On this day in 1980: Dr. J’s layup vs. Kareem in the NBA Finals

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By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

There are a lot of moments in Sixers history that go down as some of the most memorable, but the one that will live in infamy is one that involves a Doctor. Dr. J, in fact.

On this day on May 11, 1980, the Sixers were squaring off with the Lakers in game four of the NBA Finals. Trailing 89-84 late in the game, Julius Erving went up for one of the most iconic layups in NBA history. The Sixers rode Erving's momentous shot as the team defeated the Lakers 105-102 to tie the series at two games a piece.

Not only was this layup iconic in that it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing layups in history, but it was against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

It's been a while that the Sixers have had a moment like this one in the playoffs, and even Allen Iverson has brought some of that mojo when he played in the early 2000's, but many players have tried to emulate this particular shot so many times.

Take a look at the moment below, on the 37th anniversary of the game:

 

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