Erving, Julius

Erving, Julius (ûr`vĭng), 1950–, American basketball player, b. Roosevelt, N.J., known as "Dr. J." An excellent shooter, rebounder, and ball-handler, he played for the American Basketball Association's Virginia Squires (1971–73) and New York Nets (1973–76) and for the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers (1976–87). He led the ABA in scoring three times (1973–74, 1976) and was named most valuable player four times (ABA, 1974–76; NBA, 1981). With 30,026 career points in both leagues, he ranks third on the all-time scoring list. A spectacular leaper, Erving was the first leading practitioner of the "air" game later exemplified by Michael Jordan. Since leaving the court Erving has been a successful business executive, a television sports analyst, and an executive with the Orlando Magic.

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Erving, Julius (Winfield)

(born Feb. 22, 1950, Roosevelt, N.Y., U.S.) U.S. basketball star. He played two years at the University of Massachusetts before joining the professional American Basketball Association (ABA). At 6 ft 7 in. (2 m), “Doctor J” played forward for the Virginia Squires (1971–73) and the New York Nets (1973–76), whom he led to two ABA titles (1974, 1976). After the merger of the ABA and NBA, Erving was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers (1977–87) and won a league title in 1983. He was known for swarming defense, imaginative drives to the basket, and climactic slam dunks.

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Erving, Julius (Winfield) (1950–  ) basketball player; born in Hempstead, N.Y. One of basketball's greatest and most acrobatic players, he gained national attention while playing for the University of Massachusetts. He played forward for the American Basketball Association (ABA) Virginia Squires and New York Nets (1972–76), and for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Philadelphia 76ers (1977–87). His combined ABA and NBA lifetime points scored (30,026) is third best in history. Nicknamed "Dr. J," he was an All-NBA first team selection six times.