Compare Dominique Wilkins and Julius Erving?

Question

Are they the same player or 180 degrees apart? Dr. J. vs. the Human Highlight. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Good answers here...yes, Dominique was more of a power player while Erving relied more on finesse, but both could finish a play with power.

Also, Duke makes an excellent point...which is: Dr. J also had a career in the ABA... one of the things that NBA fans who only see video of Dr. J in his 76er days don't understand is: The NBA never saw Erving in his prime. In fact, most of the country didn't see him in his prime. Growing up where I did, we did get the New York Nets games on TV, so we were able to watch Erving for most of his ABA career... Erving was a more explosive leaper than Jordan, and he had huge, huge hands that could hold the ball like a grapefruit. It was close as to whether Erving or Wilkins was a better leaper in their prime, but the way Erving could hold the ball made his dunks even scarier than Dominique's, imo.

Erving was a better all around player than Wilkins. He was a better passer and rebounder, as well as being a better defender. Both were rather streaky outside shooters, Wilkins might have had a little more range on his jump shot, but there are a lot of guys I'd rather have take a 3 pointer to win a game before I'd go with either of these two. If they were both on my team, and we needed a 3 pointer to tie, I'd just as soon have Erving take that shot; I considered Erving to be slightly better in clutch situations.

Dominique never made it to a conference final. I believe that hurts him somewhat in the eyes of history. But he deservedly made the Hall of Fame. Dominique was as good an "in game" (as opposed to slam dunk contests) finisher as the NBA has ever seen.

Answer 2

WOW - Great question,
I am a huge Nique' fans so I might be a little biased. I am going to say that they both could obviously jump out of the gym first off. They also both had a competitive will for playing the game. Dr. J might have been a little better defensively and Dr. J was also surrounded by a better set of teammates (talent-wise). Neither were great 3-point-perimeter shooters but going to the basket, it could be argued, these were the 2 best in history of finishing a dribble drive. I personally think that Nique is the second best dunker to ever live, behind Vince Carter. I honestly believe that Dr.J could not do half of the dunks that MJ, Nique, Carter, Richardson, or Josh Smith have done.

I do not believe that they are that different in the ways they played the game. As far as production, it is hard to beat what Julius Erving did but I also believe that basketball as a whole was weaker competition in the ABA, where Julius spent alot of his years.

Bottom Line - they both were great, HOF players and would take either one on my squad, but Dr. J produced more and Dominique looked flashier and prettier doing it.

Answer 3

I assume were talking about theyre dunking, cuz thats what their best known for. I think Dominique was a beast, a big high flyer, while Dr.j was more of a lanky smooth style. Dr. J was the funk and Wilkins was the pure athleticism.

Vince carter has hops but he cannot compete with either one of these guys in style.

Answer 4

Dr. J was the Vince Carter of his era and Dominique was the LeBron with alot less all around ability. Erving could slash and fly and Wilkins was certainly stronger, slightly bigger and arguably the better finisher. Woulda' been nice to see them play one on one.

Answer 5

They are great players but of different breeds. Nique was power personified while Dr J was finesse. Both never established a good perimeter shot but was money for mid-range shots and drives to the hoop. I believe Dr J had a more established career because he had success with the Nets (ABA) and the 76ers. Nique led the Hawks to their glory days but they did not make it even to a finals appearance. Both players are HOF shoo-ins and the impact they had on the game says it all.

Answer 6

well dominique wilkins is the better dunker but that's all he's been....a player with great dunking skills and a showman that the fans loved but no championship to show....

while dr. j might not be as good as wilkins in terms of dunking but has a championship to be proud of and is also considered a good dunker for his era....

dominique wilkins and dr. j is like vince carter(before the knee injury) and dwyane wade....

Answer 7

Dr. j is more of a finesse type of a dunker. his graceful acrobatic moves was unrivaled in his time. as a player he is more of an open court type and a perimeter shooter. in contrast, Nique is a very powerful dunker. some of his signature moves remain unrivaled up to this day. while Nique prefered to play one on one with his back to the basket, he was most effective in his slashing mode. lastly, Dr j won an nba crown making him one level above Nique BUT if only Nique won at least one championship and an mvp, he could have easily rivaled michael jordan for all time greatness.

Answer 8

Both amazing dunkers. Both great scorers. Both fun to watch. I give Dr. J the edge just because he was one of the original ballers that today's game is based off of. It's all about individual stars and spectacular plays in today's game.

Answer 9

I think they are the same.