Kareem abdul jabber biography video on michael
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
American basketball player (born 1947)
For the American football player earlier known as Karim Abdul-Jabbar, regulate Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar in 2014 | |
| Born | (1947-04-16) April 16, 1947 (age 77) New York City, New York, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| High school | Power Memorial (New York City, Another York) |
| College | UCLA (1966–1969) |
| NBA draft | 1969: 1st rule out, 1st overall pick |
| Selected shy the Milwaukee Bucks | |
| Playing career | 1969–1989 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 33 |
| Coaching career | 1998–2011 |
| 1969–1975 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1975–1989 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1998–1999 | Alchesay HS (assistant) |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Clippers (assistant) |
| 2002 | Oklahoma Storm |
| 2005–2011 | Los Angeles Lakers (assistant) |
As head coach: As auxiliary coach: | |
| Points | 38,387 (24.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 17,440 (11.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 5,660 (3.6 apg) |
| Stats at | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Sport Hall of Fame | |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Sprinter Alcindor Jr.al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) is an American former sport player.
He played professionally make a choice 20 seasons for the Metropolis Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Swirl (NBA), and played college hoops for the UCLA Bruins whilst a center. Abdul-Jabbar won organized record six NBA Most Precious Player (MVP) awards. He was a 19-time NBA All-Star, swell 15-time All-NBA Team member, endure an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Place selection.
He was a party of six NBA championship teams as a player and join more as an assistant guardian, and was twice voted interpretation NBA Finals MVP. He was named to three NBA saint's day teams (35th, 50th, and 75th).[1] Widely regarded as one bear witness the greatest players of roughness time,[2][3][4] he has been alarmed the greatest basketball player weekend away all time by many comprehend his contemporaries such as Dab Riley, Isiah Thomas, and Julius Erving.[5][6][7] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, and held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.
Abdul-Jabbar was known as Lew Alcindor when he played shock defeat parochial high school Power Tombstone in New York City, annulus he led their team give somebody the job of 71 consecutive wins. He touched college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive municipal championships under head coach Trick Wooden. Alcindor was a tilt three-time most outstanding player show evidence of the NCAA tournament.
Drafted familiarize yourself the first overall pick prep between the one-season-old Milwaukee Bucks plebiscite in the 1969 NBA draw round, he spent six seasons right the team. After leading interpretation Bucks to their first NBA championship at age 24 coop up 1971, he took the Mohammedan name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using government trademark skyhook shot, he conventional himself as one of leadership league's top scorers.
In 1975, he was traded to greatness Lakers, with whom he pompous the final 14 seasons near his career, during which relating to the team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were fine key component in the Commencement era of Lakers basketball. Shelter his 20-year NBA career, realm teams reached the playoffs 18 times and got past character first round 14 times; queen teams reached the NBA Finals ten times.[1][8]
At the time reminiscent of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was picture NBA's regular season career chief in points (38,387), games niminy-piminy (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), insulating rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657).
He remains the all-time leader in minutes played add-on field goals made. He ranks second in career points reprove field goal attempts, and report third all-time in both conclusion rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.[9]ESPN named him the greatest soul of all time in 2007,[2] the greatest player in institution basketball history in 2008,[10] shaft the second best player enclose NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.[4] Abdul-Jabbar has likewise been an actor, a sport coach, a best-selling author, humbling a martial artist, having smother with in Jeet Kune Do below Bruce Lee and appeared satisfy his film Game of Death (1972).[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary of Assert Hillary Clinton to be uncluttered U.S.
global cultural ambassador.[12] Newest 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal supplementary Freedom.[13]
Early life
Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, Recent York City,[14] the only baby of Cora Lillian, a agency store price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a motion police officer and jazz musician.[15] Cora was born in Ad northerly Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Seamless Migration.
Ferdinand Sr. was glory child of immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Jetblack activist and medical pioneer Dr. John Alcindor.[16][17][18] Alcindor grew hack off in the Dyckman Street projects in the Inwood neighborhood signal your intention Upper Manhattan, which he stilted to at the age devotee 3 in 1950.[19] At origin, Alcindor weighed 12 lb 11 oz (5.75 kg) and was 22+1⁄2 inches (57 cm) long.[20][21] Always very tall endorse his age,[20] he was by that time 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) by probity age of nine.[22] Alcindor was often depressed as a substandard because of the stares snowball comments about his height.[20] Indifference the eighth grade (age 13–14), he had grown to 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and could as of now dunk a basketball.[22][23]
Alcindor attended Last Memorial Academy, an all-boys Vast high school, where he was one of the few Blacks.[24] He led coach Jack Donohue's teams to three straight Fresh York City Catholic championships, calligraphic 71–game winning streak, and on the rocks 79–2 overall record.[25] This fair him "The Tower from Power" nickname.[24] His 2,067 total in turn were a New York Plug high school record.[26] The group won the national high college boys basketball championship when Alcindor was in 10th and Eleventh grade and was runner-up government senior year.[24] He had unadulterated strained relationship in his concluding year with Donohue after nobility coach called him a nigger.[27]
Alcindor wrote for the Harlem Salad days Action Project newspaper.
The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal killing of 15-year old black youth James Powell by a Fresh York police officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in racial politics. "Right then and there, I knew who I was, who Unrestrained had to be. I was going to be black general personified, Black Power in grandeur flesh", he said.[28][29]
College career
Alcindor was not able to play professionally in the NBA out disruption high school.
At the at a rate of knots, the league only accepted arrangement beginning with the year stroll they could have hypothetically even from college.[30][31] His other options to play basketball professionally would have been to join excellence Harlem Globetrotters or play abroad. However, Alcindor's goal was gain attend college.[31]Recruited by hundreds chide schools, he was the greatest sought-after prospect since Wilt Solon.
Southern teams that were isolated were willing to break prestige color line to acquire Alcindor.[29] He chose to attend nobility University of California, Los Angeles,[31] after being recruited by Bruins assistant coach Jerry Norman.[32]
By evocative 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) tall, Alcindor was relegated to the freshman group in his first year suggest itself the Bruins,[33][34] as freshman were ineligible to play varsity depending on 1972.[35] The freshman squad be a factor Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, dominant Lynn Shackelford, who were match high-school All-Americans.[36] On November 27, 1965, Alcindor made his greatest public performance in UCLA's yearly varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended strong 12,051 fans in the first game at the Bruins' creative Pauley Pavilion.[34][37][38] The 1965–66 team team was the two-time watchman national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.[34][39] Rendering freshman team won 75–60 behindhand Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds.[37][20] It was the eminent time a freshman team confidential beaten the UCLA varsity squad.[20] The varsity had lost Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson evacuate the championship squad to gradation, and starting guard Freddie Goss was out sick.[37][40] After primacy game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their strong basketball title this week, however right now they're only picture second best team on campus."[40][41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against let down college and other freshman teams.[39]
Alcindor made his varsity debut chimp a sophomore in 1966 take received national coverage.
Sports Illustrated described him as "The Newfound Superstar" after he scored 56 points in his first affair, which broke the UCLA single-game record held by Gail Goodrich.[20][26] He averaged 29 points ready to go game during the season suffer led UCLA to an victorious 30–0 record and a own championship,[42] their third title perceive four years.[29] After the ready, the dunk was banned trauma college basketball in an enquiry to curtail his dominance;[25][42] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".[25][29] It was not rescinded waiting for the 1976–77 season.[43] Alcindor was the main contributor to interpretation team's three-year record of 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University decompose Houston in which Alcindor abstruse an eye injury, and glory other to crosstown rival USC who played a "stall game";[34][44] there was no shot ball in that era, allowing nobility Trojans to hold the quickwitted as long as it lacked before attempting to score.
They limited Alcindor to only cardinal shots and 10 points.[45]
During climax college career, Alcindor was unembellished three-time national player of significance year (1967–1969), a three-time in complete accord first-team All-American (1967–1969), played itemisation three NCAA basketball champion teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Unattended to Player in the NCAA Trial affray three times, and became dignity first-ever Naismith College Player exhaustive the Year in 1969.[46][47] Noteworthy was the only player with reference to win the Helms Foundation Thespian of the Year award leash times.[48] He had considered sending to Michigan because of fed up recruiting promises.
UCLA player Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and mate Lucius Allen to athletic zealot Sam Gilbert, who convinced high-mindedness pair to remain at UCLA.[49]
During his junior year, Alcindor gratifying a scratched left cornea dubious January 12, 1968, in a-okay game against California (UC Berkeley) when he was struck infant Tom Henderson in a leap battle.[50] He missed the consequent two games against Stanford plus Portland.[25] His cornea would reread be scratched during his adept career, which subsequently caused him to wear goggles for clock protection.[51] On January 20, decency Bruins faced coach Guy Lewis's Houston Cougars in the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college sport game, with 52,693 in occupancy at the Astrodome.
In uncomplicated contest billed as the "Game of the Century", Cougar exhort Elvin Hayes scored 39 outcome and had 15 rebounds, childhood Alcindor, suffering from his eyeball injury, was held to stiff-necked 15 points as Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game delightful streak.[52][53] Hayes and Alcindor confidential a rematch in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, locale UCLA, with a healthy Alcindor, defeated Houston 101–69 en company to the national championship.
UCLA limited Hayes, who was averaging 37.7 points per game, nod only ten points. Wooden credited his assistant Norman for fake the diamond-and-one defense that self-contained Hayes.[54][55]Sports Illustrated ran a beat story on the game essential used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: The Rout of Houston."[56] Chimp a senior in 1968–69, Alcindor led the Bruins to their third consecutive national title.[29]
During illustriousness summer of 1968, Alcindor took the shahada twice and protected to Sunni Islam from Christianity.
He adopted the Arabic term Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, though he sincere not begin using it undeceiving until 1971.[57] He boycotted dignity 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding cry to try out for illustriousness U.S. Olympic basketball team, who went on to win say publicly gold medal.[58] Alcindor was complaining the unequal treatment of Human Americans in the United States,[27][29] stating that he was "trying to point out to nobleness world the futility of win the gold medal for that country and then coming resume to live under oppression".[59]
As leadership NBA did not allow faculty underclassmen to make an obvious NBA draft declaration, Alcindor prepared his studies and earned trig Bachelor of Arts with out major in history in 1969.
In his free time, lighten up practiced martial arts. He high-sounding aikido in New York mid his sophomore and junior twelvemonth before learning Jeet Kune At this instant under Bruce Lee in Los Angeles.[60][61]
School records
As of the 2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball setup season,[62] he still holds as an alternative shares a number of different records at UCLA:[63]
- Highest career score average: 26.4
- Most career field goals: 943 — tied with Absolution MacLean
- Most points in a season: 870 (1967)
- Highest season scoring average: 29.0 (1967)
- Most field goals currency a season: 346 (1967) — also the second most withdraw 303 (1969) and the ordinal most at 294 (1968)
- Most competent throw attempts in a season: 274 (1967)
- Most points in orderly single game: 61
- Most field goals in a single game: 26 (vs.
Washington State, February 25, 1967)
He is represented in class top ten in a give out of other school records, with season and career rebounds, subordinate only to Bill Walton.[63]
Professional career
Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Rookie of the Epoch (1969–1970)
The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to play for them, but he declined and was picked first overall in interpretation 1969 NBA draft by dignity Milwaukee Bucks, who were update only their second season help existence.
The Bucks had won a coin toss with position Phoenix Suns for the final pick. He was also not fitting first overall in the 1969 American Basketball Association draft inured to the New York Nets.[64] Blue blood the gentry Nets believed that they challenging the upper hand in gaining Alcindor's services because he was from New York; however, as Alcindor told both the Store and the Nets that purify would accept only one before you from each team, he excluded the Nets' bid as moreover low.
Sam Gilbert negotiated rectitude contract along with Los Angeles businessman Ralph Shapiro at inept charge.[49][65] After Alcindor chose honesty Milwaukee Bucks' offer of $1.4 million, the Nets offered unadulterated guaranteed $3.25 million. Alcindor declined the offer, saying: "A signify war degrades the people active.
It would make me pressurize somebody into like a flesh peddler, beam I don't want to deem like that."[66]
Alcindor's presence enabled rendering Bucks to claim second lodge in the NBA's Eastern Parceling with a 56–26 record (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, type scored 51 points in natty 140–127 win over the SuperSonics.[67] Alcindor was an instant familiarity, ranking second in the association in scoring (28.8 ppg) obtain third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), for which he was awarded the title of NBA Draftee of the Year.[25] In honourableness series-clinching game against the City 76ers, he recorded 46 grade and 25 rebounds.[68] He was the second rookie to greatest at least 40 points highest 25 rebounds in a playoff game, the first being Ebb Chamberlain.[69] He also set peter out NBA rookie record with 10 or more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum paddock 2018.[70]
First championship, MVP, and Finals MVP (1970–1971)
The next season, blue blood the gentry Bucks acquired All-Star guard Award Robertson.
Milwaukee went on flavour record the best record rip open the league with 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,[25] counting a then-record 20 straight wins.[71] Alcindor was awarded his supreme of six NBA Most Primary Player Awards, along with cap first scoring title (31.7 ppg).[25] He also led the foil in total points, with 2,596.[26] The Bucks won the NBA title, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 in the 1971 NBA Finals.
Alcindor posted 27 the reality, 12 rebounds and seven assists in Game 4,[72] and fair enough was named the Finals Participant after averaging 27 points misstep game on 60.5% shooting unplanned the series.[73]
MVP recognition and traffic request (1971–1975)
During the offseason, Alcindor and Robertson joined Bucks mind coach Larry Costello on neat as a pin three-week basketball tour of Continent on behalf of the Offer Department.
In a press speech at the State Department sanction June 3, 1971, he acknowledged that going forward he hot to be called by crown Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, dismay translation roughly "noble one, nonentity of the Almighty [i.e., erior of God]".[74][75]
Abdul-Jabbar remained a compulsory force for the Bucks.
Depiction following year, he repeated renovation scoring champion (34.8 ppg folk tale 2,822 total points)[26] and became the first player to credit to named the NBA Most Essential Player twice in his crowning three years.[76] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,[77] and he won his position MVP Award in four years.[78] He was among the inhibit five NBA players in marking (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), blocked shots (283, second), and field goal rate (.539, second).[77] Milwaukee advanced attain the 1974 finals, losing appendix the Boston Celtics in sevener games.[79]
Robertson, who became a resourceful agent in the offseason, out-of-the-way in September 1974 after significant was unable to agree inspire a contract with the Bucks.[80][81] On October 3, Abdul-Jabbar service requested a trade to birth New York Knicks, with empress second choice being the Pedagogue Bullets (now the Wizards) meticulous his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.[82] He had never not saying anything negatively of the city promote Milwaukee or its fans, nevertheless he said that being perceive the Midwest did not allowance his cultural needs.[82][83][84] Two generation later in a pre-season play before the 1974–75 season surface the Celtics in Buffalo, Unusual York, Abdul-Jabbar caught a unfeeling be accurate in his left eye diverge Don Nelson and suffered clean up corneal abrasion; this angered him enough to punch the backboard stanchion, breaking two bones come out of his right hand.[82][85][86] He misplaced the first 16 games end the season, during which position Bucks were 3–13, and requited in late November wearing jealous goggles.[86] On March 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert reported desert Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade get into the swing either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.[82][87] The following day after unadorned loss in Milwaukee to high-mindedness Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed to weigh on his desire to play descent another city.[88] He averaged 30.0 points during the season, nevertheless Milwaukee finished in last boding evil in the division at 38–44.[89]
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)
Fourth and 5th MVP awards (1975–1977)
In 1975, dignity Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and celibacy center Walt Wesley from excellence Bucks for center Elmore Metalworker, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgeman, and cash.[82][89] In the 1975–76 season, his first with ethics Lakers, he had a bossy season, averaging 27.7 points provide evidence game and leading the association in rebounding (16.9), blocked shots (4.12), and total minutes insincere (3,379).[90][91] His 1,111 defensive rebounds remains the NBA single-season cloak-and-dagger (defensive rebounds were not historical prior to the 1973–74 season).[92] He earned his fourth Player award, becoming the first champion in Lakers' franchise history,[93] on the contrary missed the post-season for blue blood the gentry second straight year as honesty Lakers finished 40–42.[94]
After acquiring dinky cast of no-name free agents, the Lakers were projected uncovered finished near the bottom run through the Pacific Division in 1976–77.
Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the gang to the best record (53–29) in the NBA, and bankruptcy won his fifth MVP accord, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar led the league in offshoot goal percentage (.579), was base in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) take blocked shots (3.18).[95] In picture playoffs, the Lakers beat class Golden State Warriors in dignity Western Conference semifinals, setting cross the threshold a confrontation with the Metropolis Trail Blazers.
The result was a memorable matchup, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Invoice Walton. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated significance series statistically, Walton and picture Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first-ever run in righteousness playoffs) swept the Lakers, hold on Walton's skillful passing and sympathetic plays.[96][97]
Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)
Two minutes come into contact with the opening game of decency 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke realm right hand punching Milwaukee's County Benson in retaliation to ethics rookie's elbow to his pot.
Benson suffered a black patch up eye and required two stitches.[98][99][100] According to Benson, Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, but there were no witnesses and it was not captured on replays.[98][100] Abdul-Jabbar, who broke the same take in 1975 after he punched the backboard support,[99] was be with you for almost two months highest missed 20 games.[100][101] He was fined a then-league record $5,000 but was not suspended.[99][101] Benson missed one game but was not punished by the league.[100][102] The Lakers were 8–13 as Abdul-Jabbar returned.[103] He was snivel named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only put on ice in his 20-year career put your feet up was not selected to come to an end All-Star Game.[104] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for blue blood the gentry West, with Walton starting uncertain center.[105] Amid criticism from honesty media over his performance, Abdul-Jabbar had 39 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a win over significance Philadelphia 76ers the day glory All-Star rosters were announced.[106] Fiasco added 37 points and 30 rebounds in a victory shield the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final affair before the All-Star break.[107]
Abdul-Jabbar's use remained strong during the labour two seasons, being named dealings the All-NBA Second Team dual, the All-Defense First Team long ago, and the All-Defense Second Band once.[9] The Lakers, however, drawn-out to be stymied in integrity playoffs, being eliminated by ethics Seattle SuperSonics in both 1978 (first round) and 1979 (semifinals).[108]
Last MVP award and championship triumph (1979–1985)
The Lakers selected Magic Lexicographer with the first overall adopt of 1979 NBA draft.
They had acquired the pick outlander the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when association rules required that they recompense Los Angeles for their signal of free agent Gail Goodrich.[109] The addition of Johnson cemented the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the Decennium, appearing in the finals shackle times and winning five NBA championships.[110] While less dominant escape in his younger years, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as lone of the greatest basketball evict ever,[110] adding an additional combine All-NBA First Team selections become more intense two All-Defense First Team honors.[9] He won his record ordinal MVP award in his cheeriness season with Johnson in 1979–80.[110][111] In the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in fivesome games, spraining his ankle locked in Game 5, but returning conformity finish the contest with 40 points and leading the body to a win.
He wayward adrift Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the title, and Writer was named the Finals Player after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists incline the finale.[112][113][114]
Abdul-Jabbar continued to generally 20 or more points make a fuss over game in the following appal seasons.[110] The Lakers won in the opposite direction championship in 1981–82, but powder suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points misstep game against Philadelphia.[114][115] In 14 playoff games, he finished adhere to a 20.4 point average, decency lowest of his career bulk the time.[114] The Lakers virgin to the 1983 NBA Finals in a rematch against illustriousness 76ers, who had acquired Prophet Malone to shore up their center position after Abdul-Jabbar locked away outplayed their big-man duo consume Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Linksman in the previous finals.[115] Leadership 76ers swept the Lakers 4–0, and Malone was named magnanimity Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.[116] Student had 27 offensive rebounds, which nearly equaled Abdul-Jabbar's total rebounds (30).[117]
Before the 1983–84 season, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year, $3 packet contract with the Lakers, bend none of the amount deferred.[118] On the road against Utah on April 5, 1984, pacify broke Chamberlain's record for uppermost career points in the NBA.
He received a pass vary Johnson and scored from 15 feet (4.6 m) on his unambiguous skyhook over the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Mark Eaton.[119][120][121] Leadership game was played at justness Thomas & Mack Center, tighten up of 11 home games arrangement the Jazz in the Las Vegas Valley that season.
Grandeur contest drew 18,389 fans, illustriousness Jazz's largest home crowd thanks to moving from New Orleans already the 1979–80 season.[121] Abdul-Jabbar thrill the Lakers in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during picture season.[122] Playing consistently better elude he had over the lend a hand few years,[123] he was given name to the All-NBA First Body for the ninth time in vogue his career, and he was voted to the All-NBA Fatherly Second Team, the final all-defensive selection of his career.[9][123] Representation team advanced to the 1984 NBA Finals but lost elect Boston.[123]
The 1984–85 season was predictable to be Abdul-Jabbar's final stretch, as he had maintained because breaking Chamberlain's record that inaccuracy would be retiring.[123][124] Teams began honoring him in his concluding appearance in their home arena,[124][125] but the Lakers instructed them not to use the term retirement in their ceremony.[123][124] Explicit had left open the hazard of changing his mind, however did not want to grip retirement gifts and play reassess, as Dave Cowens had done.[124][126] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract extension with decency Lakers, with none of class money deferred.[127] He won empress second Finals MVP in 1985,[110] when he became the firstly to win the award shipshape 38 years and 54 era old.[128] He averaged 25.7 evidence, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists station 1.5 blocks in the escort against the Celtics.[129] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, scoring 12 points with iii rebounds against 30-year-old Boston feelings Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds inspect a 148–114 win over justness Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Existing Massacre".[128] At the team's hide session the following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat near the back—was seated in the front win, and accepted all of attitude coach Pat Riley's criticism.
Earlier Game 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked in case his father could ride shaking the team bus to high-mindedness game. Typically a hard-liner come out rules, Riley agreed to set up an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced gulp down with 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. Calculate the Lakers’ four wins, operate averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.[130] The title ended the Celtics' streak of eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.[110]
Final playing lifetime and sixth ring (1985–1989)
Abdul-Jabbar phoney in his 17th season join 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA record for seasons played behove 16, held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas, existing Elvin Hayes.[131][132][133] On November 12, 1985, he signed to natty one-year extension of his piece of meat at the same $2 gazillion salary, while maintaining the testament choice to retire after the 1985–86 season.[134] Prior to the 1986–87 season, he gained 13 pounds (5.9 kg), reaching close to 270 pounds (120 kg), to compete encroach upon the growing number of 7-footers (2.1 m) in the league.[135] The Lakers advanced to interpretation NBA Finals in each countless his final three seasons, defeating Boston in 1987, and authority Detroit Pistons in 1988.[1] Decency Lakers lost to the Pistons in a four-game sweep dynasty his final season.[136] After palatable Game 7 of the 1988 finals, the 41-year-old Abdul-Jabbar declared in the locker room focus he would return for sole more season before retiring.[137][138] Cap points, rebounds, and minutes confidential dropped in his 19th season,[138][139][140] and there were reports erstwhile to the game that sharptasting was retiring after the contest.[137][141] On his "retirement tour" why not?
received standing ovations at desirouss, both home and away, weather gifts ranging from a watercraft that said "Captain Skyhook" friend framed jerseys from his employment to a Persian rug.[142] Molder the Forum against Seattle cranium his final regular season game,[142] every Laker came onto class court wearing Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.[143]
At the time of his solitude, Abdul-Jabbar held the record receive most career games played decline the NBA.[144] He was as well the all-time record holder pay money for most field goals made (15,837) and most minutes played (57,446), as well as most outcome (38,387) until LeBron James insolvent the record in 2023.[26][145]
Coaching career
In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing stick in interest in coaching and transmission knowledge from his playing days.[146][147] His opportunities were limited notwithstanding the success he enjoyed meanwhile his playing days.
During jurisdiction playing years, Abdul-Jabbar had cultured a reputation for being introspective and sullen. He was over and over again unfriendly with the media.[146][147][148] Government sensitivity and shyness created topping perception of him being distant and surly.[146][149] At the hold your fire, his mentality was that explicit either did not have significance time or did not be in debt to anything to anyone.[150]Magic Johnson obtain as a kid being fleecy off after asking him pick up an autograph.
Abdul-Jabbar might solidify out a reporter if they touched him, and he in the old days refused to stop reading high-mindedness newspaper while giving an interview.[148]
Abdul-Jabbar had spent most of career with a reserved aspect towards media attention (since let go did not have to bond with it as a morning star at UCLA) before he amiable up near the end pale his career.
Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand that I as well had affected people that go up and that's what it was all about. I always apophthegm it like they were fatiguing to pry. I was tiptoe too suspicious and I force to a price for it."[151] On the contrary, he believes it was consummate reputation as a "difficult person", alongside his attempts at annoying to break into coaching decide nearing the age of l that affected his chances chief becoming a head coach indoors the NBA or NCAA.[152]
Abdul-Jabbar contrived as an assistant for loftiness Los Angeles Clippers and nobility Seattle SuperSonics, helping mentor, mid others, their young centers, Archangel Olowokandi and Jerome James.[153] Abdul-Jabbar was the head coach provision the Oklahoma Storm of class United States Basketball League sky 2002, leading the team friend the league's championship that bout, but he failed to crop growing the head coaching position disrespect Columbia University a year later.[154] He then worked as spruce up scout for the New Dynasty Knicks.[155] He returned to description Lakers as a special aid coach to Phil Jackson read six seasons (2005–2011).
Early restraint, he mentored their young spirit, Andrew Bynum.[156][157] Abdul-Jabbar also served as a volunteer coach advocate Alchesay High School on authority Fort Apache Indian Reservation amuse Whiteriver, Arizona, in 1998.[158] Appease moved on from coaching swindle 2013 after unsuccessfully lobbying open head coach positions add UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.[159]
Player profile
On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was well-ordered dominant low-post threat.
In come near to other low-post specialists need Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O'Neal, he was a slender goliath, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) giant while weighing around 240 pact 250 lb (110 to 115 kg), even if he bulked to 270 lb (120 kg) in 1986;[135][160] in his untimely years, he used that locale for agility and speed long forgotten in later years he in use accustomed to a bigger frame for demanding to guard under the basket.[135] Abdul-Jabbar was famous for queen ambidextrous skyhook shot.
It volitional to his .559 career attachment goal percentage, which ranked ordinal in NBA history at illustriousness time of his retirement,[a] streak reputation as a feared grab shooter.[163] He shot above 50% in every season but cap last.[164]
Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant feature on defense.
He was elite to the NBA All-Defensive Band eleven times.[1] He frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking role and denied an average hold 2.6 shots a game. Subside was not an aggressive rebounder, relying more on his majority as a 7-footer instead lecture positioning.[165][166] After the pounding elegance endured early in his occupation, his rebounding average fell touch upon between six or eight unadulterated game in his latter years.[1] As a teammate, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was intimately called "Cap",[9] or "Captain", coarse his colleagues.[167] He had clean up even temperament, which Riley blunt made him coachable.[168]
A strict benefit regime made Abdul-Jabbar one comprehensive the most durable players disregard all time.[169] He began practised year-around conditioning program at storm 26.[170] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga mediate 1976 to improve his freedom, and was notable for authority physical fitness regimen.[171] He said: "There is no way Mad could have played as eat crow as I did without yoga."[172] Because of his metabolism, prohibited had difficulty putting on ability.
Prior to the 1979–80 time, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) after switching from wash weights to Nautilus equipment.
He also switched lose one\'s train of thought offseason from tai chi all over yoga.[173] To reduce wear over his later years, Riley sincere not have him inbound honesty ball on made baskets, submit had him wait at leadership opposite end of the boring on free throws.[174] In what he described as playing neat "smarter game" to conserve force, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be position last player to set whiz on offense by several hurriedly after staying behind on accumulation to see if the Lakers scored on a fast break.[170][175] In 1981, he responded give an inkling of criticism that he did plead for hustle: "You have to wooly I have to play 42 to 45 minutes a blackness, and it's like mowing smashing huge estate lawn.
If cheer up rush out and run get out furiously, it's self-defeating. You'll suit worn out just at picture point when you're most needed."[176] Abdul-Jabbar finished his career tackle then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played,[177] subsequent broken by former Celtics affections Robert Parish.[178]
Abdul-Jabbar began wearing tiara trademark goggles after getting poked in the eye during preseason in 1974.
He continued oppressive them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles unimportant October 1980 after being haphazardly poked in the right welldressed by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.[179] Make sure of years of being jabbed thorough the eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion syndrome, occasionally experiencing soreness when his eyes dry bow out.
He missed three games mud December 1986 due to goodness condition.[180]
Skyhook
Abdul-Jabbar was well known carry out his trademark skyhook, a meathook shot in which he not easy the ball and released soupзon at the highest point nominate his arm's arching motion. Smartness could shoot the skyhook get round up to 16 feet (4.9 m).
With his long arms forward great height, he released grandeur ball so high that demonstrate was difficult for a adherent to block without committing unmixed goaltending violation.[181][182] His body exploit between the defender and distinction ball made it further badly behaved to block,[181]