From Julius Erving to the legendary Dr. J, his journey was filled with hardships, relentless determination, and fierce battles. What makes him great is he conquered them all, earning the tag “MJ before MJ”. Erving’s records and achievements are a testament to why Michael Jordan once said, “I couldn’t do anything when I was matched up with Julius because I had so much admiration for him. I was just happy to be on the same floor.” Now, as he turns 75, another legend of the game Spencer Haywood pays tribute to him. But how does a fellow legend honor such a man who changed the game?

Julius Erving was born on February 22, 1950. He helped legitimize the ABA and became its most recognized star before the NBA merger. Across 16 seasons, Erving’s teams never missed the playoffs, not even once. He ranks eighth in ABA/NBA history, scoring 30,026 combined points. Best known for his iconic free-throw line dunks, he remains the only player to win MVP honors in both the ABA and NBA. While Erving was at his peak, Spencer Haywood was watching him in admiration. Decades later, Haywood still honors his senior.

Not one, two, but three Hall of Famers from the same era came together for an unforgettable reunion. Who were these legends? None other than Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, and Spencer Haywood himself. Three Titans in one frame. Boy! The picture wasn’t just a snapshot. It came with a heartfelt birthday tribute as Haywood wrote: “ABA MVPS Spencer Haywood, Artis Gilmore, and Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving. HISTORY 📕❤️🙏🏾” It felt like history was being rewritten, this time, off the court. Haywood didn’t stop there. He added: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. J.”

To seal the tribute, Haywood added: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. J.” And he didn’t stop there. He paired the post with a perfect soundtrack, “Most Valuable Player” by NoTrace. Because legends don’t just fade away. Their impact echoes through generations. Do you know exactly when Julius Erving became one of the ‘GOAT of the game’?

Julius Erving, earning the nickname “GOAT”

The ABA had plenty of great players, but Julius Erving was its heart and soul of it. He dominated the game from the small forward position. Erving started his professional career with the Virginia Squires and later starred for the New York Nets before making his NBA transition. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 210 pounds, he played 11 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and led them to an NBA championship in 1983.

In five ABA seasons, Erving won three scoring titles, three MVP awards, and two championships. And then later on, during his 11-year NBA career, he was an All-Star every season. He won the 1981 MVP award and made the All-NBA First Team five times. Erving finished his career with 30,026 points, ranking among legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. He made a name for himself, didn’t he?

His former coach and friend Billy Cunningham once said, “As a basketball player, Julius was the first to truly take the torch and become the spokesman for the NBA.” He added, “Julius was the first player I ever remember who transcended sports and was known by one name, Doctor.”

And on the court, he truly was a doctor. He performed basketball surgery with precision with every move he made. In 1993, Erving’s name was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is truly what we call today, ‘A living legend’.