Julius Erving's 1986-1987 season played out like a great rock band's farewell tour, with stadiums sold out around the country to see the Doctor in action one last time. At the age of 36, and with the Sixers' championship days well in the rearview, Erving had announced that the season would be his last as a 76er, and unlikely many pro athletes who retire while still being physically capable, he indeed played his final NBA game that season--there was no Jordan-with-the-Wizards awkwardness for #6.
Dr. J probably hoped his grand finale would at least come at home at the end of a respectable playoff run, but the actuality was significantly less poetic. Facing the Bucks in the first round of the '87 post-season, the Sixers headed to Milwaukee for a deciding game five, where they were resoundingly trounced by Jack Sikma and Terry Cummings. In the ensuing garbage time, the Doc got one final layup and one final three, then was pulled to a resounding ovation and hugs from just about all concerned.
It was an impressively emotional display from a fanbase who seemed more invested in sending off a franchise star they had no connection to whatsoever than in celebrating their own team making the second round of the playoffs. They'd get eliminated in seven by the Celtics in the next round anyway.
