New Converse Dr. J Commercial
To celebrate 100 years of being a true original and innovator on the basketball court, Converse will launch a unique television spot featuring one of the game’s most exciting and influential players ever - Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
Widely credited as the first player to bring the game of professional basketball “above the rim,” Erving made some of the most memorable, jaw-dropping plays in the ABA and NBA in the ‘70s and ‘80s. His elite, graceful athleticism, as well as his on and off-court style and professionalism, has made Erving one of the most celebrated players of the last 30 years, and a true original and ambassador of the game.
The :15 second television spot features slow motion game footage from a contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls during the 1985-86 NBA season. The spot features a voice over of an announcer stating the NBA Slam Dunk contest rules. It begins with Erving receiving the ball near mid-court. He then glides toward the basket in his classic, effortless stride that became his signature, before putting down a violent, “Rock the Cradle” slam dunk in front of an exploding crowd.
Following on the heels of the ad spot, Converse will re-issue the Pro Leather 1976, which was made famous by Julius “Dr. J” Erving and enjoyed immense popularity when he began to wear the shoe in 1976, and became a standard for the court warriors in playgrounds like NYC’s Rucker Park. The limited edition shoe will be available on April 1 for $70.
