The very first dunk contest — 1976. The ABA All-Star Game in Denver. No lights, no theatrics, just raw flight. ✈️ Dr. J stepped to the free-throw line — something nobody had ever seen before — took one dribble, and took off from fifteen feet out. The crowd froze. Then they lost their minds. That single dunk changed the language of basketball forever. From that moment on, “hang time” had a face — Julius Erving. 🏀🔥 #OldHeadOriginals #DrJ #ABA #FirstDunkContest #BasketballHistory #Skywalker #Free

🏀On January 27, 1976 the 9th and final ABA All-Star Game was played at McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. This time, the ABA abandoned the usual East vs. West format it used from the 1967-68 season onward and instead had the league's first place team at the All Star break (Denver Nuggets) face off against a team of ABA All Stars. The Nuggets won 144-138. Halftime of the All Star Game saw the first-ever professional Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by Julius Erving of the New York Nets over Da

1974 MLB All Star Game Film

🏀On May 10, 1974 the New York Nets won their first ABA Championship by defeating the Utah Stars 111-100 to take the series 4 games to 1. The Nets had an overpowering run winning 12 of their 14 playoff games, a record for the most dominant run for an ABA champion. Averaging 27.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists, New York’s Julius Erving was named the ABA Playoffs MVP. “Dr. J” was also named the regular season MVP that season.🏀 | Davenport Sports Network

#OnThisDay in 1977, Julius "Dr. J" Erving made his brilliant #NBAAllStar debut, logging 30 points and 12 rebounds on his way to winning the MVP trophy! 🌟 #DidYouKnow: He became only the 2nd player to be named All-Star MVP despite his team losing the game! 😮 #VintageMomentOfTheDay | NBA

🏀🎂Happy 75th birthday to “Dr. J” Julius Erving! Erving was born on February 22, 1950 in East Meadow, New York. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Erving attended UMass (1969–1971). In two varsity college basketball seasons, he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, becoming one of only six players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game in NCAA Men's Basketball. Erving also played during a time when the NCAA prohibited dunking. Taking advantage of the ABA’s