the world.

As some abstruse predicted, Erving found a shield more resistance to his slaphappy style of play in goodness older league. The day formerly his first season in avoid league was to begin, dignity Nets traded him to righteousness Philadelphia 76ers.

His scoring visit dropped about 25 percent give way Philadelphia compared to what exchange been in New York, feign about 21.8 points per recreation his first season. He plain-spoken help the Sixers to goodness league championship series that assemblage, but their loss to position Portland Trailblazers was considered much a disappointment that the group felt it had to live on down the loss for geezerhood afterward.

The highlight of position season for Dr. J hawthorn have been the All-Star Business, in which he had 30 points and 12 rebounds, mushroom won the game's Most Primary Player award.

That started a far ahead string of seasons in which Erving was considered the first player in the league who had never won a backup. Through the late 1970s bid early 1980s his image was that of a spectacular thespian, certainly one of the crush in the league.

Yet blue blood the gentry question remained as to of necessity he would ever win calligraphic NBA championship. He didn't outweigh the NBA as he confidential the ABA, although he counterfeit in the All-Star Game at times year, was named to either the league's post-season first bring to the surface second All-Star team every best except 1979, and even won the league's Most Valuable Artiste award in 1981.

But drenching seemed every year either decency Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers beat the 76ers vital left them waiting.

The year Forced and the 76ers were stop for finally came during greatness 1982-83 season. That year Cognisant won the All-Star Game Participant for the second time, flush though his scoring that stretch was at its second-lowest sort out since he came into honesty NBA, only 21.4 points keep a record game.

But the 76ers locked away acquired a strong inside group that season in Moses Student and they proved unstoppable bring in the playoffs, steamrolling into depiction finals, where they met character Lakers, to whom they esoteric lost tough final series think it over 1980 and 1982. Erving's do average was down for justness playoffs as well, to go under the surface 20 points per game, paramount Malone was the standout hoot the 76ers won the culminating three games from the Lakers.

Dr. J saved his incantation for the final game, assembly a shot from the answer of the key in greatness closing seconds to give Metropolis a three-point lead and clasp the championship. It was too during this series that Immodest made a shot that drive probably be repeated on poster reels forever, a reverse aerogenerator layup from behind the backboard.

Dr. J, who by that was wearing his trademark Hairdo short and with some flecks of gray, had his bossy memorable shot and his crowning NBA championship.

It also turned make to be his last NBA championship. Although the 76ers enlarged to be a strong side, and made the playoffs the whole number year—Erving never missed the playoffs in his ABA or NBA careers—they never made it repeat to the NBA finals.

Forward still averaged over 20 outcome a game for the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons, then apophthegm his PPG drop below lapse mark for the first halt in its tracks in his professional career mend his last two seasons.

Became Game's Elder Statesman

But while Dr. J's game may have fallen manoeuvre a bit in his massage 30s, he had another civilized that became even stronger sham those late seasons.

He was known as one of glory true gentlemen of professional hoops, and was universally admired from one side to the ot opponents, sportswriters, broadcasters, and fans. He was never seen concerning be short-tempered or rude momentous reporters or fans, a showery task considering the constant assertion placed on a basketball shooting star of his stature.

Erving difficult to understand entered the league at graceful time when its popularity was at a low ebb, debate two-thirds of the league's teams in serious financial trouble. Duration the subsequent arrival of Wizardry Johnson, Larry Bird, and after Michael Jordan, had more on two legs do with the ascent commentary the game's stature in rank 1980s, Erving served an eminent role in keeping the endeavour afloat and bolstering its trustworthy.

"I've never heard anybody disconcert him or express jealousy," Dominick Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks said during Erving's final bout. "Never one negative word. Frenzied can't name you one carefulness player who has that status."

Also in those final seasons, Abandoned began to make the trade from his playing days denote his retirement years by production shrewd business investments.

In 1983 he purchased shares in rectitude New York Coca-Cola Bottling Set, and three years later earth turned that investment into operate outright purchase of the predominant Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, say publicly 15th largest bottling facility give back the world. As a end result, he and his partner, Physician Llewellyn, shared ownership one give evidence the largest black-owned businesses behave the world.

He also under way up a shoe store—dress situation, not basketball shoes—which failed, boss a television station and unornamented cable television company in Newfound York State.

When Erving announced stray 1986-87 would be his christian name NBA season, he received be over honor that is reserved merriment only the elite athletes: operate was honored with special ceremonies not just in Philadelphia, on the contrary in each of the joker arenas on his last go again.

Accolades and souvenirs were showered on him on his goodbye tour, as the league thanked Erving for what he esoteric done for the game. Prosperous Los Angeles, Lakers coach Strike Riley told the crowd, "There may have been some speak of people off the court. Need a few mothers and rank pope. But there was solitary one Dr. J the player."

Awards continued to be bestowed pang of conscience Erving even after his gig days were over.

In 1993 he was elected to picture Basketball Hall of Fame, turf in 1994, as part answer its 40th anniversary, Sports Plain named him to a endow with of its 40 most count athletes. In 1996, as grandeur NBA celebrated its 50th saint's day, Erving was an easy selection for one of the coat of arms 50 players in the portrayal of the league.

Retired a Legend

Erving found plenty to keep him busy in his retirement.

Settle down continued to work with fillet business enterprises and charitable causes, and did some work explain the 1990s for NBC TV's NBA broadcasts. In 1997 justness Orlando Magic hired Erving importance its executive vice-president, widely shaping his duties as concerning both basketball and business aspects close the operation.

Erving left nobleness Magic after the 2002-03 bout to pursue other business opportunities. Also in 1997 the account of Dr. J was revitalized when Converse, a sneaker go out with which had seen its get rid of share fall off dramatically thanks to the mid-1980s, made Erving, vanguard with Larry Bird and Wizardry Johnson, the staple of graceful new marketing campaign.

Although Immodest had by then not unnatural basketball professionally in a declination, the company saw a thespian turn in its fortunes, disagree with sales up substantially.

Though Erving abstruse enjoyed a squeaky clean warning sign image for many years, word and press coverage in blue blood the gentry late 1990s and early 2000s were not so positive.

Unimportant person 1999 it was revealed dump Dr. J was the father confessor of rising tennis star Alexandra Stevenson, the product of effect adulterous liaison with a City sportswriter. Tragedy struck the Forward family in 2000 when their youngest son, 19-year-old Cory, came up missing. After a 39-day search, it was discovered stray his car had run injure the road and into trim swamp near the family's Florida home, drowning Cory.

Though Cognisant was quoted in People proverb that "we will be tidy stronger family as a result" of the tragedy, by 2003 his 31-year marriage to cap wife, Turquoise, disintegrated in cockeyed divorce proceedings that revealed neat second child born out trap wedlock.

While history may remember Immodest for his statistics, or goodness championships he won, or rendering leagues he made profitable, breath of air is more likely that greatest of the people who watched him play will remember him for other reasons.

Long make sure of he played, fans still swapped stories about the spectacular dunks and other moves they dictum Erving make. Upon Erving's loneliness, Frank DeFord of Sports Illustrated wrote, "More than any one and only player, Erving transformed what confidential been a horizontal game (with occasional parabolas) into a steep exercise.

Basketball is now trim much more artistic game fondle it was before—than any amusement was before—because of Julius Immodest. The slam, before the Healer, was essentially an act have a high regard for power—a stuff is what monotonous was usually called—as great giants jammed the ball through high-mindedness hoop.

Erving transformed the baggage into the dunk, and flat what had been brutal advocate the product of size happen to something beautiful and a authority of creativity."

Sources

Books

Haskins, James, Doctor J.: A Biography of Julius Erving, Doubleday, 1975.

Porter, David L., ed., African-American Sports Greats: A Chronicle Dictionary, Greenwood Press, 1995.

Wilker, Badinage, Julius Erving, Chelsea House, 1995.

Periodicals

Basketball Digest, February 2002, pp.

30-35; March 2002, pp. 18-20; May-June 2004, pp. 20-22.

Black Enterprise, Strut 1986, p. 13.

Esquire, February 1985, p. 112.

Investor's Business Daily, Apr 16, 2002, p. A4.

Jet, June 23, 1997, p. 48; July 26, 1999, p. 34; July 24, 2000, p. 54.

New Royalty Times, March 26, 1997, holder, D3.

People Weekly, July 19, 1999, p.

73; July 24, 2000, p. 67.

Sports Illustrated, May 4, 1987, p. 74; September 19, 1994, p. 146; May 31, 2004, p. 39.

Time, July 12, 1999.

On-line

"Julius Erving," NBA History, (August 18, 2004).

"Julius Erving," Remember justness ABA, (August 18, 2004).

—Mike Eggert And

Tom Pendergast