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A few years ago, a hoops writer joked that Julius Erving in the NBA is the most overrated player of all time and Julius Erving in the ABA the most underrated.
Fran Blinebury of NBA.com doesn't go that far, but writes this weekend that Dr. J's time as a Net changed basketball.
"Doc was the first guy to fly, he did things with a basketball nobody else had ever done," said Kevin Loughery, who coached Erving in the ABA with the New York Nets. "I honestly believe that Doc did more for basketball than anybody, on and off the court."
The NBA also posted a highlight package from years ago where Dr. J describes his time with the Nets as "getting a glimpse of the game in the 90's in the 70's so our game was probably a little ahead of its time."
- From above the rim, Dr. J transformed the game - Fran Blinebury - NBA.com
- Julius Erving Highlights (Video) - NBA.com