Did you know? Julius Erving & The Atlanta Hawks

markdeez33 · Post #1 » by **markdeez33** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:47 am

In September of 1972, Julius Erving refused to report to camp for the ABA's Virginia Squires and decided he was going to leave the ABA for the NBA. He entered training camp with the Atlanta Hawks and participated in 2 interleague exhibitions between NBA & ABA teams. One on September 23 against the Kentucky Colonels where Erving scored 28 points & 18 rebounds, and one game on September 30 vs the Carolina Cougars where Erving scored 32 points. The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks $25,000 for using Julius Erving in these games, because his NBA rights belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the ABA took Erving to court, where the judge ruled that Erving had to honor his contract with the Virginia Squires, and he promptly returned to the ABA.

Could you imagine how good the 1972-1973 Atlanta Hawks would've been with the addition of Julius Erving? That year the Hawks went 46-36 and were coached by Cotton Fitzsimmons, and featured a "big three" of stars: Walt Bellamy, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, and "Sweet" Lou Hudson. Imagine "Dr. J" suiting up for the Hawks that year, just how epic it could've been!

I thought this would be a cool piece of trivia to share with the general board. I never see much talk in regards to the NBA/ABA 70s era. I also find the 79 interleague games played between the league very fascinating and would love for 30 For 30 to do a documentary surrounding some of the history on the games that weren't very publicized between the two leagues. Lots of very cool history that has almost been forgotten over the years.

orlandomanic · Post #2 » by **orlandomanic** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:57 am

Pistol Pete and Julius Erving would have made an interesting duo. Especially since Erving struggled so much and for so long with the Sixers.

Sofa King · Post #3 » by **Sofa King** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:23 am

I didn't even remember that and I'm old. I'm sure most realgm members now are like "Who's Dr. J?"

VC-INJURY · Post #4 » by **VC-INJURY** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:45 am

Yes.

This is common knowledge to most who spend even a bit of time exploring the history of the NBA.

Rosque · Post #5 » by **Rosque** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:50 am

Sofa King wrote:I didn't even remember that and I'm old. I'm sure most realgm members now are like "Who's Dr. J?"

Wasn't he a personal doctor for Wilt's 6ers?

wallsfamily · Post #6 » by **wallsfamily** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:34 pm

Would have been great for both Atlanta and the league!

Cycklops · Post #7 » by **Cycklops** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:47 pm

The Bucks would've been even better. They won 60 games that year and had Kareem and Oscar Robertson.

TONY_YAYO · Post #8 » by **TONY_YAYO** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 2:26 pm

Cycklops wrote:The Bucks would've been even better. They won 60 games that year and had Kareem and Oscar Robertson.

W/ Dr.J this would have been GOAT

Johnlac1 · Post #9 » by **Johnlac1** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:31 pm

Cycklops wrote:The Bucks would've been even better. They won 60 games that year and had Kareem and Oscar Robertson.

Would have meant two or so extra titles for the Bucks.....even with Oscar having constant pulled muscle problems.

Kabookalu · Post #10 » by **Kabookalu** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:34 pm

Cycklops wrote:The Bucks would've been even better. They won 60 games that year and had Kareem and Oscar Robertson.

This was my thought too. Julius Erving with Kareem and Oscar would be far more intriguing.

RSCD3_ · Post #11 » by **RSCD3_** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:40 pm

Sofa King wrote:I didn't even remember that and I'm old. I'm sure most realgm members now are like "Who's Dr. J?"

Isn't he the guy who rehabilitated wade

Julius Grover?

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

tidho · Post #12 » by **tidho** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:40 pm

I did not know this.
That Bucks team would have been insane. What if that kept Kareem in Milwaukee....

Cycklops · Post #13 » by **Cycklops** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:24 pm

tidho wrote:I did not know this.
That Bucks team would have been insane. What if that kept Kareem in Milwaukee....

I was thinking about that also. That is a MASSIVE what-if. Dr. J tried to go to the NBA, and the Bucks had his draft rights.

I can see Kareem staying in Milwaukee in that case. Which changes a whole era.

Wonderllama · Post #14 » by **Wonderllama** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:26 pm

There would have been more footage when he was sporting that crazy afro

giberish · Post #15 » by **giberish** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:29 pm

Cycklops wrote:
tidho wrote:I did not know this.
That Bucks team would have been insane. What if that kept Kareem in Milwaukee....

I was thinking about that also. That is a MASSIVE what-if. Dr. J tried to go to the NBA, and the Bucks had his draft rights.

I can see Kareem staying in Milwaukee in that case. Which changes a whole era.

That whole situation was wild. Dr J claimed that he didn't have good enough representation when he signed his first deal with the Squires and unilaterally declared himself a FA (realistically he wan't that big of a deal when he signed out of UMass, but after two years it was clear Virginia had a bargain).

He wasn't draft eligible for the NBA until that summer, but Atlanta signed him before the draft. They didn't bother to draft him though, so Milwaulkee did.