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Dr. J: The Autobiography

by Julius Erving , Karl Taro Greenfeld (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 301 ratings · 64 reviews

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

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Kindle Edition , 465 pages

Published November 5th 2013 by Harper (first published May 21st 2013)

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Feb 05, 2014 Jon Stephens rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a huge fan of the game of basketball, and the NBA in particular, I was incredibly excited to read Dr. J’s autobiography. At the end of this lengthly book (423 pages) the best word to describe how I feel about it is conflicted.

Dr. J is a very detailed account of Erving’s life and very accomplished career. For fans of ABA and NBA history, this book is especially fascinating. The book goes back and forth between Erving’s personal life and his relationship with basketball. Reading about Erving’s As a huge fan of the game of basketball, and the NBA in particular, I was incredibly excited to read Dr. J’s autobiography. At the end of this lengthly book (423 pages) the best word to describe how I feel about it is conflicted.

Dr. J is a very detailed account of Erving’s life and very accomplished career. For fans of ABA and NBA history, this book is especially fascinating. The book goes back and forth between Erving’s personal life and his relationship with basketball. Reading about Erving’s take on what was going on culturally, politically, and racially in America as he was growing up was very interesting. His stories about teammates and opposing players in both the ABA and NBA were also illuminating. It’s always interesting to me to get another perspective on basketball from behind the curtain and to hear the more human stories about some of the games greatest players. Without question my knowledge of the history of professional basketball was expanded through reading this book.

My feeling conflicted is not so much with the book as much as is it with Erving himself and his admission of rampant promiscuity and infidelity for virtually his whole life. Yes he admits his mistakes and weaknesses literally from the very start of the book, but for any of us, that’s the least we can do when our actions hurt and damage others. What makes me feel so conflicted is that none of us are perfect, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone…”, while at the same time you just feel so bad for those who were hurt by those decisions. So in no way, am I or can I judge him, but as you read the book you definitely feel the hurt and tension.

At the end of the day Dr. J will be an interesting read primarily for fans of Julius Erving and professional basketball. Hands down Dr. J is one of the greatest and most dominant players to ever step onto the court and a history of professional basketball without mentioning Dr. J would be incomplete. So for the story on the life of one of basketballs greats and a detailed account of a very important era of basketball history, this is a great book.

Blog: www.jonathanstephens.wordpress.com

Twitter: @jonstephensNY ...more

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Dec 29, 2013 Lauren Ukkerd rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was an excellent book. I grew up watching Dr. J when he played with the Sixers along with Mo Cheeks, Moses Malone, Bobby Jones, Andrew Toney, etc., so it was interesting to read his story from childhood to adulthood, through his basketball career and after his retirement. The book was so interesting and entertaining because I felt as though Dr. J. was being very honest and thorough with his life. He did not try to hide his mistakes or transgressions and he admitted when he did things wrong. ...more

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Apr 12, 2014 Brian Cowlishaw rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Call it 4.5/5 stars.
Two things really struck me in this book. 1) Dr. J doesn't use the word "compulsion," or the abbreviation OCD, but it sure sounds to me like he has it. That was pretty interesting. 2) The game in Dr. J's day really was different from today's game. Reading this book was an enjoyable extended stroll down Memory Lane; I realized how much I miss the old game and dislike the new one (which is more like rugby or padless football).

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Jun 14, 2014 Sealove rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A great story told through the experience of one of the true heroes of our age! It took a lot of courage and faith to live this life and to share it with the rest of us!

Thank You Julius!

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Feb 27, 2015 Isaiah Leonard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dr.J the autobiography is about Dr.J and his life and how his road to the NBA success life began. This autobiography was written by Karl Taro Greenfeld. Julius Erving was born in New York City born in 1950. He was raised by his mother and father until his father had a massive heart attack and passed away. Now Julius also known as june was the man of the house. After High School he attended UNiversity of Massachusetts. After College he entered the NBA and was one of the first NBA elite players w
Dr.J the autobiography is about Dr.J and his life and how his road to the NBA success life began. This autobiography was written by Karl Taro Greenfeld. Julius Erving was born in New York City born in 1950. He was raised by his mother and father until his father had a massive heart attack and passed away. Now Julius also known as june was the man of the house. After High School he attended UNiversity of Massachusetts. After College he entered the NBA and was one of the first NBA elite players with his leaping ability and natural athletic ability. Many say he set the path to Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Magic Johnson. In his last NBA game he surpassed the 30,000 point mark. Now Dr.J is a hall of famer and his known all around the world for his style of play.

I liked many things about the book. First i liked that the book told every single detail about Julius life. It seemed like you was actually there in the part of his life. I Liked the roller coaster ride that they had the reader go on with his life. This book shows how the main character really grew up and how he matured in his years. How he never gave up on his dream and kept working. How he saw his own talent before anybody else discovered it. He was very humble also and they showed that in the book as if it was a movie. What I disliked is how The chapters was so short, so it was so many chapters. I couldn’t finish reading the book but i got the main moral of the autobiography. Last I liked how they added the many problems he had in his life. For example, his father died, his brother was very sick, his sister was pregnant early. Adding these types problems in the story and showing how he handled all the problems really showed what type of person Dr.J was. That is what i liked and disliked about this book autobiography.

I would recommend this book to anyone really. Specifically mainly to people who have a lot of family problems or problems period. It is going to inspire them that at the end of the day it is going to be okay. This autobiography can teach you many different life lessons. This is why i really enjoyed reading this book.
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Jan 16, 2015 Tyhee Taylor rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Dr.J autobiography is an inspirational novel about how a poor boy named Julius Erving had faced many problems in his life but find a way to make it to the NBA. Even though with the huge racism going on at the time and death of his father, it just motivated him to chase his dream even more. Julius started of his career small with a local salvation army team where he was the star. But, when he got in high school, that's where his basketball journey began.

There are many things I like about th ...more

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Nov 13, 2014 Albert Eaddy added it · review of another edition

The book Dr. J was about the retired N.B.A player Julius Erving. Julius is one of the greatest N.B.A players of all time. When Julius was a child he grew up with brothers and sisters and he was the athletic one. At a young age Julius had broken his leg and the doctor said he would never be the same and wont be able to play spots again. He had to stay in the house and he use to look out the window and watch his friends play basketball. Julius believed he would be able to play again. Julius got h The book Dr. J was about the retired N.B.A player Julius Erving. Julius is one of the greatest N.B.A players of all time. When Julius was a child he grew up with brothers and sisters and he was the athletic one. At a young age Julius had broken his leg and the doctor said he would never be the same and wont be able to play spots again. He had to stay in the house and he use to look out the window and watch his friends play basketball. Julius believed he would be able to play again. Julius got his leg health and was able to jump higher then he ever did before. After Julius got better he started talking basketball serious playing in different leagues and playing AAU. When he got older he had did his time in college and got drafted in the N.B.A draft. he went on in dunk contest and was winning championships in the N.B.A and Julius named was known, mainly by his nickname Dr. J.

What i liked about the book was that it was a biography about a player that i know and like. The book is also about a sport that i like to play and watch witch helped me be more into the book. I also liked the book because it was inspiring, Julius winded up in the house with a broken leg with the doctor saying he will never play basketball again to him playing in the N.B.A and being one of the all time greatest. I can almost say i loved this book. The only part i disliked about the book was that it didn't tell much about the things going around him like the environment.

Despite the lack of talk about the environment I would recommend this book book Dr. J to anybody that likes basketball. This book is a great book for young athletes. young athletes can suck in a lot of information out of this book and learn how to never quit on your dreams no matter what. You can also learn how to work hard 24/7 and to never sleep on your dreams and make your dreams the reality. This book can be life changing to someone or make someone think more positive about their life and or what they want to do. ...more

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Nov 18, 2014 Cameron Craig-Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sports

Dr. J: The biography is an interesting story on Julius "Dr.J" Erving. This book was enticing, not only was it interesting, but I couldn't really stop reading this book. Julius Erving, one of my favorite basketball players of all time, grew in the projects of New York, where he played basketball almost everyday. This book taught all the details from "Jules'" childhood. Julius mostly played basketball at the park, if not at the Salvation Army where he played for the travel before he got mature. So ...more

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Nov 13, 2014 Shawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

About as good as a biography can get. Closer to 4 1/2 stars.
Very captivating. Very candid. Holds your interest throughout. No down moments or lulls. Nothing long-winded.

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Nov 26, 2013 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pretty standard sports autobiography. Strange kind of stream-of-consciousness writing leads me to believe Mr. Irving wrote the thing mostly himself. Typical set up, childhood, practice, practice, practice, HOLY SHIT I'M GOOD AT THIS, best hair ever, striving to be the best, light behind the scenes dirt, words of wisdom, my life has been blessed, the end. Nothing earth shattering but a breezy read by one of the greatest ever. Not essential but worthwhile.

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Nov 20, 2014 Rasheed Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think that this book was a great book it had my attention the whole way through form cover to cover I was amazed to hear about all of the life things that the main character went through the book talked about all the things that Dr.J went through from his time as a young boy to the time of him becoming and adult in his later years of living. I liked this book one because i like basketball myself and i can relate to how he loves the game and how he loves to play. I also think that I really like ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Jimmy Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“There ain’t no back in the day Nicca…Ain’t no nostalgia to this sh*t here. There’s just the street and the game and what happen here today.” - Melvin ‘Cheese’ Wagstaff

When talking hoops with people these days, it’s sad because the legends of the past are often forgotten. And that’s the case when talking professional ball or street-ball. You watch TV and you would think that the game was played by only Magic & Bird in the 80’s, followed by Jordan in the 90’s. Growing up in Philadelphia I kno ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Jack Khandjian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The theme of the book Dr. J is to never give up on your dreams. The point of the book is to tell kids nothing is hard if you put your mind to it.This book about Dr.J, Julius Erving, was an honest and insightful look back not only on his basketball career, but also as a parent, husband and a older brother. The story starts with him his mother, his sister and younger brother. Living in an apartment in New Jersey and how the basketball court became the place where everyone started off playing at. ...more

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Jun 02, 2015 Charlie K. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book wasn't all about Julius Ervings career in the ABA and NBA, it was also about his difficult way through life. When he was in college making a name for himself, his 19 year old brother became very sick and later passes away. Throughout his successful basketball career he played every game as hard as he could for his brother as if he was there watching him. After his time in the spotlight the man they call Dr.J returned to the headlines in a very surprising way. His son had died in a car ...more

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Jan 15, 2014 P.e. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book about Dr.J, Julius Erving, was an honest and insightful look back not only on his basketball career, but also as a parent, husband and brother. The story starts with him his mother, sister and younger brother. Living in an apartment in New Jersey and how the basketball court became the place where everyone played at. That over the course of time to continue to play you had to improve your game. He talks about countless hours of shooting, running, jumping and other things to improve him This book about Dr.J, Julius Erving, was an honest and insightful look back not only on his basketball career, but also as a parent, husband and brother. The story starts with him his mother, sister and younger brother. Living in an apartment in New Jersey and how the basketball court became the place where everyone played at. That over the course of time to continue to play you had to improve your game. He talks about countless hours of shooting, running, jumping and other things to improve himself. He speaks of have to get good grades and how important that was to his mother and to his coaches once he Jr. High School started and beyond. How he just knew drugs, drinking and other street life actives was not what he wanted. He wanted to get out of the neighborhood and basketball would be the only way. He got an offer to play ball at the University of Massachusetts, and he did for three years and each of those years they were conference champs. He little brother passed away during his time in college from a disease that was not diagnosis until his mother had an autopsy done to find out the cause of death. After his junior year in college a team from the ABA, which back then was trying to gain notoriety against the NBA offered him a contract. After speaking with his mother who made him promise to finish his college education he agreed to enter into the ABA draft and was selected by the Virginia Squires. This is where I first remembering reading stories about him and sometimes catching an old black & white game somewhere. The ABA game was fast pace and fun when you could get one of their games and they had high scoring games 116 to 120. If a team could play defense they could win. Their uniforms were bright and the basketball was red, white & blue. He goes into all of the players he played against and with some big names in the game. He also speaks of the how the dunk from the free throw line came about. These are all great stories. The two championships he won in the ABA, and then the merger into the NBA. The frustration of losing twice in the finals two the Lakers and losing his mother and his sister passing away of cancer. He finally got an NBA championship against the Lakers and he retired the following year. After retirement his personal life was tough he goes into it and even looks to maybe him being away and his boys not having to grow up in the environment as he did that they had no desire to secede in anything. After one son passed away his marriage broke up after 22 years and his other son is in and out of jail. His daughter though is finishing college as he did as well, to make the promise he made to his mother complete. This is a very open and honest story about a truly gifted athlete who I enjoyed watching playing basketball. People talk about all of the stars after him but all I see is the same type of dunks that he did just not as many TV outlets like espn etc.. a good read if you are looking for a sports story. ...more

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Jan 09, 2014 dusty.rhodes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a compelling, quick read. In part, I am sure, because I am an unabashed Dr. J fan.

Aside from that, the story moves along at a good pace, and there are certainly lyrical passages which transport the reader to the place and time as Mr. Erving grows from a young man of the house to an old man of many houses.

The stops in between tell the story of ABA and NBA (and college and Olympic) basketball in the 70s. The thing that stands out through all of it is the overwhelmingly simple (in a compli ...more

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Jan 08, 2014 Andre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another run of the mill biography. This autobiography requires that you a be a fan of The Doctor for maximum enjoyment. It is much like Earl the Pearl's autobiography, only slightly better written. Loaded with wins and stats, but not much inside stuff. As a fan, I remember how many points you had in a particular game, I recall the unbelievable move against Kareem, I watched these moments. So for Julius to just relate these moments mean very little to those who witnessed it. And for the uninitiat ...more

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Nov 28, 2013 TIAHEKIE SIMMONS rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very good book

I'm a big fan of Dr J that's why I brought the book. it turn out to be a very good book.

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Apr 12, 2014 Teaguem2005 rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.75 This book was such a disappointment to me. My expectations were to learn about the Philly legend that I enjoyed watching so much as a youth. This book is a play by play of his career with tidbits of his personal life thrown in. He didn't search his soul for the content. I feel like that's what an autobiography should be...your opportunity to have your say. This says he saw himself as a basketball player.

He told something about friend Teddy Pendergrass that not everyone knows. Yet when it c ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Paul Groffie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a boy, Dr. J was a huge part of my life! As an avid 76er fan and we experienced a great stretch of success by our team with a superstar to call our own! Winning the NBA title was a great thing for everyone in the area, an event and a title unmatched by any Philadelphia sports team until the 2008 Phillies.

What was sad for me was losing my hero when he retired. The face of Philadelphia sports was changed forever. No more Dr. J? Unspeakable.

Over the years I see the Doc on TV or at a 76er game a ...more

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Mar 21, 2014 Mardel Fehrenbach rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found this book to be gripping and fascinating. The book is written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style with each chapter of his life existing in the present tense, which can be confusing, except that I find that Erving's voice, and his thoughtfulness is really emphasized by this style. It seems like an honest and thoughtful reflection by a man who has lived a life defined by extremes in some sense, a man who is prone to thoughtfulness, and who has managed to stay true to himself, admit ...more

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Jan 14, 2014 Dale Stonehouse rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of the most popular basketball players in the history of the game asserts in this frank autobiography that he does not get that popularity completely. Physically gifted, he could dominate the playgrounds of Long Island and New York City and yet was a highly disciplined team player in college and the NBA. He struggles to communicate the joy he obviously felt playing basketball; luckily for fans they could see it every minute of every game. A main theme is the creativity he loved and displayed ...more

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Jul 14, 2015 Budd Bailey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julius Erving might be the last of the great unseen legends in sports history.

Yes, Erving's career with the Philadelphia 76ers is quite well known. There are videos of his performances with the Sixers, and he compiled enough credentials to be a Hall of Famer just on those years - NBA champion, league most valuable player, etc.

But that's not when Erving was really at his best. When he was playing in the American Basketball Association, it was easy to believe that a man - Dr. J, as he became known ...more

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Dec 06, 2013 Steve rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of the greatest hoops players, yada yada yada. I don't know, maybe I'm getting older but reading biographies of big-time sports stars always seem the same. Man, he was a great player. But as a person, not so much. He has a huge ego, although he tries to be humble at times but that usually fails. He likes to point out his stats and the moves he came up with, A LOT. He mentions that a MVP in a team sports isn't that important but then gives you his stats after talking about a season and a coup ...more

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Nov 12, 2013 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers at the time when Dr. J played for the team, I was excited to receive this book in a First Reads giveaway. I have long admired Erving for his athletic abilities, as well as for his leadership off the basketball court.

With a previous understanding that he is not without personal flaws, I was very curious as to how complete this autobiography would be. In fact, Erving leaves out nothing. Not just a story of his professional accomplishments, the book also details h As a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers at the time when Dr. J played for the team, I was excited to receive this book in a First Reads giveaway. I have long admired Erving for his athletic abilities, as well as for his leadership off the basketball court.

With a previous understanding that he is not without personal flaws, I was very curious as to how complete this autobiography would be. In fact, Erving leaves out nothing. Not just a story of his professional accomplishments, the book also details his personal life as a young boy growing up on Long Island, his devotion to his family, his lack of connection to his father, and the personal indiscretions that strained his private life.

As the middle child of a single mother, Erving grew up trying to keep up with his older sister, as well as being a role model for his younger brother. He recognized at a very young age that basketball was one area in which he could excel, developing his considerable skills in playground games and, as a middle-school student, as one of the first two African Americans on a Salvation Army team that travelled throughout the New York City area. Even then, people were amazed at what he could do on the court. Later, as a high school standout, he was recruited heavily, and eventually chose to attend UMass. Seeing this as an opportunity to earn his degree in business and go on to a job, it took him a while to realize that he would have a career as a professional basketball player.

He describes the life of a player in the defunct ABA in detail, with glimpses of the challenges of playing for a team and league struggling to stay in business, as well as the temptations faced by professional athletes. The book pulls no punches; Erving acknowledges the times he succumbed to those temptations, and admits that his attitude toward women (essentially, they are either worthy of keeping in your life or worthy of using for a night) was unhealthy. It is near the end of the ABA and the beginning of his time in Philadelphia that he meets Turquoise, a single mother of an infant son who will become Dr. J's wife.

Erving details many of his seasons in the NBA, and speaks of his competitors with respect for their talents, while also recognizing that he himself was among the elite of the league. He relates the disappointment of reaching the conference and league finals, yet failing to win a championship. And he describes the joy of finally reaching the pinnacle in 1983, giving significant credit to his teammates, particularly Moses Malone, for that win.

Erving also discusses his business ventures following his basketball career, some of which made him far wealthier than basketball did, while others were much less successful. This is definitely NOT a gloss-over-the bad-parts retrospective.

In a life that generated such public acclaim and adoration, one that saw a young boy from a poor family rise to elite status and enormous wealth, it might have been tempting to omit certain parts of the story. To his credit, Erving chose to discuss those parts that have been painful and/or embarrassing to him. He describes the tensions in his marriage with Turquoise. He relates learning of the daughter he fathered with a sports journalist, the strain that put on his marriage, and the terms demanded by his wife for handling his obligation to his daughter. He also acknowledges having fathered another child with his current wife while still in his first marriage. He also speaks candidly of the pain inflicted by the deaths of his brother at age 16, his sister at 37, and others in his family that were taken too soon, particularly the devastation of losing one of his sons.

Most impressive to me were his thoughts on the difficulty of raising his children. As a father whose career demanded substantial time away from his family, he regrets those lost moments as milestones were reached without him. He also voices concerns about the pitfalls of raising children in privileged circumstances, as opposed to the meager resources he knew as a child. He is most eloquent when speaking of his love and devotion for his children.

All in all, I found Dr. J: The Autobiography to be an honest appraisal of a life lived in extremes. At times humorous, at others deeply introspective, Erving lives up to his promise to tell the whole story. And at the end, you feel as though you know the man almost as well as you know the legend. I would consider this a must-read for anyone who is a fan of basketball, or any professional sport for that matter. It should also be required reading for anyone who aspires to be a leader in sports, because whatever his personal failings, Julius Erving will always stand as a leader on the court. ...more

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Mar 19, 2014 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 14, 2014 Quinn Croland rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow what an amazing book!!! Dr. J's autobiography gives you great insight into what made Dr. J not the player he was but the man he was. Really enjoyed how the books main focus was not on his athletic career but on his childhood and what was going on outside his life of basketball. That he is more proud of his business accomplishments off the court than he is of any MVP or Finals that he won while playing basketball. If you want to read a book about one of the greatest players and athletes to pl ...more

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Sep 05, 2014 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a good book, but would have been better if he left out his first time he started having "sex". I get the point that his weakness was women, but he didn't have to go into detail about his first experience. It really wasn't that bad of a description, but it just left me kind of thinking, "what the hell was that for".

His recollection of his basketball playing days are great and how he handled himself as an older "Dr. J" was interesting and that's what kept me from giving it a 3 star rating ...more

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May 25, 2015 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-book-list

An honest look back at a guy who changed the game of basketball.

Dr. J was one of my sports heroes. In fact, my Mom made me a Dr. J shirt when I was a kid and I wore it to bed almost every night. It alternated between the Pistol Pete Maravich shirt my Mom made me as well.

Dr. J also has made the greatest move in the history of the sport against the Lakers in the NBA Championship series.

But basketball is just one part of life. He openly deals with the struggles and mistakes. He also talks about ...more

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Aug 11, 2014 Stephan D. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This should be required reading for all young athletes looking to earn a living in short pants. While I do not condone his behavior with respect to the women he encounters, he does however never forget what he is doing and knows he is wrong. And it bothers him. He is human and is flawed. Those who would think him less than the gentleman we always perceived him to be, remember this: "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."

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About Julius Erving

Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim. Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA), and was the best-known player in that league when it merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) after Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim. Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA), and was the best-known player in that league when it merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the 1975–76 season.

Erving won three championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and three scoring titles with the ABA's Virginia Squires and New York Nets (now the NBA's Brooklyn Nets) and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. He is the sixth-highest scorer in ABA/NBA history with 30,026 points (NBA and ABA combined). He was well known for slam dunking from the free throw line in Slam Dunk Contests and was the only player voted Most Valuable Player in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association.

Erving was inducted in 1993 into the Basketball Hall of Fame and was also named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. In 1994, Erving was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the 40 most important athletes of all time. In 2004, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame. Most observers[who?] consider him one of history's most talented players; he is also widely acknowledged[by whom?] one of the game's best dunkers. While Connie Hawkins, "Jumping" Johnny Green, Elgin Baylor, and Gus Johnson performed spectacular dunks before Erving's time, "Dr. J" brought the practice into the mainstream. His signature dunk was the "slam" dunk, since incorporated into the vernacular and basic skill set of the game in the same manner as the "cross-over" dribble and the "no look" pass. Before Julius Erving, dunking was a practice usually among big men to show their brutal strength. This was seen by basketball enthusiasts as style over substance and unsportsmanlike. Erving, however, changed that misconception and turned the dunk into the most qualitative shot in the game. The "slam dunk", as it is called, became an art form and came to help popularize the sport. ...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19599202-dr-j?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387676059l/19599202.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19599202-dr-j?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dr. J: The Autobiography by Julius Erving[/url]

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