Some time ago, the MLB saw a drastic decrease in viewership and attendance numbers. Fans prayed the game didn’t go bust. But they somehow stayed afloat. Now, the NBA follows the same trend. The game moves around rapidly, shots fly from all angles, and teams break records by putting up scores on a nightly basis that teams couldn’t even fathom. It’s different, it’s exciting, sure; but is it better? Ask Kenny Smith. The two-time NBA champion and long-time Inside the NBA analyst, Kenny Smith does not really think so.

The man has watched the league evolve over decades. He has seen both the highs, lows, and everything in between. While he appreciates the budding talent visible in today’s games, he cannot help but wonder if the NBA lost its amazing charm.

Kenny Smith is a strong proponent of physicality and athleticism—or the lack thereof in today’s game. Back in his day, the defenders were not just obstacles; they were the bruisers, and the forwards were not just scorers, they were artists. The concept of hand-checking was a part of the game and driving into the paint was not just a free layup drill. Right now, it’s easier than a McDonald’s Drive-Thru. 

Now, according to Kenny Smith, you breathe on a shooter the wrong way, and it’s three free throws. Kenny posted a story on Instagram of a game back in the day, and captioned it, “They are more athletic now 🤔,” taking a subtle shot at today’s apparent softer and less athletic game.

Talk is cheap and does not mean a thing if you do not have the goods to back it up. Kenny Smith was not wrong in highlighting Julius Erving as a dominant player. Let us see what his career looked like.

Julius Erving: The Player who was way ahead of his time

Julius Erving was a player who embodied the perfect balance mix of skill, freakish athleticism, and toughness and better known as Dr. J. Before His Airness, Michael Jordan took flight, Erving was busy redefining the game with his above-the-rim style and unshakable composure. Julius did not just play basketball, he performed it, gliding through the air like he had wings.

Dr. J was dominant in both the ABA and the NBA. He won three championships, and four MVP awards, and scored 30,026 career points. In the ABA alone, Dr. J averaged 28.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. After successfully transitioning to the NBA, he averaged an amazing 22.0 points, and 6.7 rebounds per game over his 11-year-long NBA career.

What set Dr. J apart was not his stats, it was the way he played. He was not just a dunker, he was a maestro at work—a force of nature. He could reach the hoop under heavy contact, absorb hits from enforcers, and still finish gracefully. Physicality could never faze him and he shone in an era where hard fouls came hand in hand with plays.

Julius Erving just outplayed, outworked, and outclassed his competition. And if Kenny Smith had to pick a role model for how basketball should be played, Dr. J would be near the top of the list.