George Gervin reflects on the ABA's impact on basketball
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 9:00 AM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Fifty years after the merger of the ABA and NBA, George Gervin shared insights on the American Basketball Association's significant influence on the sport. Gervin, a Hall of Famer and former scoring leader, recalled his early experiences with Julius Erving while playing for the Virginia Squires. The ABA, despite being perceived as an inferior league, introduced innovations like the three-point shot and high-flying dunks that transformed basketball culture. Gervin continues to celebrate the memories of their infamous dunk contest, showcasing the league's commitment to entertainment and flair.
- •Gervin played for the Virginia Squires in the ABA.
- •He participated in the first modern pro basketball dunk contest.
- •The ABA introduced innovations like the three-point shot.
- •The merger occurred in 1976, ending the ABA's run.
- •Gervin and Erving's friendship reflects the ABA's cultural impact.
- 9:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — How the ABA changed basketball forever: Dr J, George Gervin and the league that dared to be different
- 9:00 AMYahoo Sports — How the ABA changed basketball forever: Dr J, George Gervin and the league that dared to be different
"Fifty summers after the ABA-NBA merger, George Gervin, Ralph Simpson and others reflect on the league whose swagger and innovations changed basketball forever After practice, George Gervin wanted to go home. He was a rookie playing for the Virginia Squires of the upstart American Basketball Association, and the sleek, Detroit-born hooper didn’t yet know what being a pro quite meant. He didn’t know that the real workouts often started after practice. But his teammate Julius “Dr J” Erving quickly showed him the ropes. “Doc would say, ‘Hey, young fella! Where you going? Me and you ain’t done!’” Gervin tells the Guardian. “Me and him would play one-on-one after practice. It was beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful experiences I had as a young pro.” Continue reading...
"Fifty summers after the ABA-NBA merger, George Gervin, Ralph Simpson and others reflect on the league whose swagger and innovations changed basketball forever
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportAug 5, 2026, 9:00 AMHow the ABA changed basketball forever: Dr J, George Gervin and the league that dared to be different
Fifty summers after the ABA-NBA merger, George Gervin, Ralph Simpson and others reflect on the league whose swagger and innovations changed basketball forever After practice, George Gervin wanted to go home. He was a rookie playing for the Virginia Squires of the upstart American Basketball Association, and the sleek, Detroit-born hooper didn’t yet know what being a pro quite meant. He didn’t know that the real workouts often started after practice. But his teammate Julius “Dr J” Erving quickly showed him the ropes. “Doc would say, ‘Hey, young fella! Where you going? Me and you ain’t done!’” Gervin tells the Guardian. “Me and him would play one-on-one after practice. It was beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful experiences I had as a young pro.” Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsAug 5, 2026, 9:00 AMHow the ABA changed basketball forever: Dr J, George Gervin and the league that dared to be different
Fifty summers after the ABA-NBA merger, George Gervin, Ralph Simpson and others reflect on the league whose swagger and innovations changed basketball forever
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