Julius Erving is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative players in the history of basketball. While his spectacular on-court performances and acrobatic dunks have cemented his legacy as an icon, Erving's impact on the game extends far beyond his athletic achievements.
Moreover, Dr. J's distinct charisma and magnetic personality captivated audiences and helped propel the game's popularity to new heights. However, the icon himself confided that a part of him says his contributions are not fully recognized, and he feels like he was somehow responsible for them.
"I feel like sometimes there's been an under-appreciation for the things that I was able to touch. In part, I've always not really wanted my name, face, and likeness to be up in lights. That wasn't the goal. The goal is a lot simpler than that. For me, the under-appreciation at this time, maybe, large part, [was] my fault," the Hall of Famer told Dana Scott of AZCentral Sports last month.
Dr. J is the first transcendent basketball superstar
It has been decades since Erving officially retired. Over the past eras, a wide array of NBA legends have also etched their names in history, inevitably leaving Dr. J's impact and legacy somewhat overlooked by the younger generations of hoops fans.
Nevertheless, people who witnessed Erving's greatness as an athlete and a person knew that his influence extended beyond the court. For them, Doc is a true role model and inspiration not only to his fellow athletes but also to society.
"As a basketball player, Julius was the first to truly take the torch and become the spokesman for the NBA," former coach Billy Cunningham once said. "He understood what his role was and how important it was for him to conduct himself as a representative of the league. Julius was the first player I ever remember who transcended sports and was known by one name — Doctor."
Dr. J deserves more credit
In retrospect, it's safe to say that what Erving feels about his impact is valid. Apart from inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams, Dr. J also used his platform to positively influence the lives of people from all walks of life.
Many acknowledge Larry Bird and Magic Johnson for catapulting the NBA to mainstream success, but before them, it was Erving who led the charge in making basketball one of the most celebrated sports in the world. All told, The Doctor, indeed, deserves greater credit for his enduring legacy.
Related: Julius Erving believes no player is similar to him in the modern NBA: “I was a small forward, but I really played like a power forward”
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