Podcast Summary: Joe and Jada — Julius "Dr. J" Erving on ABA & NBA Glory Days, Evolution of the Dunk & Athletes’ Role in the Civil Rights Era
Episode Overview This episode, live from LA All Star 2026, features basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving with hosts Fat Joe and Jadakiss. The crew dives deep into Dr. J’s revolutionary impact on basketball, the social and racial context of his rise, the evolution and cultural significance of the dunk, his personal philosophies, and the broader roles athletes played during the civil rights era. The episode blends humor, nostalgia, and candid insight — offering both basketball buffs and cultural historians a meaningful conversation about sports, legacy, and social change.
Main Topics & Discussion Points
Dr. J’s Influences and Evolution of the Dunk
- Early Influences (04:45–05:40)
- Dr. J recalls growing up watching Wilt Chamberlain and “Jumping” Johnny Green.
- “Plenty of balls were dunked before I came along. ... Johnny Green would catch it coming off the rim... throw it back down, run down to court like nothing happened.” — Dr. J [04:46]
- Walked past Johnny Green’s house as a kid, inspired by his presence and play.
- Dr. J’s style:
- Perfected but didn’t invent the dunk: “I’ve been credited with perfecting the dunk, but not inventing the dunk. There was plenty of dunking before I came along.” — Dr. J [07:39]
- Used his large hands and improvisation to evade defenders, adding “swag” and creativity to the dunk.
- Dr. J recalls growing up watching Wilt Chamberlain and “Jumping” Johnny Green.
The ABA Years and Basketball as a Haven (07:44–09:49)
- Basketball as Escape Amidst Turmoil
- Dr. J started his pro career right after tumultuous years of assassinations (MLK, Malcolm X, JFK) and during the Vietnam War.
- “Going to college in ’68... gave you something to focus on... knowing that the other opportunities, the other situations were. I think they got drafted into the army. Like a lot of my friends... went to Vietnam and never came back.” — Dr. J [08:11]
- Basketball offered a diversion from societal trauma, especially regarding race.
- Dr. J started his pro career right after tumultuous years of assassinations (MLK, Malcolm X, JFK) and during the Vietnam War.
- Civil Rights Influence and Inspirations
- Hosts and Dr. J discuss how events like MLK’s assassination were felt as traumatic epoch-defining moments; vivid memories of riots and social upheaval.
Using the Platform for Positivity and Respect
- Athletes and Responsibility (12:45–14:34)
- Platforms should be used for promoting peace, harmony, love:
- “If you get a platform, you need to promote those things. So I’ve tried to be about that. ... The topic should be respect.” — Dr. J [12:45]
- Platforms should be used for promoting peace, harmony, love:
- Accountability and Multi-Generational Impact (15:27–22:44)
- Dr. J addresses the importance of being accountable, regardless of age, and passing down wisdom as Bill Russell did for him.
- Native American idea of “acting for seven generations”:
- “They talk about doing stuff that will affect seven generations... it makes somebody stop and think.” — Dr. J [22:25]
Documenting History & Telling Your Own Story
- Autobiographies & Legacy (16:41–21:25)
- Dr. J on his autobiography: wanted the story told first-person for future generations.
- Discussion about the importance of authentic storytelling, countering fabricated histories and ensuring that “the real” gets preserved.
- “When you let somebody else tell your story, never going to be [right].” — Joe [20:17]
- Documentaries and Representation (19:13–21:25)
- Danger of “historians” who weren’t truly present retelling the narrative.
Family, Heritage, and the Impact of Loss
- Cultural Identity (21:26–25:03)
- Both hosts and guest reflect on their mixed heritage (African American, Native American, Puerto Rican, Cuban) and how family connections shift after the passing of elders.
- Family Fragmentation After Loss (25:03–26:13)
- Open and vulnerable conversations about family drifting apart following the loss of central family members.
The Era of Style, Fame, and Circles of Influence
- ‘70s Flyness and Celebrity Circles (31:50–38:11)
- Dr. J sets the record straight about the “flyness” of his era, Harlem culture, and NBA’s style icons.
- “Flyness. You could we see you fly. You fly it in all of them forever. You got Wilt Chamberlain bragging, but he wasn’t more swagged out than you.” — Joe [33:19]
- Telling anecdotes about late-night clubs in Harlem but prioritizing family and responsibility.
- Dr. J sets the record straight about the “flyness” of his era, Harlem culture, and NBA’s style icons.
- Legends’ Circle (35:53–37:51)
- Frequent hangouts with Reggie Jackson, Arthur Ashe, Miles Davis, and Bill Cosby, sharing mentorship and “time and place” discussions:
- “We would meet frequently at Cosby’s house… Arthur was the best tennis player… I had my basketball thing… Miles was making music... that helped me, because I had friends like that.” — Dr. J [36:02–38:11]
- Frequent hangouts with Reggie Jackson, Arthur Ashe, Miles Davis, and Bill Cosby, sharing mentorship and “time and place” discussions:
Sports as a Site of Racial Progress and Representation
- Integration Through Sports (52:19–54:14)
- Memoir of refusing to play segregated youth basketball games: “Sometimes... the other coach didn’t want his players to play against us... our guy Don Ryan ... took the whole team, left the building.” — Dr. J [53:08]
- Rising Representation and Shifting Perceptions
- Discussing racial barriers in professional leagues and improvement over decades.
- “ABA was a breakthrough in terms of majority of players in the league were black... now comes the international player...” — Dr. J [43:00]
- Discussing racial barriers in professional leagues and improvement over decades.
Athletes’ Role in Civil Rights and Social Courage
- On Athletes Risking It All (54:28–56:43)
- The courage and risk athletes like Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown took by speaking out.
- “You had to believe in something. You had to take a stand in some capacity. So I followed Dr. King.” — Dr. J [55:24]
The State of the Game, Social Media, and Modern Activism
- Reflections on Today’s Game (41:14–45:27)
- Comparing today’s NBA, impact of social media — both good (more information) and bad (negativity, division).
- Importance of articulate and positive representation, rejecting “dumb jock” stereotypes.
Music, Generational Shifts, and Hip-Hop’s Impact
- First Impressions of Hip-Hop (46:24–48:55)
- Dr. J comes from R&B/jazz background, saw hip-hop as a phenomenon whose rise he didn’t initially foresee: “I, you know, I had a cautious ear. ... How far will it go? And it went to the moon.” — Dr. J [46:41]
- Respect for crossover stars (like Snoop Dogg), acknowledgment of hip-hop’s dominant cultural force.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Inventing vs. Perfecting the Dunk:
“I’ve been credited with perfecting the dunk, but not inventing the dunk.” — Julius Erving [07:39] -
On Platform and Positivity:
“If you get a platform, you need to promote those things. ... The topic should be respect.” — Julius Erving [12:45] -
On Storytelling and Authenticity:
“When you let somebody else tell your story, never going to be [right].” — Joe Budden [20:17] -
On Multi-Generational Impact:
“They talk about doing stuff that will affect seven generations... it makes somebody stop and think.” — Julius Erving [22:25] -
On Legendary Circles:
“So we had our crew, you know, that’s a good crew to have.” — Julius Erving on meeting with Reggie Jackson, Arthur Ashe, Miles Davis, Bill Cosby [37:16] -
On Civil Rights and Taking a Stand:
“You had to believe in something. You had to take a stand in some capacity. So I followed Dr. King.” — Julius Erving [55:24] -
On Hip-Hop's Rise:
“How far will it go? And it went to the moon, man. And there was no turning back.” — Julius Erving [46:41]
Important Timestamps
- [04:46] Dr. J on watching Wilt Chamberlain & Johnny Green, his dunking influences
- [07:39] Perfecting vs. inventing the dunk
- [08:11] Growing up during Civil Rights turmoil; basketball as escape
- [12:45] The positive use of fame/platform
- [16:41] Importance of documenting your own story; autobiography discussion
- [22:25] Native American “seven generations” philosophy
- [33:19] The style and “flyness” of Dr. J’s era
- [36:02] Dr. J’s legendary circles: Arthur Ashe, Miles Davis, Bill Cosby, Reggie Jackson
- [41:53] Racial barriers, representation, and changing the interview game
- [46:41] Dr. J’s first impressions of hip-hop
- [52:19] ABA documentary, racial integration, and sports as unity
- [55:24] The courage of civil rights athletes and taking a stand
Tone and Style
The conversation is candid, nostalgic, and deeply respectful. The hosts blend humor and streetwise storytelling, drawing out Dr. J’s own mix of humility, wisdom, and measured pride. While frequently poignant, the tone remains celebratory of Dr. J’s legacy and the broader potential of athletes to inspire positive change.
Listen to this episode for insights on legacy, basketball innovation, social justice, and the real stories behind the legends.