Notes and Links to Luke Epplin’s Work

Luke Epplin is the author of Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball, and Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball.

His writing has appeared online in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, GQ, Slate, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Paris Review Daily. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Epplin lives outside of New York City with his wife and daughter.

Wall Street Journal Review of Moses and the Doctor

Luke Epplin's Website

At about 1:15, Luke highlights Greenlight Books and Astoria Bookshop as places to find signed books, both online and off-

At about 2:15, Luke shares an interesting tidbit about fellow Illinois-ian David Foster Wallace

At about 4:40, Luke responds to Pete’s question about seeds for Moses and the Doctor, and how his first book figured in

At about 8:10, Luke and Pete discuss the book’s Prologue and an important Julius Erving “speech”

At about 11:15, Luke shares Dr. J’s thoughts on this consequential speech and further implications for his relationship with future teammate Moses Malone

At about 12:15, Chapter One is discussed, especially Julius Erving’s dazzling time at Rucker Park; Luke ruminates on Julius as “two people at once”

At about 17:55, The two discuss Moses Malone as a “prodigy” and how his hometown and upbringing shaped him

At about 21:05, Moses Malone’s college search and pro basketball signing are discussed

At about 24:00, Luke responds to Pete’s comments and question about the ABA/NBA and generalizations about Julius Erving and other players

At about 26:50, Luke reflects on Julius Erving’s free agent demands and travails

At about 28:00, the two discuss Moses Malone's “lost year” as the ABA wilts

At about 29:20, Luke references Julius Erving’s time in the ABA, and how people who watched him and played with him talk about how the NBA Julius Erving wasn’t the same

At about 30:55, Luke talks about the ways in which the super-successful Sixers were not hyped as much as teams like Magic Johnson’s Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics

At about 31:55, Luke pinpoints a pivotal scene in 1982 that he marks as critical in his book’s arc

At about 33:15, Luke responds to Pete wondering about the criticism towards Julius Erving before he won a NBA Championship

At about 34:15, The 1977 Finals and the competing styles the two teams brought are discussed, along with the New Jersey Nets’ impasse with Julius over his signing

At about 37:55, Pete shouts out an incredible dunk from Julius Erving on Bill Walton

At about 38:30, Luke expands upon the legendary stories told about Julius from his ABA days

At about 39:50, Luke responds to Pete’s questions about research processes for the book

At about 41:45, Luke reflects on his interactions with and memories of Bill Walton

At about 43:15, The two discuss Moses Malone’s opening season and NBA Finals’ Run with the Rockets

At about 45:00, Pete notes a transformational experience for Julius Erving/Dr. J at the end of the 1970s and Luke talks about Julius’ injury history and a turning point at age 30

At about 47:30, Luke reflects on a sense of “blessing” and introspection by Julius

At about 48:10, Luke reflects on racial and racist more of the 70s and 80s in Philadelphia, including the town ethic and Frank Rizzo’s oppressive governing, and how Moses Malone and Julius Erving acted in response and how they were received in Philly

At about 52:20, Pete references the Fonde Rec Center and its connection to Moses Malone’s “superstardom”

At about 53:15, Pete and Luke reflect on key moments and key losses that led to the teaming up with Moses Malone and the winning of the 1983 NBA Championship and Julius Erving opening up emotionally

At about 56:25, Pete highlights the power of Luke ending the book in 1983

At about 57:50, Luke discusses Moses Malone’s post-NBA career and his choice to live in the “shadows”

At about 58:40, Pete catalogs some of the post 1983 foibles and missteps of the 76ers players and brass, and Luke expands on why the buildup to the championship was so “dramatically satisfying”

At about 1:00:25, Luke talks about Julius Erving’s “legend” and legacy

At about 1:01:30, Andrew Toney was a bucket!

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