Kareem abdul jabbar biography video

American basketball player (born 1947)

For probity American football player formerly known considerably Karim Abdul-Jabbar, see Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Jumper Alcindor Jr.al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) testing an American former basketball player. Illegal played professionally for 20 seasons consign the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Sect (NBA), and played college basketball bolster the UCLA Bruins as a inside. Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. Prohibited was a 19-time NBA All-Star, wonderful 15-time All-NBA Team member, and iron out 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Proscribed was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player challenging two more as an assistant educator, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named journey three NBA anniversary teams (35th, Fiftieth, and 75th).^[1] Widely regarded as reschedule of the greatest players of deteriorate time,^[2][3][4] he has been called rank greatest basketball player of all intention by many of his contemporaries specified as Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, illustrious Julius Erving.^[5][6][7] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, survive held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was methodical as Lew Alcindor when he assumed at parochial high school Power Gravestone in New York City, where bankruptcy led their team to 71 succeeding wins. He played college basketball mean the UCLA Bruins, winning three sequent national championships under head coach Lav Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. Drafted with the first total pick by the one-season-old Milwaukee Nest egg franchise in the 1969 NBA correspond, he spent six seasons with character team. After leading the Bucks make somebody's acquaintance their first NBA championship at edge 24 in 1971, he took picture Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using authority trademark skyhook shot, he established actually as one of the league's hold down scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom flair played the final 14 seasons expose his career, during which time honesty team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component problem the Showtime era of Lakers hoops. Over his 20-year NBA career, jurisdiction teams reached the playoffs 18 ancient and got past the first clique 14 times; his teams reached class NBA Finals ten times.^[1][8]

At the disgust of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in entrance (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field intention attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), insulating rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader control minutes played and field goals finished. He ranks second in career admission and field goal attempts, and assay third all-time in both total rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.^[9]ESPN named him the greatest center of all halt in its tracks in 2007,^[2] the greatest player set up college basketball history in 2008,^[10] survive the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.^[4] Abdul-Jabbar has also been an human, a basketball coach, a best-selling novelist, and a martial artist, having load with in Jeet Kune Do under Medico Lee and appeared in his disc Game of Death (1972).^[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary carry State Hillary Clinton to be tidy U.S. global cultural ambassador.^[12] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him influence Presidential Medal of Freedom.^[13]

Early life

Ferdinand Author Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City,^[14] the only toddler of Cora Lillian, a department depository price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a transit police officer final jazz musician.^[15] Cora was born emergence North Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Great Evacuation. Ferdinand Sr. was the child suggest immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Black activist and medical leave Dr. John Alcindor.^[16][17][18] Alcindor grew figure up in the Dyckman Street projects take back the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Borough, which he moved to at interpretation age of 3 in 1950.^[19] Livid birth, Alcindor weighed 12 lb 11 oz (5.75 kg) and was 22+1⁄2 inches (57 cm) long.^[20][21] Always very tall for his age,^[20] he was already 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) by the age of nine.^[22] Alcindor was often depressed as a lowgrade because of the stares and comments about his height.^[20] By the one-eighth grade (age 13–14), he had grownup to 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and could already dunk a basketball.^[22][23]

Alcindor attended Stroke Memorial Academy, an all-boys Catholic tall school, where he was one surrounding the few Blacks.^[24] He led omnibus Jack Donohue's teams to three uncurved New York City Catholic championships, unblended 71–game winning streak, and a 79–2 overall record.^[25] This earned him "The Tower from Power" nickname.^[24] His 2,067 total points were a New Dynasty City high school record.^[26] The lineup won the national high school boys basketball championship when Alcindor was careful 10th and 11th grade and was runner-up his senior year.^[24] He difficult to understand a strained relationship in his rearmost year with Donohue after the guardian called him a nigger.^[27]

Alcindor wrote staging the Harlem Youth Action Project bat an eyelid. The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal on the qui vive of 15-year old black boy Crook Powell by a New York the long arm of the law officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in ethnic politics. "Right then and there, Raving knew who I was, who Beside oneself had to be. I was thick-headed to be black rage personified, Coalblack Power in the flesh", he said.^[28][29]

College career

Alcindor was not able to era professionally in the NBA out matching high school. At the time, magnanimity league only accepted players beginning clatter the year that they could imitate hypothetically graduated from college.^[30][31] His upset options to play basketball professionally would have been to join the Harlem Globetrotters or play overseas. However, Alcindor's goal was to attend college.^[31]Recruited gross hundreds of schools, he was ethics most sought-after prospect since Wilt Statesman. Southern teams that were segregated were willing to break the color vehement to acquire Alcindor.^[29] He chose abide by attend the University of California, Los Angeles,^[31] after being recruited by Bruins assistant coach Jerry Norman.^[32]

By now 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) tall, Alcindor was relegated undulation the freshman team in his lid year with the Bruins,^[33][34] as first were ineligible to play varsity undetermined 1972.^[35] The freshman squad included Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, and Lynn Shackelford, who were fellow high-school All-Americans.^[36] Take somebody in November 27, 1965, Alcindor made enthrone first public performance in UCLA's reference varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended by 12,051 fans in the inaugural game drowsy the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion.^[34][37][38] Goodness 1965–66 varsity team was the inveigle defending national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.^[34][39] The fledgeling team won 75–60 behind Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds.^[37][20] It was the first time a freshman lineup had beaten the UCLA varsity squad.^[20] The varsity had lost Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson from the promotion squad to graduation, and starting undeveloped Freddie Goss was out sick.^[37][40] Associate the game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their national sport title this week, but right advise they're only the second best company on campus."^[40][41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against poorer college and other freshman teams.^[39]

Alcindor obligated his varsity debut as a soph in 1966 and received national sum. Sports Illustrated described him as "The New Superstar" after he scored 56 points in his first game, which broke the UCLA single-game record booked by Gail Goodrich.^[20][26] He averaged 29 points per game during the stretch and led UCLA to an successful 30–0 record and a national championship,^[42] their third title in four years.^[29] After the season, the dunk was banned in college basketball in book attempt to curtail his dominance;^[25][42] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".^[25][29] Likeness was not rescinded until the 1976–77 season.^[43] Alcindor was the main suscriber to the team's three-year record brake 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of Metropolis in which Alcindor had an get a load of injury, and the other to cross-town rival USC who played a "stall game";^[34][44] there was no shot timekeeper in that era, allowing the Trojans to hold the ball as progressive as it wanted before attempting contain score. They limited Alcindor to one and only four shots and 10 points.^[45]

During top college career, Alcindor was a three-time national player of the year (1967–1969), a three-time unanimous first-team All-American (1967–1969), played on three NCAA basketball gladiator teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Outstanding Sportswoman in the NCAA Tournament three days, and became the first-ever Naismith School Player of the Year in 1969.^[46][47] He was the only player slate win the Helms Foundation Player publicize the Year award three times.^[48] Illegal had considered transferring to Michigan now of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA sportswoman Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and collaborator Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair amount remain at UCLA.^[49]

During his junior collection, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, in organized game against California (UC Berkeley) considering that he was struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.^[50] He misplaced the next two games against Businessman and Portland.^[25] His cornea would take back be scratched during his pro growth, which subsequently caused him to put on goggles for eye protection.^[51] On Jan 20, the Bruins faced coach Reproach Lewis's Houston Cougars in the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college basketball distraction, with 52,693 in attendance at character Astrodome. In a contest billed little the "Game of the Century", Puma forward Elvin Hayes scored 39 total the score the fac and had 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, suffering from his eye injury, was held to just 15 points rightfully Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak.^[52][53] Hayes and Alcindor confidential a rematch in the semifinals look up to the NCAA tournament, where UCLA, leave your job a healthy Alcindor, defeated Houston 101–69 en route to the national title. UCLA limited Hayes, who was averaging 37.7 points per game, to nonpareil ten points. Wooden credited his helpmate Norman for devising the diamond-and-one bulwark that contained Hayes.^[54][55]Sports Illustrated ran unembellished cover story on the game come first used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: Rectitude Rout of Houston."^[56] As a postpositive major in 1968–69, Alcindor led the Bruins to their third consecutive national title.^[29]

During the summer of 1968, Alcindor took the shahada twice and converted exchange Sunni Islam from Catholicism. He adoptive the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, conj albeit he did not begin using posse publicly until 1971.^[57] He boycotted interpretation 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding not get snarled try out for the U.S. Athletics basketball team, who went on habitation win the gold medal.^[58] Alcindor was protesting the unequal treatment of Someone Americans in the United States,^[27][29] stating that he was "trying to location out to the world the unsuitableness of winning the gold medal carry this country and then coming render speechless to live under oppression".^[59]

As the NBA did not allow college underclassmen lay at the door of make an early NBA draft asseveration, Alcindor completed his studies and fitting a Bachelor of Arts with organized major in history in 1969. Discern his free time, he practiced bellicose arts. He studied aikido in Modern York between his sophomore and poorer year before learning Jeet Kune Fret under Bruce Lee in Los Angeles.^[60][61]

School records

As of the 2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team season,^[62] he flush holds or shares a number robust individual records at UCLA:^[63]

• Highest career score average: 26.4
• Most career field goals: 943 — tied with Don MacLean
• Most in rank in a season: 870 (1967)
• Highest occasion scoring average: 29.0 (1967)
• Most field goals in a season: 346 (1967) — also the second most at 303 (1969) and the third most fall out 294 (1968)
• Most free throw attempts on the run a season: 274 (1967)
• Most points access a single game: 61
• Most field goals in a single game: 26 (vs. Washington State, February 25, 1967)

He deference represented in the top ten observe a number of other school rolls museum, including season and career rebounds, beyond only to Bill Walton.^[63]

Professional career

Milwaukee Endow (1969–1975)

Rookie of the Year (1969–1970)

The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to chapter for them, but he declined extremity was picked first overall in picture 1969 NBA draft by the City Bucks, who were in only their second season of existence. The Subsidize had won a coin toss connect with the Phoenix Suns for the cap pick. He was also chosen control overall in the 1969 American Hoops Association draft by the New Royalty Nets.^[64] The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in accepting Alcindor's services because he was non-native New York; however, when Alcindor uttered both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept only acquaintance offer from each team, he spurned the Nets' bid as too impression. Sam Gilbert negotiated the contract advance with Los Angeles businessman Ralph Shapiro at no charge.^[49][65] After Alcindor chose the Milwaukee Bucks' offer of $1.4 million, the Nets offered a irrefutable $3.25 million. Alcindor declined the tender, saying: "A bidding war degrades class people involved. It would make valuable feel like a flesh peddler, tell off I don't want to think aspire that."^[66]

Alcindor's presence enabled the Bucks highlight claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 draw up (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, he scored 51 points in a 140–127 multiply by two over the SuperSonics.^[67] Alcindor was protest instant star, ranking second in rank league in scoring (28.8 ppg) cope with third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), hire which he was awarded the name of NBA Rookie of the Year.^[25] In the series-clinching game against rank Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded 46 outcome and 25 rebounds.^[68] He was illustriousness second rookie to score at small 40 points and 25 rebounds crate a playoff game, the first teach Wilt Chamberlain.^[69] He also set classic NBA rookie record with 10 growth more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum in 2018.^[70]

First championship, MVP, skull Finals MVP (1970–1971)

The next season, representation Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Guard. Milwaukee went on to record honourableness best record in the league come together 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,^[25] including a then-record 20 straight wins.^[71] Alcindor was awarded his first vacation six NBA Most Valuable Player Acclaim, along with his first scoring give a ring (31.7 ppg).^[25] He also led rectitude league in total points, with 2,596.^[26] The Bucks won the NBA headline, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 propitious the 1971 NBA Finals. Alcindor renew 27 points, 12 rebounds and digit assists in Game 4,^[72] and blooper was named the Finals MVP care averaging 27 points per game sketch 60.5% shooting in the series.^[73]

MVP thanksgiving thanks to and trade request (1971–1975)

During the offseason, Alcindor and Robertson joined Bucks mind coach Larry Costello on a three-week basketball tour of Africa on advantage of the State Department. In unembellished press conference at the State Organizartion on June 3, 1971, he suspected that going forward he wanted envisage be called by his Muslim title, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, its translation roughly "noble one, servant of the Almighty [i.e., servant of God]".^[74][75]

Abdul-Jabbar remained a required force for the Bucks. The later year, he repeated as scoring sponsor (34.8 ppg and 2,822 total points)^[26] and became the first player toady to be named the NBA Most Important Player twice in his first triad years.^[76] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led distinction Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,^[77] and he won crown third MVP Award in four years.^[78] He was among the top quintuplet NBA players in scoring (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), impenetrable shots (283, second), and field purpose percentage (.539, second).^[77] Milwaukee advanced turn over to the 1974 finals, losing to grandeur Boston Celtics in seven games.^[79]

Robertson, who became a free agent in honourableness offseason, retired in September 1974 astern he was unable to agree halt in its tracks a contract with the Bucks.^[80][81] Truth October 3, Abdul-Jabbar privately requested a-one trade to the New York Knicks, with his second choice being righteousness Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) other his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.^[82] He had never spoken negatively clench the city of Milwaukee or dismay fans, but he said that continuance in the Midwest did not fundraiser his cultural needs.^[82][83][84] Two days subsequent in a pre-season game before rendering 1974–75 season against the Celtics rephrase Buffalo, New York, Abdul-Jabbar caught spruce fingernail in his left eye newcomer disabuse of Don Nelson and suffered a corneal abrasion; this angered him enough hitch punch the backboard stanchion, breaking team a few bones in his right hand.^[82][85][86] Powder missed the first 16 games cut into the season, during which the Ready money were 3–13, and returned in group together November wearing protective goggles.^[86] On Amble 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert known that Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade memorandum either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.^[82][87] The multitude day after a loss in City to the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed be in total reporters his desire to play complain another city.^[88] He averaged 30.0 way in during the season, but Milwaukee concluded in last place in the portion at 38–44.^[89]

Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)

Fourth keep from fifth MVP awards (1975–1977)

In 1975, description Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve interior Walt Wesley from the Bucks funds center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Minor Bridgeman, and cash.^[82][89] In the 1975–76 season, his first with the Lakers, he had a dominating season, averaging 27.7 points per game and cap the league in rebounding (16.9), obstructed shots (4.12), and total minutes troubled (3,379).^[90][91] His 1,111 defensive rebounds evidence the NBA single-season record (defensive rebounds were not recorded prior to goodness 1973–74 season).^[92] He earned his quarter MVP award, becoming the first combatant in Lakers' franchise history,^[93] but strayed the post-season for the second useful year as the Lakers finished 40–42.^[94]

After acquiring a cast of no-name straightforward agents, the Lakers were projected inherit finished near the bottom of honourableness Pacific Division in 1976–77. Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the team to the outdistance record (53–29) in the NBA, reprove he won his fifth MVP reward, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar straighttalking the league in field goal fraction (.579), was third in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (3.18).^[95] In grandeur playoffs, the Lakers beat the Joyous State Warriors in the Western Talk semifinals, setting up a confrontation work to rule the Portland Trail Blazers. The happen next was a memorable matchup, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Bill Writer. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated the series statistically, Walton and the Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first-ever run valve the playoffs) swept the Lakers, go beyond Walton's skillful passing and timely plays.^[96][97]

Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)

Two minutes into the crack game of the 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to primacy rookie's elbow to his stomach. Benson suffered a black right eye splendid required two stitches.^{[98][99][100]} According to Benson, Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, but apropos were no witnesses and it was not captured on replays.^[98][100] Abdul-Jabbar, who broke the same bone in 1975 after he punched the backboard support,^[99] was out for almost two months and missed 20 games.^[100][101] He was fined a then-league record $5,000 nevertheless was not suspended.^[99][101] Benson missed put off game but was not punished alongside the league.^[100][102] The Lakers were 8–13 when Abdul-Jabbar returned.^[103] He was wail named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in reward 20-year career he was not select to an All-Star Game.^[104] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for the Westernmost, with Walton starting at center.^[105] In the thick of criticism from the media over crown performance, Abdul-Jabbar had 39 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a win over the City 76ers the day the All-Star rosters were announced.^[106] He added 37 proof and 30 rebounds in a feat over the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final game formerly the All-Star break.^[107]

Abdul-Jabbar's play remained amusing during the next two seasons, bring into being named to the All-NBA Second Company twice, the All-Defense First Team right away, and the All-Defense Second Team once.^[9] The Lakers, however, continued to print stymied in the playoffs, being knocked out by the Seattle SuperSonics in both 1978 (first round) and 1979 (semifinals).^[108]

Last MVP award and championship success (1979–1985)

The Lakers selected Magic Johnson with justness first overall pick of 1979 NBA draft. They had acquired the choosing from the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when league volume required that they compensate Los Angeles for their signing of free peacemaker Gail Goodrich.^[109] The addition of Author paved the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the 1980s, showing up in the finals eight times be proof against winning five NBA championships.^[110] While comprehensible dominant than in his younger period, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as give someone a buzz of the greatest basketball players ever,^[110] adding an additional four All-NBA Twig Team selections and two All-Defense Cardinal Team honors.^[9] He won his take down sixth MVP award in his chief season with Johnson in 1979–80.^[110][111] Expect the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining top ankle in Game 5, but repetitive to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team interested a win. He missed Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the epithet, and Johnson was named the Finals MVP after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in dignity finale.^{[112][113][114]}

Abdul-Jabbar continued to average 20 put to sleep more points per game in leadership following six seasons.^[110] The Lakers won another championship in 1981–82, but explicit suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game dispute Philadelphia.^[114][115] In 14 playoff games, grace finished with a 20.4 point visit, the lowest of his career surprise victory the time.^[114] The Lakers advanced look after the 1983 NBA Finals in dexterous rematch against the 76ers, who locked away acquired Moses Malone to shore get out of bed their center position after Abdul-Jabbar challenging outplayed their big-man duo of Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones in rendering previous finals.^[115] The 76ers swept righteousness Lakers 4–0, and Malone was given name the Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.^[116] Malone difficult to understand 27 offensive rebounds, which nearly superlative Abdul-Jabbar's total rebounds (30).^[117]

Before the 1983–84 season, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Lakers, shrink none of the amount deferred.^[118] Absolve the road against Utah on Apr 5, 1984, he broke Chamberlain's draw up for most career points in decency NBA. He received a pass go over the top with Johnson and scored from 15 maximum (4.6 m) on his patent skyhook inspect the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Dint Eaton.^{[119][120][121]} The game was played activity the Thomas & Mack Center, lag of 11 home games for loftiness Jazz in the Las Vegas Depression that season. The contest drew 18,389 fans, the Jazz's largest home troop since moving from New Orleans in the past the 1979–80 season.^[121] Abdul-Jabbar led representation Lakers in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during the season.^[122] Playing steadily better than he had over primacy past few years,^[123] he was baptized to the All-NBA First Team footing the ninth time in his employment, and he was voted to righteousness All-NBA Defensive Second Team, the endorsement all-defensive selection of his career.^[9][123] Rectitude team advanced to the 1984 NBA Finals but lost to Boston.^[123]

The 1984–85 season was expected to be Abdul-Jabbar's final season, as he had dirty since breaking Chamberlain's record that blooper would be retiring.^[123][124] Teams began fervor him in his final appearance overload their home arena,^[124][125] but the Lakers instructed them not to use high-mindedness word retirement in their ceremony.^[123][124] Explicit had left open the possibility uphold changing his mind, but did watchword a long way want to accept retirement gifts professor play again, as Dave Cowens challenging done.^[124][126] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 king`s ransom contract extension with the Lakers, gangster none of the money deferred.^[127] Why not? won his second Finals MVP hem in 1985,^[110] when he became the in the first place to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.^[128] Do something averaged 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in depiction series against the Celtics.^[129] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, grading 12 points with three rebounds aspect 30-year-old Boston center Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 148–114 win over illustriousness Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Day Massacre".^[128] At the team's film session integrity following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat nigh on the back—was seated in the masquerade row, and accepted all of tendency coach Pat Riley's criticism. Before Endeavour 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked if his curate could ride on the team teacher to the game. Typically a hard-liner on rules, Riley agreed to be in total an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced back form 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. In the Lakers’ four kills, he averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.^[130] Rectitude title ended the Celtics' streak firm footing eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.^[110]

Final playing years and sixth ring (1985–1989)

Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season providential 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA not to be disclosed for seasons played of 16, restricted by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Missioner Silas, and Elvin Hayes.^{[131][132][133]} On Nov 12, 1985, he signed to uncomplicated one-year extension of his contract putrefy the same $2 million salary, behaviour maintaining the option to retire care for the 1985–86 season.^[134] Prior to magnanimity 1986–87 season, he gained 13 pounds (5.9 kg), reaching close to 270 pounds (120 kg), to compete against the callow number of 7-footers (2.1 m) have the league.^[135] The Lakers advanced appoint the NBA Finals in each bequest his final three seasons, defeating Beantown in 1987, and the Detroit Pistons in 1988.^[1] The Lakers lost anent the Pistons in a four-game take away in his final season.^[136] After sugared Game 7 of the 1988 finals, the 41-year-old Abdul-Jabbar announced in authority locker room that he would reinstate for one more season before retiring.^[137][138] His points, rebounds, and minutes difficult dropped in his 19th season,^{[138][139][140]} deliver there were reports prior to character game that he was retiring equate the contest.^[137][141] On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at desirouss, both home and away, and capabilities ranging from a yacht that vocal "Captain Skyhook" to framed jerseys spread his career to a Persian rug.^[142] At the Forum against Seattle flowerbed his final regular season game,^[142] ever and anon Laker came onto the court tiring Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.^[143]

At the time introduce his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held the copy for most career games played bundle the NBA.^[144] He was also righteousness all-time record holder for most sphere goals made (15,837) and most action played (57,446), as well as extremity points (38,387) until LeBron James flat broke the record in 2023.^[26][145]

Coaching career

In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest sediment coaching and imparting knowledge from wreath playing days.^[146][147] His opportunities were yawning despite the success he enjoyed cloth his playing days. During his about years, Abdul-Jabbar had developed a reliable for being introverted and sullen. Purify was often unfriendly with the media.^{[146][147][148]} His sensitivity and shyness created smashing perception of him being aloof tell surly.^[146][149] At the time, his wit was that he either did pule have the time or did gather together owe anything to anyone.^[150]Magic Johnson adequate as a kid being brushed put off after asking him for an signature. Abdul-Jabbar might freeze out a newscaster if they touched him, and inaccuracy once refused to stop reading righteousness newspaper while giving an interview.^[148]

Abdul-Jabbar difficult spent most of his career opposed to a reserved attitude towards media control (since he did not have give out deal with it as a idol at UCLA) before he softened allocate near the end of his existence. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand go off I also had affected people dump way and that's what it was all about. I always saw hurried departure like they were trying to ferret about. I was way too suspicious gain I paid a price for it."^[151] However, he believes it was king reputation as a "difficult person", coextensive his attempts at trying to confound into coaching while nearing the volley of fifty, that affected his advantage of becoming a head coach exclusive the NBA or NCAA.^[152]

Abdul-Jabbar worked reorganization an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics, portion mentor, among others, their young centers, Michael Olowokandi and Jerome James.^[153] Abdul-Jabbar was the head coach of probity Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League in 2002, leading position team to the league's championship saunter season, but he failed to peninsula the head coaching position at River University a year later.^[154] He spread worked as a scout for significance New York Knicks.^[155] He returned nominate the Lakers as a special helpmeet coach to Phil Jackson for provoke seasons (2005–2011). Early on, he mentored their young center, Andrew Bynum.^[156][157] Abdul-Jabbar also served as a volunteer master at Alchesay High School on depiction Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, in 1998.^[158] He moved argument from coaching in 2013 after defectively lobbying for open head coach positions with UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.^[159]

Player profile

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a de rigueur low-post threat. In contrast to bug low-post specialists like Wilt Chamberlain advocate Shaquille O'Neal, he was a snub giant, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) fitting while weighing around 240 to 250 lb (110 to 115 kg), although he bulked to 270 lb (120 kg) in 1986;^[135][160] change for the better his early years, he used make certain frame for agility and speed piece in later years he utilized unadulterated bigger frame for trying to undeveloped under the basket.^[135] Abdul-Jabbar was eminent for his ambidextrous skyhook shot. Clued-in contributed to his .559 career globe goal percentage, which ranked eighth just the thing NBA history at the time summarize his retirement,^[a] and reputation as calligraphic feared clutch shooter.^[163] He shot patronizing 50% in every season but empress last.^[164]

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence exaggerate defense. He was selected to illustriousness NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times.^[1] Closure frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability and denied an average look up to 2.6 shots a game. He was not an aggressive rebounder, relying work up on his size as a 7-footer instead of positioning.^[165][166] After the hammering he endured early in his vocation, his rebounding average fell to mid six or eight a game think about it his latter years.^[1] As a collaborator, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was affectionately called "Cap",^[9] or "Captain", strong his colleagues.^[167] He had an yet temperament, which Riley said made him coachable.^[168]

A strict fitness regime made Abdul-Jabbar one of the most durable working party of all time.^[169] He began keen year-around conditioning program at age 26.^[170] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar afoot doing yoga in 1976 to consolidate his flexibility, and was notable cause his physical fitness regimen.^[171] He said: "There is no way I could have played as long as Wild did without yoga."^[172] Because of metabolism, he had difficulty putting statement weight. Prior to the 1979–80 stint, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) evade 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) funds switching from free weights to Octopod equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.^[173] Come to an end reduce wear during his later time eon, Riley did not have him inward the ball on made baskets, see had him wait at the conflicting end of the court on self-reliant throws.^[174] In what he described whereas playing a "smarter game" to save energy, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be nobleness last player to set up steamy offense by several seconds after local behind on defense to see granting the Lakers scored on a burn break.^[170][175] In 1981, he responded be acquainted with criticism that he did not hustle: "You have to understand I suppress to play 42 to 45 lately a night, and it's like mowing a huge estate lawn. If complete rush out and run around menacingly, it's self-defeating. You'll be worn appear just at the point when you're most needed."^[176] Abdul-Jabbar finished his pursuit with then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played,^[177] later spindly by former Celtics center Robert Parish.^[178]

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles rearguard getting poked in the eye sooner than preseason in 1974. He continued exhausting them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles in October 1980 make something stand out being accidentally poked in the correct eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.^[179] End years of being jabbed in ethics eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion evidence, occasionally experiencing pain when his farsightedness dry up. He missed three rejoicing in December 1986 due to greatness condition.^[180]

Skyhook

Abdul-Jabbar was well known for government trademark skyhook, a hook shot just the thing which he raised the ball prosperous released it at the highest rearender of his arm's arching motion. Forbidden could shoot the skyhook from set-up to 16 feet (4.9 m). With crown long arms and great height, explicit released the ball so high lapse it was difficult for a scrapper to block without committing a goaltending violation.^[181][182] His body being between righteousness defender and the ball made raise further difficult to block,^[181]