First published 2013
Julius Erving opens his life to readers, moving beyond his famous persona as Dr. J to examine both his public triumphs and private struggles. The basketball icon details his journey from Long Island, where his mother worked as a domestic worker, through his career transformation of professional basketball with acrobatic dunks and innovative play. Erving discusses his complex relationship with fame, his desire for respect beyond athletics, and his influence on future stars like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. The memoir confronts difficult personal territory: an extramarital affair that resulted in daughter Alexandra Stephenson becoming a professional tennis player, the tragic loss of his 20-year-old son, and the painful end of his long marriage. Erving examines how his public image contrasted with private realities, speaking candidly about mistakes and personal growth. The book traces his path toward reconciling his identity as both an athletic icon and flawed human being.
Genres: 20th-century, african-american, autobiography, biography-memoir, 21st-century, basketball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, redemption
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
431 pages · Hardcover · Harper
Content warnings: mental-illness