Rocky Mountain News One idol down. One to go. During the summer, Denver Nuggets rookie guard Julius Hodge met Magic Johnson, the player he grew up most admiring. Next on the list is Julius Erving, whom Hodge was named after. Hodge met Johnson at his charity game, "A Midsummer Night's Magic," on July 17 in Los Angeles. Despite the fact Hodge grew up in New York and attended Knicks games as a youngster, Magic was his man. "Just finally being able to meet a player that I'd looked up to since I was 4 years old was definitely a great experience," Hodge said. "When I saw him walk through the doors (at the Staples Center) for the first time, he had an aura about him. The word that comes to me is 'grace.' Only a couple of guys, like Michael Jordan and Jerry Rice, have that grace." The two chatted for a few minutes. And then Johnson offered some advice to Hodge. "He said, 'Young fellow, you can do it all out there. Just continue to work,' " Hodge said. As for Erving, Hodge was named after the Hall of Famer at the suggestion of his brother Steve. "I'm definitely trying to meet Dr. J also," Hodge said. Source
