Quotes from Julius Erving

I think that my God-given physical attributes, big hands, and big feet, the way that I'm built, proportion-wise, just made basketball the most inviting sport for me to play.

And I continued to grow until I was 25 years old.

The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.

My role models in the business were the older guys on my team when I first got there: Gray Scott, Adrian Smith, Roland Taylor. These were the guys who took me under their wing, and really schooled me in terms of what the business was about.

I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.

I live my life trying to never appear to be a small man.

Goals determine what you're going to be.

When I went to Philadelphia I was 26 years old and really sitting on top of the world. Family life, a professional career, plenty of friends and associates, and a good reputation, a wish list that could be the envy of many.

I had to spend countless hours, above and beyond the basic time, to try and perfect the fundamentals.

You know, just in terms of having to have a life on the road, you know, having the celebrity aspect be a burden for my family, friends and extended family.

Right up until the time I retired at age 37, I felt like there were still things that I could do better.

I pulled the plug on it at a time that I thought was right for me to exit.

I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.

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

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

Right up until the time I retired at age 37, I felt like there were still things that I could do better.

But you know, we have a very normal family. We've had our ups and downs. You know, we've had our issues, but we've had great cause for celebration.

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.

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 liked the game, I enjoyed the game, and the game fed me enough, and gave me enough rewards to reinforce that this is something that I should spend time doing, and that I could possibly make a priority in my life, versus other sports.

One of the things in the back of my mind is that, after my sports experience, I never want to be, totally consumed by any one endeavor, other than my family life.

But you know, if you live an affluent lifestyle, there are all types of trappings that are there that you have to be cognizant of, and you've got to try and communicate freely and gain understanding about and then keep moving on, because you know, sometimes lifestyles are chosen for us as opposed to us choosing them.

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.

The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.