Julius Erving Research Paper

Julius Erving is considered to be one of the great individual basketball players of all time. It’s not just his incredible play that makes him special, he symbolizes many things about the start of the golden age of basketball. He symbolizes the divide between the ABA, or streetball, and the NBA. He symbolizes determination and perseverance not just for waiting 7 years for his first NBA title, but for pushing through the deaths of his brother and later his son. Finally he symbolizes a role model no matter what race you were. His drive and composure are what make him one of the greatest and most loved players of all time. Erving received inspiration everyday of his childhood, and later inspired countless children to reach for the stars.. His home …show more content…
Julius was in charge of the health of his sickly brother Marvin, for whom he cared for deeply. Erving moved from the blacktop to the gym first when it was too cold to play outside. He and his friend took a gamble and asked the salvation army if they could play on their team. THey ended up as the only two african american players on the team. Although not highly touted by prospects on the court, Erving still dazzled on the playground and that’s what got him his big college offer from Massachusetts. Erving was good at Massachusetts, but Harlem’s rucker park is where he earned his stripes. He put on legendary performances there attracting record crowds to the historic site. He grew such a following that he was offered a major contract with the ABA’s Virginia squires, this was his first professional team. The ABA was taken over by a Dr J fad, and Erving won the championship and MVP in his first season. To keep him in the ABA instead of the NBA, the squires agreed to trade him to his hometown team, the New Jersey Nets. The New Yorker’s were not disappointed, as Erving won another championship as well as another MVP award his first year there. Although Erving was a spectacular baller and