Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Part 2)

Abdul-Jabbar faced significant decisions regarding his professional basketball career after his successful college tenure at UCLA. Despite receiving a tempting offer of $1 million from the Harlem Globetrotters, he opted to pursue a career in the NBA. In the 1969 NBA draft, Abdul-Jabbar was selected as the first overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, a relatively new franchise at the time, having won a coin toss with the Phoenix Suns for the top pick. Additionally, he was chosen as the first overall pick in the 1969 American Basketball Association (ABA) draft by the New York Nets.


Both the Bucks and the Nets vied for Abdul-Jabbar's services, with the Nets believing they had an advantage due to his New York roots. However, Abdul-Jabbar set clear conditions, informing both teams that he would only consider one offer from each. Ultimately, he rejected the Nets' bid as insufficient. The negotiation of his contract was handled by Sam Gilbert and Los Angeles businessman Ralph Shapiro, without charging any fees.
Abdul-Jabbar's decision to join the Bucks was based on a $1.4 million offer, despite the Nets subsequently offering a guaranteed $3.25 million. He declined the higher offer, citing his aversion to engaging in a bidding war and feeling uncomfortable with the idea of being treated as a commodity.


Abdul-Jabbar's arrival in Milwaukee had an immediate impact on the team's performance, as they improved from a 27–55 record the previous year to claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 record. He quickly established himself as a star player, ranking among the league leaders in scoring and rebounding. His outstanding performance earned him the title of NBA Rookie of the Year. In a pivotal playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Abdul-Jabbar showcased his dominance with 46 points and 25 rebounds, becoming only the second rookie in NBA history to achieve such a feat, following in the footsteps of Wilt Chamberlain. Additionally, he set a rookie record with ten or more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, a mark later equaled by Jayson Tatum in 2018.


The addition of All-Star guard Oscar Robertson to the Milwaukee Bucks lineup significantly bolstered the team's strength in the following season. With Robertson's arrival, the Bucks experienced a remarkable surge, achieving the best record in the league during the 1970–71 season with an impressive 66 victories. This successful campaign included a then-record 20 consecutive wins, showcasing the team's dominance.


Abdul-Jabbar continued his stellar performance on the court, earning his first of six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards. Additionally, he secured his first scoring title with an average of 31.7 points per game, leading the league in total points scored with 2,596.
The Bucks' remarkable regular-season success translated into postseason triumph as well. In the 1971 NBA Finals, they faced the Baltimore Bullets and delivered a commanding performance, sweeping the series 4–0 to claim the NBA championship. Abdul-Jabbar played a pivotal role in the Finals, contributing significantly to the team's victories. In Game 4, he recorded impressive stats with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. For his exceptional performance throughout the Finals, Abdul-Jabbar was rightfully named the Finals MVP, averaging 27 points per game on an impressive shooting percentage of 60.5% over the course of the series.


During the offseason following their NBA success, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson embarked on a three-week basketball tour of Africa, representing the State Department. During a press conference at the State Department on June 3, 1971, Abdul-Jabbar expressed his desire to be referred to by his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty [servant of Allah]."


Abdul-Jabbar continued to excel on the court for the Milwaukee Bucks in the subsequent seasons. In the 1971-1972 season, he secured another scoring championship with an impressive average of 34.8 points per game and a total of 2,822 points. He also became the first player in NBA history to be named the Most Valuable Player twice within his first three years in the league.
In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title and earned his third MVP Award in four years. He showcased his versatility by ranking among the top five players in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and field goal percentage. Despite his individual success, the Bucks fell short in the 1974 NBA Finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games.


Following the 1974 season, Oscar Robertson, who had become a free agent, retired from basketball after failing to reach an agreement with the Bucks. Abdul-Jabbar, discontented with his Midwest surroundings, privately requested a trade to the New York Knicks, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Bullets as his alternative choices. His desire for a trade intensified after an injury during a pre-season game, causing him to miss the first 16 games of the 1974-1975 season. Despite his remarkable performance, averaging 30.0 points per game, the Bucks finished last in their division with a record of 38-44.

References

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5. ^ "Caribbean American Heritage Month Wall of Fame Day 7: Kareem Abdul Jabbar "Big Al"". MNI Alive. January 1, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
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