Tag: Julius Erving

Q&A: Julius Erving on why Ja Morant will be a Hall of Famer, his Coca-Cola ad with Joel Embiid, and more

The former NBA champion and MVP caught up with For The Win.

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.

Sixers legend Julius Erving picks Nikola Jokic over Joel Embiid for MVP

Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius Erving is picking Nikola Jokic over Joel Embiid to win the MVP award.

The biggest debate toward the end of the 2021-22 season is who deserves to win MVP?

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has put together an incredible season averaging 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.2 rebounds. He has kept the Sixers in contention despite the adversity they have faced as a team.

Embiid will certainly have competition for the award. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, the reigning league MVP, has done some good work to keep the Nuggets in it. Giannis Antetokounmpo has done wondrous things for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sixers legend Julius Erving hopped on “The Rich Eisen Show,” and he is picking Jokic over Embiid for the award:

I’m hopeful that Embiid wins it because he does talk about it and it’s something that is one of those carrots out there that he’s reaching for, but I think the most deserving guy is Jokic. He hasn’t missed any games and night in and night out, he’s done better than he did last year. He was MVP last year and when you get better. I don’t think you lose status. Not if it’s a fair fight. I’m going to vote for Embiid, because he’s my guy and Antetokounmpo, who knows how he’s going to finish up, but both Embiid and Antetokounmpo have missed several weeks of play. Jokic has been there every night.

Erving has a fair point about missing games, but Embiid has played 65 games in the 2021-22 season. That is a career-high in games played and he has taken his game to another level to keep the Sixers in contention despite the Ben Simmons saga and everything else thrown at them.

Jokic is averaging 26.8 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 72 games. The Nuggets haven’t had Jamal Murray at all this season, and Michael Porter Jr. has missed a majority of the year. However, Embiid has been terrific in a really tough situation. At this point, Embiid is probably the most deserving.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=62159]

[lawrence-related id=62209,62184,62187]

Sixers legend Julius Erving has Nikola Jokic ahead of Joel Embiid in MVP race

Dr. J Says Nikola Jokic Is More Deserving of NBA MVP Award Thank Joel Embiid Source: YouTube What’s the buzz on Twitter? Joel Embiid @ JoelEmbiid NATIONAL CHAMPS #RockChalk – 11:41 PM Sam Vecenie @ Sam_Vecenie THE DEFINITIVE 2022 NBA MVP DEEP DIVE …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
THE DEFINITIVE 2022 NBA MVP DEEP DIVE WITH @Matt Moore.
We dive into Jokic, Giannis, Embiid, Booker, Luka, Tatum, and KD and give cases for why. We give a ballot as of right now, and explain how great this year has been.
WATCH FIRST ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/watch?v=5S5fN9… – 8:57 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Quite simply, the Sixers’ Joel Embiid should be the MVP | Keith Pompey inquirer.com/sixers/philade… via @phillyinquirer – 8:48 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Joel Embiid on MVP: ‘I feel like the standard for guys in Philly or for me is different than everyone else’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/04/joe… – 8:01 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid opens up on how DeAndre Jordan helps the team on the floor #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/04/joe… via @SixersWire – 7:32 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been fined $15,000 for criticizing the officials in last night’s loss to the Sixers. He was upset about Joel Embiid and James Harden getting the amount of free throws they got. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/rlpYLemD4i – 7:31 PM

Joel Embiid @JoelEmbiid
CokeURL.com/dr.joel
Hey @Julius Erving hope you’re well. Couple of questions. Which Coke would you pick? And errm…why do my internal thoughts sound like your voice!!!? #debatethegoatness #ad – 7:10 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
What will Joel Embiid think if he misses out on another MVP award? ‘At this point, I’ll feel like they hate me’ inquirer.com/sixers/philade… via @phillyinquirer – 6:38 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Likes and Dislikes column: James Harden has helped unlock a part of Joel Embiid’s game that has never been utilized before, and thus makes the Sixers’ star player even better. But his lack of burst off the dribble could limit the Sixers’ upside.
https://t.co/pRnK9B7bgM pic.twitter.com/N9dflEXUg2 – 4:44 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Ramona Shelburne on ESPN: “If I had to vote for MVP right now, I’d vote for Joel Embiid.” – 3:43 PM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
In the final days of the regular season, Joel Embiid was nominated, but did not win Eastern Conference player of week. Trae Young for East, Nikola Jokic for West. – 3:36 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic just won the 11th Player of the Week award of his career, surpassing Carmelo Anthony for the most in Nuggets franchise history. – 3:34 PM
Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic is named Western Conference player of the week after averaging 34.8 points, 17.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists. #Nuggets went 3-1 this past week. – 3:34 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Atlanta’s Trae Young were just named Western and Eastern Conference Player of the Week by the NBA.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP pic.twitter.com/nlajZsTKPH – 3:31 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
NBA Players of the Week for Week 24: Nuggets‘ Nikola Jokic and Hawks‘ Trae Young. – 3:30 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Column: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic is still the NBA MVP & all the 2022 awards belong to next-generation stars @PostSports https://t.co/LWF3p5iGIz pic.twitter.com/g3nUtPvgmQ – 2:49 PM

Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
With the season about to wrap up, the MVP race is heating up!
Hear why @Mitch Lawrence believes in Joel Embiid’s chances
#Sixers pic.twitter.com/LLdz1epiVA – 2:37 PM

Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
If you have 3 hours, my friend @David Thorpe (who has hoops on four TVs most nights) can take you on a video tour of why Nikola Jokic is the best player on the planet. If you don’t have 3 hours, not the worst idea to consider statistics, too. https://t.co/7vDbZc3jdM pic.twitter.com/Xf2SKRJSaN – 2:15 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
76ers’ Joel Embiid says if he doesn’t win MVP this season, ‘I’ll feel like they hate me’
https://t.co/koy2hDmWnC pic.twitter.com/jp1cfN42j8 – 1:09 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid put up another big night in Cleveland. His teammates were in awe of what he did and they believe he should win the MVP award. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/multiple… via @SixersWire – 11:12 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Jokic last 7 games:
33.1 PPG
14.4 RPG
7.7 APG
2.1 SPG
70.6 FG%
No one has scored more points on 70% shooting over a 7-game span ever (yes, not even Wilt). pic.twitter.com/kfGJTxTWHO – 11:06 AM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
“He’s just a troll in every sense of the word.”
From bluffing on big poker hands, well-done chicken wings and destroying little kids in video games, the behind-the-scenes world of Joel Embiid: theathletic.com/3207423/2022/0… – 11:05 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Nikola Jokic has led the @Denver Nuggets in points and rebounds – either outright or tied – in each of his last 17 games.
The only player since the ABA-NBA merger with a longer such streak is Moses Malone (18, 1981-82). pic.twitter.com/z3Ot5FARMs – 11:01 AM

Yaron Weitzman @YaronWeitzman
A lot of interesting stuff in this @Melissa Rohlin story about how Embiid has attacked this season foxsports.com/stories/nba/ho… – 10:56 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Exclusive: How The drama brought out the best in @Joel Embiid
“As a competitor, I also like the challenge that was presented in front of me to just go out and see if I could do it, see if I could play extremely well,” Embiid told me.
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ho… – 10:29 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Nikola Jokic over his last five games:
✅ 174 PTS
✅ 81 REB
✅ 42 AST
✅ 70.2 FG%
Jokic is the first NBA player to record at least 160p/80r/40a over a five-game span since Wilt Chamberlain in March 1968.
He’s the only player to also shoot 70% from the field over such a span. pic.twitter.com/94xjrg4rZs – 10:01 AM

JD Shaw @JShawNBA
NBA’s best from April 3:
– J. Embiid: 44 pts, 17 reb, 5 blk
– N. Jokic: 38 pts, 18 reb, 6 ast
– L. Doncic: 32 pts, 8 reb, 15 ast
– J. Brown: 32 pts, 7 reb, 12-17 fg
– A. Davis: 28 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast
– R. Westbrook: 27 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast
– T. Haliburton: 19 pts, 17 ast, 0 to – 9:41 AM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Look to the court, watch Joel Embiid put up 44 p, 17 r. Glance toward Cavs bench, see Jarrett Allen’s broken finger still in a splint. Do the math, and then count how many days until the postseason. Is Allen going to be ready? ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3228162/2022/0… – 9:15 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Nikola Jokic yesterday:
✅ 38 PTS
✅ 18 REB
✅ 6 AST
✅ 15-22 FG
Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record at least 35p/10r/5a and shoot 65% from the field in three consecutive games. pic.twitter.com/KLS7N366J6 – 9:11 AM

Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Joel Embiid last night:
✅ 44 PTS
✅ 17 REB
✅ 5 BLK
It’s the 11th time Embiid has recorded at least 40p/10r in a game this season.
The only players since the ABA-NBA merger with more such games in a single season are Moses Malone and Russell Westbrook, each with 12. pic.twitter.com/gE9scGCLkb – 9:01 AM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
MVP of the Night: Joel Embiid
#NBAsFinest pic.twitter.com/iZJOH6748T – 8:50 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Quite simply, the Sixers’ Joel Embiid should be the MVP | Keith Pompey inquirer.com/sixers/philade… via @phillyinquirer – 5:53 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Quite simply, the #Sixers’ Joel Embiid should be the MVP | Keith Pompey inquirer.com/sixers/philade… via @phillyinquirer – 5:09 AM

More on this storyline

Embiid has 11 games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds this season; only Russell Westbrook (12) and Moses Malone (12) have had more in a single season since the 1976-77 merger. Both players won MVPs in those seasons. “If it happens, great,” Embiid said of winning his first MVP. “If it doesn’t, I don’t know what I have to do. I’ll feel like they hate me. I feel like the standard for guys in Philly or for me is different than everyone else.” -via ESPN / April 4, 2022
Lauren Rosen: Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid: “I really believe he should be MVP.” -via Twitter @LaurenMRosen / April 2, 2022
NBA reporter Chris Mannix, during the NBC Sports Boston broadcast Sunday with the Celtics hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves, shared a story about a recent phone call between Tatum and Embiid. “Let me in part a quick story about how much it means for Jayson Tatum to be MVP,” Mannix said during the broadcast. “I was speaking to Drew Hanlen, Tatum’s longtime trainer, the other day. He said he was with Joel Embiid when Tatum called him and before they got off the call Tatum said to Embiid, ‘You better win the MVP this year because I’m gonna get it next year.’ “ -via NESN.com / March 31, 2022

Allen Iverson posts picture honoring Sixers MVPs featuring Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson posts a picture of MVPs featuring Joel Embiid.

Philadelphia 76ers legendary guard Allen Iverson is always one to honor the great players in history. Whether the players of yesteryear or players of today, Iverson always acknowledges great players, especially for the Sixers.

During the All-Star game, a picture floated around of Iverson and Julius Erving sitting next to each other while taking in the game in Cleveland. Right in front of the two legends taking in the game was big man Joel Embiid, who was playing in the game representing the Sixers.

Iverson posted the picture to his Instagram on Thursday with the caption “3 MVPs”. Iverson won his MVP with the Sixers in 2001 while Erving won the award four times during his career. Embiid is a top candidate for the award this season. It sounds like Iverson believes the big fella should win the award.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca7pmFEO0X3/

Embiid is having a phenomenal season; the big man is averaging a league-leading 29.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. If he can continue to lead the league in scoring, he would be the first big man to do so since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61116]

[lawrence-related id=61107,61097,61081]

Walt Frazier Enterprises was a …

Walt Frazier Enterprises was a landmark. It had an office on Park Avenue. Frazier was its namesake and its face. He owned a third of it. Billy Cunningham, then a 76ers star, owned a third as well. Irwin Weiner, the actual agent in the midst, owned the other portion. Together, they represented some of the league’s top players, from Julius Erving to George McGinnis and George Gervin, at a time when there were few agents even around. “They set the tone for how things are operating now,” Mychal Thompson, one of its clients, said.

Perhaps only Michael Jordan has a …

Perhaps only Michael Jordan has a greater place in our imagination among those elevated. Erving, with his trademark Afro seemingly moving to its own syncopation, controlled both his body and the basketball in mid-air. He was present at the creation of the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, which began in the ABA in 1976. What else is Mark Landsberger, a burly Lakers forward in the late 1970s and early ’80s, remembered for as a player, other than his role in Erving’s gravity-stalling piece of magic during the 1980 NBA Finals? “With great prejudice, Michael’s the greatest that ever played the game. But, honest to God — a young Doc? Boy, he was something,” said Marty Brennaman, best known as the longtime, decorated baseball broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds, but who also spent three-plus years in the early 1970s as the Squires’ play-by-play man.

It didn’t matter. With his massive …

It didn’t matter. With his massive hands and ridiculous hops, Erving dominated. “A lot of times, he’d bring the ball up the floor himself, especially if it was a fast-break situation on a missed shot,” Brennaman said. “If he got the rebound, he’d make that decision, I’m going to kick it to the guards and maybe get it back. Nobody in the league could run the floor better than he could. … There was nothing he could not do. He could handle the ball in traffic; he could handle the ball when the floor was open and pick his spots. “I saw him one night in a playoff game down in Miami against the Floridians. I think he scored something like 53 points. … It was stupid. The numbers he put up were truly unbelievable.

Julius Erving: Those of us who played …

Julius Erving: Those of us who played in the NBA in the 1980s definitely played a role in what the league has become today. And I think that in communicating with the next generation of players, they gave a lot of credit to myself and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. If you start in 1980, and you look at the guys who were the All-Pro players, the MVPs or whatever, there was an acceptance, and there was the crossing-over between the different ethnicities that created a pretty good melting pot.