There are few people on the planet who mean more to the game of basketball than Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who led the Sixers to a championship in 1983 and was NBA MVP in 1981.
Erving was recently named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Erving made a massive impact on how the sport was played on the court, especially because his high-flying athleticism inspired the next generation of stars.
His influence off the court was just as important. His career path played a pivotal role in helping merge the ABA and the NBA, and his success after leaving college early bolstered the argument that young players should not be required to play four years in the NCAA before they could turn pro.
Additionally, by signing endorsement deals with the likes of Converse and Coca-Cola, he paved the way for how modern NBA stars market themselves to earn additional revenue.
Erving, who purchased a Coca-Cola bottling firm in 1985, recently starred in a commercial for the beverage company. He caught up with For The Win to discuss the experience, and he also shared some of his other thoughts about the NBA, college basketball, and the award that bears his name.