![]() Doc was spectacular in the title round versus the Trail Blazers, despite the Sixers' blowing a 2-0 lead. In his NBA playoff debut, Erving went for 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against the defending-champion Celtics. Philadelphia reached the Finals immediately. Between fees to join the NBA and play in the New York area alongside the Knicks, the Nets regrettably sold Erving to the 76ers. The innovative, freewheeling league boasted comparable talent to the NBA and regularly got the best of the senior circuit in exhibition matches, eventually forcing a merger in 1976. He is the only member to win it twice.Īlthough his virtuosity gave the ABA credibility, it couldn’t solve its financial issues. In five ABA seasons, Erving secured three scoring titles and three MVPs, two team championships and two Playoffs MVPs, which the league uniquely awarded to the best player of the entire postseason. The sinuous small forward entered the fledgling league out of college and instantly established himself as one of the best players on the planet, averaging 27.3 points and 15.7 rebounds as a rookie. J" and "The Doctor," Julius Erving was among the most exciting players in NBA history. Provided by Basketball-Reference.Known to many by his nicknames "Dr. ![]() In 16 seasons in the ABA and NBA, Erving never once missed the playoffs.For the Nets to be able to afford entrance into the NBA in 1976 they basically had to sell off their top asset, Julius Erving, to the Philadelphia 76ers.The NBA wanted to capture the top talent from the ABA and that meant including Julius Erving. He was instrumental in the merger between the ABA and the NBA.When the Virginia Squires of the ABA signed Julius to a contract neither coach Al Bianchi nor general manager Johnny Kerr had ever seen him play in person. Erving left the University of Massachusetts after his junior year to play professional basketball.Julius Erving was recognized as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.In 1983 he teamed with Moses Malone, Maurice Cheeks, and Bobby Jones to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Championship. Erving led the New York Nets to ABA Championships in 19.Julius was named the ABA MVP in 1974, 1975 (co-MVP) and 1976.Erving was a five-time ABA All-Star and eleven-time NBA All-Star in sixteen professional seasons.Julius won the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest in Denver, beating out David Thompson, Artis Gilmore, George Gervin, and Larry Kenon.After his retirement from basketball Erving has continued to represent the game with class and dignity. While the way in which he played basketball was very entertaining for the fans, Julius Erving was also a winner who led his teams to multiple championships in both the ABA and NBA. Another one of his signature moves was to take off on one side of the basket and finish the move with a reverse layup on the other side. J could take off from the free throw line, float through the air and finish with a powerful dunk as he showed during the 1976 ABA Dunk Contest. His artistry, style, and flair on the court had never been seen before. J,” changed the way that basketball would be played going forward. (Born 1950) Hall of Fame Induction: 1993 Card Shown:
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