Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayworld
Kary: I got to see Julius Erving play in 1981 in Dallas..Sixers vs. Mavericks game, place was about 2/3 full. We were sitting lower level in old Reunion Arena, on the corner, and the Mavs had the ball on the other end of the court. Aguire was trying to post up low on the block and dribbling down his man with his back to the hoop, and Dr. J picked his pocket and started dribbling towards us. I'll never forget how the whole arena started to stand in slow motion as Dr. J took off from the side of the lane closest to us, did a double-clutch, and slammed it home behind the back style and landed on the other side of the lane. The arena went nuts, and this was a MAVERICKS home game. Wonderful memory.
My list, in no particular order:
1. Babe Ruth
2. Ty Cobb
3. Walter Johnson
4. Bob Feller
5. Ted Williams
6. Randy Jones (my favorite Padres player of all time)
7. Not sure if entertainment is wanted in the OP question, but Nat King Cole, too, without a doubt....
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I got to see Dr. J's very first NBA game at the Garden in Boston. I was acutely stoned and quite frankly bored with the game for the first three Quarters. I was mesmerized by the Parquet floor and the maze of catwalks high above the floor. The game flowed, uneventful. The Doctor had, like, 10 points after three. He seemed to be "phoning it in" as his team was up by nearly 20 points. I was enjoying my buzz and pouring A 28 oz. Schaefer Beer on top of it when quietly Julius intercepted a pass and baseball passed it to a streaking teammate for a layup. I turned my attentions to Dr. J and figured I would watch, I mean really watch this gifted man. His stride was easy, his pace was deceptive. He got the ball 5 feet past the top of the key. He palmed the ball a la Connie Hawkins and faked a pass or three before dribbling behind his ball and gliding to the hoop. A foot or so past the free throw line, he exploded above everyone. Two defenders jumped to try and disrupt the Doctor's momentum. Julius just hovered for a tick and waited for the mortals to crash back to earth, then, the same way a sprinter has another gear, he seemingly continued to soar higher. It is seared into my mind these 30-some years later. The actual dunk was anti-climatic, almost like he was ashamed how easy it was. But Lord, that leap was gorgeous and effortless. My buzz and I drained the last of the Schaefer suds and stood and screamed.....