The Basketball legend honestly shared several significant moments of his life in the book that collects his memories.
As an NBA player, Julius Erving lived moments that made him achieve glory and triumph, like when he managed to score by not only jumping but floating in the air towards the net. He also had low moments that slipped him into the deep, like when he had to admit his many infidelities.
Julius Erving looks on during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sports Legacy Symposium presented by the Hyde Family Foundation on January 19, 2009 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. I Image: Getty Images.
When on the court he opposed his rival, Boston Celtics player, Larry Bird. Off the court, his marital problems, illegitimate children, and the accidental death of his son made it very difficult for him to achieve happiness. During an honest confession, Erving wrote:
"... I never touch her unless they attack me." "There's no justification, I mean ever, I've always taught my children… you know, that that's an off-limits area."
BEGINNINGS
Erving and Turquoise got married when the former player was reaching stardom. He was born in Hempstead, New York, in 1950, as the son of a single mother, and grew up in the Parkside Gardens projects in Hempstead, LI.
He later became, as he stated, "young, fine and rich" so he planned to enjoy that to the fullest. In his published book, he confesses that his relationship with women was not the best. He went on accepting a challenge to sleep with eight women for eight successive nights, made him rethink his way of seeing them.
DAYS OF GLORY
After a career as a high school player and as a college player with the University of Massachusetts, Erving began playing with Virginia Squires (ABA). Two years later, he joined the New York Nets and led the club to the title. He also received the Most Valuable Player Award.
In 1976 the ABA joined the NBA and the Net sold Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers, where the player began to transform them into a winning team.
WINNING LOSING THE GAME
During the late 1980s, Erving and the 76ers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, but even though LA won the trophy, Erving managed to get attention with the masterpiece at the 4th game of the final.
He dodged several defenders, from one end of the ring to the other, before delicately leaving the ball in the basket. Magic Johnson commented on it, "He really did that. I thought, 'What should we do? Should we get the ball out or should we ask him to do it again?'"
Julius Erving and wife Turquoise Erving attend the opening of 'Scheherazade' on November 13, 1991 at the Dance Theater of Harlem in New York City. I Image: Getty Images.
AFTER BASKETBALL
The years as a player had produced many gains but also some losses. In 2000 Erving's youngest son, Cory, who had struggled with addiction problems, died in a tragic accident near his home.
A short time later his 30-year marriage to Turquoise ended in divorce, with a millionaire settlement in court and the recognition of another illegitimate son.
A few years later, the former player remarried Doris Madden and they have three children. In 1993 he entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He worked as a sports analyst for NBC and as an executive for the Orlando Magic.
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