"Put those guys on the court against anybody. They would win" - Julius Erving revealed his NBA all-time starting five
When NBA legends, both past and present, are asked to name their all-time starting five, the answers are always interesting and often passionate. Some base their selections on who they've played with or against, while others choose players they've seen dominate the game.
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For Julius Erving, a man whose name is synonymous with basketball greatness, his all-time starting five is as old school as it gets — and it's one that has raised plenty of eyebrows.
"I have my team since I was 15, so that eliminates a lot of people," he said. "You got Wilt [Chamberlain], you got [Bill] Russell, you got [Elgin] Baylor, you got Jerry West and you got Oscar Robertson. Put those guys on the court against anybody. Anybody. They would win. That's my team."
Erving's original picks
Dr. J. made his name in the NBA during the 1970s and '80s and grew up watching and playing in a league dominated by Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson. These were the players who defined the sport long before Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan reshaped it for the next generation.
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Erving's selections, rooted in the old era, tell the story of a player who grew up in a league shaped by giants. Chamberlain, the 7-foot phenom, dominated the paint with scoring numbers that have yet to be matched, including his famous 100-point game.
Russell, the ultimate winner, secured 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, showcasing unparalleled defensive skill and leadership. Baylor, a forward who changed the game with his athleticism and creativity, was one of the first to introduce the modern highlight reel dunk.
West, the logo himself, was known for his scoring, playmaking, and clutch performances. Robertson, who averaged a triple-double over an entire season before it was trendy, was a true all-around talent that transcended positions.
For Dr.J, these players weren't just his heroes but the foundation upon which he built his career. He grew up playing in a time when the NBA was still finding its identity, and these legends, each in their own way, were the trailblazers who made the league what it is today.
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Related: "I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way" - Phil Jackson was confident Dennis Rodman will never start a fight
Standing by his decision
As the years went on, the NBA saw a shift in talent and style. The 1980s ushered in the golden age of Johnson, Bird and a rising Jordan — players who would come to define the game for decades to come. Yet, for Erving, their greatness didn't change the team he had already chosen long ago.
"That's always going to be my team," he said. "Magic, Michael, Bird. I love what they did for the game, love their talent, their blessed ability, but I picked my all-time team a long time ago. I'm really old schooling and I don't change."
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While Johnson, Bird, and Jordan are household names, with their epic rivalries, championship runs, and game-changing abilities, Erving's stubborn loyalty to his original picks raises some eyebrows in today's basketball landscape.
Magic brought flair, vision, and leadership to the point guard position, while Bird redefined what it meant to be a forward with his all-around skills and relentless competitiveness. Jordan, of course, became the global icon who inspired millions with his will to win and unparalleled talent.
These three would almost certainly make the list of almost everyone, but not Erving. His vision of basketball greatness is firmly grounded in the players of his youth — those who helped create the game as we know it today.
Related: "People have an aura, and Doc definitely is that person that has it" - Jim Jackson explains what made Julius Erving so magnetic personality
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
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