Every NBA player, fan, and media member has their own Mount Rushmore of the four greatest players to ever play. It is wildly uncommon, though, to find a list from anyone that omits both Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
But Julius Erving, better known as Dr. J, who is himself on a few of those, shockingly left both of them off of his. He instead went for some of the game’s original superstars, names like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
“I’d say it’s Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, and it’s Oscar Robertson, and it’s Jerry West, and it’s Elgin Baylor,” Erving revealed on the Icons Club Podcast in March of 2022. “Since when I was 15 years old, those were the guys. They were the mainstay of the day, and what they did and how they did it made an indelible impression on me forever.”
Erving added, “Put those guys on the court against anybody, and they would win. That’s my team, and that will always be my team.”
The Mount Rushmore is supposed to be just four names, but Erving mentioned five, essentially creating a starting lineup. It’s hard to argue with his picks. Bill Russell won eleven rings as a player, Wilt Chamberlain’s records are still unbroken in some cases, and Jerry West is the logo of the NBA.
Having said that, Michael Jordan dominated like no one else on both sides of the court during his career and won a lot in doing so. LeBron James’ longevity is something the game has never seen before either, and his accolades are in a league of their own. Not having either on any all-time list feels a bit crazy.
Dr. J Called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar His GOAT In 2022, Snubbing Michael Jordan And LeBron James
Julius Erving was a hero to a lot of the players that came after him, and even Michael Jordan and LeBron James would want to be recognized by him. Asked about the GOAT debate in 2022, though, Dr. J picked neither of them.
“I think it’s the fans’ argument, not the players’ argument. So I stay away from it. My all-time greatest player is Kareem Abdul Jabbar.”
On other occasions, Erving has shown signs of leaning toward LeBron in that debate, but Kareem is a valid pick as well. It seems Dr. J doesn’t want the greatness of past legends to be forgotten, which is likely why he picks them over some of the modern greats that already get a lot of shine in these discussions.
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