Widely regarded as the greatest player of his era, Julius "Dr. J" Erving began his professional career in the American Basketball Association with the Virginia Squires and the New York Nets. He was perhaps the main catalyst for the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Standing 6' 7" not including his groovy afro, Erving controlled the flow of the game with his high-flying, acrobatic dunks as well as his pinpoint, mid-range shooting touch. In the NBA, he played 11 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and guided them to the NBA title in 1983. The Doctor was an All-Star every year in the NBA and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 1981. He scored 30,026 points in his combined ABA/NBA career; only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan have scored more points in the history of professional basketball. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, he was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996 when the league celebrated its 50th Anniversary and he certainly belongs in the top 20.
This lot features Erving's Sixers game-worn home uniform from his final season (1986-87) as a professional including his white jersey and matching shorts, both of which Dr. J has beautifully autographed. During that campaign, the 36-year-old forward played in 60 regular-season games for Philly, averaging a very respectable 16.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. Sporting proper tagging on the left front tail, the 100% nylon mesh jersey includes the MacGregor Sand Knit size 40 manufacturer's tag positioned below another MacGregor Sand-Knit tag reading "Designed & Tailored Exclusively for the Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association."A 2" LB (additional length) strip tag is sewn to the left. The front of the jersey displays "SIXERS" and his uniform number "6" in vibrant blue tackle twill outlined in red. The official embroidered NBA logo patch appears on the left shoulder. An arched "ERVING" is sewn in blue across the back just above his uniform number blue-on-red tackle twill. Dr. J has signed below the back "6" in 7-8/10 black marker. The jersey shows moderate wear with fraying to the letter and number stitching and light pilling on the mesh fabric. The numbers and letters are all-original.
The matching pair of white shorts are tagged inside by manufacturer Wilson and come in size 34. Adjacent is a sewn-in strip tag with "85 6" for year and uniform number; it was common for players to reuse uniform pieces back then. These shorts exhibit outstanding wear. The red, white and blue waistband shows heavy fraying on the interior, but the patriotic piping around the legs is still tightly knit. The 76ers classic logo patch appears on the right leg next to a lovely Dr. J signature and "#6" inscribed in 7-8/10 black marker. The mesh fabric is severely sweat-stained with yellow spots.
Includes April 1987 letter from longtime 76ers equipment manager, Jeff Millman. Letter from MEARS with A8 grade. Autographs pre-certified by PSA/DNA.