In this episode, we interview Luke Epplin and talk about his great book, Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball.
We’ll dive into the fascinating careers of two basketball legends, Moses Malone and Dr. J, also known as Julius Erving. From their early days in the ABA to their dominance in the NBA, these players left an indelible mark on the sport. Moses Malone, a three-time NBA MVP, was a force to be reckoned with on the court, while Dr. J, a four-time NBA scoring champion, Slam Dunk Champion, three time ABA MVP & one time NBA MVP was known for his incredible athleticism and signature moves like the cradle dunk. We'll explore their time with the Philadelphia 76ers, their impact on the game, and how they inspired future generations of players, including the likes of Kobe and Michael Jordan.
Doctor J's influence on the game extends beyond his playing career, with his role in the movie The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh and all his business dealings, showcasing his personality off the court. Join us as we celebrate the careers of Moses Malone and Dr. J, two basketball legends who will always be remembered as among the greatest to ever play the game.
0:00 Reposition Dr. J & Moses Malone among the greats
0:24 TBPC Intro & Luke Epplin accolades
1:16 Welcome & introduction to Luke Epplin
1:33 Our Team - Negro Leagues vs Major Leagues and Moses & the Doctor -ABA vs NBA
2:55 The differences between the ABA & the NBA
4:55 Dr. J and Moses Malone pre-ABA
10:00 The difference between Dr. J & Julius Erving
12:45 The two sides of Malone
15:50 The “Speech”
20:45 The ABA dispersion draft and Malone’s NBA stops before Houston
23:03 The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
25:59 Julius Erving - Capitalist at heart and led the way for Michael Jordan. A “Brand”
27:44 Dr. J & the Sixers won more games from 1976-83 than any team
29:57 The Dr. J “Up and Under” move
32:02 Bobby Jones, Andrew Toney & Maurice Cheeks
36:05 Dr. J after the 1982 Finals: the key to the book
40:16 Moses signing with Philadelphia AND calling the Sixers “Dr. J’s team”
43:47 Brief synopsis of the 1982-83 season
45:32 Bird & Magic + the 1982-83 team getting overlooked & redemption
51:21 Dr. J’s moves are burned in my brain, but why is it hard to remember Moses playing?
55:14 One thing that Moses & Doc had in common
Luke Epplin’s sites:
https://lukeepplin.com/
T-Bone’s sites:
https://www.tbpcpodcast.com/
https://x.com/TBonesPrimeCuts
https://www.facebook.com/tbonesprimecuts
https://www.instagram.com/tbonesprimecuts/
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#Philly #Philadelphia #Sixers #76ers #76ersbasketball #MVP #SlamDunk #Rebounds
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