Last weekend's Slam Dunk Competition was crazy for two reasons. For one: Wow, that Zach LaVine guy really is something, huh? Secondly: Oh shit LaVine almost killed Julius Erving! Look at his reaction to one of Zach's dunks:
Shocking, but imagine how shocking it must've been for those watching Erving play in the late '70s/80s. Some love sports for the thrill, while others partake because it's the physical expression of human drama. Erving didn't just put up the numbers; he was special in how he transformed the game into an art form. That goes for many aspects of the game—from dunking to sportsmanship.
Erving's accolades are plenty: two ABA championships, an NBA championship, a spot on the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, 11 NBA All-Star appearances, and plenty more. However, it's important to note that much of his greatness lied in simply watching him play. Many people regularly looked at Julius Erving with the same dumbfounded face that he had after the Zach LaVine dunk.
Anyway, the basketball legend turns 65 today and we're celebrating him by uncovering the crevices of his life, both the tragedies and forgotten achievements. These are 25 Things You Didn't Know About Julius Erving.