"He does some things spectacularly, but not as consistently, as Dr. J did" - Former Bulls coach wasn't sure Michael Jordan would live up to the hype originally appeared on Basketball Network .
Michael Jordan was one of the most highly touted incoming NBA rookies during his time with the University of North Carolina. The anticipation and expectation were high after the Chicago Bulls drafted him in 1984 with some already comparing him to the great Julius Erving.
Bulls head coach Kevin Loughery recognized the undeniable hype surrounding Jordan's forthcoming rookie season. He could already see Mike's potential and was also excited to witness firsthand how the Bulls' newest star's career would pan out.
Even Coach Loughery acknowledged the parallels between Jordan and Dr. J . However, he refused to jump to any conclusions and preferred to just wait and see if MJ was as good as advertised.
"The first thing his teammates were going to find out was is this kid really that good," Loughery said of a rookie Jordan. "We've all seen a lot of hypes that hyped out. This kid is that good."
"He does some things spectacularly, but not as consistently, as Dr. J did," he assessed. "Michael's done some spectacular things, but I coached Dr. J for three years. Doc's special. Doc's done it for 13 years."
Though Loughery was looking forward to doing an extensive analysis of Erving and Jordan, "The Doctor" was already in the twilight of his illustrious career when MJ hit the scene. However, Dr. J's legacy had also been cemented, having won four MVP awards and three championships (two in the ABA and one in the NBA).
At the time, Erving had nothing left to prove. On the other hand, Jordan was set to take a completely opposite path with fans yearning to see if he had what it takes to be the next Dr. J.
Despite the constant comparisons, Jordan remained unfazed and laser-focused on playing and helping the Bulls win games. Besides, he was convinced that no matter how exceptional he turned out to be, no other player could ever replace the one and only Dr. J.
"Nobody can replace the Doctor," Mike once firmly declared . "He was the epitome of class and defined the NBA for me. It's a challenge to try and emulate him, but it's not as if I have to go out of my way. Being Michael Jordan means acting the same as I always have."
As Erving's career concluded, so did the comparisons with Jordan. Over time, it became more and more apparent that MJ and Erving were both great but totally different.
Jordan carved out his own path and morphed into the best player in the league. He won six titles and made the Bulls one of the most successful franchises in NBA history.
Individually, MJ exceeded not only the fans' and coaches' expectations but, more importantly, he redefined what it means to be a great player. Jordan dominated his competition and achieved a wide array of career milestones that many players continue to chase.
In terms of star power, it's safe to say Jordan surpassed Erving. He elevated the NBA and the sport itself and became a cultural and global icon.
Ultimately, Jordan has come a long way from being a remarkable incoming NBA rookie.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
