Julius Erving's Place in Basketball History

Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving
By Vincent M. Mallozzi
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2010

This is a “biography” of Julius Erving, better known to sports fans as Dr. J, that relies almost exclusively on news and video accounts and an over decade-old interview of the man himself. 

It also includes interview material with his former teammates and coaches, and they do add flavor to the biography, but not a lot of real substance.

It is shocking that for such a glowing biography of Julius Erving that he and his family apparently refused to be interviewed or contribute to it. 

This is not a true biography but an encomium to the athletic prowess, excitement, and unbelievable dunks and moves that Dr. J displayed in his youth, playground, college, ABA, and NBA days.

It essentially chronicles his athletic exploits and what the Doc did to create a vibrant and exciting style of basketball that kept the ABA alive for a while, and the he eventually brought over the NBA. 

His unbelievable dunks, hang time, and drives to the hoop are what this biography is all about.

There is really very little about Julius Erving’s private life and boyhood in this biography.  It does paint him as a paragon of virtue as far as being fan friendly, great with teammates and coaches, and dedicated to his craft. 

The last section of the book does go into some detail, although again relying on mostly news accounts, of his lack of virtue in his family life leading to his eventual divorce from his first wife, Turquoise.

But, as the author himself says, the book is a “valentine” to his sports hero.  And if that is how this biography is judged, it is definitely a very readable and informative account of the Doc’s career and place in basketball history.

Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving