Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving [Hardcover]

Vincent Mallozzi (Author), Dave Anderson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 2009

The definitive biography of basketball genius Julius Erving--the icon who transcended his sport and defined an era

Julius Erving, aka Dr. J, was a wizard with the basketball, performing feats the world had never seen before: midair spins and whirls punctuated by powerful slam dunks, which he was the first to glamorize. In a career that lasted from the 1970s well into the 1980s, he was one of the first players to make extemporaneous individual expression an integral part of the game, setting the style of play that has prevailed ever since. He's also long been respected as a gracious, dignified, and disciplined man. As there are great men of history, there are great men of sports, and Dr. J is just such a man.

This book tells Dr. J's amazing story, following his basketball journey from his Long Island childhood to the street games of New York City to a college career as his skills, reputation, and character grew. It follows his entrance into the ABA, where he revolutionized the game by glamorizing the dunk, and his conquering of the NBA, where he was Michael Jordan before there was a Jordan. It relates the family struggles he's had since leaving the game and charts the transformation of the man into myth.

• The first complete biography of one of the greatest and most popular basketball players of all time
• Draws on interviews with Dr. J's childhood friends and his family to teammates and coaches at all levels
• Written by a New York Times sports journalist and author of Asphalt Gods: An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament
• Includes Erving's years as a player with the Virginia Squires, New York Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers

Read Doc and follow the incredible journey of the basketball genius who elevated the game off the hardwood and helped make it America's passion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Before young basketball players wanted to Be Like Mike, they aspired to fly like Julius Erving. Noted basketball writer Mallozzi was one of those kids who modeled his game after the man they called Dr. J, and his biography does justice to one of the greatest basketball players ever. While Erving declined to be interviewed for the book, there's enough insight from those close to him for a complete portrayal. Erving goes from a talented but not heavily recruited high schooler to a rising collegiate standout at the University of Massachusetts, and eventual superstar in the ABA (New York Nets) and NBA (Philadelphia 76ers). Of course, Erving is most known for his aerial assaults, looking like an angel flying across the heavens. Beyond that, Mallozzi shows us how Erving not only developed an all-around game to complement his acrobatics but also became a consummate teammate, a mentor to younger players and a friend to both former coaches and players. There's also the darker side of Erving's life, mostly after his retirement, including the tragic death of his teenage son and lengthy saga about his once-estranged daughter. But in the end, Mallozzi concludes that Erving is as good a person as he was a basketball player, and based on the near-unanimous consensus on that premise by those interviewed, it's hard to argue. It's a well-researched yet fun look into the man to whom current NBA dunkers owe a debt of gratitude. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Before young basketball players wanted to Be Like Mike, they aspired to fly like Julius Erving. Noted basketball writer Mallozzi was one of those kids who modeled his game after the man they called Dr. J, and his biography does justice to one of the greatest basketball players ever. While Erving declined to be interviewed for the book, there's enough insight from those close to him for a complete portrayal. Erving goes from a talented but not heavily recruited high schooler to a rising collegiate standout at the University of Massachusetts, and eventual superstar in the ABA (New York Nets) and NBA (Philadelphia 76ers). Of course, Erving is most known for his aerial assaults, looking like an "angel flying across the heavens." Beyond that, Mallozzi shows us how Erving not only developed an all-around game to complement his acrobatics but also became a consummate teammate, a mentor to younger players and a friend to both former coaches and players. There's also the darker side of Erving's life, mostly after his retirement, including the tragic death of his teenage son and lengthy saga about his once-estranged daughter. But in the end, Mallozzi concludes that Erving is as good a person as he was a basketball player, and based on the near-unanimous consensus on that premise by those interviewed, it's hard to argue. It's a well-researched yet fun look into the man to whom current NBA dunkers owe a debt of gratitude. (Dec.) (Publishers Weekly, October 26, 2009)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (November 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470170182
• ISBN-13: 978-0470170182
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "A SHOWMAN WHO WAS NOT A SHOWBOAT... HANDS SO BIG THEY COULD "PALM" SUNDAY!", November 7, 2009

By 

Rick Shaq Goldstein "*SHAQ*" (Danville, Ca, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving (Hardcover)

This is a biography of one of the greatest players and crowd pleasers in professional basketball history... Julius *DR. J* Erving. It needs to be noted early on in this review that "IT IS A SHAME THAT ERVING DID NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT (A NUMBER OF CALLS WENT OUT TO ERVING'S REPRESENTATIVES AND TO HIS EX-WIFE, TURQUOISE, AND THEIR CHILDREN, BUT MOST WERE NOT RETURNED), BECAUSE THIS ENTIRE BOOK IS BASICALLY A GIANT VALENTINE FROM ONE OF HIS BIGGEST FANS." (The author.)

The fact that the author is an admitted lifetime adoring Dr. J fan is what gives it its caring detail... and also what creates its minimal drawbacks. Julius Erving is now a generation removed from today's current fans... and any of these younger fans that have not been schooled on the otherworldly acrobatic gravity defying presence that Dr. J was... have been given a disservice by their parents or older friends. People who are in awe of Michael Jordan's high flying gymnastic repertoire... need to know that Dr. J. paved the way. The author goes to great pains (and I agree) to point out that though Jordan was a better outside shooter and all around player... nobody went as high... hung as long... or had his final windmill dunking crescendo... so emphatically demoralize entire teams as Dr. J. The author also points out... (but I feel this point could have been hammered home harder) that Dr. J was taking the baton from Elgin Baylor and Connie Hawkins... the original "air-hanging-sky-walkers".

The author lovingly and with exquisite detail takes you through Julius's early life with a loving Mother... no Father figure... and loving siblings. The hard work and dedication that young Julius always invested in his growing love of basketball is important for would be youngsters who dream of basketball fame. It is clear as day that Julius became the eventual crowned *DOCTOR* by hard work as well as G-d given gifts. As an old school basketball fan and former player... and being the same age as Dr. J... as well as coming from the same part of New York as Erving... I knew of his storied short college career at UMass and of his signing with the ABA after his junior year. The fact that he basically saved the ABA and gave it the intrinsic value that helped lead to the merger between the ABA and NBA... and his success with the Philadelphia 76ers... has been pretty well documented in the past. But the two most deliciously enticing and captivating parts of the author's tale are... 1) the detailed stories of the famed New York playground games in Long Island and New York in addition to the famed Rucker Tournament. All the famous names of New York playground lore from days gone by including: Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar), Connie Hawkins, Charlie Scott, Nate Archibald, Dean Meminger... Cal Ramsey... and of course the playground legends that were eaten by the city and never made national fame... "THE DESTROYER"... "THE ELEVATOR MAN"... "PEE WEE"... and many more. It feels like you're right on the sidelines watching the "throw-downs". Throughout the entire story... player after player... marvel at the size of Dr. J's hands. Even the seven-foot-plus hall of famer Lew Alcindor (Pre-Kareem) said when he shook hands with Julius (Who was a mere six-feet-two inches tall in high school but would later grow to six-feet-seven inches tall.) had a bigger hands than he did. Some players called Erving "The Claw". Throughout his career he was described as handling the ball with one hand like he was holding a "GRAPEFRUIT"... other times an "ORANGE"... or a "BASEBALL".

And 2) What an absolute wonderful human being Julius Erving was... on the court and off. He didn't trash talk and he didn't showboat. He never walked away from an autograph seeker... and always donated his time to worthy causes. His teammates loved him and the fans loved him. And even more amazingly his opponents loved him. Here is a quote from one of the most aggressive defensive wizards of his era in the NBA Michael Cooper: "TODAY THERE ARE GUYS OUT THERE POPPING STEROIDS AND ENLISTING THE HELP OF TRAINERS TO TRY AND BE SUPERMAN OUT ON THE COURT. WELL, DOC WAS SUPERMAN WITHOUT ALL THOSE THINGS. HE WAS JUST BORN WITH BASKETBALL GREATNESS. YEAH, HE WORKED AT IT, BUT HIS GIFTS CAME FROM G-D, NOT FROM SOME TRAINER OR OUT OF SOME BOTTLE, AND DOC DIDN'T NEED AN ENTOURAGE AROUND HIM TO PROVE TO EVERYONE HOW POPULAR HE IS AND THAT HE'S A BASKETBALL CELEBRITY. DOC WENT TO THE GYM BY HIMSELF, AND HE WENT HOME HIMSELF, AND IN BOTH PLACES, HE WAS ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS. FROM A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE, WHAT WAS GREAT ABOUT ROOTING FOR DOC WAS THAT HE WAS SOMEONE YOU COULD WALK UP TO AND TALK TO, SOMEONE, WHO WOULD SHAKE YOUR HAND AND GIVE YOU THE TIME OF DAY. A GUY LIKE KOBE BRYANT, HE'S A GREAT PLAYER, BUT UNLESS YOU'RE PLAYING AGAINST HIM OUT THERE ON THE FLOOR, YOU REALLY CAN'T TOUCH HIM. HE'S REALLY OUT OF REACH." Unfortunately as the story ends in the present we find that Julius has had many affairs... illegitimate children... is divorced... and suffers parental problems with children abusing drugs.

The author/fan Vincent Mallozzi does a tremendous job other than the fact that I believe he gets tangled up in his love affair and repeats a number of things a number of times. Such as the telling on three separate occasions how Julius got the nickname "Doctor"... and tells the exact same story twice regarding Jim McDermott, the head coach of Iona College telling how "I saw the best basketball player I've ever seen-Julius Erving"... and at least three times described Erving's leaping capabilities... "like one of those jets leaving Kennedy Airport." But putting that all aside... this is a can't miss read for any old-school basketball fan... or any young basketball fan that really wants to know what he's talking about when he makes loud proclamations about today's game.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the Doctor and this book!!!!, December 9, 2009

By 

Dr. Cardinal "Cardinal Bound!!!!" (Free of the Mountains!!!!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

Ok, ok, ok. I am in my mid-30s, and I do remember the Dr. I remember how he shaped the game before the his "airness" took over. The high-flying moments and great class he showed was well known. What I did not know is how he got there. This book does all that, and details the memorable events, but does not bore you to death in the process. It is a quick read, but not overly simplistic. Very well written and informative and deals with best ball player ever. Just get it and enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Doctor J and His Place in Basketball History, April 18, 2010

By 

C. Baker "cbaker" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doc: The Rise and Rise of Julius Erving (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This is a "biography" of Julius Erving, better known to sports fans as Dr. J, that relies almost exclusively on news and video accounts and an over decade old interview of the man himself. It also includes interview material with his former teammates and coaches, and they do add flavor to the biography, but not a lot of real substance.

It is shocking that for such a glowing biography of Julius Erving that he and his family apparently refused to be interviewed or contribute to it. This is not a true biography but an encomium to the athletic prowess, excitement, and unbelievable dunks and moves that Dr. J displayed in his youth, playground, college, ABA and NBA days. It essentially chronicles his athletic exploits and what the Doc did to create a vibrant and exciting style of basketball that kept the ABA alive for a while, and the he eventually brought over the NBA. His unbelievable dunks, hang time, and drives to the hoop are what this biography is all about.

There is really very little about Julius Erving's private life and boyhood in this biography. It does paint him as a paragon of virtue as far as being fan friendly, great with teammates and coaches, and dedicated to his craft. The last section of the book does go into some detail, although again relying on mostly news accounts, of his lack of virtue in his family life leading to his eventual divorce from his first wife, Turquoise.

But, as the author himself says, the book is a "valentine" to his sports hero. And if that is how this biography is judged, it is definitely a very readable and informative account of the Doc's career and place in basketball history.