Basketball legend Dr. J: Israel is an inspiration for Jews in America

 

Last update - 21:26 28/05/2008    
Basketball legend Dr. J: Israel is an inspiration for Jews in America
By The Associated Press

 

Dr. J made an unlikely visit to Israeli President Shimon Peres, on Wednesday.

 

Basketball great Julius Erving, who is on a goodwill tour of Israel, told
Peres in a stop at the presidential mansion in Jerusalem that he considered himself an ambassador for Israel. Legend has it, Erving got his colorful nickname because of his admirable defense tactics on the basketball court.
 
Erving is in Israel along with fellow National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Rick Barry to raise awareness for the Migdal Ohr youth village for underprivileged children in northern Israel.

 

Migdal Ohr is Hebrew for 'Tower of Light. Erving called Israel an inspiration for Jews in America, as well as other minorities. "I am truly inspired to be an ambassador for the country and for the village," he said.

 

Erving revolutionized the game of basketball in the 1970's with his electrifying, high-flying dunks and is widely credited for being a model for Michael Jordan, recognized as perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time. Erving won an NBA title and a Most Valuable Player award with the Philadelphia 76ers and earlier won two American Basketball Association championships.

 

Barry was one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He is the only player ever to lead the collegiate NCAA, NBA and ABA in scoring. Three of his sons, Jon, Brent and Drew, have also played in the NBA.

 

Brent Barry scored 23 points off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs on
Tuesday night, in a losing effort to the Los Angeles Lakers. The defending champion Spurs are now in a 3-1 deficit and face elimination when they play Game 5 in Los Angeles on Thursday. Barry launched a last-second three-point-shot that would have given San Antonio the win if it had gone in.

 

Peres praised Erving for both his excellence as an athlete, and for his
efforts off the court in breaking down barriers for blacks and minorities. He said sports could serve as a bridge between people.
"I think if we built first sports organizations instead of politics, the whole world would be better," Peres said.