Filling Julius Erving’s shoes wasn’t easy, especially for a 24-year-old. However, that’s the reality Michael Jordan faced in his fourth NBA season.
Dr.J’s aura and basketball skills made him the perfect ambassador for the game. Michael could match his ahead of its time on court repertoire. But as far as embodying everything Erving was off the court, Jordan knew he had a mountain to climb.
“Nobody can replace the Doctor,” Mike said. “He was the epitome of class and defined the NBA for me. It’s a challenge to try and emulate him, but it’s not as if I have to go out of my way. Being Michael Jordan means acting the same as I always have.”
Erving’s class vs. MJ’s swag
Dr.J changed the game with his high-flying dunks and mid-air acrobatics. But more importantly, Erving epitomized class, dignity, and discipline as a man and a player. Universally respected by his peers, he was the perfect guy to represent the league.
“As a basketball player, Julius was the first to truly take the torch and become the spokesman for the NBA,” said former coach Billy Cunningham. “He understood what his role was and how important it was for him to conduct himself as a representative of the league. Julius was the first player I ever remember who transcended sports and was known by one name — Doctor.”
Jordan, at that point, had already showed he had what it takes to become a transcendent player. However, serving as the NBA’s ambassador was a different story.
Julius had class, Michael had swag. Julius was all about nobility, Michael was all about ruthlessness. But the on-court greatness the two shared bridged the gap between the marketability of their characters. And for a while, that made Jordan a worthy successor of Dr.J.
For all his dominance, MJ was never an ordinary NBA superstar. Even during the ’90s, when being an athlete wasn’t as idealized as it is today, Jordan danced on the edge of the acceptable.
