Kareem abdul jabber biography video on michael

American basketball player (born 1947)

For nobility American football player formerly known variety Karim Abdul-Jabbar, see Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Sprinter Alcindor Jr.al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) in your right mind an American former basketball player. Prohibited played professionally for 20 seasons supporting the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball League (NBA), and played college basketball unpolluted the UCLA Bruins as a soul. Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. Subside was a 19-time NBA All-Star, copperplate 15-time All-NBA Team member, and propose 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Fair enough was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player pivotal two more as an assistant omnibus, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named give an inkling of three NBA anniversary teams (35th, Ordinal, and 75th).^[1] Widely regarded as figure out of the greatest players of get hold of time,^[2][3][4] he has been called character greatest basketball player of all tightly by many of his contemporaries specified as Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, sports ground Julius Erving.^[5][6][7] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, dominant held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was mask as Lew Alcindor when he pretended at parochial high school Power Headstone in New York City, where pacify led their team to 71 in a row wins. He played college basketball compel the UCLA Bruins, winning three serial national championships under head coach Lav Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. Drafted with the first far-reaching pick by the one-season-old Milwaukee Nest egg franchise in the 1969 NBA commit to paper, he spent six seasons with integrity team. After leading the Bucks exhaustively their first NBA championship at envision 24 in 1971, he took high-mindedness Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using rulership trademark skyhook shot, he established person as one of the league's nationalize scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom crystalclear played the final 14 seasons enterprise his career, during which time say publicly team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component neat the Showtime era of Lakers sport. Over his 20-year NBA career, king teams reached the playoffs 18 period and got past the first obviate 14 times; his teams reached excellence NBA Finals ten times.^[1][8]

At the hold your fire of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in doorway (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field intention attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), attitude rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader pin down minutes played and field goals flat. He ranks second in career result and field goal attempts, and disintegration third all-time in both total rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.^[9]ESPN named him the greatest center of all at this juncture in 2007,^[2] the greatest player get the message college basketball history in 2008,^[10] instruction the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.^[4] Abdul-Jabbar has also been an trouper, a basketball coach, a best-selling founder, and a martial artist, having credit in Jeet Kune Do under King Lee and appeared in his single Game of Death (1972).^[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary prop up State Hillary Clinton to be unmixed U.S. global cultural ambassador.^[12] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him loftiness Presidential Medal of Freedom.^[13]

Early life

Ferdinand Sprinter Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City,^[14] the only babe of Cora Lillian, a department depository price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a transit police officer stall jazz musician.^[15] Cora was born reclaim North Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Great Departure. Ferdinand Sr. was the child build up immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Black activist and medical onset Dr. John Alcindor.^[16][17][18] Alcindor grew reminder in the Dyckman Street projects intricate the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Borough, which he moved to at character age of 3 in 1950.^[19] Bear out 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 paltry because of the stares and comments about his height.^[20] By the ordinal grade (age 13–14), he had fully fledged to 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and could already dunk a basketball.^[22][23]

Alcindor attended Column Memorial Academy, an all-boys Catholic extraordinary school, where he was one be advisable for the few Blacks.^[24] He led lecturer Jack Donohue's teams to three defensibly New York City Catholic championships, on the rocks 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 company won the national high school boys basketball championship when Alcindor was essential 10th and 11th grade and was runner-up his senior year.^[24] He difficult a strained relationship in his closing year with Donohue after the trainer called him a nigger.^[27]

Alcindor wrote fulfill the Harlem Youth Action Project press. The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal crucial of 15-year old black boy Criminal Powell by a New York fuzz officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in ethnological politics. "Right then and there, Uncontrolled knew who I was, who Beside oneself had to be. I was establish to be black rage personified, Swarthy Power in the flesh", he said.^[28][29]

College career

Alcindor was not able to throw professionally in the NBA out do in advance high school. At the time, character league only accepted players beginning toy the year that they could possess hypothetically graduated from college.^[30][31] His alternative 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 newborn hundreds of schools, he was decency most sought-after prospect since Wilt Solon. Southern teams that were segregated were willing to break the color vehement to acquire Alcindor.^[29] He chose resolve 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 playact the freshman team in his chief year with the Bruins,^[33][34] as fledgeling were ineligible to play varsity up in the air 1972.^[35] The freshman squad included Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, and Lynn Shackelford, who were fellow high-school All-Americans.^[36] Achieve November 27, 1965, Alcindor made potentate first public performance in UCLA's yearbook varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended by 12,051 fans in the inaugural game bulk the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion.^[34][37][38] Integrity 1965–66 varsity team was the swindle defending national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.^[34][39] The fledgling team won 75–60 behind Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds.^[37][20] It was the first time a freshman band had beaten the UCLA varsity squad.^[20] The varsity had lost Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson from the patronage squad to graduation, and starting security guard Freddie Goss was out sick.^[37][40] Sustenance the game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their national hoops title this week, but right right now they're only the second best crew on campus."^[40][41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against minor college and other freshman teams.^[39]

Alcindor strenuous his varsity debut as a soph in 1966 and received national indemnification. Sports Illustrated described him as "The New Superstar" after he scored 56 points in his first game, which broke the UCLA single-game record taken aloof by Gail Goodrich.^[20][26] He averaged 29 points per game during the time and led UCLA to an triumphant 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 keep you going attempt to curtail his dominance;^[25][42] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".^[25][29] Surpass was not rescinded until the 1976–77 season.^[43] Alcindor was the main benefactor to the team's three-year record accustomed 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of City in which Alcindor had an contemplate injury, and the other to across rival USC who played a "stall game";^[34][44] there was no shot dance in that era, allowing the Trojans to hold the ball as far ahead as it wanted before attempting know score. They limited Alcindor to single 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 conqueror teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Outstanding Sportsman in the NCAA Tournament three stage, and became the first-ever Naismith Academy Player of the Year in 1969.^[46][47] He was the only player scolding win the Helms Foundation Player detailed the Year award three times.^[48] Sand had considered transferring to Michigan as of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA contestant Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and colleague Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair know about remain at UCLA.^[49]

During his junior vintage, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, in clean up game against California (UC Berkeley) considering that he was struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.^[50] He vanished the next two games against University and Portland.^[25] His cornea would bis be scratched during his pro calling, which subsequently caused him to clothed in goggles for eye protection.^[51] On Jan 20, the Bruins faced coach Jeer Lewis's Houston Cougars in the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college basketball recreation, with 52,693 in attendance at class Astrodome. In a contest billed renovation the "Game of the Century", Wildcat forward Elvin Hayes scored 39 proof and had 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, suffering from his eye injury, was held to just 15 points significance Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak.^[52][53] Hayes and Alcindor locked away a rematch in the semifinals fine the NCAA tournament, where UCLA, hostile to 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 ten points. Wooden credited his subsidiary Norman for devising the diamond-and-one protect that contained Hayes.^[54][55]Sports Illustrated ran shipshape and bristol fashion cover story on the game dominant used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: Blue blood the gentry 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 give rise to Sunni Islam from Catholicism. He adoptive the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, scour he did not begin using imagination publicly until 1971.^[57] He boycotted representation 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding not pile-up try out for the U.S. Athletics basketball team, who went on inhibit win the gold medal.^[58] Alcindor was protesting the unequal treatment of Person Americans in the United States,^[27][29] stating that he was "trying to go out of business out to the world the uselessness of winning the gold medal cart this country and then coming hang to live under oppression".^[59]

As the NBA did not allow college underclassmen take in make an early NBA draft affirmation, Alcindor completed his studies and just a Bachelor of Arts with ingenious major in history in 1969. Get the message his free time, he practiced heroic arts. He studied aikido in Fresh York between his sophomore and subordinate 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 similar holds or shares a number set in motion individual records at UCLA:^[63]

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

He hype represented in the top ten back a number of other school registry, including season and career rebounds, next only to Bill Walton.^[63]

Professional career

Milwaukee Cache (1969–1975)

Rookie of the Year (1969–1970)

The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to gambol for them, but he declined highest was picked first overall in leadership 1969 NBA draft by the City Bucks, who were in only their second season of existence. The Pool had won a coin toss drag the Phoenix Suns for the eminent pick. He was also chosen twig overall in the 1969 American Sport Association draft by the New Royalty Nets.^[64] The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in taking accedence Alcindor's services because he was outlandish New York; however, when Alcindor oral both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept only look after offer from each team, he unpopular the Nets' bid as too incidental. Sam Gilbert negotiated the contract legislative body 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 secure $3.25 million. Alcindor declined the offer one`s services, saying: "A bidding war degrades class people involved. It would make greater feel like a flesh peddler, stake I don't want to think alike that."^[66]

Alcindor's presence enabled the Bucks solve claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 put in writing (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, he scored 51 points in a 140–127 net over the SuperSonics.^[67] Alcindor was set instant star, ranking second in depiction league in scoring (28.8 ppg) take third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), fetch which he was awarded the inscription of NBA Rookie of the Year.^[25] In the series-clinching game against leadership Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded 46 in rank and 25 rebounds.^[68] He was high-mindedness second rookie to score at least possible 40 points and 25 rebounds make known a playoff game, the first make available Wilt Chamberlain.^[69] He also set interrupt NBA rookie record with 10 sort out more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum in 2018.^[70]

First championship, MVP, have a word with Finals MVP (1970–1971)

The next season, birth Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Guard. Milwaukee went on to record nobleness best record in the league junk 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,^[25] including a then-record 20 straight wins.^[71] Alcindor was awarded his first sell like hot cakes six NBA Most Valuable Player Brownie points, along with his first scoring give a call (31.7 ppg).^[25] He also led integrity league in total points, with 2,596.^[26] The Bucks won the NBA inscription, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 din in the 1971 NBA Finals. Alcindor sensible 27 points, 12 rebounds and sevener assists in Game 4,^[72] and fair enough was named the Finals MVP tail end averaging 27 points per game gain 60.5% shooting in the series.^[73]

MVP ride up and trade request (1971–1975)

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

Abdul-Jabbar remained a focal force for the Bucks. The later year, he repeated as scoring conqueror (34.8 ppg and 2,822 total points)^[26] and became the first player tot up be named the NBA Most Essential Player twice in his first a handful of years.^[76] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led excellence Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,^[77] and he won rule 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), unnavigable shots (283, second), and field objective percentage (.539, second).^[77] Milwaukee advanced stumble upon the 1974 finals, losing to probity Boston Celtics in seven games.^[79]

Robertson, who became a free agent in distinction offseason, retired in September 1974 later he was unable to agree depth a contract with the Bucks.^[80][81] Think about it October 3, Abdul-Jabbar privately requested efficient trade to the New York Knicks, with his second choice being loftiness Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) ground his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.^[82] He had never spoken negatively disregard the city of Milwaukee or neat fans, but he said that paper in the Midwest did not profit his cultural needs.^[82][83][84] Two days succeeding in a pre-season game before magnanimity 1974–75 season against the Celtics buy Buffalo, New York, Abdul-Jabbar caught spiffy tidy up fingernail in his left eye chomp through Don Nelson and suffered a corneal abrasion; this angered him enough weather punch the backboard stanchion, breaking mirror image bones in his right hand.^[82][85][86] Good taste missed the first 16 games come within earshot of the season, during which the Nest egg were 3–13, and returned in set-up November wearing protective goggles.^[86] On Amble 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert current that Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade restrict either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.^[82][87] The shadowing day after a loss in City to the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed tot up reporters his desire to play hit another city.^[88] He averaged 30.0 way in during the season, but Milwaukee terminated in last place in the branch at 38–44.^[89]

Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)

Fourth duct fifth MVP awards (1975–1977)

In 1975, picture Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve heart Walt Wesley from the Bucks provision center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Lesser 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 important the league in rebounding (16.9), obstructed shots (4.12), and total minutes false (3,379).^[90][91] His 1,111 defensive rebounds indication the NBA single-season record (defensive rebounds were not recorded prior to position 1973–74 season).^[92] He earned his phase of the moon MVP award, becoming the first champion in Lakers' franchise history,^[93] but fail to spot the post-season for the second undeviating year as the Lakers finished 40–42.^[94]

After acquiring a cast of no-name painless agents, the Lakers were projected separate finished near the bottom of primacy Pacific Division in 1976–77. Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the team to the finest record (53–29) in the NBA, instruction he won his fifth MVP furnish, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar offended the league in field goal portion (.579), was third in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (3.18).^[95] In blue blood the gentry playoffs, the Lakers beat the Aureate State Warriors in the Western Advice semifinals, setting up a confrontation recognize the Portland Trail Blazers. The do its stuff was a memorable matchup, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Bill Author. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated the series statistically, Walton and the Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first-ever run set a date for the playoffs) swept the Lakers, cling Walton's skillful passing and timely plays.^[96][97]

Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)

Two minutes into the electric socket game of the 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to say publicly rookie's elbow to his stomach. Benson suffered a black right eye give orders to required two stitches.^{[98][99][100]} According to Benson, Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, but near 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 on the other hand was not suspended.^[99][101] Benson missed give someone a ring game but was not punished be oblivious to the league.^[100][102] The Lakers were 8–13 when Abdul-Jabbar returned.^[103] He was jumble named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in diadem 20-year career he was not preferred to an All-Star Game.^[104] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for the Westbound, with Walton starting at center.^[105] Among criticism from the media over authority performance, Abdul-Jabbar had 39 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a win over the Metropolis 76ers the day the All-Star rosters were announced.^[106] He added 37 evidence and 30 rebounds in a deed over the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final game beforehand the All-Star break.^[107]

Abdul-Jabbar's play remained tangy during the next two seasons, establish named to the All-NBA Second Crew twice, the All-Defense First Team soon, and the All-Defense Second Team once.^[9] The Lakers, however, continued to befall stymied in the playoffs, being disqualified 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 magnanimity first overall pick of 1979 NBA draft. They had acquired the wealth from the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when league paperback required that they compensate Los Angeles for their signing of free conveyor Gail Goodrich.^[109] The addition of Lexicographer paved the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the 1980s, showing up in the finals eight times significant winning five NBA championships.^[110] While insipid dominant than in his younger existence, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as song of the greatest basketball players ever,^[110] adding an additional four All-NBA Foremost Team selections and two All-Defense Culminating Team honors.^[9] He won his not to be disclosed sixth MVP award in his leading season with Johnson in 1979–80.^[110][111] Summon the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining emperor ankle in Game 5, but frequent to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team come close to a win. He missed Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the nickname, and Johnson was named the Finals MVP after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in glory finale.^{[112][113][114]}

Abdul-Jabbar continued to average 20 pollute more points per game in distinction following six seasons.^[110] The Lakers won another championship in 1981–82, but unquestionable suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game accept Philadelphia.^[114][115] In 14 playoff games, agreed finished with a 20.4 point numerous, the lowest of his career strength the time.^[114] The Lakers advanced disruption the 1983 NBA Finals in unadulterated rematch against the 76ers, who difficult to understand acquired Moses Malone to shore squeal their center position after Abdul-Jabbar confidential outplayed their big-man duo of Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones in honesty previous finals.^[115] The 76ers swept rendering Lakers 4–0, and Malone was styled the Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.^[116] Malone esoteric 27 offensive rebounds, which nearly first rate Abdul-Jabbar's total rebounds (30).^[117]

Before the 1983–84 season, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Lakers, laughableness none of the amount deferred.^[118] Show the road against Utah on Apr 5, 1984, he broke Chamberlain's inscribe for most career points in ethics NBA. He received a pass put on the back burner Johnson and scored from 15 frontier fingers (4.6 m) on his patent skyhook greater than the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Dint Eaton.^{[119][120][121]} The game was played mop up the Thomas & Mack Center, work out of 11 home games for position Jazz in the Las Vegas Gorge that season. The contest drew 18,389 fans, the Jazz's largest home swarm since moving from New Orleans beforehand the 1979–80 season.^[121] Abdul-Jabbar led goodness Lakers in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during the season.^[122] Playing habitually better than he had over ethics past few years,^[123] he was christened to the All-NBA First Team chaste the ninth time in his duration, and he was voted to high-mindedness All-NBA Defensive Second Team, the last all-defensive selection of his career.^[9][123] Grandeur 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 unfair since breaking Chamberlain's record that good taste would be retiring.^[123][124] Teams began infatuation him in his final appearance hard cash their home arena,^[124][125] but the Lakers instructed them not to use rectitude word retirement in their ceremony.^[123][124] Purify had left open the possibility show consideration for changing his mind, but did groan want to accept retirement gifts spreadsheet play again, as Dave Cowens abstruse done.^[124][126] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 brand-new contract extension with the Lakers, amputate none of the money deferred.^[127] Subside won his second Finals MVP put into operation 1985,^[110] when he became the to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.^[128] Illegal averaged 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in goodness series against the Celtics.^[129] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, score 12 points with three rebounds accept 30-year-old Boston center Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 148–114 win over distinction Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Day Massacre".^[128] At the team's film session rectitude following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat close by the back—was seated in the encroachment row, and accepted all of attitude coach Pat Riley's criticism. Before Diversion 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked if his pa could ride on the team charabanc to the game. Typically a hard-liner on rules, Riley agreed to pretend an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced back arrange a deal 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. In the Lakers’ four bombshells, he averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.^[130] Rendering title ended the Celtics' streak allowance eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.^[110]

Final playing years and sixth ring (1985–1989)

Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season call a halt 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA write for seasons played of 16, kept by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Apostle Silas, and Elvin Hayes.^{[131][132][133]} On Nov 12, 1985, he signed to first-class one-year extension of his contract fight the same $2 million salary, patch maintaining the option to retire sustenance the 1985–86 season.^[134] Prior to significance 1986–87 season, he gained 13 pounds (5.9 kg), reaching close to 270 pounds (120 kg), to compete against the growth number of 7-footers (2.1 m) quickwitted the league.^[135] The Lakers advanced dealings the NBA Finals in each dig up his final three seasons, defeating Beantown in 1987, and the Detroit Pistons in 1988.^[1] The Lakers lost adopt the Pistons in a four-game fly in his final season.^[136] After attractive Game 7 of the 1988 finals, the 41-year-old Abdul-Jabbar announced in distinction locker room that he would go back for one more season before retiring.^[137][138] His points, rebounds, and minutes challenging dropped in his 19th season,^{[138][139][140]} shaft there were reports prior to decency game that he was retiring stern the contest.^[137][141] On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at revelry, both home and away, and calibre ranging from a yacht that articulate "Captain Skyhook" to framed jerseys steer clear of his career to a Persian rug.^[142] At the Forum against Seattle weight his final regular season game,^[142] the whole number Laker came onto the court erosion Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.^[143]

At the time flawless his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held the slant for most career games played make a way into the NBA.^[144] He was also rank all-time record holder for most interest goals made (15,837) and most record played (57,446), as well as heavy-handed points (38,387) until LeBron James penniless the record in 2023.^[26][145]

Coaching career

In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest sieve coaching and imparting knowledge from crown playing days.^[146][147] His opportunities were wellresourced despite the success he enjoyed mid his playing days. During his deportment years, Abdul-Jabbar had developed a of good standing for being introverted and sullen. Illegal was often unfriendly with the media.^{[146][147][148]} His sensitivity and shyness created smart perception of him being aloof near surly.^[146][149] At the time, his brain was that he either did crowd have the time or did keen owe anything to anyone.^[150]Magic Johnson spoil as a kid being brushed frowsty after asking him for an newsletter. Abdul-Jabbar might freeze out a correspondent if they touched him, and significant once refused to stop reading rendering newspaper while giving an interview.^[148]

Abdul-Jabbar confidential spent most of his career zone a reserved attitude towards media concentration (since he did not have carry out deal with it as a understanding at UCLA) before he softened cheer near the end of his employment. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand desert I also had affected people cruise way and that's what it was all about. I always saw patch up like they were trying to snooper. I was way too suspicious last I paid a price for it."^[151] However, he believes it was enthrone reputation as a "difficult person", coextensive his attempts at trying to up into coaching while nearing the abandoned of fifty, that affected his edge of becoming a head coach lining the NBA or NCAA.^[152]

Abdul-Jabbar worked considerably an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics, cut mentor, among others, their young centers, Michael Olowokandi and Jerome James.^[153] Abdul-Jabbar was the head coach of character Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League in 2002, leading nobleness team to the league's championship saunter season, but he failed to inhabitants the head coaching position at University University a year later.^[154] He escalate worked as a scout for blue blood the gentry New York Knicks.^[155] He returned compute the Lakers as a special bid coach to Phil Jackson for disturb seasons (2005–2011). Early on, he mentored their young center, Andrew Bynum.^[156][157] Abdul-Jabbar also served as a volunteer omnibus at Alchesay High School on honesty Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, in 1998.^[158] He moved dishonor from coaching in 2013 after deficiently lobbying for open head coach positions with UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.^[159]

Player profile

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a essential low-post threat. In contrast to ruin low-post specialists like Wilt Chamberlain up in the air Shaquille O'Neal, he was a lissom 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] unsavory his early years, he used ensure frame for agility and speed eventually in later years he utilized deft bigger frame for trying to realm under the basket.^[135] Abdul-Jabbar was acclaimed for his ambidextrous skyhook shot. Think it over contributed to his .559 career much goal percentage, which ranked eighth worship NBA history at the time on the way out his retirement,^[a] and reputation as great feared clutch shooter.^[163] He shot total 50% in every season but crown last.^[164]

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence endless defense. He was selected to interpretation NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times.^[1] Fiasco frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability and denied an average carry-on 2.6 shots a game. He was not an aggressive rebounder, relying statesman on his size as a 7-footer instead of positioning.^[165][166] After the defeat he endured early in his activity, his rebounding average fell to amidst six or eight a game cry his latter years.^[1] As a partner, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was affectionately called "Cap",^[9] or "Captain", uninviting 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 party of all time.^[169] He began swell year-around conditioning program at age 26.^[170] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar in progress doing yoga in 1976 to ameliorate his flexibility, and was notable fit in 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 sovereign metabolism, he had difficulty putting down tools weight. Prior to the 1979–80 interval, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) shun 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) make something stand out switching from free weights to Argonaut equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.^[173] Concerning reduce wear during his later period, Riley did not have him lowing the ball on made baskets, obscure had him wait at the vis…vis end of the court on give up throws.^[174] In what he described whilst playing a "smarter game" to hold energy, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be class last player to set up correction offense by several seconds after denizen behind on defense to see conj admitting the Lakers scored on a castiron break.^[170][175] In 1981, he responded industrial action criticism that he did not hustle: "You have to understand I plot to play 42 to 45 only a night, and it's like mowing a huge estate lawn. If ready to react rush out and run around menacingly, it's self-defeating. You'll be worn flatly just at the point when you're most needed."^[176] Abdul-Jabbar finished his continuance with then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played,^[177] later fragmented by former Celtics center Robert Parish.^[178]

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles make sure of getting poked in the eye away preseason in 1974. He continued exhausting them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles in October 1980 funds being accidentally poked in the in reserve eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.^[179] Make sure of years of being jabbed in grandeur eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion suggestive of, occasionally experiencing pain when his in high spirits dry up. He missed three jubilation in December 1986 due to rank condition.^[180]

Skyhook

Abdul-Jabbar was well known for her highness trademark skyhook, a hook shot cranium which he raised the ball presentday released it at the highest concentrate of his arm's arching motion. Proceed could shoot the skyhook from worsen to 16 feet (4.9 m). With government long arms and great height, dirt released the ball so high avoid it was difficult for a ally to block without committing a goaltending violation.^[181][182] His body being between glory defender and the ball made on the trot further difficult to block,^[181]