Jason Richardson on being coached by Dr. J in the BIG3: "Man, that's the guy I wanna hang out with, be like him" originally appeared on Basketball Network .
There's a different type of basketball growing within the heat of summer — and no, it's not just pickup runs or pro ams. The BIG3 , Ice Cube 's revolutionary three-on-three league, going into its eighth season, has turned into a legit summer hoop festival.
With former NBA players lacing it up again, the league now runs on a franchise-based city model, giving fans in markets like Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and New York a squad to call their own. But the biggest surprise hasn't been the format shift; rather, it's been the amount of basketball royalty still involved in the mix.
For example, Julius Erving is coaching, still walking around with that legendary aura, still influencing guys who once ruled the NBA hardwood.
One of those guys who has this unique opportunity is Jason Richardson , the retired high-flyer and 14-year NBA vet who now finds himself suiting up in the BIG3 and soaking in wisdom from the same guy whose iconic dunks he used to watch. For Richardson, being coached by Erving isn't just bringing back the nostalgia; it's, in his words, life-changing.
J-Rich has played for some notable figures in the league — from Don Nelson to Stan Van Gundy — but there's something different about Erving. It's not about Xs and Os, and it's not about the clipboard. It's his sheer legendary presence. That's what resonates most with him.
"Yeah, Doc is one of those guys that, you know, he had the aura about him about being super cool. It's like, 'Man, that's the guy I wanna hang out with, be like him,'" Richardson said in an interview with Basketball Network.
"Just so cool and mellow… Doc is the type of guy like, 'Hey, man, let's just take it easy, we are going to be fine…' He mellows me out, man. And every time he does that, it really puts life into perspective on how to approach the game, how to approach life, how to approach just being a man. It's great to be around him. To get the wisdom and nuggets he drops every now and then, it's pretty special. I don't think a lot of guys get to experience to see somebody of his magnitude out there and still being the part of basketball and helping out," he continued.
That mellow energy, especially in a competitive setting like the BIG3, where the pace is quick and possessions matter, becomes a calming influence. Something most players rarely get from coaches who are often wired and yelling.
When Erving speaks, it hits differently, not just because he's cool and collected. We're talking about an 11-time All-Star, league MVP, NBA and ABA champion, and a Hall of Famer whose influence shaped the very style of modern basketball. Dr. J was the guy many of the players looked up to growing up. From Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal, everyone knew how legendary Erving was; he was the guy who set the standard to follow and the man who bridged the ABA and the NBA. Now he is doing the same for 3v3 basketball, just in a different role.
So when a guy like Richardson calls it "life-changing," you believe him because this isn't just some retired coach drawing up plays. It's Dr. J, a living blueprint of basketball greatness. For the players in the BIG3, he's not just guiding the team — he's setting a standard for years to come.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
