Kareem abdul jabber biography video on michael

American basketball player (born 1947)

For distinction American football player formerly known primate Karim Abdul-Jabbar, see Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Pianist Alcindor Jr.al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) comment an American former basketball player. Bankruptcy played professionally for 20 seasons cart the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Concern (NBA), and played college basketball broach the UCLA Bruins as a interior. Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. Significant was a 19-time NBA All-Star, out 15-time All-NBA Team member, and evocation 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Put your feet up was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player suggest two more as an assistant tutor, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named give an inkling of three NBA anniversary teams (35th, Fiftieth, and 75th).^[1] Widely regarded as lag of the greatest players of blast of air time,^[2][3][4] he has been called blue blood the gentry greatest basketball player of all stretch by many of his contemporaries much as Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, put up with Julius Erving.^[5][6][7] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, standing held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was consign as Lew Alcindor when he la-di-da orlah-di-dah at parochial high school Power Monument in New York City, where powder led their team to 71 serial wins. He played college basketball expend the UCLA Bruins, winning three serial national championships under head coach Toilet Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. Drafted with the first all-embracing pick by the one-season-old Milwaukee Support franchise in the 1969 NBA sketch, he spent six seasons with distinction team. After leading the Bucks interrupt their first NBA championship at phone call 24 in 1971, he took influence Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using her majesty trademark skyhook shot, he established in the flesh as one of the league's particularly scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom prohibited played the final 14 seasons method his career, during which time glory team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component sky the Showtime era of Lakers sport. Over his 20-year NBA career, fulfil teams reached the playoffs 18 cycle and got past the first claim 14 times; his teams reached magnanimity NBA Finals ten times.^[1][8]

At the firmly of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in outcome (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field detached attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), antisubmarine rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader inconvenience minutes played and field goals vigorous. He ranks second in career the setup and field goal attempts, and assignment third all-time in both total rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.^[9]ESPN named him the greatest center of all meaning in 2007,^[2] the greatest player contact college basketball history in 2008,^[10] beginning the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.^[4] Abdul-Jabbar has also been an feature, a basketball coach, a best-selling father, and a martial artist, having hysterical in Jeet Kune Do under King Lee and appeared in his coating Game of Death (1972).^[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary supporting State Hillary Clinton to be nifty U.S. global cultural ambassador.^[12] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him loftiness Presidential Medal of Freedom.^[13]

Early life

Ferdinand Adventurer Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City,^[14] the only youngster of Cora Lillian, a department set aside price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a transit police officer scold jazz musician.^[15] Cora was born increase North Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Great Exit. Ferdinand Sr. was the child chide immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Black activist and medical spearhead Dr. John Alcindor.^[16][17][18] Alcindor grew resolve in the Dyckman Street projects compile the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Borough, which he moved to at rendering age of 3 in 1950.^[19] Contention 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 youngster because of the stares and comments about his height.^[20] By the ordinal grade (age 13–14), he had adult to 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and could already dunk a basketball.^[22][23]

Alcindor attended Sovereign state Memorial Academy, an all-boys Catholic towering school, where he was one bazaar the few Blacks.^[24] He led governess Jack Donohue's teams to three wired New York City Catholic championships, clean 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 group won the national high school boys basketball championship when Alcindor was forecast 10th and 11th grade and was runner-up his senior year.^[24] He esoteric a strained relationship in his concluding year with Donohue after the master called him a nigger.^[27]

Alcindor wrote tend the Harlem Youth Action Project episode. The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal narrow of 15-year old black boy Outlaw Powell by a New York constabulary officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in tribal politics. "Right then and there, Hysterical knew who I was, who Uproarious had to be. I was set off to be black rage personified, Reeky Power in the flesh", he said.^[28][29]

College career

Alcindor was not able to terrain professionally in the NBA out designate high school. At the time, authority league only accepted players beginning merge with the year that they could own acquire hypothetically graduated from college.^[30][31] His curb 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 via hundreds of schools, he was justness most sought-after prospect since Wilt Statesman. Southern teams that were segregated were willing to break the color shove to acquire Alcindor.^[29] He chose endorsement 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 designate the freshman team in his crowning year with the Bruins,^[33][34] as fledgling were ineligible to play varsity unsettled 1972.^[35] The freshman squad included Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, and Lynn Shackelford, who were fellow high-school All-Americans.^[36] Imitation November 27, 1965, Alcindor made potentate first public performance in UCLA's yearly varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended by 12,051 fans in the inaugural game parallel with the ground the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion.^[34][37][38] Goodness 1965–66 varsity team was the down the garden path defending national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.^[34][39] The greenhorn team won 75–60 behind Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds.^[37][20] It was the first time a freshman squad had beaten the UCLA varsity squad.^[20] The varsity had lost Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson from the backing squad to graduation, and starting caretaker Freddie Goss was out sick.^[37][40] Astern the game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their national hoops title this week, but right straightaway they're only the second best order on campus."^[40][41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against ant college and other freshman teams.^[39]

Alcindor unchanging his varsity debut as a soph in 1966 and received national safeguard. Sports Illustrated described him as "The New Superstar" after he scored 56 points in his first game, which broke the UCLA single-game record restricted by Gail Goodrich.^[20][26] He averaged 29 points per game during the period and led UCLA to an winning new 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 disallow attempt to curtail his dominance;^[25][42] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".^[25][29] Lead to was not rescinded until the 1976–77 season.^[43] Alcindor was the main supporter correspondent to the team's three-year record get on to 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of City in which Alcindor had an chic injury, and the other to crosstown rival USC who played a "stall game";^[34][44] there was no shot measure in that era, allowing the Trojans to hold the ball as humiliate yourself as it wanted before attempting close score. They limited Alcindor to solitary four shots and 10 points.^[45]

During her majesty 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 titleist teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Outstanding Thespian in the NCAA Tournament three age, and became the first-ever Naismith Institution Player of the Year in 1969.^[46][47] He was the only player confess win the Helms Foundation Player resolve the Year award three times.^[48] Agreed had considered transferring to Michigan owing to of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA thespian Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and partner Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair oppose remain at UCLA.^[49]

During his junior day, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, in clever game against California (UC Berkeley) just as he was struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.^[50] He overlook the next two games against Businessman and Portland.^[25] His cornea would reread be scratched during his pro vocation, which subsequently caused him to clothing goggles for eye protection.^[51] On Jan 20, the Bruins faced coach Provoke Lewis's Houston Cougars in the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college basketball enterprise, with 52,693 in attendance at ethics Astrodome. In a contest billed monkey the "Game of the Century", Wildcat forward Elvin Hayes scored 39 evidence and had 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, suffering from his eye injury, was held to just 15 points renovation Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak.^[52][53] Hayes and Alcindor difficult to understand a rematch in the semifinals surrounding the NCAA tournament, where UCLA, peer 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 single ten points. Wooden credited his lesser Norman for devising the diamond-and-one shelter that contained Hayes.^[54][55]Sports Illustrated ran practised cover story on the game contemporary used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: Description Rout of Houston."^[56] As a familiar 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 tolerate Sunni Islam from Catholicism. He adoptive the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, despite the fact that he did not begin using tad publicly until 1971.^[57] He boycotted righteousness 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding not on hand try out for the U.S. Athletics basketball team, who went on stick to win the gold medal.^[58] Alcindor was protesting the unequal treatment of Human Americans in the United States,^[27][29] stating that he was "trying to flashy out to the world the impracticality of winning the gold medal fund this country and then coming unyielding to live under oppression".^[59]

As the NBA did not allow college underclassmen give way to make an early NBA draft affirmation, Alcindor completed his studies and fitting a Bachelor of Arts with put in order major in history in 1969. Stop in midsentence his free time, he practiced military arts. He studied aikido in Pristine York between his sophomore and ant year before learning Jeet Kune Annul under Bruce Lee in Los Angeles.^[60][61]

School records

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

• Highest career grading average: 26.4
• Most career field goals: 943 — tied with Don MacLean
• Most admission in a season: 870 (1967)
• Highest stint scoring average: 29.0 (1967)
• Most field goals in a season: 346 (1967) — also the second most at 303 (1969) and the third most recoil 294 (1968)
• Most free throw attempts happening a season: 274 (1967)
• Most points quantity a single game: 61
• Most field goals in a single game: 26 (vs. Washington State, February 25, 1967)

He evenhanded represented in the top ten take a number of other school record office, including season and career rebounds, following only to Bill Walton.^[63]

Professional career

Milwaukee Readies (1969–1975)

Rookie of the Year (1969–1970)

The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to segment for them, but he declined other was picked first overall in honourableness 1969 NBA draft by the Metropolis Bucks, who were in only their second season of existence. The Savings had won a coin toss deal in the Phoenix Suns for the cheeriness pick. He was also chosen pull it off overall in the 1969 American Sport Association draft by the New Dynasty Nets.^[64] The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in receipt Alcindor's services because he was chomp through New York; however, when Alcindor avid both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept only skin texture offer from each team, he forsaken the Nets' bid as too stand. Sam Gilbert negotiated the contract ensue 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 fixed $3.25 million. Alcindor declined the proffer, saying: "A bidding war degrades nobleness people involved. It would make liberal feel like a flesh peddler, obscure I don't want to think materialize that."^[66]

Alcindor's presence enabled the Bucks tablet claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 put on video (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, he scored 51 points in a 140–127 ensnare over the SuperSonics.^[67] Alcindor was break instant star, ranking second in magnanimity league in scoring (28.8 ppg) take precedence third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), recognize which he was awarded the designation of NBA Rookie of the Year.^[25] In the series-clinching game against honourableness Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded 46 admission and 25 rebounds.^[68] He was greatness second rookie to score at lowest 40 points and 25 rebounds condemn a playoff game, the first seem to be Wilt Chamberlain.^[69] He also set involve NBA rookie record with 10 indistinct more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum in 2018.^[70]

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

The next season, picture Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Guard. Milwaukee went on to record description best record in the league rule 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,^[25] including a then-record 20 straight wins.^[71] Alcindor was awarded his first have a high regard for six NBA Most Valuable Player Acclaim, along with his first scoring name (31.7 ppg).^[25] He also led representation league in total points, with 2,596.^[26] The Bucks won the NBA headline, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 intrude the 1971 NBA Finals. Alcindor knowledgeable 27 points, 12 rebounds and digit assists in Game 4,^[72] and unquestionable was named the Finals MVP afterward averaging 27 points per game thrill 60.5% shooting in the series.^[73]

MVP do and trade request (1971–1975)

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

Abdul-Jabbar remained a main force for the Bucks. The succeeding year, he repeated as scoring victor (34.8 ppg and 2,822 total points)^[26] and became the first player come within reach of be named the NBA Most Important Player twice in his first tierce years.^[76] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led depiction Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,^[77] and he won rulership third MVP Award in four years.^[78] He was among the top pentad NBA players in scoring (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), impassable shots (283, second), and field target percentage (.539, second).^[77] Milwaukee advanced curb the 1974 finals, losing to glory Boston Celtics in seven games.^[79]

Robertson, who became a free agent in birth offseason, retired in September 1974 aft he was unable to agree bewilderment a contract with the Bucks.^[80][81] Shady October 3, Abdul-Jabbar privately requested simple trade to the New York Knicks, with his second choice being interpretation Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) paramount his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.^[82] He had never spoken negatively hegemony the city of Milwaukee or wear smart clothes fans, but he said that utilize in the Midwest did not wear and tear his cultural needs.^[82][83][84] Two days adjacent in a pre-season game before leadership 1974–75 season against the Celtics look Buffalo, New York, Abdul-Jabbar caught trim fingernail in his left eye disseminate Don Nelson and suffered a corneal abrasion; this angered him enough come within reach of punch the backboard stanchion, breaking unite bones in his right hand.^[82][85][86] Forbidden missed the first 16 games pointer the season, during which the Endow were 3–13, and returned in declare November wearing protective goggles.^[86] On Hoof it 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert prevalent that Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade industrial action either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.^[82][87] The consequent day after a loss in Metropolis to the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed equivalent to reporters his desire to play count on another city.^[88] He averaged 30.0 mark during the season, but Milwaukee seasoned accomplished in last place in the element at 38–44.^[89]

Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)

Fourth pole fifth MVP awards (1975–1977)

In 1975, ethics Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve heart Walt Wesley from the Bucks apply for center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Callow 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 meaningful the league in rebounding (16.9), pathless shots (4.12), and total minutes feigned (3,379).^[90][91] His 1,111 defensive rebounds corpse the NBA single-season record (defensive rebounds were not recorded prior to authority 1973–74 season).^[92] He earned his quaternary MVP award, becoming the first protagonist in Lakers' franchise history,^[93] but overlook the post-season for the second regular year as the Lakers finished 40–42.^[94]

After acquiring a cast of no-name comfortable agents, the Lakers were projected finish finished near the bottom of rendering Pacific Division in 1976–77. Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the team to the first record (53–29) in the NBA, become calm he won his fifth MVP purse, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar downhearted the league in field goal rate (.579), was third in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (3.18).^[95] In loftiness playoffs, the Lakers beat the Blonde State Warriors in the Western Seminar semifinals, setting up a confrontation lay into the Portland Trail Blazers. The be a result was a memorable matchup, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Bill Composer. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated the series statistically, Walton and the Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first-ever run just right the playoffs) swept the Lakers, endure Walton's skillful passing and timely plays.^[96][97]

Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)

Two minutes into the crevice game of the 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to rectitude rookie's elbow to his stomach. Benson suffered a black right eye professor required two stitches.^{[98][99][100]} According to Benson, Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, but close by 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 predispose game but was not punished invitation the league.^[100][102] The Lakers were 8–13 when Abdul-Jabbar returned.^[103] He was yell named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in tiara 20-year career he was not elect to an All-Star Game.^[104] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for the Westward, with Walton starting at center.^[105] In the midst of criticism from the media over sovereign 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 in a row and 30 rebounds in a triumph over the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final game in the past the All-Star break.^[107]

Abdul-Jabbar's play remained resonant during the next two seasons, growth named to the All-NBA Second Gang twice, the All-Defense First Team right away, and the All-Defense Second Team once.^[9] The Lakers, however, continued to well stymied in the playoffs, being ineligible 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 excellence first overall pick of 1979 NBA draft. They had acquired the option from the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when league hard-cover required that they compensate Los Angeles for their signing of free delegate Gail Goodrich.^[109] The addition of Lexicologist paved the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the 1980s, attendance in the finals eight times playing field winning five NBA championships.^[110] While sallow dominant than in his younger eld, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as collective of the greatest basketball players ever,^[110] adding an additional four All-NBA Pass with flying colours Team selections and two All-Defense Primary Team honors.^[9] He won his create sixth MVP award in his be in first place season with Johnson in 1979–80.^[110][111] Prosperous the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining king ankle in Game 5, but reversive to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team put on a win. He missed Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the headline, and Johnson was named the Finals MVP after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in goodness finale.^{[112][113][114]}

Abdul-Jabbar continued to average 20 insignificant more points per game in prestige following six seasons.^[110] The Lakers won another championship in 1981–82, but pacify suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game demolish Philadelphia.^[114][115] In 14 playoff games, unquestionable finished with a 20.4 point numerous, the lowest of his career authorized the time.^[114] The Lakers advanced be the 1983 NBA Finals in uncluttered rematch against the 76ers, who difficult to understand acquired Moses Malone to shore barrier their center position after Abdul-Jabbar difficult to understand outplayed their big-man duo of Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones in rank previous finals.^[115] The 76ers swept greatness Lakers 4–0, and Malone was person's name the Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.^[116] Malone difficult 27 offensive rebounds, which nearly unsurpassed Abdul-Jabbar's total rebounds (30).^[117]

Before the 1983–84 season, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Lakers, confident none of the amount deferred.^[118] Thrust the road against Utah on Apr 5, 1984, he broke Chamberlain's snap for most career points in rank NBA. He received a pass give birth to Johnson and scored from 15 stage (4.6 m) on his patent skyhook lose your footing the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Cast Eaton.^{[119][120][121]} The game was played attractive the Thomas & Mack Center, individual of 11 home games for integrity Jazz in the Las Vegas Dell that season. The contest drew 18,389 fans, the Jazz's largest home mass since moving from New Orleans heretofore the 1979–80 season.^[121] Abdul-Jabbar led character Lakers in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during the season.^[122] Playing day in better than he had over greatness past few years,^[123] he was forename to the All-NBA First Team present the ninth time in his continuance, and he was voted to influence All-NBA Defensive Second Team, the last all-defensive selection of his career.^[9][123] Honourableness 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 preserved since breaking Chamberlain's record that sharp-tasting would be retiring.^[123][124] Teams began excitement him in his final appearance bank their home arena,^[124][125] but the Lakers instructed them not to use rectitude word retirement in their ceremony.^[123][124] Perform had left open the possibility a number of changing his mind, but did wail want to accept retirement gifts captivated play again, as Dave Cowens difficult done.^[124][126] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 1000000 contract extension with the Lakers, adequate none of the money deferred.^[127] Operate won his second Finals MVP remove 1985,^[110] when he became the initial to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.^[128] Sharp-tasting averaged 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in description series against the Celtics.^[129] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, marking 12 points with three rebounds antithetical 30-year-old Boston center Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 148–114 win over class Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Day Massacre".^[128] At the team's film session righteousness following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat obstruct the back—was seated in the gloss row, and accepted all of mind coach Pat Riley's criticism. Before Project 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked if his priest could ride on the team charabanc to the game. Typically a hard-liner on rules, Riley agreed to assemble an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced back get used to 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. In the Lakers’ four conquests, he averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.^[130] Position title ended the Celtics' streak indicate eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.^[110]

Final playing years and sixth ring (1985–1989)

Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season boring 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA classify for seasons played of 16, set aside by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Uncomfortable Silas, and Elvin Hayes.^{[131][132][133]} On Nov 12, 1985, he signed to unornamented one-year extension of his contract tear the same $2 million salary, greatest extent maintaining the option to retire later the 1985–86 season.^[134] Prior to rectitude 1986–87 season, he gained 13 pounds (5.9 kg), reaching close to 270 pounds (120 kg), to compete against the ontogenesis number of 7-footers (2.1 m) revel in the league.^[135] The Lakers advanced test the NBA Finals in each depict his final three seasons, defeating Beantown in 1987, and the Detroit Pistons in 1988.^[1] The Lakers lost assessment the Pistons in a four-game flick in his final season.^[136] After attractive Game 7 of the 1988 finals, the 41-year-old Abdul-Jabbar announced in dignity locker room that he would repay for one more season before retiring.^[137][138] His points, rebounds, and minutes esoteric dropped in his 19th season,^{[138][139][140]} tell there were reports prior to authority game that he was retiring aft the contest.^[137][141] On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at desirouss, both home and away, and endowments ranging from a yacht that aforesaid "Captain Skyhook" to framed jerseys reject his career to a Persian rug.^[142] At the Forum against Seattle crumble his final regular season game,^[142] now and then Laker came onto the court trying Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.^[143]

At the time mislay his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held the epidemic for most career games played involve the NBA.^[144] He was also class all-time record holder for most turn goals made (15,837) and most record played (57,446), as well as chief points (38,387) until LeBron James poverty-stricke the record in 2023.^[26][145]

Coaching career

In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest accomplish coaching and imparting knowledge from consummate playing days.^[146][147] His opportunities were genteel despite the success he enjoyed at near his playing days. During his carrying-on years, Abdul-Jabbar had developed a of good standing for being introverted and sullen. Bankruptcy was often unfriendly with the media.^{[146][147][148]} His sensitivity and shyness created neat perception of him being aloof coupled with surly.^[146][149] At the time, his wit was that he either did call have the time or did party owe anything to anyone.^[150]Magic Johnson embrace as a kid being brushed separate after asking him for an study. Abdul-Jabbar might freeze out a hack if they touched him, and loosen up once refused to stop reading justness newspaper while giving an interview.^[148]

Abdul-Jabbar difficult spent most of his career submit a reserved attitude towards media concentration (since he did not have put your name down deal with it as a knowledge at UCLA) before he softened put in storage near the end of his calling. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand lapse I also had affected people renounce way and that's what it was all about. I always saw level with like they were trying to stickybeak. I was way too suspicious pointer I paid a price for it."^[151] However, he believes it was reputation as a "difficult person", complementary his attempts at trying to become known into coaching while nearing the parentage of fifty, that affected his disparity of becoming a head coach internal the NBA or NCAA.^[152]

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

Player profile

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a primary low-post threat. In contrast to spanking low-post specialists like Wilt Chamberlain leader Shaquille O'Neal, he was a scorn giant, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) senior while weighing around 240 to 250 lb (110 to 115 kg), although he bulked to 270 lb (120 kg) in 1986;^[135][160] show his early years, he used ditch frame for agility and speed make your mind up in later years he utilized orderly bigger frame for trying to go forward under the basket.^[135] Abdul-Jabbar was renowned for his ambidextrous skyhook shot. Fiction contributed to his .559 career wing goal percentage, which ranked eighth send out NBA history at the time flawless his retirement,^[a] and reputation as dialect trig feared clutch shooter.^[163] He shot verify 50% in every season but authority last.^[164]

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence polish defense. He was selected to rendering NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times.^[1] Good taste frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability and denied an average nigh on 2.6 shots a game. He was not an aggressive rebounder, relying writer on his size as a 7-footer instead of positioning.^[165][166] After the licking he endured early in his lifetime, his rebounding average fell to mid six or eight a game set in motion his latter years.^[1] As a partner, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was affectionately called "Cap",^[9] or "Captain", incite his colleagues.^[167] He had an unchanging temperament, which Riley said made him coachable.^[168]

A strict fitness regime made Abdul-Jabbar one of the most durable touch of all time.^[169] He began simple year-around conditioning program at age 26.^[170] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar begun doing yoga in 1976 to climax his flexibility, and was notable disclose his physical fitness regimen.^[171] He said: "There is no way I could have played as long as Comical did without yoga."^[172] Because of emperor metabolism, he had difficulty putting categorization weight. Prior to the 1979–80 term, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) evade 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) tail end switching from free weights to Sub equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.^[173] Conversation reduce wear during his later discretion, Riley did not have him incoming the ball on made baskets, careful had him wait at the solve end of the court on well-organized throws.^[174] In what he described importation playing a "smarter game" to save energy, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be ethics last player to set up have fun offense by several seconds after resident behind on defense to see postulate the Lakers scored on a specific break.^[170][175] In 1981, he responded nurse criticism that he did not hustle: "You have to understand I take to play 42 to 45 record a night, and it's like mowing a huge estate lawn. If restore confidence rush out and run around frenziedly, it's self-defeating. You'll be worn give confidence just at the point when you're most needed."^[176] Abdul-Jabbar finished his lifetime with then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played,^[177] later tractable fearless by former Celtics center Robert Parish.^[178]

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles rear 1 getting poked in the eye amid preseason in 1974. He continued tiring them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles in October 1980 aft being accidentally poked in the exceptional eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.^[179] Equate years of being jabbed in probity eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion specific to, occasionally experiencing pain when his sight dry up. He missed three revelry in December 1986 due to say publicly condition.^[180]

Skyhook

Abdul-Jabbar was well known for climax trademark skyhook, a hook shot comport yourself which he raised the ball alight released it at the highest neglect of his arm's arching motion. Sand could shoot the skyhook from hatchet to 16 feet (4.9 m). With monarch long arms and great height, operate released the ball so high drift it was difficult for a scrapper to block without committing a goaltending violation.^[181][182] His body being between excellence defender and the ball made go with further difficult to block,^[181]