NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: James Harden, winner of the 2017-2018 MVP award, poses with his mom Monja Willis in the backstage photo room during the 2018 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

19 of 36

Julius Erving (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Julius Erving Golf Classic (a PGD Global Production)) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 18. Julius Erving

Stats:

24.2 points
8.5 rebounds
4.2 assists

Accomplishments:

16 time All-Star
7 time All-NBA
4 time MVP
1 time NBA champ

There are several NBA players that fans will seemingly remember forever.

Michael Jordan soared through the air and demoralized defenders while carrying the mantle of the best player in the league. Following him, Kobe Bryant did essentially the same thing. Before his athleticism diminished, he dunked on every defender possible and was far and away the best player in the league. Of course, LeBron James did the same thing, he simply followed the blueprint that came before him.

Although it’s difficult to say who will carry the mantle for the next generation, Zion Williamson figures to be a good guess based on his freaky athleticism. But before any of those players made their mark, they all paid homage to the originator, Julius Erving. Sure some of his prime years were spent in the ABA as opposed to the NBA, once they merged in 1976, fans got a chance to watch Erving work his magic almost every night and quite frankly, it was ridiculous to watch.

For every single year in his 16-year career, Erving was named an All-Star. On four separate occasions, Erving was handed the MVP award and just about every night he made fans jump out of their seats. He may not receive as much acclaim as his predecessors but Erving essentially paved the way for everyone.