Say Dr. J’s name and watch those who know glaze over and practically tear up with reverential nostalgia. Well before Michael Jordan, a generation before Kobe Bryant, there was The Doctor. Simply put, Dr. J was the most graceful athlete the world had ever seen. The way Erving revolutionized the game of basketball will always be one of the most remarkable storylines in all of sports.
He may have emerged from the pre-ESPN, pre-Jordan, pre-Internet, pre-everything primordial ooze of 1970s ABA basketball but a combination of soulful flair and breathtaking athleticism helped transform Dr. J into a global, pop culture icon.
No small feat considering the absence of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and all the other social media engines that connect our world today. Yes, Erving’s talent was that immense, his cult of personality that bloody riveting. There were players before him who could levitate, but Erving was the first to do it in a way that seemed, in a word, otherworldly. His style and grace both on and off the court led many to call him an American treasure.
With startling honesty and an unmistakable voice, Dr. J is a historic self-portrait of an American legend, Julius “The Doctor” Erving. With his flights of improvisation around the basket and his towering afro, Julius Erving became one of the most charismatic and revolutionary players basketball has ever known. But while the public has long revered this cultural icon, few have ever known of the double life of Julius Erving. Dr. J traces the inner lives of the nearly perfect player and the imperfect man—and how he has come to terms with both.
Celebrating 30 years since Julius Dr. J Erving led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA championship, NBA TV Originals presents the new documentary, The Doctor, looking back at the life and career of one of the game’s greatest players. Through rare footage and original interviews, The Doctor shows how Erving reinvented basketball while playing in the American Basketball Association and how he later brought his above-the-rim artistry to the NBA.
In partnership with Revolver Podcasts, the “House Call with Dr. J” podcast launched in Spring 2018. Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving is in the house and he’s letting listeners into his incredible life. Each episode focuses on the passions that drive this legendary man, from youth and education, to music and business, and of course, basketball. Join Dr. J and influential friends from the worlds of sports, culture, and entertainment each week for engaging and topical conversations. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
Julius Erving Brand Values
“I take into my business life the same philosophy I tried to take through my basketball career. I’m trying to build a legacy by doing things the right way, making deals and investments where I can leverage my name with while also trying to make a difference.”
RESPECT: “I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.”
HUMILITY: “Win without boasting, lose without crying.”
AUTHENTICITY: “I can’t get caught up in who I’m supposed to be. I have to remain who I am.”
DISCIPLINE: “I always knew I would work the rest of my life.”
STYLE: “In the game of life, you get points for style.
“A phantom. A myth. A mystery man, Dr. J. The name fostered a legend long before the masses even knew what he looked like, much less realized what he could do with a basketball. “
“A phantom. A myth. A mystery man, Dr. J. The name fostered a legend long before the masses even knew what he looked like, much less realized what he could do with a basketball. “