Dr. J at Harlem's famed Rucker Park

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  • čas přidán 25. 06. 2013
  • Footage of Julius Erving at Harlem's famed Rucker Park from NBA TV's The Doctor.
  • Sport

Komentáře • 3,4K

  • @charlesgallagher8450
    @charlesgallagher8450 Před 3 lety +2541

    When I was 16, my mother wrote me a note to get out of school to see Erving play. She said I had a "doctor's appointment."

    • @c.a.g.3130
      @c.a.g.3130 Před 2 lety +89

      Perfect!

    • @jasonlohrke6024
      @jasonlohrke6024 Před 2 lety +85

      Awesome mom!

    • @charlesgallagher8450
      @charlesgallagher8450 Před 2 lety +171

      @@jasonlohrke6024 I couldn't believe it myself. She didn't put the name of the doctor in the note, so my class counselor asked the name of the doctor. I said "Dr. Erving;" he wrote "Dr. Irving" on the back of the note. Catholic school so really strict. I had a ball. Lol. Thanks mom!

    • @jasonlohrke6024
      @jasonlohrke6024 Před 2 lety +37

      So amazing! Thanks for sharing! My dad use to call me Dr. J when I played ball. 🤣 I use to make up all kinds of tricks on the court to try and get a basket. But I knew by the time I hit high school that music was my main passion and I was not gonna make the NBA being only 5’ 10”. But then Spud Web happened!!! 😂

    • @KevinHernandez-hy1qb
      @KevinHernandez-hy1qb Před 2 lety +3

      Woahhhh

  • @supakid3128
    @supakid3128 Před 4 lety +874

    Dr J is a straight old school brotha. Classy, cool, confident and a lot of swagger. All walk, no talk.

    • @ajkhan8048
      @ajkhan8048 Před 3 lety +5

      a la. Viv Richards

    • @c.a.g.3130
      @c.a.g.3130 Před 2 lety +9

      Long Island breeds 'em like dat.

    • @supakid3128
      @supakid3128 Před 2 lety +2

      @Kube Dog Is Back man, shut yo goofy ass up.

    • @supakid3128
      @supakid3128 Před 2 lety

      @Kube Dog Is Back how am I being racist?

    • @kieronjohnson8834
      @kieronjohnson8834 Před 2 lety +4

      @@ajkhan8048 Spot on. Viv had more swag than any other sportsman other than Ali that I can recall growing up. A class above his batting peers. Still is the man. Unmatched natural ability, self confidence and real humility. Dr J has the same qualities.

  • @andymullarx6365
    @andymullarx6365 Před 3 lety +400

    He was the Jimi Hendrix of basketball. Nobody was cooler than Dr. J back then.

    • @doronstauber7285
      @doronstauber7285 Před 2 lety +14

      The problem the NBA and the ABA had in the 1970s was a certain White Powder that was prolific among the players.
      It was not a clean wholesome game.
      Now the NBA's problem is that everyone there is a political activist. People dont want to hear players political opinions, they want to see them play, and then talk about the game.

    • @andymullarx6365
      @andymullarx6365 Před 2 lety +3

      Well is their viewership down ? I watched the finals and wound up likeing that Milwaukee team and found myself rooting for them but I understand what you mean about athletes using their platform to perform activism or just virtue signal and I think that's just the new reality in America ever since the schools started all that symbolism and the awareness ribbons were everywhere.

    • @doronstauber7285
      @doronstauber7285 Před 2 lety +6

      @@andymullarx6365 The viewership is way down, over 20% at least from what I saw.

    • @VolcardoReviewer
      @VolcardoReviewer Před 2 lety +1

      @@doronstauber7285 lol only right wing clowns say this.

    • @robertpurtle6706
      @robertpurtle6706 Před 2 lety

      And haven't been since .

  • @aidanklobuchar1798
    @aidanklobuchar1798 Před 3 lety +682

    "I don't want to be 'The Claw'."
    Kawhi: It's free real estate.

    • @wrayven
      @wrayven Před 3 lety +11

      Doctor J is a more iconic nickname though.

    • @MrMurder0321
      @MrMurder0321 Před 3 lety +3

      Hahahahahaha this made me laugh out loud
      Well played

    • @thomasSchwa
      @thomasSchwa Před 3 lety

      You know he didn’t give himself the nickname right. He would’ve have to for yourself comment to be funny

    • @arthurbishop3173
      @arthurbishop3173 Před 3 lety +3

      Jim Carrey is 'The Claw' :D

    • @andrecoleman4791
      @andrecoleman4791 Před 2 lety

      🤣🤣

  • @williamjordan5554
    @williamjordan5554 Před 4 lety +2733

    Before kids wanted to be like Jordan, they wanted to be like Dr. J.

    • @Aliensarethinking
      @Aliensarethinking Před 4 lety +39

      Facts

    • @msway836
      @msway836 Před 4 lety +174

      and Jordan also said he Wanted to be like Dr. J one of his Idols...David Thompson was another one of his Idols...

    • @NBA1529
      @NBA1529 Před 4 lety +43

      After that.. Kobe.. Then Bron then somebody else... Most likely Zion

    • @user-yr6gz9ct8t
      @user-yr6gz9ct8t Před 4 lety +99

      @@NBA1529 and curry, dude got every kid/players hitting 3s on a casual,

    • @christopherwood2290
      @christopherwood2290 Před 4 lety +34

      True. I remember buying a pair Converse Pro Leathers in 1977 when I was 16. $35 iirc. Julius is a great man as well as a basketball legend.

  • @austin78993
    @austin78993 Před 3 lety +972

    Can't imagine how dope it would be to say you watched Dr. J live at Rucker Park. That is so dope. What an organic and incredible gathering of human beings. You love to see it. No money involved. Just pure love of a sport. A past time. Truly something special to just draw attention to that level like that.

    • @janoycresnova9156
      @janoycresnova9156 Před 2 lety +2

      Dope? Did you invent that word?

    • @Ginga
      @Ginga Před 2 lety +24

      @@janoycresnova9156 You’ve never heard ‘dope’ used synonymously with good?

    • @controllerforce_50East
      @controllerforce_50East Před 2 lety +2

      How about any of those games that were played there. You talking hanging out in NY during that time and see 5 star ball players getting jiggy!!

    • @chikkipop
      @chikkipop Před 2 lety +3

      @@janoycresnova9156 I did.

    • @steed3902
      @steed3902 Před 2 lety +2

      @@chikkipop you are a real McGuyver!

  • @darrenridgeway6836
    @darrenridgeway6836 Před 3 lety +730

    The way he spoke and carried himself was just as impressive as his game. Class can't be bought.

    • @kathyjohson1273
      @kathyjohson1273 Před 3 lety +8

      True dat

    • @TuveanYGloir
      @TuveanYGloir Před 3 lety +3

      wat u talkin about class?!? that pussy ass boy took shots at larry as barkley and sum one else hold him, that aint no class

    • @raygu1818
      @raygu1818 Před 3 lety +8

      @@TuveanYGloir
      Yeah that pussy ass Larry Bird disrespected the ambassador of the game. Julius was gonna whip that ass regardless. Larry lucky Barkley didn't choke him into submission. He learned his lesson.

    • @worldisfilledb
      @worldisfilledb Před 3 lety

      Oh shut up pussy lol

    • @jackieclark8253
      @jackieclark8253 Před 3 lety +4

      @@TuveanYGloir ...you obviously don’t know how Larry operates 😂🤦🏽‍♂️He deserved that azz whooping he got that day! 😂😂😂

  • @obnoxiouxthatshammer498
    @obnoxiouxthatshammer498 Před 3 lety +204

    Dr. J brought us 90's style basketball in the 70's to be 20 yrs ahead of his time is LEGENDARY!!

  • @kingdavid8657
    @kingdavid8657 Před 9 lety +2755

    They need to make a Dr J movie.

    • @terrellsr04
      @terrellsr04 Před 8 lety +54

      +King David they have itz called the fish that saved pittsburg check it out fly az hell

    • @baskingbal1
      @baskingbal1 Před 8 lety +33

      This footage was taken from a movie on NBA Tv called "The Doctor"

    • @royalwithcheese1768
      @royalwithcheese1768 Před 8 lety +16

      +King David Denzal in 'he got game' looked like julius.

    • @MrBeyondbelief
      @MrBeyondbelief Před 8 lety +26

      +King David who are the 129 morons who DISLIKED this?????!!!

    • @Shaysslugger
      @Shaysslugger Před 8 lety +4

      +Christopher Socha man i was thinking the exact same thing

  • @redaquarian8665
    @redaquarian8665 Před rokem +70

    Met him and his wife (God rest her soul) when I was working a Janitor job while in high school at the Echelon Mall real early one Saturday morning hours before the mall was to open! They had access to the mall before anyone showed except the Store’s personnel! He took the time to acknowledge my existence in the world. Encouraged me to continue my education! To this day I believe that the words he spoke to me took my life in a completely different direction (for the better)! As great of an athlete he was he is by far an even greater man!

    • @libertyhercules8952
      @libertyhercules8952 Před rokem +2

      That's what's up Red. How tall was he in person?

    • @johnnybgood-ws5cu
      @johnnybgood-ws5cu Před 11 měsíci +2

      AMEN, NOW THAT'S A GREAT AMERICAN ATHLETE !!!

    • @josephsuarez8178
      @josephsuarez8178 Před 8 měsíci

      Right On Brahh ❤ that's Sick..My Older Brother Just Met Him at Yonkers Cafe and he complimented my Brothers Swagg and Says 'Dammn Young Blood',, I love those Threds.
      My Brother says it's an Honor Sir. 1 Favs of All time..and..Let's take a Pic. Soo Meeannn Love Dr.J and they did.

    • @efisgpr
      @efisgpr Před 7 měsíci

      Rare insight. Dr J was pure class. Thanks for sharing.

  • @Skydiggz
    @Skydiggz Před 3 lety +331

    He did all that in Chucks?!!!! He'd crack a rib on the rim in some Jordans.

    • @ABULLAOTS
      @ABULLAOTS Před 3 lety +11

      Lol

    • @kurtadams3021
      @kurtadams3021 Před 3 lety +2

      🤣🤣🤣

    • @thomasSchwa
      @thomasSchwa Před 3 lety +6

      Jordan’s weigh more, false.

    • @agnidas5816
      @agnidas5816 Před 3 lety +7

      the thicker the sole of the shoe the more it will absorb your jump power(assuming similar material). Jumping is easier in chucks - but running for long periods in chucks is a bit painful so thick cushion shoes tend to win out over a long and fast game.

    • @emilkoch4098
      @emilkoch4098 Před 2 lety +5

      Y'all would be surprised what a lot of professional athletes did back then in terms of gear.

  • @lesliewall7424
    @lesliewall7424 Před rokem +36

    My personal favourite player of all time. Class, dignity, style and amazing talent. Dr. J may not be considered the GOAT however he showed those who followed how to become the GOAT.

  • @kdub9604
    @kdub9604 Před 6 lety +507

    Dr J was the first player that made the NBA “ must see tv!”

    • @rickrobitaille8809
      @rickrobitaille8809 Před 4 lety +2

      Absolutely
      I wash 14 white loved oppressed people underdogs and rebels, allways question authority

    • @rickrobitaille8809
      @rickrobitaille8809 Před 4 lety +3

      And then came along
      DR.J.

    • @rickrobitaille8809
      @rickrobitaille8809 Před 4 lety +1

      My greatest person all
      Time

    • @samsmith4216
      @samsmith4216 Před 4 lety +14

      He MADE THE ABA! Before he even walked on an NBA floor.

    • @jefffawcett
      @jefffawcett Před 3 lety +14

      I used to watch him in the ABA, I think it was channel 9 here in the New York area that carried Nets games. The ABA at that time had the most fun to watch guys. George Gervin David Thompson etc.

  • @toddtoure7041
    @toddtoure7041 Před 6 lety +488

    Dr. J was one of the most Baddest Ballplayers on Earth.
    I grew up in Harlem and I remember Rucker Holcombe.
    God Continue to bless him and his Family.

    • @magacop5180
      @magacop5180 Před 6 lety +1

      Todd Toure you old as shit oldhead

    • @blaisehanon
      @blaisehanon Před 6 lety +13

      #dj kevgeeez
      And your point is dummy?

    • @flashmelody6920
      @flashmelody6920 Před 6 lety +4

      I agree. Dr. J is the tenth greatest player of all-time in my opinion. Even better than LeBron.

    • @gerryyaum
      @gerryyaum Před 5 lety +6

      Must have been something to see.

    • @scottdavidson7001
      @scottdavidson7001 Před 5 lety

      b zanon you are a ME GENERATION person. Smh.

  • @cleanbowled1767
    @cleanbowled1767 Před 8 měsíci +2

    I lived out my boyhood fantasies on the hardtop court of P.S. 132 in Queens, N.Y. imitating this legend and his signature "finger roll". "I got next" was the code word for declaring next man up in the epic one-on-one marathon battles where hard contact and expletives were the order of the day. Made me tough and gave me an edge for life!!!

  • @williamfox1146
    @williamfox1146 Před rokem +4

    Dr J is my forever favorite player. I miss those days.

  • @williamcooke21
    @williamcooke21 Před 4 lety +353

    I can honestly say ' I was there"! Went to U MASS when he did in the same dorm JFK. I was on the top floor (22nd) he was on either the 12th or 14th with my boy George Mumford (room mates) who came from the same neighborhood in Roxbury (Boston) as I did. Julius, George, brothers from the campus and from the team would go around neighborhoods in the state and kick ass. One time they played a game at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury and while they were trying to stop J, George laid 55 points on them. Al Skinner from the Nets and Pistons was there. He would later be the Basketball coach for Boston College. The basketball coach Pitino played with J at U MASS in the back court. George is the Psychologist for the Miami Heat and has worked with the Bulls with Jordon and Lakers when they had Shaq and Kobe. He allows teams to become winners wherever he goes even when he worked with BC when Skinner was their coach. Everything this video says was true. I still to this day tell people about the game I watched J play at Ruckers. Those days NBA guys could play there and there was no clap back. The bridge they talk about in the video I walked across to get to the park. I was coming from my peoples place in E Harlem (E 97th, 2nd and 3rd Aves. My girlfriend at the time told me he was playing at Ruckers and I still thank her for that. It was a beautiful summer day in NYC. It was a beautiful vista of people to the left, right and center of me and as they stated in the vid, people were on the roofs and bridge. People...I don't know how I did it but somehow I got to the front of that chain link fence. If my memory serves me well Bob Love forward for the Bulls played there that day too. This was the summer of 72' I believe. Regardless, it was a monumental image that will never escape me as long as I pay rent on this planet.

    • @mysterion5136
      @mysterion5136 Před 4 lety +18

      People around the country didn't see Dr. J in his prime. If they did then he would be talked about like Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron. Whoever has the ABA archives need to release them, because that was when Doc was at his best.

    • @haterhifk
      @haterhifk Před 4 lety +33

      Thank you for painting that picture with such detail Sir!!

    • @msway836
      @msway836 Před 4 lety +9

      Yes thanks for sharing, wasnt any Cable or Wifi back then, and no Station would put something on tv about kids from the hood. But, was good to see him in the NBA where he developed an all around game and on good teams with other stars of the day....

    • @williamcooke21
      @williamcooke21 Před 4 lety +4

      @@mysterion5136 Agreed.

    • @williamcooke21
      @williamcooke21 Před 4 lety +11

      @@haterhifk Your're welcome.

  • @gotjesus1912
    @gotjesus1912 Před 4 lety +121

    That’s insane the amount of people there. So sad there’s not enough footage of guys like him, Kareem and wilt

  • @EricJChambers
    @EricJChambers Před 3 lety +61

    Amazing to see people sitting on the edges of the roof and in trees to see Dr. J! He's one of my all-time favorites and I had the pleasure to interview him a couple of times.

  • @ericsierra-franco7802
    @ericsierra-franco7802 Před 2 lety +14

    Dr. J! What a legend! Brought us an NBA championship here in Philadelphia in 83.

    • @sherryengle-xe6fv
      @sherryengle-xe6fv Před 7 měsíci

      YES, YES, PHILLY WENT CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @morgaffi
    @morgaffi Před 4 lety +294

    That last pic of the crowd hanging off the building is unreal! I miss the pre-smartphone world.....

    • @Euclides287
      @Euclides287 Před 4 lety +40

      Those days are gone bruh.
      Today, everyone would be watching *Dr. J* thru their smartphones even tho he's playing right in front of them. smh

    • @jordanbryant5035
      @jordanbryant5035 Před 4 lety +14

      It's New York. There's millions of people in Manhattan alone. LeBron or KD could bring a similar turnout today.

    • @TheBestOne382
      @TheBestOne382 Před 4 lety +5

      Yeah now you know that's throwback good old days any kid to try to attempt that today will get in trouble sitting on the ledge and roof like that cuz it's illegal

    • @cactusjack2264
      @cactusjack2264 Před 3 lety +6

      Lol, they were really sitting on branches

    • @waynejshynzhinds4434
      @waynejshynzhinds4434 Před 3 lety +2

      Thats what brought the ppl. U had to see it for urself. Thats how legends were made.
      I decided to look at Dr. J's career stats ABA/NBA individually and combined. He was hooping on both ends of the court.

  • @DJaySplitSecond
    @DJaySplitSecond Před 9 lety +454

    Dr J brought swag in the ABA and NBA

    • @justanothergamer7865
      @justanothergamer7865 Před 8 lety +9

      +DJaySplitSecond He brought style. "swag" is what's ruining the NBA, a la Swaggy P.

    • @tubenachos
      @tubenachos Před 7 lety +1

      Brought it to the NBA.

    • @BIGDRIP2
      @BIGDRIP2 Před 6 lety +9

      +JustAnotherGamer i bet u think swag is secretly we are gay lol

    • @dylanm9784
      @dylanm9784 Před 6 lety +1

      Ai did

    • @NiggasDrinkin40s
      @NiggasDrinkin40s Před 6 lety +3

      JustAnotherGamer swag is style you weirdo

  • @RDeckardN6
    @RDeckardN6 Před 10 měsíci +4

    I fell in love with basketball just watching Doctor J playing. And I envy so much all those people who could just walk to Rucker Park in NY and watch him playing heavenly baskeball !

  • @donaldouter9845
    @donaldouter9845 Před rokem +13

    Doctor J was probably the most influential basketball player of all time. I used to watch him with the Nets. His success in tha ABA set up the merger with the NBA in 76-77. although I was an NBA fan at the time, the merger was the best and most exciting thing to happen to basketball. Nobody brought more excitement to a game than Doctor J. Other players may have gotten more hype later but he was the real deal and brought his own hype.

  • @paulofreire7520
    @paulofreire7520 Před 4 lety +31

    The impact of Dr.J on the game was phenomenal. For me, one of the all time greatest. 👍🏻🙏🏻

  • @Theraiman616
    @Theraiman616 Před 8 lety +977

    pee wee is like a mix of richard pryor and denzel washington

    • @JelaniB28
      @JelaniB28 Před 8 lety +18

      haha! dead on!

    • @Thechucktownboi
      @Thechucktownboi Před 8 lety +4

      And that dude with the big afro who be at the warriors home games

    • @ssimon64
      @ssimon64 Před 7 lety +22

      Haha, that's the first thing I thought, he looks like Denzel in He Got Game.

    • @shanjami1831
      @shanjami1831 Před 7 lety

      you got it pat,pal

    • @jrsmith3344
      @jrsmith3344 Před 7 lety +16

      never knew he was a baller! I only know of him, cause he was the first millionaire heroine dealer in Harlem? Before Barnes & Lucas

  • @Necronkiller
    @Necronkiller Před 2 lety +3

    This was way before my time. And thats why im here. To learn and appreciate the greats that came before us all.

  • @user-nv2zs7ui7l
    @user-nv2zs7ui7l Před rokem +6

    Proud to see Dr J. play his during the last season in the NBA in Indianapolis! My favorite player of ALL TIME!

  • @titosss1947
    @titosss1947 Před 8 lety +98

    He was a gentlemen first and foremost..one of my favourites in my book to play ball

    • @usnate1
      @usnate1 Před 8 lety

      +Titos SS Highly underrated, and I'd say he's dead even with Larry Bird as the greatest all around forward ever. Lebron so far being 2nd..

    • @usnate1
      @usnate1 Před 8 lety +1

      ***** Nope, not in my opinion, and what you just said is just that; opinion and not fact.

    • @usnate1
      @usnate1 Před 8 lety +5

      ***** Oh you like stats; good then Karl Malone is a greater scorer than MJ, and Stockton is a better overall PG than Magic Johnson b/c he has more assists...oh yeah steve nash has 2 mvps which means he's better than at least 33 hall of famers...

    • @usnate1
      @usnate1 Před 8 lety +3

      ***** No shit...that's my point. Sarcasm dude. You said *the numbers say otherwise*

    • @posysdogovych2065
      @posysdogovych2065 Před 4 lety

      A gentleman except when it had to do with wives. Two children outside of his marriages, including tennis pro Alexandra Stevenson whom he refused to have anything to do with until she was 28.

  • @bearclaw7441
    @bearclaw7441 Před 8 lety +27

    Dr.J was and will always be the man who changed basketball forever! His moves and his style are still what makes the sport so great today. We all knew we were witnessing greatness when we watched him play even in the ABA. As kids growing up in NJ he was all we talked about and the one we all mimicked when we played. Truly a revolutionary in the basketball world. We all wanted to be "The Dr."!!!

    • @emncaity
      @emncaity Před 8 lety +1

      +bear claw
      Why we all wanted red-white-and-blue balls for Christmas, too...

    • @bearclaw7441
      @bearclaw7441 Před 8 lety +3

      stephen f Hoping you mean basketballs!!!

    • @santana9154
      @santana9154 Před 8 lety

      +bear claw Mr Bear Claws statement sums it up best(comes closest to the truth). The Doctor was prime time so much so that people in my hood stopped watching the NBA and was watching the ABA instead. He revolutionized the game. The New York Nets playing out of Nassau Coliseum was the game to watch on tv. Now that is the history of it from a Harlem NYC perspective from someone growing up at that time period and thats why the NBA took over the ABA.

    • @darenngadima5064
      @darenngadima5064 Před 6 lety +1

      Harlem

    • @garyt4551
      @garyt4551 Před 5 lety

      HA! ha!

  • @raicebannon1936
    @raicebannon1936 Před 2 lety +11

    Dr. J changed pro basketball and:
    1. He played D
    2. He did not travel
    3. He played against great D, unlike the open spaces NBA players run through now.
    4. He wore the Converse All Stars

  • @oldcougar65
    @oldcougar65 Před 3 lety +3

    In '77 or '78 I had business with Billy Cunningham. I went to the Sixers practice at Weidner College. I brought my 8 yr old kid along. Practice was just ending. My kid was eagerly hoping to get up close with some players. Instead, they all walked away from him and down to their loccer room. But Dr J walked all the way across the gym, patted my boy on the head and talked to him a bit. My son still remembers it as one of the highlights of his life.

  • @deuce4off
    @deuce4off Před 7 lety +9

    Those are some awesome pics of Dr. J with all the fans in the background. How lucky they all were to witness greatness.

  • @christianbrown3881
    @christianbrown3881 Před 6 lety +993

    Believe it or not @ 2:55 that's my dad he showed me this video to show me he was in it

    • @mikearmz18
      @mikearmz18 Před 5 lety +18

      MC Gusto at first I thought that was a young Kenny Anderson!! Lol

    • @lokumftw2621
      @lokumftw2621 Před 5 lety +149

      I wish him great health and positive emotions only.

    • @toddwood4562
      @toddwood4562 Před 5 lety +47

      MC - I'm just curious, what impact did this have on him? You know what I mean? We all have moments, experiences, that stay with us and influence us throughout our lives, this HAD to be one of those for your fathers.

    • @gunyvw
      @gunyvw Před 5 lety +83

      i looked at that kid and was thinking... wonder what happened to him... then i looked in the comments and saw this

    • @alanmorris7669
      @alanmorris7669 Před 5 lety +24

      MC Gusto
      Your dad must be around 53 years old now, because I was close to your dad's age at the time.

  • @tgdtown
    @tgdtown Před 2 lety +2

    Awesome!!! DR. J was they only name we used growing up when it came to ANYTHING basketball!!!

  • @rokrok60
    @rokrok60 Před 2 lety +3

    It was tough not seeing Dr. J/ABA in NBA cities like Milwaukee, back during the 1970’s. We used to get ABA player cards mixed in w/NBA players. I had an Erving “Virginia Squires” card, an Artis Gilmore “Kentucky Colonels” card, Darnell Hillman & George McGinnis “Pacers” cards. I could just kick myself for not taking care of those rare things.

  • @urbanlegendsandtrivia2023
    @urbanlegendsandtrivia2023 Před 3 lety +80

    I live in Virginia, and was lucky enough to see Dr. J play live at the Hampton Coliseum when he played in the ABA for the Virginia Squires team. I still have the ticket stubs somewhere.

  • @anthonyriche552
    @anthonyriche552 Před 3 lety +4

    I grew up on Long Island, NY and used to play at a park that Dr J used to play at before he went away to college. I can't tell you how honored I felt to have played there and I used to try and imagine what it was like when he was there. Everyone around town back then knew about it. He was a legend on Long Island back in the 70s-early 80s.

  • @djrom66
    @djrom66 Před 3 lety +3

    I still have a Dr. J Converse poster in my old bedroom at my parent’s house. Room looks the same as it did in the 80’s. Doc was in a NJ Nets #32 jersey. The poster was about five feet by two feet wide. I also had Converse posters of George “The Iceman” Gervin, and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. I am still a Converse Chuck Taylor wearer. 👍. Sixers will always be my team, because of Doc, Toney, Cheeks, Moses and Bobby Jones.

  • @notintohandles
    @notintohandles Před 8 měsíci +4

    Magic may have his shoes, but he has this man to thank. And yes, the Doctor would school him.

  • @frankwood7878
    @frankwood7878 Před rokem +3

    Dr J was something else !!!! He was on another level. I remember when he won an NBA Championship with Malone & the 76ers in 1983

  • @70stunes71
    @70stunes71 Před 4 lety +21

    Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I feel really blessed to have been able to watch Doctor J and many others. What a fantastic time to be alive in those days! Praise God for giving us people like him with such wonderful Talent and great memories also :-)

    • @c.a.g.3130
      @c.a.g.3130 Před 2 lety +2

      To have lived in NY and be blessed to have witnessed Broadway Joe, the '69 Mets, Willis Reed and the champion Knicks, Secretariat, Muhammad Ali and Julius Erving was to be born in a time of overflowing blessing!

    • @Darknamja
      @Darknamja Před 2 lety +1

      I lived across the bridge from Rucker and spent a lot of time watching pros and future pros playing there. I played Junior Rucker with my brother one summer. I too grew up in the '60s. I left in '72 when I joined the USAF.

    • @Darknamja
      @Darknamja Před 2 lety +1

      @@c.a.g.3130 I grew up within walking distance of Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. I watched the Yankees from the Bleachers on numerous occasions. We used to watch the Mets from the hills outside the Polo Grounds. We had transistor radios to hear the play-by-play announcers.

    • @c.a.g.3130
      @c.a.g.3130 Před 2 lety +2

      @@Darknamja You were indeed blessed!

  • @michellemeighan1604
    @michellemeighan1604 Před rokem +3

    Dr. J was THE MAN!! The first one to hang in the air and do thangs! They call Michael J "His Airness", but Dr. J was the ORIGINAL! Love you Dr. J.

  • @Kwambo19
    @Kwambo19 Před 3 lety +3

    No words other than phenomenal period

  • @pvj2234
    @pvj2234 Před 2 lety +3

    Dr. J introduced me to the game of basketball; Michael Jordan made me fall in love with it!

  • @deeweatherz12
    @deeweatherz12 Před 9 lety +59

    The Godfather of Dunks and Moves!!!
    Also he had Style with the Infamous Afro!!!

  • @bos3835
    @bos3835 Před 2 lety +2

    Was a middle school basketball player in Chicago during Jordan's rookie season and watched his entire career there. But my first impression of the game was Dr. J as a toddler in the mid 70's, my first basketball idol. Him and Magic are my favorite players.

  • @moehammondmedia
    @moehammondmedia Před 3 lety +20

    The Father Of NBA Swag. Everybody from Jordan to A.I. to Michigan Fab 5 owes this man.

  • @robertpaulin8778
    @robertpaulin8778 Před 9 lety +20

    Doc is the nice guy you can ever meet , gentle, down to earth person, he the greatest basketball player I ever met, with the Nets in the ABA and the SIXERS in the NBA

  • @UrbanSipfly
    @UrbanSipfly Před 8 lety +211

    My favorite Dr. J highlight was him cradling the ball and slammin' down over Michael Cooper!

    • @emncaity
      @emncaity Před 8 lety +4

      +UrbanSipfly
      That was just filthy. I was a huge Laker fan at the time, and even _I_ got out of the chair for that one.

    • @emncaity
      @emncaity Před 8 lety +7

      +UrbanSipfly
      Also: right baseline, up and under with his body behind the backboard, reverse. I think it was against the Lakers too. We all went out and practiced it about five thousand times after that. Not even kidding, used it in games. Total grand larceny. At 6'3" I wasn't going to bust my teeth on the rim like he did, but I could do _that_ move. You'd even see guys trying to get the right wing and fake their guy middle, so they could get a chance to go baseline and do it, for like three years after he did it on TV.

    • @doctorgarbonzo2525
      @doctorgarbonzo2525 Před 8 lety +1

      That is by far the greatest quintessential Dunk ever!!!!!

    • @doctorgarbonzo2525
      @doctorgarbonzo2525 Před 7 lety +27

      DJ was cooler than Cool... He was Funkadelic

    • @1990758
      @1990758 Před 6 lety +5

      UrbanSipfly my favorite is against Bill Walton

  • @kingsittystudios2400
    @kingsittystudios2400 Před 2 lety +4

    Hempstead NY,DR J was so good is high school coach became the mayor of the town!!!! I lived accross the street from the doctor waaay back!

  • @orangejuicejones6075
    @orangejuicejones6075 Před 3 lety +33

    When a player the caliber of Tiny Archibald talks in reverence about your game, you know you were something special

    • @ChengManChing
      @ChengManChing Před rokem

      Absolutely! All undersized point guard types love their role model, Tiny Archibald.

  • @gseric4721
    @gseric4721 Před 5 lety +11

    I gotta come back to this, every once in a while...

    • @mwembamunsaka5
      @mwembamunsaka5 Před 2 lety +1

      I come back specifically for the "wait till Julius get here" line

  • @leonscott543
    @leonscott543 Před 10 lety +445

    Whatever you do in life, do what you love, and make an impact

    • @UDubFootballFan
      @UDubFootballFan Před 10 lety +6

      Very difficult to do. Someone has to pick up the garbage and take my order.

    • @leonscott543
      @leonscott543 Před 10 lety +1

      UDubFootballFan Have you ever heard of high school students, college students, and robots?

    • @UDubFootballFan
      @UDubFootballFan Před 10 lety +7

      leon scott Yes and we don't have enough to fill the labor workforce. The crumby jobs nobody wants. Janitors, Tellers, etc. While I agree with your notion, it's just not possible for everyone to do what they love.

    • @leonscott543
      @leonscott543 Před 10 lety +11

      UDubFootballFan It is very possible... just some choose not to work hard for it. But anyone has the potential to do what they love

    • @leonscott543
      @leonscott543 Před 10 lety +12

      Gamja Tang People that make these types of excuses arnt the ones at the top

  • @riobabic8960
    @riobabic8960 Před 3 lety +4

    This is what is missing today in life, authenticity ! Growing up in the 70s in Toronto we used to play soccer before school, recess, lunchtime,recess again and after school and weekends, being Croatian background it is cultural just like these guys in Harlem !

  • @GaryFox11000
    @GaryFox11000 Před 3 lety +4

    I saw Dr . J when he was 20 playing in the old ABA in Indpls.
    Truly a special gifted athlete made it look so easy !
    Met him after the games .
    A real gentleman ,
    class act ! 😃🙋‍♂️🏀

  • @Fultonfalcons86
    @Fultonfalcons86 Před 4 lety +16

    I loved watching Dr.J perform as a kid then came Micheal Jordan man I was blessed to grow up in the 70's and through the 90's..........

    • @rickrobitaille8809
      @rickrobitaille8809 Před 4 lety

      Me too fultonfalcon
      When doc finally won a nba championship I was in my glory.there were a couple of great teams in his era if you remember

  • @christopherjames9843
    @christopherjames9843 Před 7 lety +12

    Great player and a greater man. Julius Erving.

  • @Zamppa86
    @Zamppa86 Před 2 lety +12

    And some people have the nerve to say Dr J isn't/wasn't a top 15 player of all time! He definitely still should be on every top 15 of all time list! His influence on the game and on its popularity was and is immense!
    If I could only have one retro basketball jersey it definitely would be Dr J's!

  • @InsertName125
    @InsertName125 Před 10 lety +15

    My favorite player of all time, to this day.

  • @tbd1613
    @tbd1613 Před 4 lety +53

    Dr. J a true legend. Cant understand why he is not considered top 10 greatest NBA all time players.

    • @killensalves
      @killensalves Před 3 lety +3

      I can't understand why he's considered a doctor

    • @notphilivey
      @notphilivey Před 3 lety +7

      He is in that conversation. I put MJ, Wilt, Kobe, Bird, Lebron, Kareem, Magic , Oscar and West safely ahead of him. Then you can slot him anywhere after that.

    • @Anthonydu01630
      @Anthonydu01630 Před 3 lety +1

      Lebron put him in his top 3, with jordan and bird

    • @cactusdragon3553
      @cactusdragon3553 Před 3 lety +4

      Top 10 most influential players for sure.

    • @growmyportfolio4545
      @growmyportfolio4545 Před 2 lety +4

      Because his best prime years were in the ABA. That's why they need to include those stats in all time stats and people would have a much different perception

  • @billdefazio1068
    @billdefazio1068 Před 2 lety +1

    I was fortunate enough to have been born and raised in Philadelphia in the 60's 70's and 80's and growing up watching the 76ers The Doctor Jules Irving " Dr J " was my all time favorite basketball player 🏀

  • @ETXB
    @ETXB Před rokem +5

    He was my first sports hero. Actually got to see him when I was in high school! He was nearing the end of his career but drained a halfcourt shot at halftime!

  • @jamrob21
    @jamrob21 Před 7 lety +13

    Dr. J is the player that every great player watched and tried to imitate. Jordan and James in particular

  • @LakerChava63
    @LakerChava63 Před 9 lety +6

    As a native SoCal guy and a man that to this day has continuous love for my man Earvin Magic Johnson, there was one love I had before him......that player was Dr. J....

  • @seldomescene
    @seldomescene Před 3 lety +16

    A wonderful and amazing tribute to one.of the most talented/remarkable athletes to ever grace a basketball court.

  • @ARIZJOE
    @ARIZJOE Před 3 lety +5

    Someone here recently called Dr. J, the "Jimi Hendrix of basketball." So apropos. Erving left an acquaintance, Coach Al McGuire, dumbfounded at the N.I.T. (then a big deal). Pat Summerall praised him at UMass as the "next Connie Hawkins." So I followed Dr. J with the Virginia Squires. Of course he was spectacular, as well as obscure. This enhanced the ABA mystery about him. There will never be another Dr. J.

  • @rmarley2100
    @rmarley2100 Před 5 lety +8

    See how the crowd was able to gather and enjoy on the roof top in the trees thats a picture of the good old days they say i wasn't born then but looked like fun in the community .

  • @crack24k
    @crack24k Před 9 lety +5

    Thats to amazing to even understand. Being from harlem and seeing all those old pictures, and the crowd this guy drew out is just amazing.

  • @LiverpoolRules4Ever
    @LiverpoolRules4Ever Před rokem +3

    My favourite player. What a player. He's the greatest in my eyes. 20 years ahead of his time. Freak!

  • @robertparenti4062
    @robertparenti4062 Před 3 lety +4

    Everyone wanted to be Dr. J, he was fantastic and a CLASS ACT!!!

  • @nonameisthename138
    @nonameisthename138 Před 10 lety +39

    I saw that documentary, and thought it was AWESOME!! For those that are saying that Doc was/is overrated, u are forgetting one thing. Yeah, he had some holes in his game...he might not have been the best defender....or the best dribbler!! But was he was and IS, is an inspirational player!! He brought a lot of people TOGETHER! Doc became the "face" of the NBA!! He inspired people like Jordan and so on!! So to criticize his game or say he was overrated isn't fair because AT THAT TIME he was almost the perfect man....not player! Julius Erving was a HERO to alot of young black kids growing up....including myself!

    • @cflo1386
      @cflo1386 Před 9 lety +2

      The Doctor was the ABA and he kept the NBA afloat through the late seventies. I always loved his game and always loved how classy he was and has been off the court I got a chance to meet him back in 98 and he was so cool and down to earth.

    • @nonameisthename138
      @nonameisthename138 Před 9 lety +1

      cflo1386 Man how I envy you!! When I was in college at Memphis State University, which is now the University of Memphis. He came to the school to speak. I found out about it late, the day OF and raced to the auditorium. ...and just missed him!! I was sick and hurt. That was back in 86....

    • @justletmeuseit
      @justletmeuseit Před 9 lety +3

      I don't know that he was a bad defender but he liked to gamble on defense and sometimes that backfired on him. Dr. J was just fun to watch.. he had a certain grace, style and intelligence that came with all that athleticism. We haven't seen it since.

    • @MrBeyondbelief
      @MrBeyondbelief Před 9 lety +3

      @Tony....I can;t believe anyone would call the Doctor overrated!!! Doc had no holes in his game!!!! A class act and soooo much fun to watch!!!

    • @nonameisthename138
      @nonameisthename138 Před 9 lety +1

      Christopher Socha
      @ Christopher, hey I agree 300%! I only said he MEY have had some holes in his game because he wasn't perfect. I knew he wasn't THE greatest jump shooter. And also he wasn't THE greatest dribbler. Nobody was a more devoted fan than I!! But I'm a realist too. But to call him OVER RATED is insane!!!

  • @markjackson5459
    @markjackson5459 Před 4 lety +10

    That behind the backboard layup move he did so many years ago is still the greatest ever.

  • @woodywood3388
    @woodywood3388 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Still my absolute favorite basketball player of all time. I moved to Philly early 80s and saw him play for the Sixers many times. He was amazing. As a side anecdote, I was once on a flight from Philly to Denver with the entire Sixers squad (they flew commercial back in those days) and the film shown on the inflight entertainment was Woman in Red. When Gene Wilder checked into the hotel under the name Julius Erving the passengers went crazy with cheers and laughter. He’s a legend.

  • @valueinyou9931
    @valueinyou9931 Před 2 lety +6

    Growing up in Oregon in the 70s and 80s, the image of Julius that sticks with me always is when The Blazers Maurice Lucas and Sixers Darrell Dawkins squared off in a fight in the 76-77 NBA Finals. Chaos on the court, and the camera pans to Dr, J, sitting down at the opposite free throw line, just waiting patiently to play ball again. Always so smooth, so cool and calm and an athletic wonder. He had his moments as any human does, (I remember one in particular with Larry Bird) but always loved his overall game and demeanor. Lots of class.

    • @aljackson1228
      @aljackson1228 Před 2 lety +1

      Larry Bird started that trying to punk Dr J... The Doctor just didn't take no s***

    • @valueinyou9931
      @valueinyou9931 Před 2 lety

      @@aljackson1228 Haha you're right my man...just because he was classy and quiet doesn't mean he wasn't tough.

  • @leepreston9181
    @leepreston9181 Před 8 lety +6

    I remember back in the day when Doc autographed my poster when he was playing for the 76ers real stand up dude ill never forget that.

  • @tomjones7089
    @tomjones7089 Před 7 lety +8

    I can remember when Erving was at UMASS. People were talking about the kid at Amherst. Not once, but all over the place constantly. He was that good.

  • @kathyjohson1273
    @kathyjohson1273 Před 3 lety +6

    I so enjoy watching the great Dr. J, do his thing!!! I still get goosebumps seeing him in all his heavenly greatness!!! Thank you Julius (Dr. J) Irving, you are the best!!!👍👍👍

  • @lavellemurphy4619
    @lavellemurphy4619 Před rokem +1

    My Uncle's( RIP) & My Favorite Pro NBA Superstar Player! Dr. J Is A Really Nice Person When He Signing & Meeting His Fans💯💯💯

  • @jamescrenshaw5097
    @jamescrenshaw5097 Před 5 lety +8

    What a great player! I first saw him live in the ABA playoffs with the then-New York Nets playing against my beloved Kentucky Colonels. Everyone in the arena in Louisville was afraid of what he could do with the ball. I remember the dagger falling with a last second 3 from Dr J, and the crowd just groaned miserably.

  • @johnflanagan2684
    @johnflanagan2684 Před 6 lety +8

    Greatest ever in my mind.

  • @paulcgretired6245
    @paulcgretired6245 Před měsícem +1

    I remember his legendary lay-up in the air, out of bounds ("suspended animation") against the Lakers. Have never seen anything like it before or since. Even when you see it, it's hard to believe!!! Amazing Talent (when the Doctor Operates).

  • @warwick802
    @warwick802 Před 3 lety +23

    No one had more swagger than Dr. J in the 70's

  • @EvanderSmart
    @EvanderSmart Před 9 lety +24

    Dr J is Top 10 all-time in raw talent and #1 is pure style and class. Every player who came up after 1970 wanted to be Dr J, and had to settle for whatever they got!

  • @truthseeker7326
    @truthseeker7326 Před 9 lety +523

    In my opinion Dr J was the best. He was also a gentleman.

    • @polorican5023
      @polorican5023 Před 9 lety +13

      n he abandoned his daughter yh lol gentleman

    • @ajoj0909
      @ajoj0909 Před 9 lety +5

      Thats why Joe The Destroyer Hammond scored 52 points on Dr J while only playing in the second half.

    • @adfggffffffddffd
      @adfggffffffddffd Před 9 lety +3

      Kenyon Martin
      Do you mean his pro tennis player daughter whom he conceived with a sports writer?

    • @polorican5023
      @polorican5023 Před 9 lety +1

      adfggffffffddffd yea

    • @adfggffffffddffd
      @adfggffffffddffd Před 9 lety +24

      Kenyon Martin
      I don't think he abandoned her he just didn't help raise her. He did provide financial support though and they do have a relationship now. He knocked some chick up when he was married and already had a family of his own and she wanted to keep the baby. The only real moral outrage here is that he cheated on his wife. Don't even know if the sports writer wanted him helping her raise the child.

  • @Emk315
    @Emk315 Před 3 lety +431

    Parents nowadays would lose their minds if kids sat like that on the roof hanging from 2 story building.

    • @talaverajr391
      @talaverajr391 Před 3 lety +74

      Yeah because it's unsafe.

    • @KICoasterGuy
      @KICoasterGuy Před 3 lety +115

      lol you act like it's crazy to not want your kids dangling their legs off a 2 story building with no railing. I think you're taking the whole "EVERYONES A SNOWFLAKE NOW" thing to an unbalanced level.

    • @getsugaallen6612
      @getsugaallen6612 Před 3 lety +17

      @@KICoasterGuy Facts ifs annoying

    • @theregokd5149
      @theregokd5149 Před 3 lety +52

      They made children tougher back then, they could survive the drop if they fell.

    • @ssppaarrkkyy
      @ssppaarrkkyy Před 3 lety +31

      @@theregokd5149 they weren’t pussies back then, they knew what would happen if they fell. Lil suckas today scared of walking with they shoes untied

  • @ricpowers1475
    @ricpowers1475 Před 2 lety +2

    Whew...stuff I never knew about thee most exciting player I've ever seen...loved watching him defy gravity back in the 70s playing for the 76ers...

  • @pgo301
    @pgo301 Před 4 lety +6

    That was GREAT, everybody loved Dr. J even when he joined the ABA. The only man that spend more time airborne than on land.

  • @711marvel
    @711marvel Před 7 lety +215

    the Doc won my city a nba championship. the only MF ring the sixers will probably ever get while I'm still alive! thanks for the memories doc .. and thanks for that tomahawk dunk you did on michael cooper from the lakers back in the day. 1 of the top 5 best dunks of all time. that dunk has stood it's test of time!

    • @kennyjackson3518
      @kennyjackson3518 Před 7 lety +18

      nigga moses won that shit ,he was the best player on the team . but dr j still my nigga tho

    • @raph2k01
      @raph2k01 Před 7 lety

      I mean you guys got some mean ass rookies, meanwhile here at the wizards we only got beal and he's gonna be good but not hall of fame level. So enjoy the build up since you guys always get good rookies and in the last 10 years our only good drafted player was Wall. I cri.

    • @jusfadez5920
      @jusfadez5920 Před 7 lety +3

      711marvel he won the new york nets one to in the aba.

    • @kennyjackson3518
      @kennyjackson3518 Před 7 lety +2

      plus unless you plan on dying in the next 10 years you'll definitely see us AT LEAST in a conference finals with the young core we have all we really need is a guard and well get that in the draft next year which they say might be the best draft since 96 , okafor led us in scoring and is impossible to guard with his back to the basket, noel was 3rd in defensive mvp voting last year , embiid is looking like a beast , and we get the lakers pick , the chance to switch picks with the kings (thanks hinkie) and our own first rounder and if ben simmons stays healthy on top of all that and can better his shot no one in the league would be able to compete with us period this is the most excited ive ever been about the sixers since they traded the goat in 06

    • @raph2k01
      @raph2k01 Před 7 lety

      Kenny Jackson You guys are legit so lucky doe that you don't have a dumbass mentality. Out of the last 10 years wizards have 1 player that has played in the all star game. 1. 1!!!!!! WTF.

  • @bucknut6631
    @bucknut6631 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow. That was an absolute highlight reel. Thank you.

  • @robertpurtle6706
    @robertpurtle6706 Před 2 lety +5

    Dr. J was my all - time favorite player, but also a huge fan of "Tiny" Archibald when he played for KC Kings. Hard to even imagine his career scoring stats if they had the three point shot in his day !

    • @markhabersham4153
      @markhabersham4153 Před rokem

      Nate "Tiny" Archibald lead the league in SCORING AND ASSISTS '71 - '72 for KC - OMAHA. He was speedy & slick as hell - always one of my favorite players

  • @michaelwalker9734
    @michaelwalker9734 Před 6 lety +7

    Dr. J was my favorite nba player growing up. Probably my favorite player of all time.

  • @mikechrisman1306
    @mikechrisman1306 Před 10 lety +207

    man i wish shit like this still went on... Street ball isn't basketball anymore... they are two seperate games now, sadly...

    • @FreePlayMode
      @FreePlayMode Před 10 lety +27

      Apparently you haven't really watched a "Streetball" game, and watch that "And 1" stuff that they show you. Go to The Rucker in NYC, or 10th and Louden Ave in Philly and watch a game.

    • @mikechrisman1306
      @mikechrisman1306 Před 10 lety +16

      I'd love to man, but i dont live in the city lol... thats why i'm sayin i wish it happened where i live... small town in VA... we had our own type of Rucker... haha... where we had to almost get in fights to play, winner stayed on for hours and people came to watch... but that was 10 years ago up here... too much And 1 and Streetball is nothing but dancing with a ball and calling someone out... where i'm from man we win at all cost... yeah that means playing a zone too lol....

    • @boomboominroom
      @boomboominroom Před 10 lety +8

      It's still like this here in NYC.

    • @mikechrisman1306
      @mikechrisman1306 Před 10 lety +7

      man it must be nice... nobody in our community even plays ball outdoor anymore... or plays with this kind of passion

    • @FreePlayMode
      @FreePlayMode Před 10 lety +5

      You gotta know where to go. In major cities, street ball is alive and well. Gotta go to places like the Rucker in NYC, or 10th St. Run in Philly

  • @iamrobmalloy
    @iamrobmalloy Před rokem +2

    Dr. J still looks great and has become a true ICON and Professional!!!

  • @user-ez4xb9zs8e
    @user-ez4xb9zs8e Před 8 měsíci +2

    Fabulous person

  • @OVERSEEROFRAP
    @OVERSEEROFRAP Před 7 lety +32

    Dr j dunk on me when he was 59 in a backyard game he still got it

  • @johnnymossville
    @johnnymossville Před 5 lety +4

    Dr J, my favorite player of all time. So much fun watching him play.

  • @snaffu1
    @snaffu1 Před 11 dny

    One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Highly recommend watching this.

  • @emilsabatini4038
    @emilsabatini4038 Před 2 lety

    Edijis: I would like 2 take the moment 2 say " thanku " 4 this video. I'm 65 and u taught me things regarding the " Great Dr. J " that I never knew! This video is so significant 4 the young ones 2 see and 2 watch " greatness personified" in Dr.J and 4 them 2 see themselves in him! There'll never b e another like him! Thanku Godbless.

  • @jasoncarreiro86
    @jasoncarreiro86 Před 4 lety +5

    ❤️ love this! Would’ve love to experience it in person. The history of Rucker park... special.