Answer
In 1994, Sports Illustrated named Julius Erving one of the 40 most important athletes of all time. Erving is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and was a key player in the NBA's popularity explosion in the 1970s and 1980s. Erving was known for his high-flying dunks and acrobatic layups, and he was a two-time NBA MVP and a four-time NBA champion.