Dr. J takes another shot at LeBron James, says today's NBA is 'soft'

Throughout history, there’s been a never-ending debate regarding the NBA. Some old-school fans believe that the good old days with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain were good, others say that the 80s and 90s were the toughest days, while others believe that LeBron James‘ era is the best there is.

While it’s not for us to decide and we think that everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, there’s no denying that the game has changed a lot throughout the years, for both better or worse. That’s just a fact.

To some, that means that the game has gotten softer and that the fans no longer appreciate true basketball. At least, that seems to be the case with Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius ‘Dr. J.’ Erving.

Julius Erving Says Today’s NBA Is Soft

“That was the good old days, it kept the humility intact,” Erving said on CBS Sports’ Nothing Personal. “You felt honored to be a professional athlete and not privileged, because there was just some things you just had to suck it up and go do. We depended a lot on our trainers and equipment managers and what have you to move the franchise from city to city, and you always had to catch the first flight out the next morning so we didn’t have a lot of the conveniences they have today, but that’s okay. I think it’s made some of the players a little softer than the ’70s, ’80s, ’60s and ’50s players, but there’s fan appreciation for the softness and the finesse and it is what it is.”

Erving Had Already Called Out LeBron James

It’s not the first time that Dr. J. has made a statement like this. Not so long ago, he took a swipe of LeBron James for ‘leading the superteam culture’ and hurting the league’s competitive balance:

“He’s the guy who has led the charge in terms of superteams being put together, when he put them together in Miami. He put together a team in Cleveland as well, and put together a team in Los Angeles. He can put together his own team — I ain’t gonna pick his team,” Erving said on an interview with Chris Haynes.

At the end of the day, we can all say and think whatever we want. The game has changed and it’ll continue to evolve for many years to come. So, if you don’t like it, maybe you can settle for the old tapes.