Julius Dr. J Erving was in his own exclusive class. He was an artist in the court. In his ABA years he was a more offensive and flashier player. In his NBA years he became more balanced and more of a team player. Even in his twilight years he still was flying over the court. And even scored over 30,000 points... Definitely my all time favorite player. This is a very good tribute to him... The one and only Doctor...
True, but we will never see a player twice is great as him. He was one of the best players i saw on youtube. I wasn't born to even to see many of these great legends, but as a 16 year old it's a huge honor to learn about the best and all time greats there was.
I remember when the 75 -- 76 St. Louis Spirits had Marvin Barnes, Ron Boone, Moses Malone, Freddie Lewis, Caldwell Jones, and Maurice Lucas and still only managed a 35-49 record. The ABA was just that good.
Always my favorite athlete. The smoothness, the grace, the coolest cat in the building. Julius Winfield Erving. Enough trying to compare all of the greats to one another. Each is great in their own way. Different era's, different positions, different teams and teammates. Just enjoy the greatness of each player.
As another fan wrote here-what a thrill to watch hoops when The Doctor played-to be around for Julius and Ali in those golden sports years.An honor, A joy.
Yeah, I was (and am) a Bucks fan. The Sixers and Bucks had many great duke-outs in the playoffs back then. Dr. J was and is the greatest dunk artist in league history. I still have never seen anyone who can make a dunk look like Dr. J did. That incredible arm reach, leaping ability, and height he could get were just an amazing combination when combined with his gracefulness and style. He made incredibly difficult stuff look easy, which only the truly great ones can do.
Truly one of the best in my book. Legendary player, I believe the Doc in his prime was unstoppable, by anyone. He made dunking an art form, graceful yet powerful.
There has never been a classier player in the history of basketball. It could also be said that there was never a more entertaining player either, a player pros would pay to see. Certainly Dr. J. is one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
@MAN UTD Probably not. The trend in sport is going towards fast and dynamic games. And you are probably too focused on western mentality...considering that the West is a minority in the world is much more probable that E-sports will become the most popular sports around the world in 100 years. Basketball in these terms is in kinda solid position...no dead time, rapid switch in what's happening (24 seconds maximum time for an action) football in the other hand has to evolve towards this trend yet. Some games are simply trash (even between good teams) and boring to watch and you got 90min+ of that and also fun matches have lots of trash time where nothing is really happening. In my opinion Football (pls don't call it soccer) in order to stay on the top needs to adjust some things.
@@professionalcurrysexual9289 They're protest seems kinda silly since they haven't spoke a real word for Hong Kong ... you know money from China is important for Bron and the league and maybe is true that for BLM activist lives have different values aka racist.
the whole planet idolised DRJ..he had the first shoes,,the first songs,,selling all his tickets like no one else ever did..all the kids wanted to be drj..Magic Grant Hill and many others included accocrding to self confession on various inteviews or talk shows..every one who knows one thing about the NBA knows that DRJ was the first oracle way more important to the devellopment of the game than KOBE or LEBRON will ever be..
My favorite of all time. The player who made both ABA and NBA leagues merge. 30,000 points in 16yrs. Only GOATS can do that. He's never mention in the top 5.
I was bless to have doc to look up to as a sixers fan he was like a basketball god he was the best thing that happen to us sixers fan here in philly, I thank you doc for makeing me happy as a kid im 50 now and I will never forget when doc came here in Philadelphia I cry because I didn't believe the sixers got him in 1976 I think I was 11 or 12 the best day of my life thank you dr.julius erving for the good time and the bad.
Fantastic tribute to a once-in-a-lifetime player. Doc was to basketball what Ali was to boxing.....and I'll forever be thankful I was born in my time and that, in my youth, I was able to experience the greatness of both. Many have tried but NONE have achieved Erving's level of artistry and class. They all lack Doc's "x-factor" of flat-out coolness. :-)
@@andrewjones2133 man they had a lot of talent in the ABA. I was a youngster born 59 I didn't see much of the ABA but I know that they had great players and Julius Erving he was so much class always was good man I'm an old white guy you know you play pick up games people would call themselves Dr J. Man did you see that white executive say to dr. J my pleasure and dr. J looked at him saw that man respecting him that was wonderful it really was when you looked at it
Julius "Dr J" Irving is my all time favorite player. His highlights are truly amazing to watch. He had unbelievable skills and talent. He was a force of nature.
Very nicely done, Dunkman. Dr. J was light years ahead of his time. Flashy, spectacular, jaw-dropping, and ultimately a true team player, a fierce competitor, a champion, and a class act. Without question, my favorite player of all time.
No bling, no super baggy shorts, no attitude -- just a great player doing things with a basketball that few, if any, others have been able to do before or since. Julius was one of my idols growing up -- every picture of him I could find was on my bedroom wall and I would watch every game (not many 76ers games were broadcast where I lived in the west) and I would read every boxscore in the Sports section to check his stats from the last game. One of the greatest ever.
Well said MrDJS444...I lived in South Jersey and was an ABA fanatic...you could imagine how I felt when I woke up one morning and the Sixers had Dr J. I had one paper route (I was 15 at the time), and I picked up another one to afford to go to as many games as I could. I ended up going to 22 regular season games, and 6 playoff games. It was one of the most remarkable years of my life. He was everything I dreamed he would be and more. Some of his best dunks ever were unfortunately never preserved on film, but live on in my memory forever.
I was 12 at the time, but lived on the other side of the country in Portland. Listened to every Blazer game on a little transistor radio in the back of my father's store. I went to two games that 76-77 season by collecting Pepsi bottle caps and sending them in for free tickets. The 77 Finals was epic. Half the starters were from the ABA. It's too bad someone had to win because every kid needs to experience their team hoisting the trophy.
@@MuckBulligan What dedication! As crushed as I was (as a 13 year old) by the Sixers losing, I’m glad you got to experience your hometown Blazers winning. Bill Walton was amazing and I had to acknowledge that they played a much better team game! Even Dr. J couldn’t carry the Sixers to an NBA title almost single-handedly the way he had carried the Nets to their ABA titles.
The BEST Tribute to Dr J I've ever seen! The original GOAT 🐐! Many of his ABA games weren't even televised. The NBA was barely nationwide and nowhere near the global sport it is now. Dr J was the original Ambassador of Basketball 🏀, bringing class, crowds and style.
His extension with his dunks are the best that I have ever seen. The basketball looks like a baseball in his hands. The most graceful and beautiful dunker I have ever seen
When I was very little like 4. And I first started liking basketball. I was really good at dribbling and adults would always ask me who my favorite player was. They would always be shocked when I answered "Doctor J" because he was like 7 years retired by then. Funny thing is, I liked Doctor J simply because of one play. That crazy reverse lay-up he did vs the Lakers, plus my brother telling me he was the best player ever.
Never shall we forget who started it all when it came to playing the game of basketball well above the rim! Julius Erving was everyone's highlight reel back in the 70's and early 80's! The Dr. flew in on many occasions making his *Famed Housecalls*, and gave you a most embarrassing prescription, FORCING YOU TO TAKE IT, whether you wanted to or not. A true showman, Class Personified, so eloquent in speech and delivery. A True ambassador during a time when one was really needed to bridge the gap between both the ABA and NBA..... We're all older now, but your contributions will never be forgotten Doc! NOT ON MY WATCH.....
Feb.22nd: Happy birthday ABA-NBA (Ret.) Julius Winfield Erving II / Dr. J...NBA Champion, 2 x ABA Champion, NBA MVP, 3 x ABA MVP, 11 x NBA All Star, 5 x ABA All Star, 2 x NBA All Star MVP, College & NBA Basketball Hall of Fame. "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." Thank you and God bless. Legend. Thanks for the upload, Dunkman827. Blessings
Without doubt...this is one of the BEST compilations of highlights I've seen of the Doc. And I've been a serious fan since he came to Philly in 1976. Great job Dunkman827
My favorite player of all time,..I had a 5 foot poster of him on my bedroom door when i was growing up. I loved basketball,..I played basketball,..I watched basketball,..Dr. J is the ONE!! He is truly inimicable,..there will not be another with his skill set,..
Still the only shoes I wear. Converse pro leather hi! I had that huge door sized poster of Doc on my bedroom door.He let his actions speak for him. Never boasting. To me, the greatest.
Wolfgang Aston It's sort of an aesthetic detail and a lot of sports fans may not care, but to me, Erving's moves usually looked effortless in a way that I've never seen anyone else's. Maybe it was his large hands that let him straighten his wrist for a really full extension on those finger rolls and dunk, like the one just before the dunk mentioned. Also, most of his dunks don't touch the rim. They just flash through and all you see is the net react. I think these details make many of his moves look elegant, graceful, smooth, with no need at all for brute force.
He did things back then, that STILL nobody else is capable of. I always liked his last second decision making to avoid a dunk that would have been blocked and go around the oponent with his hands and make an even cooler shot, all while in air. The most exciting player to watch in the history of the game.
The Doctor! I was at his first game in Los Angeles when he FINALLY came to the NBA. I begged my dad for a ticket. Every time he touched the ball the crowd would gasp. His first basket was a steal which lead to a reverse two hand jam. He was better than the stories we heard about him in the ABA! Great memories.
I grew watching DrJ because of what he did in those few seconds in the air only a genius and an artis could only do!! He was pure class on and off the court, my room was plastered with Dr posters and any magazine pics to make collage for my wall. Jordan was Great but Dr.J was the first. Connie Hawkins was great as well but Doc took it to next level then Jordan completed it! But what Doc did in the air kept you in suspense which felt like minutes not seconds he was an artist in midflight!! He will always be my #1 basketball hereo #32 &# 6. A True sports legend!🏀
I never get bored of reading and especially watching anything pertaining to Dr. J. I always remember a small portion of the song from "You Be Illin'" by RUN DMC way back in the 80s when often thinking of the Doctor.... Dr. J....."'round the back, through the hoop,...and you scream...'TOUCHDOWN'"..."you be illin"....dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun....."who me???"
Kurt Adams Dr. J layed a lot of groundwork for modern high flyers. I still believe people simply don't realize how great Dr. J was. The Philadelphia 76ers were legitimate title contenders the moment he joined the team back in '76-77. He had an incredible run. I was so glad when he finally won his long awaited championship back in 1983. What a moment for him, the Sixers, and his fans. Awesome.
That was a superb tribute video...enjoyed that big frikn time..and ending it w/ the silver haired DJ dunking was perfect...well done there Dunkman827!...
When this guy first appeared in the scene peolpe must have thought he was from another planet!. NOBODY in the history of the NBA has ever been more naturally,athletically gifted.NOBODY has ever been more exciting to watch.NOBODY can match his flashiness,And notice that after each incredible move he did not boast it beat his chest or rub it in the opponents faces,the way these inferior,half as talented overrated players of today do.What a truly class act.The best ever!!
Doc one of my early faves as a youngster. I think the shot he hit to win the game at 1:50 is over Bobby Jones, his teammate later in Philly and one of the greatest defenders of all-time. Doc was the epitome of class and intelligence. What an athlete.
People of this generation do not understand how shocking it was to see Dr J create a huge jump in the evolution of bball. He also created a flair and style all his own - even to this day. He dunked in the half court set over 4s and 5s (power forwards and centers) routinely. He had a deadly mid-range jumper and over his career averaged over 50% from the floor. Scored over 30,000 points. Retired as the 3rd highest scorer - ABA and NBA combined. He could have scored and averaged more but he was not a narcissist but a team player. That amazes me - he was universally adored by fans and his peers but he remained humble. He constantly created on the fly - from the forward spot! Let me repeat that - from the small forward spot! He created something hard to measure or translate to this generation - awe! You were witnessing for the very first time!
Dr. J was really in a class by himself,..as often as that term is used its most aptly applied to this man because NOBODY played the game the way he did,..he handled the basketball like it was a grapefruit so it gave hime a tremendous advantage on the fast break ,.he could do anything he wanted with the ball,.he was sheer joy to watch on the open court because he literally glided through the air
I remember when I was in college this friend of mine played in the NBA he told me about this guy who played in the ABA was amazing his name was Dr J!!!! The most exciting player I ever saw...
I'm wondering where all the kids are to say Dr. J was playing against inferior competition in those days. They seem to say that about anyone playing before 1995. A great player and a classy individual. He was a joy to watch.
Just because they say it doesn't make it true. They have no idea what they are talking about. The same people say MJ was the best but then say the 80's was weak. They contradict themselves because they have no facts, they don't do any research and haven't even played the game for real. They only play indoors and shoot 3's. They are afraid to get fouled or drive strong to the hoop. They all cheat when they dribble because they can't handle the ball by doing it the right way (keeping your hand on top of the ball). Don't listen to these people. They watch Stephen A. Smith and get all their BB info from him and he's clueless.
Re: the 3 point shooting; you're absolutely right. One of my grandsons plays intramural BB in junior high, and I've been going to his games for the last 2-3 years. All they do is come down and throw it up from the paint. As for the opinions of the kids, I can handle ignorance but when it's combined with the arrogance I see on YT it's just too much to stomach.
buckfan1969 Good points. People are arrogant on their computers because they don't have to look you in the eye or actually listen to your responses. The internet has become a platform for everyone to speak their mind but it is slowly ruining people's ability to have an actual conversation/debate that is respectful and fair.
Yes. I find it highly ironic that in this day and age of instant communication from anywhere to anywhere else, with cell phones, computers, tablets, and everything else, we no longer communicate with each other. You can call someone in Pakistan on your cell while you're walking your dog but you can't make eye contact and say hello to someone right in front of you when you're doing that walk. And on the internet, they don't communicate; they pontificate. It's all one-way, my way or the highway. We're seeing the fruits (?) of that culture right now with people who didn't vote protesting the election, the whole BLM movement, etc. I think it's more generational than political. That same ignorance combined with arrogance we see here on petty arguments about basketball players is playing out everywhere, and it's both sides of the aisle. Doesn't bode well for the future.
Back in 1971, someone asked me who my favorite basketball layer was and I said Lew Alcindor. He said his was Doctor J. I asked him who was that. Well, I soon found out and I've been a Dr. J fan ever since.
Unstoppable!!! He was much better in the ABA in his younger years. When he came over from the Virginia Squires to the Nets he exploded. The Nets had Dr J & Dr K back then. By the time he got to the NBA he obviously was older & the fans that didn’t follow the ABA missed out on some great highlights & spectacular play. Obviously ahead of his time & arguably the greatest or one of the greatest small forwards in the history of the NBA.
The way other players talk about him is amazing. I think it would've been dope if the Nets would've had that game they retired his jersey at the Coliseum.
I remember growing up in Los Angeles California and watching the ABA games that were shown at 11:30pm late at night on Friday because of Julius Erving's game which was far different then what players were doing in the NBA in the early 1970's, besides Elgin Baylor and the emergence of Connie Hawkins the pro game still had a YMCA type approach as supposed of the high flying ABA game of which Dr. J epitomized that i even copied .... thanks Mr. Julius Erving aka Dr. J
I NEVER SAID “ATHLETICISM was invented in 1984, I’m a 70’s CHILD who remembers DR J & David Thompson. I remember the “Fish that Saved Pittsburgh” , now that I’m a little older I know it was Shaman and astrology by the Watchers. But we are talking about the ARTS & CRAFT of basketball, and MY FATHER & Julius Erving was the reason I wanted to pick up a basketball. ON EVERYTHING I LOVE 💕
