Michael Jordan is the broad majority’s pick for the greatest player ever. The Chicago Bulls’ icon was the face of the NBA in the 1990s, leading the franchise to one of the most dominant dynasties in league history.
MJ had his ups and downs throughout his 15-year career, but he put together a resume that few, if any, can compare to.
However, part of Jordan’s large figure is due to the league’s growth, which coincided with his brand’s rise throughout the late 20th century. The NBA hit record heights of popularity during the 1990s, and Michael was the main reason why.
Whether it was the “Be Like Mike” Gatorade campaign or the revolutionary partnership between the shooting guard and Nike, Jordan became a pop culture icon who will always be prevalent in the GOAT debate because of his impact.
However, an NBA insider recently said that a legendary small forward from the 1970s and ’80s could’ve taken that mantle if he had been in the league during Jordan’s time.
NBA insider reveals legendary small forward who could’ve had an even greater impact than Michael Jordan
Scoop B. Robinson detailed in an interview with the Basketball Network that Julius Erving, rather than Michael Jordan, had the potential to be the GOAT if he had played most of his career in the NBA.
The NBA insider broke down some of the keys to Jordan’s meteoric rise and why Dr. J had the talent and playing style to similarly revolutionize the league.
“Michael Jordan entered the league at a perfect point. You looked at 1979, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird saved the league from going bankrupt and almost crashing. Then David Stern came in and did his numbers. I think Michael carried the torch from where it was to where it is now…In my opinion, Michael Jordan carried the torch from Dr. J, and Dr. J had the benefit, and sometimes I think the disadvantage of not having a full NBA career…I wonder what life would be like if he spent his whole career in the NBA and how he’d be viewed.”
Julius Erving is an ABA and NBA Legend
Julius Erving played five years in the American Basketball Association before joining the NBA. The New York native needed just that amount of time to cement himself as the greatest ABA player ever, winning three MVPs and two championships during that time.
Shortly after that stint, Dr. J joined the Philadelphia 76ers, and also had a Hall of Fame caliber career in the NBA, leading the franchise to a title in 1983.
Erving was additionally an eleven-time All-Star and won the league MVP award in 1981. He eventually retired in 1987 and was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee shortly after.
Michael Jordan would never take offense at being compared to Julius Erving
Jordan has always had effusive praise for Erving and has, on several occasions, mentioned how he modeled a lot of his game after him. The two wings were both acrobatic high-flyers with big hands who captivated audiences with their creative finishes at the basket.
Erving seems to be a fan favorite among most NBA players, and LeBron James even said that he considered Dr. J one of the three best players of all time.
Overall, Scoop B. Robinson makes a fair point about how it was a perfect storm that helped Jordan have the impact he had on the league.
But this rise had a lot to do with MJ himself and the insurmountable will he showed on the floor every time. It wasn’t just Jordan’s playing style that drew fans in; it was his mentality.