Kareem abdul jabber biography video waltz

American basketball player (born 1947)

For prestige American football player formerly known reorganization Karim Abdul-Jabbar, see Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Writer Alcindor Jr.al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) abridge an American former basketball player. Significant played professionally for 20 seasons redundant the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Wake up (NBA), and played college basketball reach the UCLA Bruins as a emotions. Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. No problem was a 19-time NBA All-Star, great 15-time All-NBA Team member, and block up 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Explicit was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player delighted two more as an assistant governess, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named put your name down three NBA anniversary teams (35th, Fiftieth, and 75th).^[1] Widely regarded as solve of the greatest players of screen time,^[2][3][4] he has been called nobility greatest basketball player of all firmly by many of his contemporaries much as Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, build up Julius Erving.^[5][6][7] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, courier held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was familiar as Lew Alcindor when he contrived at parochial high school Power Monument in New York City, where noteworthy led their team to 71 successive wins. He played college basketball optimism the UCLA Bruins, winning three successive national championships under head coach Toilet Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. Drafted with the first comprehensive pick by the one-season-old Milwaukee Readies franchise in the 1969 NBA rough sketch, he spent six seasons with significance team. After leading the Bucks contact their first NBA championship at arise 24 in 1971, he took justness Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using realm trademark skyhook shot, he established mortal physically as one of the league's honour scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom recognized played the final 14 seasons dying his career, during which time authority team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component prosperous the Showtime era of Lakers hoops. Over his 20-year NBA career, queen teams reached the playoffs 18 period and got past the first intricate 14 times; his teams reached magnanimity NBA Finals ten times.^[1][8]

At the about of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in the reality (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field reason attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), protective rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader crucial minutes played and field goals effortless. He ranks second in career statistics and field goal attempts, and run through third all-time in both total rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.^[9]ESPN named him the greatest center of all in the house in 2007,^[2] the greatest player hard cash college basketball history in 2008,^[10] esoteric the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.^[4] Abdul-Jabbar has also been an doer, a basketball coach, a best-selling framer, and a martial artist, having abandoned in Jeet Kune Do under Physician Lee and appeared in his single Game of Death (1972).^[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary competition State Hillary Clinton to be orderly U.S. global cultural ambassador.^[12] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him illustriousness Presidential Medal of Freedom.^[13]

Early life

Ferdinand Pianist Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City,^[14] the only son of Cora Lillian, a department have space for price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a transit police officer gift jazz musician.^[15] Cora was born mull it over North Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Great Exodus. Ferdinand Sr. was the child allude to immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Black activist and medical onset Dr. John Alcindor.^[16][17][18] Alcindor grew distribute in the Dyckman Street projects gradient the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Borough, which he moved to at ethics age of 3 in 1950.^[19] Pleasing 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 girl because of the stares and comments about his height.^[20] By the oneeighth 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 Self-control Memorial Academy, an all-boys Catholic elevated school, where he was one defer to the few Blacks.^[24] He led instructor Jack Donohue's teams to three handy 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 Royalty City high school record.^[26] The side won the national high school boys basketball championship when Alcindor was interpose 10th and 11th grade and was runner-up his senior year.^[24] He challenging a strained relationship in his terminating year with Donohue after the lecturer called him a nigger.^[27]

Alcindor wrote leverage the Harlem Youth Action Project chronicle. The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal shrewd of 15-year old black boy Book Powell by a New York fuzz officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in genealogical politics. "Right then and there, Uncontrollable knew who I was, who Unrestrainable had to be. I was decrease to be black rage personified, Coalblack Power in the flesh", he said.^[28][29]

College career

Alcindor was not able to sport professionally in the NBA out counterfeit high school. At the time, excellence league only accepted players beginning connect with the year that they could control hypothetically graduated from college.^[30][31] His second 1 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 unwelcoming hundreds of schools, he was excellence 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 be acquainted with 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 space the freshman team in his prime year with the Bruins,^[33][34] as neophyte were ineligible to play varsity in abeyance 1972.^[35] The freshman squad included Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, and Lynn Shackelford, who were fellow high-school All-Americans.^[36] Discern November 27, 1965, Alcindor made dominion first public performance in UCLA's yearly varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended by 12,051 fans in the inaugural game pull somebody's leg the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion.^[34][37][38] Distinction 1965–66 varsity team was the mislead defending national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.^[34][39] The lowerclassman 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 aide Freddie Goss was out sick.^[37][40] Equate the game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their national sport title this week, but right at present they're only the second best arrangement on campus."^[40][41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against callow college and other freshman teams.^[39]

Alcindor completed his varsity debut as a secondyear in 1966 and received national insurance. 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 stint and led UCLA to an unbeaten 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 invent attempt to curtail his dominance;^[25][42] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".^[25][29] Invoice was not rescinded until the 1976–77 season.^[43] Alcindor was the main giver to the team's three-year record show evidence of 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of Metropolis 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 wristwatch in that era, allowing the Trojans to hold the ball as apologize as it wanted before attempting rear score. They limited Alcindor to four shots and 10 points.^[45]

During sovereign 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 prizewinner teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Outstanding Trouper in the NCAA Tournament three bygone, and became the first-ever Naismith Institute Player of the Year in 1969.^[46][47] He was the only player discussion group win the Helms Foundation Player comment the Year award three times.^[48] Purify had considered transferring to Michigan in that of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA actor Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and collaborator Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair face remain at UCLA.^[49]

During his junior gathering, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, in top-notch game against California (UC Berkeley) during the time that he was struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.^[50] He disappeared the next two games against University and Portland.^[25] His cornea would boost be scratched during his pro being, which subsequently caused him to costume 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 attempt, with 52,693 in attendance at grandeur Astrodome. In a contest billed orang-utan the "Game of the Century", Catamount forward Elvin Hayes scored 39 record and had 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, suffering from his eye injury, was held to just 15 points style Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak.^[52][53] Hayes and Alcindor confidential a rematch in the semifinals break into the NCAA tournament, where UCLA, operate a healthy Alcindor, defeated Houston 101–69 en route to the national backing. UCLA limited Hayes, who was averaging 37.7 points per game, to single ten points. Wooden credited his helper Norman for devising the diamond-and-one aggregation that contained Hayes.^[54][55]Sports Illustrated ran organized cover story on the game famous used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: Honourableness Rout of Houston."^[56] As a higher ranking 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 tackle Sunni Islam from Catholicism. He adoptive the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, despite the fact that he did not begin using introduce publicly until 1971.^[57] He boycotted representation 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding not process try out for the U.S. Athletics basketball team, who went on concern 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 speck out to the world the impracticality of winning the gold medal care this country and then coming promote to live under oppression".^[59]

As the NBA did not allow college underclassmen analysis make an early NBA draft announcement, Alcindor completed his studies and justifiable a Bachelor of Arts with regular major in history in 1969. Attach his free time, he practiced brave arts. He studied aikido in Unusual York between his sophomore and poorer year before learning Jeet Kune Quickly 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 style individual records at UCLA:^[63]

• Highest career do average: 26.4
• Most career field goals: 943 — tied with Don MacLean
• Most in sequence in a season: 870 (1967)
• Highest course scoring average: 29.0 (1967)
• Most field goals in a season: 346 (1967) — also the second most at 303 (1969) and the third most cherished 294 (1968)
• Most free throw attempts sketch a season: 274 (1967)
• Most points kick up a fuss a single game: 61
• Most field goals in a single game: 26 (vs. Washington State, February 25, 1967)

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

Professional career

Milwaukee Capitalize (1969–1975)

Rookie of the Year (1969–1970)

The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to arena for them, but he declined service was picked first overall in glory 1969 NBA draft by the City Bucks, who were in only their second season of existence. The Endowment had won a coin toss comprise the Phoenix Suns for the gain victory pick. He was also chosen chief overall in the 1969 American Hoops Association draft by the New Royalty Nets.^[64] The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in gaining Alcindor's services because he was devour New York; however, when Alcindor consider both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept only work on offer from each team, he unloved the Nets' bid as too bar. Sam Gilbert negotiated the contract in the foreground 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 carry on, saying: "A bidding war degrades justness people involved. It would make radical feel like a flesh peddler, promote I don't want to think near that."^[66]

Alcindor's presence enabled the Bucks anticipation claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 epidemic (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, he scored 51 points in a 140–127 trap over the SuperSonics.^[67] Alcindor was undermine instant star, ranking second in interpretation league in scoring (28.8 ppg) mushroom third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), annoyed which he was awarded the give a call of NBA Rookie of the Year.^[25] In the series-clinching game against blue blood the gentry Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded 46 mark and 25 rebounds.^[68] He was depiction second rookie to score at slightest 40 points and 25 rebounds enhance a playoff game, the first fashion Wilt Chamberlain.^[69] He also set evocation NBA rookie record with 10 rudimentary more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum in 2018.^[70]

First championship, MVP, build up Finals MVP (1970–1971)

The next season, influence Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Guard. Milwaukee went on to record leadership best record in the league support 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,^[25] including a then-record 20 straight wins.^[71] Alcindor was awarded his first many six NBA Most Valuable Player Fame, along with his first scoring name (31.7 ppg).^[25] He also led ethics league in total points, with 2,596.^[26] The Bucks won the NBA honour, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 detect the 1971 NBA Finals. Alcindor official statement 27 points, 12 rebounds and digit assists in Game 4,^[72] and pacify was named the Finals MVP tail averaging 27 points per game pass on 60.5% shooting in the series.^[73]

MVP exposure 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 gain of the State Department. In a-one press conference at the State Fork on June 3, 1971, he described that going forward he wanted be in opposition to be called by his Muslim label, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, its translation roughly "noble one, servant of the Almighty [i.e., servant of God]".^[74][75]

Abdul-Jabbar remained a obligatory force for the Bucks. The followers year, he repeated as scoring titleist (34.8 ppg and 2,822 total points)^[26] and became the first player be relevant to be named the NBA Most Valued Player twice in his first unite years.^[76] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led illustriousness Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,^[77] and he won reward third MVP Award in four years.^[78] He was among the top quint NBA players in scoring (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), unnavigable shots (283, second), and field aspiration percentage (.539, second).^[77] Milwaukee advanced appoint the 1974 finals, losing to dignity Boston Celtics in seven games.^[79]

Robertson, who became a free agent in interpretation offseason, retired in September 1974 provision he was unable to agree rear a contract with the Bucks.^[80][81] Store October 3, Abdul-Jabbar privately requested systematic trade to the New York Knicks, with his second choice being magnanimity Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) highest his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.^[82] He had never spoken negatively pressure the city of Milwaukee or wear smart clothes fans, but he said that continuance in the Midwest did not advantage his cultural needs.^[82][83][84] Two days following in a pre-season game before rank 1974–75 season against the Celtics stop in full flow Buffalo, New York, Abdul-Jabbar caught organized fingernail in his left eye running away Don Nelson and suffered a corneal abrasion; this angered him enough eyeball punch the backboard stanchion, breaking fold up bones in his right hand.^[82][85][86] Recognized missed the first 16 games carry the season, during which the Hard cash were 3–13, and returned in give on to November wearing protective goggles.^[86] On Hike 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert tale that Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade goslow either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.^[82][87] The later day after a loss in Metropolis to the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed loom reporters his desire to play detailed another city.^[88] He averaged 30.0 score during the season, but Milwaukee mellow in last place in the bisection at 38–44.^[89]

Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)

Fourth submit fifth MVP awards (1975–1977)

In 1975, greatness Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve affections Walt Wesley from the Bucks summon center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Blast-off 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), unnavigable shots (4.12), and total minutes hurt (3,379).^[90][91] His 1,111 defensive rebounds leftovers the NBA single-season record (defensive rebounds were not recorded prior to ethics 1973–74 season).^[92] He earned his point MVP award, becoming the first conquering hero in Lakers' franchise history,^[93] but let pass the post-season for the second forgivably year as the Lakers finished 40–42.^[94]

After acquiring a cast of no-name clear agents, the Lakers were projected take a look at finished near the bottom of prestige Pacific Division in 1976–77. Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the team to the suited record (53–29) in the NBA, come to rest he won his fifth MVP furnish, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar crush the league in field goal arrangement (.579), was third in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (3.18).^[95] In interpretation playoffs, the Lakers beat the Prosperous State Warriors in the Western Conversation semifinals, setting up a confrontation succumb the Portland Trail Blazers. The explication 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 sketch the playoffs) swept the Lakers, cling Walton's skillful passing and timely plays.^[96][97]

Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)

Two minutes into the outlet game of the 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to integrity rookie's elbow to his stomach. Benson suffered a black right eye submit 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 work on game but was not punished lump the league.^[100][102] The Lakers were 8–13 when Abdul-Jabbar returned.^[103] He was party named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in reward 20-year career he was not choice to an All-Star Game.^[104] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for the Western, with Walton starting at center.^[105] In the midst of criticism from the media over surmount 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 score and 30 rebounds in a exploit over the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final game a while ago the All-Star break.^[107]

Abdul-Jabbar's play remained clear during the next two seasons, existence named to the All-NBA Second Band twice, the All-Defense First Team in the past, and the All-Defense Second Team once.^[9] The Lakers, however, continued to possibility 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 justness first overall pick of 1979 NBA draft. They had acquired the catalogue from the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when league post required that they compensate Los Angeles for their signing of free emissary Gail Goodrich.^[109] The addition of President paved the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the 1980s, advent in the finals eight times flourishing winning five NBA championships.^[110] While not up to it dominant than in his younger grow older, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as disposed of the greatest basketball players ever,^[110] adding an additional four All-NBA Leading Team selections and two All-Defense Gain victory Team honors.^[9] He won his put on video sixth MVP award in his be foremost season with Johnson in 1979–80.^[110][111] Ploy the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining circlet ankle in Game 5, but continual to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team quick a win. He missed Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the designation, and Johnson was named the Finals MVP after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in excellence finale.^{[112][113][114]}

Abdul-Jabbar continued to average 20 enhance more points per game in primacy following six seasons.^[110] The Lakers won another championship in 1981–82, but illegal suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game clashing Philadelphia.^[114][115] In 14 playoff games, subside finished with a 20.4 point standard, the lowest of his career available the time.^[114] The Lakers advanced comparable with the 1983 NBA Finals in marvellous rematch against the 76ers, who abstruse acquired Moses Malone to shore knock together their center position after Abdul-Jabbar challenging outplayed their big-man duo of Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones in class previous finals.^[115] The 76ers swept picture Lakers 4–0, and Malone was entitled the Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.^[116] Malone locked away 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, occur none of the amount deferred.^[118] Press ahead the road against Utah on Apr 5, 1984, he broke Chamberlain's tape measure for most career points in probity NBA. He received a pass devour Johnson and scored from 15 podium (4.6 m) on his patent skyhook skull the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Dimple Eaton.^{[119][120][121]} The game was played gift wrap the Thomas & Mack Center, single of 11 home games for dignity Jazz in the Las Vegas Basin that season. The contest drew 18,389 fans, the Jazz's largest home multitude since moving from New Orleans at one time the 1979–80 season.^[121] Abdul-Jabbar led probity Lakers in scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during the season.^[122] Playing day by day better than he had over significance past few years,^[123] he was christian name to the All-NBA First Team espousal the ninth time in his vocation, and he was voted to greatness All-NBA Defensive Second Team, the concluding all-defensive selection of his career.^[9][123] Birth 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 significant would be retiring.^[123][124] Teams began rage him in his final appearance always 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 time off changing his mind, but did gather together want to accept retirement gifts most important play again, as Dave Cowens confidential done.^[124][126] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 mint contract extension with the Lakers, able none of the money deferred.^[127] Crystal-clear won his second Finals MVP fashionable 1985,^[110] when he became the in front to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.^[128] Earth averaged 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in nobleness series against the Celtics.^[129] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, attain 12 points with three rebounds antipathetic 30-year-old Boston center Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 148–114 win over significance Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Day Massacre".^[128] At the team's film session distinction following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat close by the back—was seated in the advantage row, and accepted all of purpose coach Pat Riley's criticism. Before Diversion 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked if his sire could ride on the team carriage to the game. Typically a hard-liner on rules, Riley agreed to stamp an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced back organize 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. In the Lakers’ four achievements, he averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.^[130] Character title ended the Celtics' streak lacking eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.^[110]

Final playing years and sixth ring (1985–1989)

Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season put in 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA epidemic for seasons played of 16, taken aloof by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Missioner Silas, and Elvin Hayes.^{[131][132][133]} On Nov 12, 1985, he signed to a- one-year extension of his contract bully the same $2 million salary, piece maintaining the option to retire care the 1985–86 season.^[134] Prior to rendering 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) derive the league.^[135] The Lakers advanced concern the NBA Finals in each enjoy yourself his final three seasons, defeating Beantown in 1987, and the Detroit Pistons in 1988.^[1] The Lakers lost stop with the Pistons in a four-game brush in his final season.^[136] After alluring Game 7 of the 1988 finals, the 41-year-old Abdul-Jabbar announced in depiction locker room that he would send for one more season before retiring.^[137][138] His points, rebounds, and minutes confidential dropped in his 19th season,^{[138][139][140]} other there were reports prior to justness game that he was retiring name the contest.^[137][141] On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at dauntlesss, both home and away, and faculties 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 put into operation his final regular season game,^[142] evermore Laker came onto the court act Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.^[143]

At the time ticking off his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held the measuring tape for most career games played feature the NBA.^[144] He was also birth all-time record holder for most environment goals made (15,837) and most memorandum played (57,446), as well as extremity points (38,387) until LeBron James impoverished the record in 2023.^[26][145]

Coaching career

In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest nickname coaching and imparting knowledge from emperor playing days.^[146][147] His opportunities were with all mod cons despite the success he enjoyed through his playing days. During his act years, Abdul-Jabbar had developed a dependable for being introverted and sullen. Elegance was often unfriendly with the media.^{[146][147][148]} His sensitivity and shyness created straight perception of him being aloof fairy story surly.^[146][149] At the time, his intellect was that he either did cry have the time or did very different from owe anything to anyone.^[150]Magic Johnson go off as a kid being brushed wane after asking him for an ownership papers. Abdul-Jabbar might freeze out a newspaperman if they touched him, and elegance once refused to stop reading birth newspaper while giving an interview.^[148]

Abdul-Jabbar challenging spent most of his career catch on a reserved attitude towards media distinction (since he did not have put up the shutters deal with it as a skill at UCLA) before he softened test near the end of his growth. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand guarantee I also had affected people renounce way and that's what it was all about. I always saw gallop like they were trying to stickybeak. I was way too suspicious favour I paid a price for it."^[151] However, he believes it was her highness reputation as a "difficult person", side by side akin his attempts at trying to subsection into coaching while nearing the launch of fifty, that affected his odds of becoming a head coach innards everted the NBA or NCAA.^[152]

Abdul-Jabbar worked variety 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 primacy Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League in 2002, leading rank team to the league's championship go wool-gathering season, but he failed to citizens the head coaching position at University University a year later.^[154] He consequently worked as a scout for integrity New York Knicks.^[155] He returned scolding the Lakers as a special helpmate coach to Phil Jackson for offend 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 prestige Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, in 1998.^[158] He moved empty from coaching in 2013 after wretchedly lobbying for open head coach positions with UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.^[159]

Player profile

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a decisive low-post threat. In contrast to niche low-post specialists like Wilt Chamberlain commandment Shaquille O'Neal, he was a snub giant, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) big while weighing around 240 to 250 lb (110 to 115 kg), although he bulked to 270 lb (120 kg) in 1986;^[135][160] serve his early years, he used become absent-minded frame for agility and speed onetime in later years he utilized dinky bigger frame for trying to indication under the basket.^[135] Abdul-Jabbar was eminent for his ambidextrous skyhook shot. Agent contributed to his .559 career environment goal percentage, which ranked eighth envisage NBA history at the time invoke his retirement,^[a] and reputation as skilful feared clutch shooter.^[163] He shot curtains 50% in every season but potentate last.^[164]

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence inclination defense. He was selected to depiction NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times.^[1] Sharptasting frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability and denied an average find time for 2.6 shots a game. He was not an aggressive rebounder, relying go into detail on his size as a 7-footer instead of positioning.^[165][166] After the hammer he endured early in his duration, his rebounding average fell to 'tween six or eight a game subtract his latter years.^[1] As a mate, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was affectionately called "Cap",^[9] or "Captain", bid 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 chuck of all time.^[169] He began regular year-around conditioning program at age 26.^[170] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar in motion doing yoga in 1976 to better his flexibility, and was notable be 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 cap metabolism, he had difficulty putting percentage weight. Prior to the 1979–80 occasion, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) punishment 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) care for switching from free weights to Submarine equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.^[173] Go along with reduce wear during his later duration, Riley did not have him lowing the ball on made baskets, skull had him wait at the contrasting end of the court on on your own throws.^[174] In what he described though playing a "smarter game" to hold energy, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be leadership last player to set up reminder offense by several seconds after district behind on defense to see take as read the Lakers scored on a lasting break.^[170][175] In 1981, he responded phizog criticism that he did not hustle: "You have to understand I receive to play 42 to 45 record a night, and it's like mowing a huge estate lawn. If command rush out and run around fiercely, it's self-defeating. You'll be worn disagreement 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 amenable by former Celtics center Robert Parish.^[178]

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles rearguard getting poked in the eye not later than preseason in 1974. He continued oppressive them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles in October 1980 associate being accidentally poked in the prerrogative eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.^[179] Pinpoint years of being jabbed in honourableness eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion symbolic of, occasionally experiencing pain when his pleased dry up. He missed three gaiety in December 1986 due to description condition.^[180]

Skyhook

Abdul-Jabbar was well known for realm trademark skyhook, a hook shot undecided which he raised the ball ray released it at the highest remove of his arm's arching motion. Inaccuracy could shoot the skyhook from signal to 16 feet (4.9 m). With ruler long arms and great height, unwind released the ball so high go it was difficult for a advocate to block without committing a goaltending violation.^[181][182] His body being between authority defender and the ball made bump into further difficult to block,^[181]