Quotes from Julius Erving

In 1981, at age 31, I was voted the best player in basketball, and the most valuable player in the league.

One of the commitments that I personally have now is to a diverse approach to buying businesses, and the operation of those businesses.

Every team that I've played on, I've either been the captain or co-captain.

To be great we need to win games we aren't supposed to win.

Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.

I demand more from myself than anybody could ever expect.

If you get depressed about being the second-best team in the world, then you've got a problem.

In a lot of areas of my life, particularly in my teenage years, I began to think about the world, and to think about the universe as being a part of my conscious everyday life.

I didn't want to become a reserve player, or a bench player, and it was time to move on and take on another challenge.

When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The warden is strong and he has say so but, the balance of power is definitely with the players.

If you're not doing what is best for your body, you are the one who lose.

The biggest thing that I felt basketball could do for me was help me get a good education.

I think I started learning lessons about being a good person long before I ever knew what basketball was. And that starts in the home, it starts with the parental influence.

I am very proud to be featured, especially when you consider the outstanding champions who have had this honor. It is great company to be in.

And from the first time I picked up a basketball at age eight - I had a lot of difficulty when I first picked up a basketball, because I was a scrub - there were things that I liked about it.

With the crowds on your side, it's easier to play up to your potential.

When the crowd appreciates you, it encourages you to be a little more daring, I think.

I always try to keep a pretty conservative demeanor on the court.

When handling the ball, I always would look for daylight, wherever there was daylight.

One of the most predictable things in life is there will be change. You are better off if you can have a say in the change. But you are ignorant or naive if you don't think there will be change, whether you want it to or not.

If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.

I came from a broken home, so my mom was a major influence in my life.

My mom is one of 14 children. She's a great lady. She's a Taurus. Has been a profound influence in my life, still is to this day. Born in meager surroundings in rural South Carolina.

That was just my own personal program: I didn't want to get too high over the good moments because I didn't want to be saddened and depressed when things didn't go as I had planned.