Julius “Dr. J “Erving is sticking with his original favorites when it comes to the GOAT argument.
When the next GOAT argument commences you will most likely not hear the name Julius Erving. Michael Jordan and LeBron James will be included, perhaps with a side of Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. There might be a big man mentioned somewhere between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Erving doesn’t need to see any more basketball to select his squad to compete in any GOAT basketball all-time competition. The now 72-year-old Dr. J has had his team for over 57 years.
“I was 15 years old and I picked my team,” Erving told FanSided. “I picked Oscar (Robertson) and I picked Jerry West and I picked Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. And that becomes my team. That’s my five. Those are the guys who I go with who I consistently, you know, talk about when people talk about the greatest of all time.”
Julius Erving was Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan
For other basketball aficionados who consumed the games in the 1970s and early 1980s, Dr. J will be on their starting five. No one had ever had the flair and charisma on and off the court to that point of Erving. He was flying to the rim and partnering with sneaker companies and other brand deals that were unheard of at the time.
Erving was one-of-a-kind and a fan favorite and still the selection of some 76er and ABA diehards.
“It’s very subjective because if you are picking fruit or picking ice cream people have different tastes they like different flavors,” Erving said. “They will say this is the best because that’s what they particularly like.”
A lot of fans love the Dr. J ice cream and or LeBron James fruit or the Kobe Bryant hot chocolate wand the Magic Johnson omelet.
Those of us who really know the game though, know, that Michael Jordan is the real GOAT. Even if, I guess, it’s only one man’s (correct) opinion who grew up in Chicago.
Dr. J is partnering with Coca-Cola and their “Best Coke Ever?” global campaign and is designed to spark curiosity and a playful debate with consumers and fans.