Dr. J’s Hoop Hall visit a slam dunk

Aug. 11, 2016 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Hall of Famer Julius Erving sits in front of a photo of himself from his playing days while during an interview with Springfield College Prof. Kyle Belanger at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Aug. 7.
Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – A young man who was among the hundreds of people who crowded into the center court at the Naismith memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to listen to an interview with Hall of Famer Julius Erving had the opportunity to ask him a question: Do you consider yourself one of the all time greats?

 Erving – better known by his nickname of Dr. J – paused for a moment and said, “My modesty says – to hell with modesty.”

The response brought forth laughter and applause during the interview session that was part of an on-going program of summer events at the Hall of Fame.

Erving spoke with Kyle Belanger, a sports journalism professor at Springfield College, about a variety of topics ranging from his formative years as a high school and college player to when he did his last slam dunk – a move for which he was celebrated. Erving who is 66 said he did one two years ago, although he is considering trying to do it again.

The appearance on Aug. 7 was part of the Hall of Fame’s “60 Days of Summer” program.

Erving’s career on court is studded with honors. He was named to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) 50th Anniversary team, as well as called one of the 40 most important athletes of all time by Sports Illustrated.

Although he retired from the game in 1987, he said, “I’m still doing ambassador work, if you call it work.” He added that doing something you love isn’t really work. Most recently he was in Tokyo, Japan, to judge a slam dunk contest.

It was fun. I went over to represent the sport,” he said.

Erving said the beauty of basketball is “there are so many levels to the game; so many places where you can land.”

Right now he sees his role as a mentor. He noted that during his life several people were keys mentors, including his high school coach Ray Wilson and his coach at the University of Massachusetts Jack Leaman.

Speaking of becoming a mentor to others in the sport, he explained, “The role reversed.” He added, “I wasn’t doing it consciously, it was something that just happened.”

He said Leaman “always occupies a special place in my heart.” He spoke about Leaman helped build his confidence through public speaking.

He attended UMass Amherst from 1968 to 1971, leaving the university after his junior year to join the fledging American Basketball League (ABA) where he became a standout star.

He said at the time he was 21 and considered himself a “student athlete” and took his academics “very seriously.” He told Belanger the economic opportunity turning professional made up the bulk of his decision.

He recalled he promised his mother he would complete his degree, which he did.

Erving also spoke the mood of the players in the ABA after it merged with the NBA after the 1975-1976 season. He said the players were worried whether or not they would be brought over to the NBA. As three of the ABA teams were not part of the merger “there were some left behind.”

He also was critical of how the NBA acknowledges the ABA. “Sadly the NBA doesn’t work hard enough to preserve the history of the ABA,” he said.

He called coming to the Hall of Fame is “amazing” and compared it when golfers go to Augusta, GA, the home of The Masters. Sitting under the dome where photos of the Hall of Famers are displayed, he said, “It’s an honor to be looked at by those who came before you.”

When asked by one fan about his legendary slam dunks from the foul line, Erving said a player has to remembers that it’s not just about moving forward, but also moving up more than 10 feet. A play such as that “took a lot of hops, a lot of confidence and knowing how to land.”
One young fan asked if he was nervous about playing. “I’m nervous right now,” he joked. Erving said being nervous before the start of a game was “natural.”    

The next Hall of Famer to appear as part of the summer series of events would be Nate “Tiny” Archibald at 1 p.m. on. Aug. 13. For more information on the “60 Days of Summer,” go to www.hoophall.com/60-days-of-summer.

Share this: