Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

About

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, originally named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on April 16, 1947, in New York City, he achieved significant success at an early age, leading his high school team to three straight New York City Catholic championships, then continuing his stellar career at UCLA. After college, Abdul-Jabbar entered the NBA in 1969 with the Milwaukee Bucks, and later played for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is known for his "skyhook" shot, and he remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. A six-time NBA MVP and a 19-time All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships during his career—five with the Lakers and one with the Bucks. Off the court, he's also known for his activism and his second career as an author and cultural critic.

Associated With

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, predominantly known for his illustrious basketball career, has also made his mark in various other industries, particularly acting and writing. He starred alongside Bruce Lee in the 1972 film "Game of Death," marking a memorable association with the martial arts icon. Abdul-Jabbar has also appeared in popular TV series such as "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," associating him with actors like Will Smith. As a writer, he's collaborated with various authors, co-written books, including "Mycroft Holmes" with Anna Waterhouse and Raymond Obstfeld. His commentary on societal issues has also led to interactions with diverse influential figures. There's no public record of his dating associations within the industry. In his multi-faceted career, Abdul-Jabbar's network spans across sports, entertainment, and literary circles.

Career Highlights

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started his NBA career by being selected as the first overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Draft (1969).
• He was named NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming remarkably the youngest player to achieve this feat at just 22-year-old (1970).
• He won his first NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award (1971).
• Abdul-Jabbar led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA Championship and was named NBA Finals MVP the same year (1971).
• He was awarded NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time (1972).
• Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers (1975).
• He won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the third time in his career (1976).
• He achieved another NBA Most Valable Player (MVP) award (1977).
• Abdul-Jabbar won his fifth NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award (1980).
• He led the Lakers to win the NBA Championship and was named the NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career (1980).
• He won another NBA Championship with the Lakers (1982).
• Abdul-Jabbar won his third NBA Championship with the Lakers (1985).
• He then clinched his fourth championship with the Lakers (1987).
• He won his final NBA Championship, his fifth with the Lakers and sixth overall in his career (1988).
• Abdul-Jabbar retired from professional basketball, having scored the most points in NBA history, a record 38,387 points (1989).
• He was admitted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995).
• He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
• Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama (2016).

Notable Awards

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won several notable awards including:
• NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) - 6 times (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
• NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) - 2 times (1971, 1985)
• 19-time NBA All-Star - (1970-1977, 1979-1989)
• 10-time All-NBA First Team - (1971–1974, 1976–1977, 1980–1981, 1984, 1986)
• 5-time All-NBA Second Team - (1970, 1978–1979, 1983, 1985)
• 5-time NBA All-Defensive First Team - (1974–1975, 1979–1981)
• 6-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team - (1970–1971, 1976–1978, 1984)
• NBA All-Rookie Team - (1970)
• NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team - (1996)
• 2-time NBA scoring champion - (1971, 1972)
• 4-time NBA blocks leader - (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year - (1985)
• In addition to those listed, he also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in 2016. This is the highest civilian award in the United States.

FAQs

What Is the Most Noteworthy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Match/Event?

One of the most popular matches that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ever played was in the 1985 NBA Finals when his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, faced the Boston Celtics. This match was significant as the Lakers had not defeated the Celtics in an NBA Finals series since moving to Los Angeles. In this match, Abdul-Jabbar was instrumental in helping the Lakers win the championship and was named the MVP of the series at the age of 38, making him the oldest NBA Finals MVP. He scored 29 points in the decisive game six, showing the depth of his skills and resilience even towards the end of his career. It was a defining moment in Abdul-Jabbar's career and solidified his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

How Did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Get Famous?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, originally named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., became famous as a professional basketball player. He built his reputation as a player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1969 to 1989, initially with the Milwaukee Bucks and later the Los Angeles Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar's exceptional skills, particularly his "skyhook" shot, which is considered one of the greatest scoring methods in the sport, made him a standout figure in basketball. His accolades, including six-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, and all-time leading scorer in NBA history, bolstered his fame and cemented his legacy in the sport. His off-court activities, such as activism and authoring several books, have also contributed to his renown.