PHILADELPHIA -- When Julius Erving walked to center court before the Sixers' Friday night game against the Pistons, the Wells Fargo Center crowd understandably gave him a loud ovation. This is to be expected for the man best known as "Dr. J", an NBA Hall-of-Famer and Sixers legend.
When he rung the ceremonial bell to start the game, they cheered louder. The good vibes extended to the team as the Sixers mollywhopped the Pistons and Ben Simmons looked more like Erving than any Philadelphia small forward since...well, Dr. J.
Erving, unfortunately, didn't last the whole game. Erving felt ill while watching the game from a suite and was taken to an area hospital.
"Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius Erving fell ill at tonight's game and was taken to a local hospital, where he is currently being evaluated. He is expected to be released after the evaluation," said a statement on behalf of Erving's management team and the Sixers.
UPDATE: Erving was released from the hospital on Saturday after a "comprehensive medical evaluation," according to Erving's rep.
"He's expected to make a full recovery and sincerely thanks all of his friends and fans for their well wishes and prayers."
The Sixers are in the thick of the NBA playoff race.
Erving, 67, was being honored on the 35th anniversary of his famous "cradle dunk" against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Erving spent 11 seasons in Philadelphia as a player and guided the organization to its third NBA title in 1983 (Wilt Chamberlain led the Sixers to their second title in 1967, and the team won another in 1955 as the Philadelphia Warriors). The Sixers have only been back to the finals once since then, led by Allen Iverson in 2001.
Over the last several years, Erving has remained involved with the Sixers' organization in an advisory capacity. He also spent a portion of his post-playing career in the front office of the Orlando Magic.
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