Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Julius Erving, Sixers
Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Julius Erving

As the ABA and NBA came together and certain players found themselves on new teams, the biggest prize of them all was Julius Erving. An electric high-flyer, he had led the ABA in scoring three times with an average of 28.8 a game. He wound up a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, where his elite talent would translate just fine.

His presence in the City of Brotherly Love was evident from the start. Philly was coming off an opening-round exit that came just after four consecutive playoff-less seasons. In their first run with Erving in the mix, they got to the NBA Finals before losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in six games.

Once in the NBA, Erving’s scoring numbers took a noticeable dip, but that coincided with a decrease in both minutes and shot attempts as well. The All-Star appearances never once stopped coming during his 11 seasons in Philadelphia and he even took home an MVP trophy in 1980-81.

After falling short in the Finals two more times, Erving and the Sixers were finally able to claim the championship thanks mostly to the addition of Finals MVP Moses Malone. Erving still made his mark by averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.8 blocks per game including one of the greatest in-game dunks in NBA history.

Dr. J was an other-worldly talent in the free-flowing fast-paced ABA, but some doubted his ability to function in the more structured and fundamental style of the NBA. His statistical production may not have held up, but there’s no denying the success that followed him at nearly every step of his career in Philadelphia.