Julius Erving

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Lore & Background

Before joining the Nets, Erving played for the Virginia Squires, where he earned a reputation for hard and ruthless dunking. In his rookie season, he averaged 27.3 points per game and was unanimously voted the 1972–73 Rookie of the Year; notably, offensive rebounds were not officially tracked by the ABA that year, so he could not have led the league in that category. The financial instability of the Squires eventually forced a complex trade; the team sold Erving's contract to the New York Nets for $425,000, keeping him in the ABA and transforming the Nets into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the team won their first ABA title in 1973–1974 by defeating the Utah Stars. His presence brought fans and credibility to the league, establishing him as the most important player in the ABA.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Erving's time with the Nets began amidst a three-team legal dispute involving the Bucks, Hawks, and Squires. After being drafted by Milwaukee and signing a contract with Atlanta, an injunction from Judge Edward Neaher on October 2 prohibited him from playing for anyone but Virginia until arbitration resolved the conflict. Once he reported to the Squires, his game flourished, resulting in a career-best 31.9 points per game during the 1972–1973 season. Upon arriving in New York, Erving signed an eight-year deal worth $350,000 annually. He led the Nets to their first ABA championship in 1974 and secured another title before the league merged with the NBA after the 1975–1976 season. His signature moves, including slam dunking from the free-throw line, became legendary, even though he was only called 'Dr. J' by friend Willie Sojourner during this era.

Reader's Guide

Erving's impact on basketball extended far beyond the box score; he changed how the game was played and viewed. Before him, dunking was often seen as a show of brutal strength used by big men close to the hoop. Erving utilized the dunk as a high-percentage shot after maneuvers starting well away from the basket, demonstrating artistry and grace rather than just force. This shift helped make the slam dunk an acceptable tactic for avoiding blocked shots while also serving as a method of intimidation. The basketball slang term 'posterized' was coined specifically to describe his moves. His ability to launch several feet from the target turned the dunk into a basic skill set incorporated into the vernacular of the game, influencing players who followed him into the NBA.

Did You Know?

• Erving received the nickname 'Doctor' from a high school friend named Leon Saunders because Erving called Saunders 'the professor'.
• During his two varsity college seasons at UMass, he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, one of only six players in NCAA history to average more than 20 in both categories.
• In the 1970 Olympic Development Team, Erving was the top vote-getter for Most Valuable Player and successfully competed against adult professional players from the Soviet Union and Finland.
• Contrary to popular belief, the Virginia Squires did not forfeit a draft pick due to a 'hardship' rule when signing Erving; he was signed legally before the 1972 ABA draft.
• Erving was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team in 1996 and the 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, honoring him as one of the league's greatest players.