If Lew Alcindor were a rookie in 2013, he would have come into the NBA his legend already preceeding him. As a high school player in New York City, his teams won championships. In college at UCLA, Alcindor made coach John Wooden a Legend by leading the Bruins to a record 71 game winning streak, with an overall 3 year mark of 88 wins and 2 losses. Lew was a 3-time NCAA National Champion, 2-time Player of the Year and 3-time NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In 1969, Alcindor graduated college and was drafted 1st overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning an NBA career that would span twenty years.
The World was in the midst of Revolution & Cultural Change in 1969. Kennedy & King were gone, but their life's work was slowly being realized. The Vietnam
War was in full effect. People in America were angry, confused, stoned, afraid, optimistic and pessimistic. The Old Guard was being driven out by A New Guard of Evolved thinking and living, but the changes would be gradual at best. The NBA had been in existence since the late 40s, so they too were experiencing the same Cultural Shifting. Players like Wilt Chamberlain & Lew Alcindor would play significant roles in changing perceptions and influencing the American Sports Landscape as a whole.
Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as his spiritual awakening began at UCLA and came to fruition after winning the 1971 NBA Championship. Abdul-Jabbar would become the NBA's Most Valuable Player a record 6 Times. He dominated the NBA with an all-around game that would allow his teams to win 6 NBA Titles. His patented Skyhook shot was unstoppable and he was able to hit it with both hands, making him a lethal scorer from any direction to the basket.
His statistics are as mind-boggling as his success. 38,387 points (1st), 17,440 rebounds (4th), 3189 blocks (3rd), 5660 assists (37th). Yeah, Kareem
dished more assists than NBA Greats, Guards Dennis Johnson, Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan. A One-Man Wrecking Crew of Offensive & Defensive Supremacy, Kareem is the most Skilled & Efficient Center to ever play Basketball. No player contributed more to his teams successes than Abdul Jabbar, with the exception of MJ. Where Russell, Chamberlain and Olajuwon get most of the Pub, Abdul-Jabbar gets clear distinction as the Best through the Numbers and the Championships.
Magic was the enthusiastic personality of the Lakers, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the blood and guts. Magic made the flashy passes, but Abdul-Jabbar made the baskets. Magic led all the fast-breaks of the Showtime Lakers, but Kareem created those possessions with the Blocks & Rebounds. Kareem made Earvin 'Magic' & 'Showtime' a Winner.
Behold the Starting Center of the NBA ALL-TIME TEAM.
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