Sports history in Black: Dr. J gets traded to Philly

Julius “Dr.J” Irving was a highlight reel waiting to happen. The retired NBA star would attack the rim with viciousness and precision at the same time, gliding through the air and finishing with a dunk.

It did not matter who you were, you could get dunked on by Irving. He was an exciting moment waiting to happen each game he played for the New York Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets).

Julius Irving performs a slam dunk against the Atlanta Hawks in 1981. Photo credit: Jim Accordino
Julius Irving performs a slam dunk against the Atlanta Hawks in 1981. Photo credit: Jim Accordino

The Philadelphia 76ers were paying attention to what Irving was bringing and they wanted him at all costs. So the 76ers found a monetary number the Nets were comfortable with accepting for the services of Dr. J.

And on October 20, 1976, Philadelphia purchased Dr. J from the Nets for $3 million. From there, Dr. J would become synonymous with the city of Philadelphia and NBA basketball there.

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