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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Abdul-Jabbar played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. During his career, he won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, was a 19-time NBA All-Star, and retired as the NBA's all-time leader in nine statistical categories, including the most points in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar's signature move was the skyhook, which he used to great effect, leaving defenders helpless. With his graceful and agile style of play, Abdul-Jabbar brought finesse to the center position, establishing himself as a dominant force in the league.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Born | Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1947 |
| Known as | Lew Alcindor |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Position | Center |
| Height | 7 feet 2 inches |
| Special Move | Skyhook |
| Known For | One of the greatest players of all time |
| Teams | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, UCLA Bruins |
| Awards | Six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, 19-time NBA All-Star, 15-time All-NBA Team member, 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, Two-time NBA Finals MVP, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee |
| Championships | Six NBA championships as a player, two as an assistant coach |
| Records | All-time leader in nine statistical categories, including most points in NBA history, highest-scoring player in NBA history |
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What You'll Learn
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most celebrated players in basketball history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Abdul-Jabbar, who played as a center, spent 20 seasons in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, won six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, and was a 19-time NBA All-Star.
Abdul-Jabbar's signature move was the skyhook, a nearly indefensible shot that he could make whenever, wherever, and however he wanted. The move involved Abdul-Jabbar's left leg being straight, his right knee coming up, his left arm extending out, his right arm rising up with the ball, and finally, his wrist flicking to add backspin, with the seams rotating as the ball arcs to the hoop and drops through the net. The skyhook was so distinctive that it is instantly recognizable when someone else tries it.
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was a primary weapon in his assault on Wilt Chamberlain's all-time NBA scoring record. The move was so effective that defenders had a hard time preventing Abdul-Jabbar from getting a clean look at the rim. The skyhook was so deadly that Pat Riley, the president of the Miami Heat, said that Abdul-Jabbar was the greatest player ever, stating: "We don't win championships without the greatest player in the history of the game, who had the greatest weapon in the history of the game. The skyhook was unstoppable. Last minute of the game, it's going to one guy".
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was responsible for many important wins for the Lakers. For example, on October 12, 1979, he made a skyhook near the top of the key to give the Lakers the win in Magic Johnson's first professional game. In 1982, he beat the Cleveland Cavaliers with a skyhook at the buzzer. The following year, he made a critical skyhook in an overtime playoff victory against Portland. In 1984, he broke Chamberlain's scoring record with a hook shot. Finally, in 1985, he made a skyhook that delivered the NBA Finals championship to the Lakers.
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Abdul-Jabbar's career achievements
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Playing as a centre, he played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, and played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.
Abdul-Jabbar was a key component in the Showtime era of Lakers basketball. Over his 20-year NBA career, his teams reached the playoffs 18 times, progressed past the first round 14 times, and reached the NBA Finals ten times. At the time of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in points (38,387), games played, minutes, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls. He remains the all-time leader in minutes played and field goals made, and is second in career points and field goal attempts. He is third all-time in total rebounds and blocked shots.
Abdul-Jabbar's trademark skyhook shot helped establish him as one of the league's top scorers. He was also a natural leader on the court, and his contributions were so significant that the NBA created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award in 2021 to honour athletes who give back to their communities.
Outside of basketball, Abdul-Jabbar has become a successful writer, historian, and filmmaker, producing several well-received books and documentaries. He is a New York Times best-selling author of 17 books, most of which explore the often-overlooked history of African Americans. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The Rosa Parks Award, and The Double Helix Medal. He holds eight honorary doctorate degrees and is a U.S. Cultural Ambassador.
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Lew Alcindor at Power Memorial
Lew Alcindor, better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was a student at Power Memorial Academy, a private Catholic high school in New York City. Alcindor joined the school's basketball team as a freshman in 1961 and quickly made a name for himself on the court. Standing at 6 ft 10 inches tall, he was an imposing presence and a talented player.
During his time at Power Memorial, Alcindor led the team to an impressive 71-game winning streak. His skill and leadership on the court earned him the nickname "The Tower from Power". The team's success brought attention to the school, and Alcindor became a local celebrity. He was already making a name for himself as one of the most promising young basketball players in the country.
Alcindor's talent was evident from a young age. By the time he was nine years old, he was already 5 ft 8 inches tall, and he could dunk a basketball by the time he was 13 or 14. His height, combined with his natural athletic ability, made him a dominant force on the court. Alcindor's time at Power Memorial laid the foundation for his future success in basketball.
Alcindor's success at Power Memorial Academy helped him earn a spot on the UCLA Bruins college basketball team. There, he continued to excel, winning three consecutive national championships and establishing himself as one of the top college players in the country. In 1969, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and began his professional career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went on to have an illustrious career in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was a 19-time NBA All-Star. He was known for his trademark skyhook shot and is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
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Abdul-Jabbar's MVP awards
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a career filled with remarkable achievements and accolades. During his 20 seasons in the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar earned a record-setting six MVP awards, a testament to his dominance and consistency. Here's a closer look at each of his MVP campaigns:
> 1970-1971 Season - First MVP Award:
> Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar led the league in scoring with 31.7 points per game, adding 16 rebounds and 3 assists per contest. He had a remarkable shooting touch, converting 57.7% of his field goal attempts. His most memorable moment came when he blocked a record-setting 12 shots in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing his defensive prowess. Abdul-Jabbar's performance helped the Bucks finish with a league-best 66-16 record, an improvement of 29 wins from the previous season. In the playoffs, he continued his dominance, leading the Bucks to the NBA Finals and winning the title, earning his first Finals MVP award in addition to the regular season MVP.
> 1971-1972 Season - Second MVP Award:
> In his second MVP campaign, Abdul-Jabbar put up even more impressive numbers. He averaged a double-double with 34.8 points and 16.6 rebounds per game, leading the league in both categories. He also improved his free throw shooting, raising his average to 71.3%. The Bucks once again finished with the league's best record (63-19), and Abdul-Jabbar's all-around play earned him his second consecutive MVP award. However, the Bucks fell short in the Western Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champions, the Lakers, in a hard-fought series.
> 1973-1974 Season - Third MVP Award:
> After a relatively disappointing season by his standards in 1972-1973, Abdul-Jabbar returned with a vengeance. He averaged a staggering 27.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, and a career-high 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 53.9% from the field. He led the Bucks to a 59-23 record, good for second place in the Midwest Division. In the playoffs, Abdul-Jabbar willed the Bucks to the NBA Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics. Despite a valiant effort, the Bucks lost in seven games, with Abdul-Jabbar earning his second Finals MVP award despite being on the losing team.
> 1975-1976 Season - Fourth MVP Award:
> This season marked Abdul-Jabbar's first with the Lakers after his trade request was granted during the offseason. He didn't skip a beat, averaging 27.7 points, 16.9 rebounds (a career-high), 4.1 assists, and an impressive 3.3 blocks per game. He led the league in rebounds and blocks, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the court. The Lakers finished with a 53-29 record, and Abdul-Jabbar added a fourth MVP trophy to his collection.
> 1976-1977 Season - Fifth MVP Award:
> Abdul-Jabbar continued his stellar play in his second season with the Lakers. He averaged 26.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, leading the Lakers to a league-best 53-29 record. His most memorable moment came on November 30, 1976, when he became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. For his consistent excellence, Abdul-Jabbar earned his fifth MVP award, becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award five times.
> 1985-1986 Season - Sixth MVP Award:
> At age 38, Abdul-Jabbar had one of the most remarkable seasons for a player his age. He averaged 23.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, leading the Lakers to a 62-20 record. He became the oldest player to win the scoring title, averaging 22.0 points while shooting an incredible 59.9% from the field. His performance earned him his record-setting sixth MVP award, surpassing Chamberlain's previous record of four MVPs. Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Celtics in six games.
Abdul-Jabbar's six MVP awards are a testament to his sustained excellence and impact on the game of basketball. His skill, longevity, and dedication to the sport solidified his place as one of the all-time greats.
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Abdul-Jabbar's influence off the court
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not just a basketball legend but also a social justice advocate, an author, and a filmmaker. He has used his platform as an NBA star to champion social justice and fight against racial inequality. In 1968, Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, boycotted the Summer Olympics, protesting the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States. He also converted to Sunni Islam from Catholicism and adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty".
Abdul-Jabbar has written books, articles, documentaries, and movies about many of the overlooked giants of colour throughout American history. In an essay for AARP, he discussed his fight for racial equality, citing Sir Isaac Newton's expression of "standing on the shoulders of giants" to describe his gratitude to the Black athletes who came before him. He also praised LeBron James for his off-court accomplishments, such as opening a school for underserved children and providing leadership and an example of how to live.
Abdul-Jabbar has also found success in other fields outside of basketball. He has acted in movies, coached basketball, and is a martial artist, having trained in Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee. In 2012, he was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be a U.S. global cultural ambassador, and in 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Abdul-Jabbar's influence extends far beyond the basketball court. He has inspired others through his advocacy for social justice, his writing and filmmaking, and his success in multiple fields. He is a true icon who has left an indelible mark on sports, culture, and society.
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Frequently asked questions
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His signature move, the skyhook, was a graceful shot that he lofted over outstretched hands, leaving defenders helpless. While it is not explicitly mentioned that he posterized someone with this move, it is safe to assume that he did, given the effectiveness and lethality of the skyhook.
The skyhook was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's trademark shot. It is described as a graceful and lethal offensive weapon that he would shoot over the outstretched hands of defenders. He developed this move as early as the fifth grade and used it throughout his career, fine-tuning it to perfection.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar possessed a unique combination of speed, agility, and ambidexterity, which he coupled with his devastating skyhook shot. His natural leadership qualities and impressive statistics, including being the NBA's all-time leader in nine statistical categories upon retirement, also contribute to his legacy as one of the greatest players ever to play the game.
