[Saba Sports News] The allure of The Doctor remains strong. This weekend, retired NBA legend Julius Erving became a viral sensation due to the notable group of friends accompanying him at the In-Season Tournament final between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Dr. J was seen at the courtside in Las Vegas, enjoying the high-stakes game with Ahmad Rashad, Mitch Richmond, and Jerome Williams.
During the ESPN broadcast, cameras captured this group as they reacted to a LeBron James dunk in the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment in the Lakers’ eventual 123-109 victory to secure the first-ever In-Season Tournament cup.
Erving, with his impressive basketball legacy, was the standout in the group. However, his companions were also significant figures in their own right. Richmond, a six-time NBA All-Star, won a championship with the Lakers; Williams, a former first-round NBA draft pick, made a significant impact with Vince Carter’s Toronto Raptors; and Rashad, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in the NFL, transitioned into a successful media career covering the NBA.
Now 73, Erving typically makes headlines for his candid opinions on modern basketball. Yet, on Saturday, he was visibly enjoying the game and the company of his remarkable friends.