No doubt he still made an MVP impact, but a former ABA teammate whose name I can't remember told sports illustrated in 1977 that the NBA's lack of a three point line and clogged lanes were preventing fans from seeing Dr. J in his fullest form.
It's good to see that Doc had a complete game used the glass very well and from 18 to 20 feet had a nice range on the jumper. He never try to pretend he was a three point shooter like a bunch of the guys in this modern game. A great player.
4 mvps. 2x finals mvp. 3 world championships. 12 time all NBA team. 1st non center to score 30000 plus points. 10000 plus rebounds. 5000 plus assists. 7th in blocks when he retired. #1 in steals with 1 year not counted for. 1st non center to be named mvp in 16 years-1981. Greatest open court in history of the game going coast to coast. Top 10 all time. Young J, was a little different. He would be the face of the NBA today. He carried the ABA. He revitalized the NBA. Operation House Call left you saying 6 words. 😱 WOW, how did he do that????? KABOOM!!!
Everybody knows about Doc's incredible dunking ability but this video shows that Doc also had a nice midrange game and especially off glass. Doc was also still extremely athletic which not only helped him in all phases on the offensive side of the ball but also on defense. Doc was a great all around player.🔥
NICE mid-range game? I grew up in Philly, Doc was an incredible shooter out to as far as 18-20 feet - he wasn't a 3-point shooter, but you're right Julius Erving's shooting is NEVER emphasized, which really is a shame - he was a great play-maker (passer) as well - a lot of NBA fans don't know this because they didn't see Doc play 60-plus times a year like we did here in Philadelphia
Legends. Doug Collins was a class act. I recall a story claiming he sat out the allstar game 1978 to let Havlicek play in his place. It was Havlicek's final season. What Doug did not know was injuries the following year would end his career way to early.
Great quality and rare clip, it's difficult to find Erving's highlights, let alone some good footage like that. One of my favourites retro players to watch. Hope there's more in your awesome vault, I will enjoy every drop. Thanks once again!
This was the year the NBA and ABA merge doc was spectacular in this game and much to quick and good for the legendary havlicheck at this point of his career...if you combine what doc did in both leagues I think he has to be considered a top ten or fifteen all time great
@@70sfan I was looking at the box score from the other six games and hondo did play well in a few other games but judging from the box score Doug Collins was just as impressive as Erving thru out the series and had a terrific scoring game...great vid love watching how the game was played before the three point shot
@@mikegillins4992 It was such a shame the injuries Collins had to endure with his feet and knee. A great player whose career was cut way to short. Sixers had horrible luck with him and Andrew Toney.
Thank you for posting this. It is so rare to see actual game footage of Dr. J, you will see highlights packages but not footage of his scoring during a whole game like you will with Bird, or Magic, Kareem, Iceman etc.
Its really funny how people think due to recency bias..Dr j was the first and only planetary bb icon for a full decade(70s till early 80s) compared only to MJ in terms of fame,excitmnent,influence over others and sold out stadiums(all visiting games Dr J was selling out).. a 25 ppg Kobe or Harden with 45 fg% are considered better shooters than a 24.8 ppg with 50.6 FG% Dr J..regarding rebounds,blocks and steals(7th all time) not even close, while DrJ has sligthly less assists per game from Kobe(4.2 to 4.8) without the ball in his hands all the time(always played as part of a rotation of options in Philly , best treated as first among another 2 or 3 equals)! Same exact ignorance about Bob Mcadoo vs Noviski or Duncan or Garnett..the man was defintely a better prime offensive player with 3 consecutive over 30ppg league scoring titles with 50.3 fg career ,mvps and rings period! if prime Bob was playing now he would be deemed exactly like KD..
Dr. J is not underrated, just did not have the crazy media and marketing...his supreme greatness was off the charts...nobody could guard him...he had geeat defense...he just needed help...when he got it, championship...The 82/83 76ers...as good as any NBA championship team...they beat a loaded Lakers team...in 4 games...No Jordan, James, Byrant, Curry team has done that...
Yep , this the year, Walton and the Trailblazers, blazed their way to the promised land. By defeating the Dr.J led 76ers. George McGinnis missed a last second shot. Blazers won in 6. "Blazer mania" that year. Doc was incomprible. So fun to watch.
DrJ was the first type of player that was like Michael Jordan, the high flying charismatic superstar. NBA put all their hopes into Dr.J to change basketball , more physical entertainment rather than pure fundamentals, offense rather than defense. NBA really protected thier franchise player Dr.J. If defender just breathed on him it was a foul.
I'm interested to see the rebuild period between John Havlicek's 70s Celtics and Bird's 80s Celtics. It's weird to think that a guy who played with Bill Russel retired only a few years before Larry Bird got there. And yet people say the 60s and 70s were filled with plumbers, sure alot were but without a doubt any all time great can play in any era, and John Havlicek and Dr. J are certainly some of the all time greats.
Brent really knew how to get excited way before the Alabama game. He really got hyped for Dr. J games. The reverse layup in 1980 finals is a prime example.
doc j didnt make life easy for himself, why not go across middle n get ball 7 feet from basket i saw fred roberts doing this vs pistons on another youtubeand one of few payer who stops right by basket when coems accross not take self awya from basket smart
What a heart breaker for the Sixers, but the last 1:30 the Doctor basically took over on both ends of the floor! Turn around j, in your face dunk (seen MJ did that same move), blocked shot!
I thought the refs called some horrible fouls on Havlicek lol. He never touched the doc on 3 of those plays but got called for fouls. And I'm a Sixers fan
