Michael Jordan’s legacy may have earned him the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) label in the eyes of many, but the debate never stops. Speaking with STAT Sports’ Rob Lepelstat in a clip shared Friday on X, Erving likened the GOAT discussion to something far less contentious: choosing an ice cream flavor.

“What flavor ice cream do you like? You like strawberry? Chocolate? Vanilla? Banana? They’re all ice cream!” Erving said. His point was clear — the GOAT debate often comes down to personal preference.

Jordan has spent decades at the center of this ongoing debate, most often compared to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Yet in this case, Erving didn’t side with either of the two megastars. Instead, he picked six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as his choice for the game’s greatest player.

Jordan’s resume, however, remains unmatched in the eyes of many. He’s a six-time NBA champion, six-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time league MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star, 10-time scoring champion, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. That list alone keeps him firmly in the GOAT conversation.

And while Abdul-Jabbar certainly has his own compelling case — with six championships, six MVP awards, and the NBA’s all-time scoring record for nearly four decades — Jordan’s influence extended far beyond the hardwood. His cultural impact, global brand, and unmatched competitive aura made him more than just a basketball icon.

Even today, long after his playing career ended, Jordan’s name still drives debate, headlines, and fan passion. Whether you see him as the definitive GOAT or simply one of several legends worthy of the title, his place in NBA history is cemented — no matter what flavor of greatness you prefer.

“It’s hard to swallow,” Erving said, expressing frustration over how the Sixers have looked this season during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio. “We have a Big 3, but they hardly play together. That is the problem right there, so if you’re not playing together you’re probably not practicing together. So we’re really not in the building mode that shows light at the end of the tunnel.”

Turning his attention specifically to Embiid, Dr. J did not mince words. “Joel, he’s looking like playing half the games and maybe going to a third before going to two thirds,” he said. He went on to cast doubt on Philadelphia’s prospects of building a championship-caliber team around an injury-prone Embiid: “If he moves to playing one-third of the games, that’s not going to happen.”

Erving also highlighted what he perceives as Embiid’s shortcomings when it comes to leadership and commitment. “You always say it’s not a guy’s fault if his body’s betraying him. But that’s an excuse,” he remarked.

“When you’re running an organization and you’re trying to chase for championships, you’re trying to be the leader and inspire the other players, you have to find a way,” Erving said. He also pointed out another detail regarding the center: “He just got a new contract.”

Erving praises Tyrese Maxey

While critical of some of his teammates, Julius Erving did not hesitate to single out one player for praise: Tyrese Maxey. “Tyrese is the most consistent factor there and I love watching him play and the effort that he puts forth and whatever,” Erving said. “Even if he’s hurting a little bit, he’s still putting forth the effort.”

However, Erving’s praise of other players was more subdued. When discussing Paul George, he acknowledged the forward’s talent: “Paul George, great talent,” he said, before returning to the broader issue with the 76ers’ Big Three. He explained that the team’s struggles could be traced back to a lack of consistency: “I don’t know, once again, you’re not getting it every night. And I’d like to, I played in the era when guys gave it every night.”

Erving defends Nick Nurse

In the same interview, Dr. J made it clear that he doesn’t believe the Philadelphia 76ers’ struggles are due to the decisions of head coach Nick Nurse. “Coach is a great guy, and I just kinda feel for him,” Erving explained. “Because he doesn’t have what the organization has planned for, you know, guys that can play every night and care about playing every night and figure out a way, if they can’t play, to make a contribution some other way.”

Can the 76ers fight for a Playoff spot?

With a 20-34 record, the Philadelphia 76ers currently sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, outside of the playoff picture. However, they are not far behind the Chicago Bulls, who occupy the final play-in spot with a slightly better 22-33 record.

If Joel Embiid can get his body into better physical condition, allowing him to string together consecutive games, and if Paul George can return to the level of play he has demonstrated in past seasons, perhaps the 76ers can provide Tyrese Maxey with the support he needs to lead the team on a successful campaign for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Asked about the ongoing discussion between Michael Jordan and LeBron James during a 2017 interview on Undisputed, Erving made his stance clear. “The Michael-LeBron argument, I don’t really try to settle that for anybody else. I don’t think it should be settled until LeBron’s career is over,” he stated.

While praising James‘ remarkable achievements, Dr. J acknowledged the extraordinary careers of both players. “He’s done everything that anybody has ever done in the history of the league, and so did Michael,” Erving said. However, he pointed to one area where he believes Jordan held a distinct advantage: “Michael did it probably at, if this is fathomable, a higher level, because he never lost in the Finals and he was Finals MVP six out of six times.”

Despite this, when it came to naming his personal pick for the greatest player of all time, Erving did not choose either Jordan or LeBron. “I think it’s the fans’ argument, not the players’ argument. So I stay away from it,” he said during a 2022 conversation with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. “My all-time greatest player is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.”

Why Erving chooses Kareem as the GOAT

Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were fierce competitors for over a decade, but Erving holds great respect for his former rival. In a 2024 interview with Come and Talk 2 Me, Dr. J explained: “As a pro, you kind of condition yourself not to put anybody that far ahead of you, and Kareem was always the guy standing in my way… That was the guy who I look at as probably the GOAT.”

A few months later, speaking to Clutch Points, Erving elaborated further on Abdul-Jabbar’s unparalleled career. “At every level—high school, college, and at the pros—he excelled in a way that no other, in my opinion, no other player did,” he stated. “And validation of the MVPs, validation in terms of championships, validation in terms of scoring titles, records, and the stats, and putting guys in the Hall of Fame.”

Julius also admired the Lakers legend’s ability to elevate those around him. “You become Kareem’s teammate, you’ve got a pretty good chance of going to the Hall of Fame,” Erving noted. “And I would think between, say, in Milwaukee and in L.A., you know, for 20 seasons, if we look at the other players who have made the Hall of Fame, who were his teammates, nobody has a higher number.”

Other NBA legends praised by Erving

While Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Dr. J’s pick for the GOAT, he also acknowledged other basketball legends deserving of recognition. “If I was starting a franchise, I would start with Kareem,” he said on Undisputed in 2017. “I always put Oscar Robertson out there, and Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, the guys that came before me.”

Later, in an interview with Joy De’Angela, Erving expanded on his list of all-time greats, offering six more names to complete his top-ten, though he emphasized that the list was in no particular order: Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Nate “Tiny” Archibald.

Julius Erving’s iconic career

Julius Erving’s basketball career spanned both the ABA and the NBA after the two leagues merged in 1976. Erving first made his mark in the ABA with the Virginia Squires in 1971, later joining the New York Nets, where he won two championships.

In the NBA, Dr. J enjoyed a legendary career with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1976 to 1987, earning All-Star honors in every season he played, as well as winning the league MVP in 1981. Erving also led the 76ers to their most recent championship in 1983. Both the Nets and 76ers have retired No. 32 and No. 6 jerseys, respectively, in recognition of Erving’s contributions.

Erving believes he should be in the GOAT debate

Erving’s illustrious career has cemented his place as one of the all-time greats, and he feels he should be part of the GOAT conversation. During a 2016 interview with Hoop Hall’s 60 Days of Summer, he was asked if he considered himself among the greatest. “I’ll tell you what my modesty says: To hell with modesty,” Erving replied. “I think I should be in the discussion.”

In a 2024 interview with Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast, Dr. J addressed how he feels about being largely excluded from recent GOAT debates. “We preceded an era in basketball of the really, really big money, really, really big hype… I think that in time, justice will be done,” he said. “But I can’t lose no sleep over something that I didn’t have or that I don’t have. I have been blessed in so many ways, my family, my friends, my associates.”

The King holds the record for beign the all-time top scorer in the league, and he also boasts four rings with three different teams. Steph, meanwhile, has the most three-pointers in league history and also won four championships, all of them with the Golden State Warriors.

Needless to say, they made a strong case to be considered among the greatest players the game has ever seen. Even so, Julius Erving didn’t include them in his top 10 players of all time.

Julius Erving doesn’t name LeBron or Curry among his all-time top 10 players

Erving, who won an NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983, revealed his top 10 players of all time in an interview with Joy De’Angela – leaving a number of superstars out:

• Bill Russell
• Wilt Chamberlain
• Michael Jordan
• Jerry West
• Oscar Robertson
• Elgin Baylor
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Magic Johnson
• Karl Malone
• Nate “Tiny” Archibald

The Sixers legend suggested that he didn’t name any current players because they’re careers aren’t over yet. Even so, the absence of LeBron, Steph, Kobe Bryant or Shaq has given a lot to talk about on social media.

The legendary forward chose Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone and Tiny Archibald as the best ever.

That’s why ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith put him on blast for snubbing the likes of LeBron James from that list, even if he only meant to make it about retired players.

Stephen A. Smith Rips Julis Erving’s Top-10 List

“[Julius Erving] didn’t choose any active players. He’s entitled to his own opinion, I just think he’s wrong,” Smith said. “You cannot have an all-time top 10 list without LeBron James. I’ve got LeBron James as a top-two player all time, what do you mean he’s not on the list?”

“You talk about Steph not being on the list. Steph has been in the league for over a decade, he’s got four championships. LeBron James has been in the league for 20 years. He played more years than most of the players Dr. J had on the list, so certainly experience is not an issue there,” continued Smith.

“LeBron James for what he brings to the table, is one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball,” Smith added. “Anyone that knows basketball knows that.”

Even the greatest LeBron James hater knows he’s a top-10 player at worst, and era bias aside, Erving should’ve known what he was getting into with this controversial list.

Players are forcing their way out of their teams more often than not. They handpick their trade destinations and look to team up with multiple stars to get an easier path to a ring.

That’s why NBA legend Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving went at full steam against Kevin Durant, calling him a ‘team-hopper’ and pretty much blaming him for this new tendency.

Dr. J Puts Kevin Durant On Blast

“These guys, the prisoners, are running the show and not the warden,” Erving said. “A star player on a team is like, ‘Screw this city and all the support they’ve given me, and I’m going South. I’m going to Florida, or I’m going to LA, or I’m going to Texas, or I’m going somewhere else.’ These are business decisions, I understand.”

“But they haven’t helped the game. They have not helped to keep the parity within the game when you build these superteams,” added Dr. J.

“Wherever he goes, he’ll probably finish his career there because of his age and the fact he’s played 12-13 years, and he wants a chance to win a championship,” Erving continued. “He doesn’t think he can get it there, that’s a good reason for him. A guy who’s 26 or 27 just hopping around, look at how many times Durant has hopped around.”

Durant is one of the greatest players of all time, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, and a basketball legend. But his legacy will be stained forever, even according to his own peers.

Jordan and James didn’t even play the same position. They thrived under different sets of rules, playing in a different era, with different styles, and against different rivals. So, it’s hard to be objective when discussing this matter.

Then again, for Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving is an easy choice. For him, James’ longevity and durability have put him in a league of his own, going as far as to call him ‘ The Chosen One’.

NBA News: Dr. J Says LeBron James Is The Chosen One

(Transcript via Fadeaway World)

Interviewer: “LeBron is closing in right, on the all-time points record right now. So what are your thoughts on LeBron James and where he rests on the all-time conversation, the GOATness, if you will.”

Julius Erving: “Well, he’s gone past everybody for one thing. He comes in at 18 years old and he had the pro body and the pro ability as a high schooler. I really haven’t seen anybody have that package. Moses, he was probably the closest and there was Bill Willoughby who it didn’t work out for. And there were some other guys, like Kevin Garnett, but he’s not LeBron and he’s not Moses.

“So, LeBron is the Chosen One in that regard. He’s gonna play into his 40s. He’s gonna have, you know, a 22 or 23-year career. And nobody’s done that in basketball either. Those last few years for Shaq and for Kobe, you know they were on the bench, they were on the sidelines. LeBron, it won’t be the same for him. So he can still be that complete player… He’s a total machine. He’s gonna be the guy. He’s gonna be the guy who re-establishes the bar for what the GOAT is.”

Some will argue that longevity doesn’t equal skill, and that’s a valid point. Then again, what James is doing is unprecedented and not likely to be done again, so we have to give credit where it’s due.

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.