NBA champion’s emotional message to legend Julius Erving on his 75th birthday: “I wanted to fly through the air like Dr. J.”

Julius Erving’s highlights reel has influenced countless NBA Hall of Famers - few can forget watching him soaring high through the air from the free-throw line to sink his slam dunk during the 1984 All Star weekend. Or his stunning ‘rock-the-baby’ cradle dunk against the Lakers in January 1983 - one of the greatest moments in the league’s history and for some, the greatest dunk of all-time.

Alonzo Mourning pays tribute to the Doc

For Alonzo Mourning, who won the NBA title with the Heat in 2006, Dr. J. was, and still is his inspiration. Erving turned 75 on Saturday and Mourning took to Instagram to send him a special message.

“Playing golf with my childhood idol today. When I got my first red white and blue ABA basketball at age 8, I wanted fly through the air like Julius “Dr J” Erving. A mix of class, style, and basketball. A living iconic legend. Blessings to celebrate his birthday weekend. Happy 75th Doc!!!” the seven-time All-Star wrote, accompanying his text with a selfie out on the golf course with his idol.

To this day, Erving remains the only player to have been voted MVP in both leagues - picking up the ABA MVP award three years running (1974-1976) and the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1981.

He retired from the courts in 1986, ending his career with an overall average of 24.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in 1,243 appearances (ABA and NBA).

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