Dr. J famous 'Rock the Baby' Cradle Dunk against the Lakers

Footage of Julius Erving performing one of the greatest dunks in NBA history.
From NBA TV's - The Doctor.

[brunocuevas]

Great combination of creativity, power and grace .
The best dunk ever in real game.

[grant]

The fact that Cooper is laughing while he recalls the moment really shows the respect he has for Dr. J. That was an awesome dunk.

[JAB]

The last slo-mo is priceless. Crowd starts to get off their feet... the approach, Dr. J's massive hands first bringing the ball down below his waste, before take-off and a cradle-windmill perfect dunk. You couldn't stage a better dunk in 50 takes. And this was live and in-game... Goose bumps.

[junewaters]

This will NEVER be duplicated because this move came straight from his heart and soul. Talk about POETRY in

[ericgood]

Not only was this an amazing dunk, but let's not forget that Chick Hearn in an impromptu moment eloquently described it as “Aaand rock the baby to sleep”. Pure synergy happening there.

[erniec]

Picked the ball, dribbled it, cradled it dunked it. All with one hand. Iconic !!

[jonq]

This is my all time favorite dunk. It's literally the perfect basketball play.

Good defense on one end leads to a transition score opportunity. Perfect give and go, improvisation with the cradle fake and the finish. No wasted movement... just awesome.

[alanaldpal]

After all these years …. Still the best dunk ever

[MizzyStar]

Dr J was the man, and he was past his prime here and still dominated

[LegionOfEclaires]

The most beautiful dunk I have ever seen. Just so smooth.

[heraldhermes]

That dunk was so fluid, so perfectly executed, so poetic you take anything from it, mere muscle twitch in difference, and there is diminishment.

[bauerj]

He was 33 years old during that play. Nearing the end. Amazing athlete.

My favorite dunk by any player. Yeah, a lot of people have come up with more physically impressive dunks (including Erving), but this one....in game dunk, big game, end of game, contested by an All-time great NBA defender. And with all of that, instead of just powering to the rim and dunking, like any normal great player would do, he puts the flourish on it with the cradle. And he combines power with sublime grace.

[nightwatcher]

I love Michael Cooper's reaction in the end. So humble, smart, grateful. Gentleman

[mmkiang]

Very classic act by M.Cooper, he was one of the best 6th man and one of the best defender, love them both.

[TMWill-fify]

This dunk is like poetry in motion. It's so beautiful bro.

[GrahamCStrouse]

Cooper was always a class act. He was a great part of those awesome '80s Lakers.

[mikedecarlo]

michael cooper was a great defensive makes this dunk even sicker

[fayflett]

I could replay this dunk all day and never get tired of it

[kevc]

That game was on TV LIVE in LA. And The Doctor had me and my college room mates screaming with joy and delight, even tho it was against OUR Lakers. Fun stuff.

[seventhson]

Perhaps the best part of the dunk was Doc just jogging back on defense after, no showboating.