The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Legendary superstar Julius ‘Dr J’ Erving was in the house and left a prescription for the College of the Bahamas Caribs that coach Baccus Rolle hopes will cure their men’s basketball team’s dismal season.

Erving, who helped to revitalise the National Basketball Association (NBA) with his high-flying moves when he came over from the defunct Amateur Basketball Association (ABA) after the 1975-76 season, was back in the Bahamas on a business trip.

But the 64-year-old couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit COB where he addressed the team in the library on Wednesday. According to the 6-foot, 6-inch guard/forward, who retired in 1987 as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, said it was good for him to speak from his heart to the team.

“Anytime you get a chance to talk to young people, you should be candid with them and reflect on things that you would have gone through life with them,” said Erving, who in 1993 was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and also named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time team.

“You know that you’ve been through what they are going to go through, so if he can share that, maybe it can help pave the way for a little more motivation for them to step into your shoes.”

As one the 40 most important athletes of all time by Sports Illustrated in 1994, Erving has certainly left behind a legacy that will be hard for anyone to duplicate. But in providing some tips on how the players can improve their game, Erving is confident that the Caribs can be a much better team than they are right now.

Rolle said after posting a 1-10 win-loss record (losing a couple close games down the stretch) that has them tied at the bottom of the pile in the New Providence Basketball Association, he’s hoping that Erving’s message will resonate with the players before they head off to Florida to participate in a few games against collegiate teams.

“This is a once in a lifetime thing because many people don’t get the opportunity to talk to him, an NBA player, an NBA legend,” said Rolle, who watched as his players fielded questions. “So any pearls that he’s able to drop and they can pick up, it’s excellent for us.

“Hopefully we can be a little more inspired and dedicated to do the things we need to do to be victorious after being in the presence and touching someone who has aspired all of his life for greatness and was able to achieve it.”

Justin Munroe, the starting centre, said the less than one hour session will certainly have an impact on his future and he hopes it will carry over to his teammates.

“He’s encouraged me to be a better ball player and how to compose myself on the court and not think about I, but the team, so in game preparation and during the game, think about trying to benefit the team,” he said. “I know he also encouraged me to try and stay longer in the game and I can definitely help the team more than being on the bench after getting fouled out.”

Back now as the president of COB, Dr Rodney Smith said it is as good a time for him to finally meet up close and personal with Dr J, whom he idolised from the time he attended college in the United States.

“I think that his sharing of some of his experiences as a player, as a gentleman, as a scholar to our players on our campus is going to be very helpful,” Smith said.

“We have a long way to go, but we are in the rebuilding stage here and we are going to be building our athletic programme as we build the university here in the Bahamas. We want them both to be on par with each other.”

As they move forward, Smith said they will be working with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to ensure that they will be able to utilise all of the facilities in the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre as they also work with their partners in the United States who will also be coming on board to assist in the future.

But for now, the focus is on Erving’s visit and athletic director Kimberley Rolle joined in the chorus in expressing her delight in having the legend visit their campus.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our players to be in the presence of the legend,” said Rolle, wife of Baccus Rolle. “To actually have him on the campus of the College of the Bahamas will hold forth in our memory banks for a long time to come.

“He also gave a very nice speech to the guys, so hopefully that will help propel them as they try to turn their season around. So it was good for them to touch and meet a celebrity like Dr J.”

And Bastian, the assistant sports director at COB who still assists the Caribs basketball team, said whenever you can get a legend like Dr J to visit, it’s a good motivation for the future.

“They got to see a legend live and we hope that the words that he shared will create a lasting effect on them,” Bastian said. “He talked about defence, he talked about being a team player and he talked about things young basketball players need to hear to become a good player in this day and time.

“So it was good to hear it from a legend of the game. He presents that type of credibility, so it was good to have him come to give those kind words to our players. Hopefully we will see some productive young men in our society.”

Before he left, Erving expressed his delight in being back in the Bahamas.

“It’s always nice, sunny and friendly,” he said. “I’m meeting some new folks and things always happen when I’m here. I always walk away with a fuzzy feeling and feel like I’m being welcomed back to a place that I call home.”

Considered one of the most talented players, Erving helped the 76ers to win their last NBA championship title in 1983, but the 11 time All-Star who won the most valuable player (MVP) twice said he’s looking forward to the day that Philadelphia will return to their glory days.

And just like he did every time he left, Erving said he hopes to make it back to the Bahamas and when he does, he can reflect on the successes of the 76ers and not their disappointments.