Julius Erving Top 10 Plays of Career

Julius Erving Top 10 Plays of Career
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NBATop10 provides opinionated lists of various NBA Player's top plays. I strive to make fair and unbiased lists of plays, but keep in mind that we all have our own personal opinions, meaning that none of our opinions are right or wrong.
I judge plays by looking at the context of the situation, the overall difficulty, and how aesthetically pleasing the play is. I do my very best to provide a highly accurate countdown for my viewers.
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[@nbatopten]

My old channel was hacked at 54,000 subscribers, please help me get back to that milestone!!

[@dannyhernandez265]

Sorry man! That sucks!

[@MetroDuroc]

Pretty amazing that decades later these dunks still stand alone. Like beautiful works of art.

[@Ben-xg2mo]

He had so many more regular season highlights not on tape. Almost all of these top 10 are from the finals or ecf.

[@Cynsham]

And the crazy part is that most of his best highlights likely weren't caught on camera. he was in his prime while still playing in the ABA which did not have any contract to broadcast their games

[@georgemavrides3434]

2:27 the most iconic dunk in NBA history.

[@Spurs19921993]

Sí !

[@pier-lucgaranddion1527]

It's absolute physical poetry.

[@Freeloader_420]

James Worthy, who turned that ball over on that play, just said a random Lebron dunk was the best ever. lol

[@davidziemann9653]

His dunk over Walton in 76 was one of my first NBA memories. That was brutal.

[@MrChrispreve]

Yes .oui .yap.ναι.

[@Knicks4Life61]

Julius Erving (DR.J) Is the Most Underrated and Underappreciated STAR IN NBA HISTORY!!!

[@jamesway]

Truth

[@CinqueMalcolm]

He wasn't underrated. He was a hero to a generation of kids. Everyone knew and loved Dr. J. Stop with the nonsense bro.

[@MeekMillisbendingoverrn]

Underrated if you’re 14 lol the guy was the most popular player in the world for like 5 years

[@justice2120]

@@CinqueMalcolm dude for every video like this you gonna see stupid f comments like this ALL the gd time..... ppl are hella dumb bro

[@justice2120]

@@CinqueMalcolm dude you always gonna see D.A. comments like theirs on vids like this

[@kevinr5187]

His huge hands and long arms made him stand out from the crowd, even over MJ. DR. J has to be the most exciting player in the open court over just about anyone.

[@alessiofe]

DrJ, MJ and Vince Carter

[@dwayneboykins1476]

He was the ORIGINAL!!!😜

[@gdamachustle]

To this day, no one has replicated that dunk nor layup, #1 and #2. Shows how special he was.

[@PtlRG1]

Greatest single moves in NBA history! This from a 50 yr Celtics fan.

[@chuckkirby2708]

True. Peyton Pritchard replicated #3 on the list twice in the finals this year.

[@alyjulmim8447]

Michael Jordan has done that cradle dunk. However, not from the same distance as Dr. J.

[@jimo3173]

Not to take anything away from Jordan or Kobe or even LeBron, but no one glided on the court smoother than the Dr. did. He was the best because he set the standard that changed the game forever.

[@scottyblog]

Clyde ‘the glide’ Drexler.

[@jimo3173]

@@scottyblog He was good but compared to the Dr., no way.

[@danklebesiii2257]

Without Dr. J, there wouldda been no Jordan.

[@ICYMIINMIY]

@@danklebesiii2257without James Naismith there would be no Dr. J

[@rlhmarines]

Dr J was the man but let’s not forget David Thompson also in the human highlight arena and both played in the old ABA league before the NBA merger.

[@607rocket]

Nobody could dunk like Dr. J 🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@carlossimancas9867]

The most aesthetic player ever, the king of cool, and one of the best ever to play this game

[@shawnturbeville994]

This man was poetry in motion. Who today is a better athlete than this man in his prime? No one was more graceful or smooth. He wasn't a great outside shooter because he couldn't be stopped taking it to the hole. I don't think anyone has dunked on more people than him.

[@carlossimancas9867]

@@shawnturbeville994 Some of the most amazing dunks were done by Dr. J in NBA finals, and not in regular season or in exhibition games. That’s says a lot of his quality and enormous power when he was at his prime

[@Gone.tragic]

He was way ahead of his time🔥

[@diffened]

Probably not many remember but when he was in college, dunking was not allowed, so he didn't have his college games to work on his dunks.

[@Gone.tragic]

@@diffened damn I didn’t know that wtf that’s even more impressive lol

[@jameschan9634]

When I was young, watching The Dr operate always took my breath away. No one had ever swooped to the hoop like he did. A beautiful blending of Power and Grace.

[@43captrexkramer]

The best thing about #1 is Magic saying after that playing during timeout asking "you think we could ask him to do it again"?

[@kevinswihart6867]

I was one of the originals to watch Dr. J in the ABA days ! He was amazing! The problem I saw was : 1. The NBA knew if America had watched the ABA style of basketball it would have severely hurt their attendance and TV watching 2. A run and gun style of offense 3. Afroes hitting the rim 4. Cheerleaders 5. The original 3 pointer, which was a long shot then on distance 6. The Red, White, and Blue ball 7. A lot of superstars like Dr. J, Gervin, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, even Rick Barry, Connie Hawkins, and Spencer Haywood played in the ABA 8. The only time ABA games were on TV was in their respective cities. I could go on, but I would say that these are great plays by the Dr. that were in the NBA, most of his fabulous plays were from the ABA days, which most of the films have been destroyed. It was a very fun time to watch the ABA !!

[@averydaymond1560]

Ok any theories as to why there is no footage of Dr J in college? I mean damn it’s not like he played in the Stone Age. You can find college highlights of every superstar but Dr J. It’s kinda strange.

[@davidwilliams9963]

I saw Dr J in the ABA also. He was better and the game was better than the ABA. This is not the doctor’s 10 best plays. Those happened with the Nets and the Squires

[@diffened]

@@averydaymond1560 He played at UMass which was, and still is, a small time basketball school. He played on the freshman team, (do they still have those?) two years varsity, then went pro as a hardship case. No dunking was allowed in college ball when he was playing.

[@dwayneboykins1476]

He was a NEW YORK playground legend!!!!😂

[@guadalupevargas8976]

A met Julius Erving like 20 years ago and I told him there wouldn’t be a Michael Jordan if it wasn’t for Julius Erving, he said do you really think so, I said of course, I met him at a cigar store and he asked me do you have any cigar samples for the great dr. J, I said of course I do.

[@HBGoneGlobal]

Mj stole the rock the baby from Dr. J

[@ajpend]

Yeah. Erving was MJ before MJ.

[@uncleroams279]

The best dunker of all time, period!

[@marekpleva8411]

best traveller he gone from like 5 steps in 8. i dont know if that was not rule at that time but it is ridiculous

[@laman8914]

The Great Julius Erving invented the game of basketball all NBA players still play to today. From MJ, to Kobe, to Steph Curry. To us, he is the GOAT.

[@rockinmosquito]

I'll never forget the 1976 ABA All Star Game, and the jump/dunk from the free throw line.

[@robluckenbach4820]

Grew up a Knicks fan in late 60s and early 70s, so I saw some supreme teams. But once I saw Dr J play, he has always been my favorite player.

[@Fraz_In_Chat]

this highlights are still incredible... Dr J one the the goat

[@horrormaestro3468]

Doc's vertical leap was amazing.

[@RomansapienMVision]

He changed the game - the real GOAT

[@lorenzomesta2533]

Absolutely and by far.....but I do like a lot Mr. Chamberlain he could be #1 as well............

[@carlossimancas9867]

Magic, Mike, Larry, Lebron, Tim and Kareem could also be the GOAT. But yes, the Doctor is among the greatest

[@out42c]

No doubt about it.

[@Pat4HUMANITY]

Oh c'mon now, let's be serious AND INTELLIGENT--please. That is just plainly and clearly wrong. He is the best dunker ever--and that is it! The good Dr. made an occasional spectacular block, but other than that he was a very poor defensive player; more than a few guys had career nights against him. At least one of which wasn't in the league that long. On the other hand throughout most of his career with the Bulls Michael was also the best defender in the league and Kobe was an elite defender. And this is just to start with. It's okay to idolize a certain player, but get your facts RIGHT people.

[@RomansapienMVision]

@@Pat4HUMANITY LMAO, Do you even know it was illegal to dunk in the NBA. Dr J is the reason NBA change the rules. Imagine MJ or LBJ without the dunk. Better yet the next time you watch a basketball game and someone made a great dunk you are thanking the real GOAT when you cheer. LMAO..

[@xeres14]

In 2023, after all we've seen in the NBA, it's still graceful and amazing to watch.

[@waynewolcott4945]

He would be feasting in today's league

[@brettmuller9556]

It was 1976 and the gang gathered around a 12 inch color tv screen to watch Dr. J’s first NBA televised game. Back then all we had was newspaper articles about his performance no ESPN no replays nothing. After we watched the game everyone was quiet then the host said “he’s everything they said the was”. He was indeed. No one before or since took off and tomahawked dunked over the best HOF centers. One of kind. Great memories. Thx Doctor.

[@KingKumari]

The Doc is the goat hands down, let's not forget the "fish that saved Pittsburgh " (Moses Guthrie) 💯💯💯

[@mykalnorbert1592]

I seen it at the Theater when it came out. The Doc is still my favorite Basketball player.

[@yasmintwitty6410]

I don't know why he isn't in the goat conversation if you add up his stats from the ABA and NBA he's top five in every category

[@johnnyguitarwatson5288]

Let this sink in: the rock the cradle on cooper in 1983, dr.j was 33 years old! Cooper was 26/ the dunk in 1985 over the mammoth 7'5 mark Eaton (rip) dr.j was 35!

[@michaelunderwood6658]

While he was with the Nets , I sat on the baseline and watched him do a finger roll from behind the backboard ….he floated in the air forever …my all time favorite player ( and totally underrated ….up there with the Jordan’s & Kobe’s )

[@cboz3712]

In the playgrounds of Greece in the 80ies, when I first started playing BB, Dr. J was a legend 🏀 Films were so rare to find, mostly we told each other stories of the Doctor as if he was a mythical creature… Every Sunday evening a sport show started with some highlights, one of them was Dr. J on a graceful reverse two hand dunk. We were waiting all week just to see this highlight… Many years later after he had retired he came for some exhibitions to Greece with his two small sons. I high-fived him and I remember my palm was half his size. And I am a 6-2 guy. Never could I imagine hands so big 🤣 Thank you Mr Erving for all the great memories growing up. You made us dream of magic and excellence ❤️🏀🙏🇬🇷

[@Dr.TJ1]

I know the reverse layup would be favored by most as his greatest play, but that one handed cradle at full speed (#2) followed by the dunk was the one that impressed me the most. The reason I like the cradle dunk better is because he wasn't going full speed on the reverse and he palmed the ball rather than cradling it on the reverse. To cradle it and control it at full speed is unbelievably difficult to do.

[@roland7584]

Watch the reverse again. It's insane. He has 2 players (and one of them is Kareem) in front of the basket from where he is (behind the basket), and he magically goes sideways and defies the laws of physics as he glides through the air and shifts the ball to do that reverse. It's not a normal reverse by any stretch. The cradle dunk is awesome, but this play is super special. The dunk on that breakaway is pre-programmed in Dr's brain and he's just ready to pounce on his prey. This reverse is made up in the moment. He didn't even know what he was going to do until it happened.

[@drobson8004]

Imo, these are not his 10 best plays in history

[@MarcAmAlb]

So much of Dr. J’s peak at the ABA was never filmed…What a shame.

[@DT-dz1jc]

Should be plenty of Nets film. Those later years with the HUGE 'fros he & Hillman seemed 10 feet tall. It's those Virginia years. I remember seeing 1 game. They were NEVER on TV. Doc was like this myth. The Squires kept getting & SELLING huge talent till finally bankrupt . It's the Nets who made the biggest mistake though Doc was perfect for Philly. More Nets footage would be nice but Squires WITH Dr.J? Even any of Gervin or Scott would be magical. Decent video though heavier on Sixers than I expected.

[@praveenliverpool]

There is only one doctor -Dr J👍

[@RDeckardN6]

True !!

[@Turn420]

Air, power and skill, the best Skywalker to ever play pro basketball

[@jonjonharreld7602]

The First Man To Fly The Great Julious"Dr.J"Erving One Love Fam...

[@eddiedeleon2425]

POETRY IN MOTION gracefulness in MID-AIR first is always NUMBER 1

[@chriszenko3598]

As great as he was in the NBA he was in his prime playing for Virginia and Nets in the ABA

[@tb-mo9076]

Julius Winfield Erving, M.D., G.O.A.T.

[@randypam69]

The REAL GOAT👈🏻☝🏻

[@LIE11Bldg7]

During the late seventies of course early 80s as well.. In the eyes of a young Midwestern white boy Julius Erving was a God

[@Spiritof_76]

Same story here. I loved watching him light it up from the mid-70s on. He was my favorite player at the time.

[@mitchk2981]

The reason that the American Basketball Association merged with the NBA was because his talent gave credibility to the ABA. It was very much what Namath did between the American Football League and the NFL. I was actually lucky enough to have lunch with him when he was consulting on a movie my friend was producing. An incredibly nice and modest person, so different from the arrogant jerks of today. To me it was as exciting as having lunch with Babe Ruth.

[@Bmerciful]

Good to see that clutch shots were included

[@junioralsept9335]

That dunk against Cooper for the Lakers was the best dunk in history in my opinion by Doctor J...

[@AnthonyRobinson-dc3pq]

He did a lot of them in the aba

[@rickhensley5963]

The behind the backboard layup has got to be the best shot on NBA history. I watched the game in TV and couldn't believe my eyes.

[@robertswift6101]

he was doing dunks long before jordan came along

[@dstewart4520]

Growing up...Doc was the only pro basketball player who I would ever ask for an autograph. Great athlete, but a forward thinking business man...who inspired young Black men like myself to understand the game beyond the game. Modern day young brothers like Lebron, Shaq, and Kyrie...also understand life and impact off the court.❤❤

[@arogers2741]

He is one of those that just draws the fans to watch the game.

[@conradford7493]

At 68. I've have seen some great players. But Dr. J is still my favorite. Drove my kids in snow to see him at the all-star game in Indiana. It was worth the drive. 😂

[@JuanMartinez-kn2qs]

DrJ was an awesome and underrated player. Simply superb

[@burrdaddy]

That slo mo at 00:45 is just magical.

[@mikezobnowski3679]

Favorite of mine...All with one hand..

[@aclizarda]

my very first idol since my highschool days.....then mj is my number 1 GOAT..

[@donbuyshousescash4765]

Dr. J was MJ.. Before MJ...

[@karl6852]

MJ was never at this level of grace and creativity. Julius dunked on absolutely any center. MJ deliberately tried create highlight moves for the media machine. Doc just played like this naturally before there was so much hype and 24/7 coverage. Jordan was a ferocious competitor, got the ball more, and took way more shots. Julius could do any Jordan move and much much more.

[@bernardcole4911]

@@karl6852excuse my french but what did you just say😂 No Jordan Is Not The Doctor that’s True, Now don’t get me wrong Dr.J brought style and Grace into the Game before MJ time, Dr.J passed Michael Jordan The Torch, And To Say Michael Jordan didn’t Craft The Game is not right, Michael Jordan picked Up, where Dr.J left Off when Dr. Retired… Jordan shook The NBA to pieces and all Says So even the Greats

[@morrisparrish76]

@@karl6852 since you won’t say it: I will….. Jordan = hype Julius = no hype

[@kashmirirose3733]

Man, I was an 11yo coming up in SF, and was blessed enough to watch Dr. Julius every Sunday all the way live.

[@patrickcasey3284]

As a kid growing up in Denver and the old ABA, the Dr was magical. We had David Thompson, another of the amazing slam dunkers. I went to the ABA All-Star game and saw the best slam dunk contest ever between David and Julius...later that year the Doc would beat my Nuggets in the last ABA championship. In the top 10 plays, there was a last second shot made against the Nuggets by DrJ and stunned the crowd. For me, you can talk LaChoke, Kobe, maybe even MJ, but DrJ is the true goat...he alone kept the ABA alive and was a huge reason for the merger.

[@djrom66]

He was Michael Jordan before there was an MJ.

[@senpaipsycho4138]

Those vertical and hangtime dunk OP dr. J🔥🔥🔥

[@user-yv7fh8xv2r]

Iconic, idol, amazing and unforgettable for ever! Dr. J., Julius Erving: the most spectacular player in basketball history!

[@mshahnazi7636]

Dr. J, The ORIGINAL SPACE WALKER.

[@PaddleAsia]

I saw him plenty of times in the old ABA when he played for the Virginia Squires... incredible to watch and a nice guy when going into and out of the locker. He was always friendly.

[@joegotz1971]

#10. I was at that game. The Spectrum was so loud my ears rang for weeks.

[@Paula-ec3hv]

Being a forever Dr. J fan, I do that love many of the best shots and dunks are against the Celtics.

[@seeseemun4528]

Pure poetry and power! The Doctor!

[@darrensmith832]

THE LEGEND, GOAT PERIOD

[@miguelguerrero7787]

That rock the baby dunk will never be matched

[@brandonshirey400]

I still remember the commercials when I was a kid. A little boy runs up to him yelling “Doctor J, Doctor J!” He turns around “No, Dr. Chapstick” and holds a tube up. 😂 Great times.

[@Dejan-gz6vz]

The best in this presentation is, Dr J was not only dunk master he had good long range shoot also.

[@bernierosado106]

#2 The best dunk of the NBA HISTORY.

[@thomasbridges6045]

He did dunk on people it was like you know who I am yeah he use to rise

[@wramsey2656]

As children playing basketball in the 70's, we always took time to gather around the TV when Dr J was playing.

[@irmasil3]

I always try to explain to kids that the Top 10 is from players who were game-changers, not stat packers. 1. MJ-> brought the air, the finest, the 2-way play, the dedication 2. Magic-> brought the art of assist, the showtime, made the game a miracle show 3. Kareem-> brought the unguardable shot, created the modern big guy 4.Bird->brought the IQ, brought the lethal 3-p shooting into the game 5. Kobe-> Brought the Mamba mentality, the adjustment to the game 6. Shaq-> brought the dominance of the big 7. Dr J-> made the dunk an art, made the charge a weapon 8. Wilt-> brought the definition of a limitless player 9. Pistol Pit-> brought the definition of skills and handling 10. Hakeem-> Created the archetypal PF while being a Center. From the more modern players, Dirk, Curry, KD, Duncan have all brought something new. And maybe in the future we will talk about Jokic making the modern center position-less or Giannis taking the PF to the next level....And yes, I deliberately have not mentioned Lebron. Lebron is a great player, a stat packer as well, and honestly the only NEW thing he brought is probably longevity....

[@maelguiraud3568]

so pistol pete and ai are top 10 because they didn't accomplish more than others ? plus the word is stat padder.

[@mikefleming4834]

I don’t know why his name is rarely mentioned when talking about the greatest ever. I mean he was a Human highlight film.

[@toddm9501]

Favorite Player Ever!

[@NotTheWheel]

Dr. J is in the DNA of every high flying superstar today. I wasn't alive to see him play but I've seen the tape and I know the stories of his hooping in Harlem. A Legend among Legends.

[@andreaspapadakis2602]

Have you noticed the dunk on Eaton..Dr J was 35 and that year Eaton was averaging 5 blocks per game , his peak..who would even go for the dunk from the vert under Eatons chest..the man was a bgrizzly bear in size.

[@alanfoster6589]

Eaton was 7'4". John Wooden turned him from a lump into a player.

[@ckobo84]

Dominique Wilkins is the only other player I know of who took it straight to Eaton and dunked in his face.

[@carloszepeda8842]

That was the greatest bucket I ever saw his number one play. And no one has ever done it since. Thanks Dr. J

[@rolandogues9965]

Dr J is the reason why I love everything about basketball. ❤

[@fredrickbowman6093]

I played against Dr. Jay at Mercury park in New York. I also played against him at Rucker. Not only a great basketball player but a hell of a nice guy. Before Jerry Thomas overdose on cocaine. His junior and senior year before he went to university Detroit we travel all over the country playing pick up games.

[@rlhmarines]

I remember the Dr in that movie 😊 The Fish that saved Pittsburgh

[@jademarksaldaviatimsay7557]

Julius erving is underrated NBA player

[@zayjones2885]

How is he defying gravity in number 8?

[@blakebrown84]

Julius Erving has one of the best highlights I’ve ever watched. He had did an amazing slam dunk over Bill Walton.😱😱😱

[@allenboyer2207]

The power of Doc was palming the ball off the dribble

[@jimwelsh997]

I was a teenager living in north Philly. And Dr J was it besides Bobby Clarke and the FLYERS at the time. But he would fly from the foul line. And the ball in one hand. look like a Statue Liberty 🗽. He changed basketball by himself not Michael Jordan. Just have to watch the Dr and you are going to see what I mean and millions of others know. The greatest

[@kennethwashington5702]

Never get tired watching the Doc!

[@jhfit]

Rock the Baby...best dunk ever

[@barrynorton7344]

There is no one in the nba nor has there ever been another player in the nba like DR. J.. Jordan,Wilkins, you name whom ever you want, they don’t compare with Dr. Js dunks.

[@normalhispanicdude]

The doc was smooth as no one else. Even MJ said that he took a lot from him. He was a cool dude, and probably not as competitive as MJ, but as gifted as the best if not more.

[@Harv3st]

My grandfather used to always talk about Dr.J when I was a kid. He used to leave work with a few buddies and go to the Spectrum to watch the Sixers play.

[@Paula-ec3hv]

Dr. J saved his best moments for the Celtics, The Lakers, and the finals. I got to see him play in person for the Viginia Squires and the New York Nets in Louisville, Ky at Freedom Hall against the Kentucky Colonels While he was in the ABA. More than once. To say that is was memorable would be a huge understatement.

[@ibperson7765]

Great. If could add a note about it being finals/playoffs

[@dwayneboykins1476]

When I was in high school in the 70's I heard about DR J and his taking off from the foul line. Naturally I didn't believe it. But I had the opportunity to see him LIVE!!! He convinced me!!!!😮😅

[@ugaais]

I had a DR J Sports illustrated poster on my wall in 1983 as a 13 year old

[@williamwalker146]

Dr. J seems to have been able to score a shot from any part of the court, from any angle, with guards being no deterrent. Insane.

[@Bogie6588]

My favorite player of all time! He could do it all! Nobody was more graceful in the air! And a class act, on and off the court.

[@ngc-fo5te]

You might want to rethink the class off the court thing.

[@ruggedshark5921]

Saw the last one live - my mind blew up - still haven’t recovered!

[@Maurice895]

I remember watching Dr. J when I was a kid, he was larger than life.

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

@ 2:03 bold strategy by the Mavericks to not Julius Erving in the slightest

[@DJKhrome]

The Doctor…The ORIGINAL Human Highlight Reel.

[@mayorrodgers7446]

Yeah, the number one play is one of the all-time greats.

[@williamwalker146]

#5-the fastest point I've ever seen, and the distance on that!

[@waratahfilm2350]

DrJ the one and only