Everyone who knew Julius Erving has a story, and they all were about the same. I had one as well.

Erving, the famed Dr. J who celebrated the 30th anniversary of his only NBA championship at the end of May, is regarded as likely the most famous and spectacular dunker in basketball history. NBA-TV aired a 90-minute documentary on his life and career on Monday night.

His foul line dunk in the first dunk contest, which was in the 1976 American Basketball Association All-Star Game, his swooping behind the basket dunk in the 1980 Finals against the Lakers, his rock the cradle dunk in the 1983 finals, they were the templates that all famous dunks have been measured against.