The ABA was known for its flashy and innovative style of play. It also housed vibrant personalities such as Julius Erving , George Gervin, and Connie Hawkins. Back then, the ABA players were encouraged to express themselves creatively, leading to a more freewheeling and entertaining brand of basketball.
By contrast, the NBA was more regimented and severe as the league was focused on traditional fundamentals and a more structured style of play. As one of the most entertaining players of all time, Dr. J once confided that he enjoyed the ABA more than the NBA.
"I made multiple adjustments to both my play and leadership style. I hate to say the seriousness of it made it less fun, but the NBA was less footloose and fancy-free. I did rework my approach to offense and did tone down my style of play," the Hall of Famer told Forbes in 2018.
The ABA wasn't a traditional league
While Erving excelled and achieved great success in the NBA, part of him missed the sense of fun and excitement he experienced in the ABA. Aside from the fun, Dr. J also mentioned that the ABA's entire culture also holds a special place in his heart.
It may sound a bit ironic, considering the NBA was more serious. Still, Erving said ABA teams upheld unity more than NBA teams did. On the other hand, 'The Doctor' also acknowledged that he enjoyed the ABA more because he was younger at the time.
"My five years in the ABA was probably the most fun I had playing basketball," Erving reflected. "Part of it was my teammates, but the competition was different. It felt like it was all for one and one for all. When one guy did something great or received recognition, the whole league reveled in it because we were like outlaws. (Laughs.) We weren't the traditional league. For me, it had to do with being between the ages of 21 and 25 too."
Some people forget Dr. J's ABA legacy
Erving indeed left a lasting impact on both the ABA and the NBA. That said, another sentiment The Doctor often shares about his time with both leagues is that his ABA accomplishments are being overshadowed by his NBA legacy.
While many remember him for his illustrious NBA career, Dr. J feels that some people forget about his ABA legacy . For Erving, it's not like he is biased towards it but fans cannot just act like it didn't happen.
In conclusion, Erving's preference for the ABA highlighted the importance of individuality and creativity in basketball. His candid admission reminds us that while winning is always the main goal, sometimes it's the moments and experiences along the way that matter most.
Related: "Doc can do everything Baylor could do" - When Julius Erving surpassed Elgin Baylor as the best all-around player in the world
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