Dr. J leaves LeBron James off his top 10 greatest NBA players list for BIZARRE REASON
Dr. J's top 10 NBA all-time list sparks debate as he omits LeBron James.
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LeBron James and Julius Erving (images via Getty Images and YT)
In a recent interview with Joy De’Angela, Julius “Dr. J” Erving stirred up controversy by leaving out LeBron James from his top 10 NBA players list. This decision has surprised and even angered some NBA fans and analysts who have considered LeBron one of the greatest players of all time, if not the GOAT. Moreover, Dr. J’s exclusion of LeBron is based on a reason that many find hard to believe.
He offered a simple yet intriguing explanation. Dr. J believes that a player’s full career needs to unfold before forming conclusive judgments, and therefore, his list exclusively includes retired players whose legacies have been fully written down.
Whether Dr. J’s exclusion of James was a strategic move to garner attention or a genuine reflection of his perspective on player rankings remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear – just like in his playing days when he earned the moniker “Dr. J” by dazzling fans with highlight-reel plays that humbled opponents, he continues to have a humbling impact today. His approach to evaluating players based on the entirety of their careers challenges the norm and influences how people create their lists.
Who else did Julius “Dr. J” Erving include or exclude?
While the specific order is not mentioned, Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s top 10 NBA players list of all time includes the following legendary players:
- Jerry West
- Oscar Robertson
- Elgin Baylor
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Bill Russell
- Michael Jordan
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Magic Johnson
- Karl Malone
- Tiny Archibald
Erving’s top 10 NBA players list featured both familiar legends like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson, alongside unexpected choices like Elgin Baylor, Moses Malone, and Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Notably, this meant leaving out iconic players such as Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Dr. J’s argument for excluding LeBron James and Stephen Curry from his top 10 NBA players list is difficult to defend given their exceptional and enduring contributions to the sport. LeBron’s consistent dominance, averaging at least 25 points per game for almost 20 seasons, and Curry’s revolutionary three-point shooting that changed the game, make their omissions from the list a point of contention.
While some may find the arguments obnoxious, respecting diverse opinions on player rankings is crucial. As Stephen Curry aims for his 15th season and a 5th championship, and LeBron James for his 21st season and a 5th championship as well, it will be fascinating to see if they make it to Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s top 10 NBA players list once they retire.
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Chinmay Mehta
(83 Articles Published)