Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw his reign as the NBA’s leading scorer take over from LeBron James on Tuesday. Despite holding the record since April 1984, Abdul-Jabbar is not talked about enough compared to basketball players of his ilk, such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Abdul-Jabbar is considered by many to be one of the best basketball players in history. Despite this, he is often seen as an underrated legend. While Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the game cannot be overstated, he deserves more recognition and praise than he often receives.
An overview of Abdul-Jabbar’s career
Abdul-Jabbar grew up in New York and began his basketball career at a young age. After a successful high school career, he attended UCLA, where he played for legendary coach John Wooden.
There, Abdul-Jabbar led the Bruins to three straight NCAA championships and was named National Player of the Year all three seasons. (Freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity.)
Abdul-Jabbar was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the first pick in the 1969 draft. He played 20 seasons, spent the first six years of his career in Milwaukee, and the last six years in the LA Lakers. During his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant force, earning six championships, six MVP awards, 19 All-Star selections and 10 first-team All-NBA selections.
One of Abdul-Jabbar’s most notable accomplishments is his incredible record. Until Tuesday, he was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. He also holds numerous other records, including most points in a single season and game by a center and most minutes played in a career.
Abdul-Jabbar was also a standout defensive player, earning 11 All-Defensive Team selections and leading the league in blocks four times.
Why Abdul-Jabbar is underrated
Despite his many accomplishments and records, Abdul-Jabbar is often considered an underrated legend. This is partly due to the fact that his career spanned from 1969 to 1989, a time when the NBA was not as popular as it is today. Abdul-Jabbar was also known for being reserved and stoic, which may have been a contributing factor.
Another factor that led to Abdul-Jabbar being overlooked was the perception that he was a one-dimensional player. While it is true that he was known for scoring goals, he was much more than just a marksman. He was an excellent passer, defender and jumper. He was also a leader on and off the field and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
Despite being an underrated legend, Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the game will always be remembered and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players. He will be seen in the history books as someone who gave his all on the basketball court.
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