OT. NBA channel documentary on Dr. J

[phlop87]

What a great player ... changed the way the game was played. A pleasure to watch

 

[richthedentist]

Oh yeah and to think the NJ Nets basically sold him when they came into the NBA !!!!!

 

[NickRU714]

Oh yeah and to think the NJ Nets basically sold him when they came into the NBA !!!!!

Again the NBA knowledge of this board.

Nets had no choice.
Knicks basically forced it and made just as bad a decision.

1. Nets owed 3.2m to NBA as merger fee (all 4 ABA teams had to pay same standard fee).

2. Nets had to pay an ADDITIONAL 4.8m as a bs “territory infringement” fee.
(sound similar to another setup where a team joining a league ends up paying much more than other teams?)

3. Reportedly the Nets offered Erving to the Knicks first - in exchange for waiving the 4.8m fee.
Knicks said no. Great decision.

4. Erving was the only asset the Nets had (ABA was basically bankrupt prior to the merger). In order to make the payment they needed the money.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

I was fortunate to see Dr. J in action with the 76ers several times when the Nets played at the RAC from 1977-81 when I was in 8th-11th grade. Many of the visiting teams stayed at the Holiday Inn on Stelton Rd. in South Plainfield.

Some friends and I would often go to the hotel prior to games to get autographs. Erving was always a willing signer. During the four-year span, I had him autograph a few items. My most treasured is this 1972 rookie card. Knowing it had some value, I had it professionally graded about 10 years ago. At the time, it was worth $300. With the current trading card boom, it's now worth $1,100. I have no interest in selling it, though.

Here's a photo of Dr. J swooping in for a layup at the RAC...

 

[Mr_Twister]

Westwood NJ’s John Betancourt was a very solid backcourt player on Erving’s UMass team.

https://dailycollegian.com/2020/10/a-look-back-at-top-sports-teams-in-umass-history/