Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Part 3)

In 1975, the Los Angeles Lakers made a significant move by acquiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and reserve center Walt Wesley from the Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange, the Bucks received center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, and promising rookies Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgeman, along with cash considerations.
Abdul-Jabbar's impact on the Lakers was immediate and profound. In the 1975-1976 season, his first with the team, he put up remarkable numbers, averaging 27.7 points, 16.9 rebounds, and a staggering 4.12 blocked shots per game. His defensive prowess was particularly notable, as he set a single-season NBA record with 1,111 defensive rebounds, a statistic that was not tracked before the 1973-1974 season. Despite Abdul-Jabbar's stellar performance, the Lakers failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, finishing with a record of 40-42.


However, the following season saw a dramatic turnaround for the Lakers. Despite low expectations and a roster consisting of relatively unknown free agents, Abdul-Jabbar led the team to the best record in the NBA at 53-29. He continued his dominant play on both ends of the court, averaging 26.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 3.18 blocked shots per game. His stellar performance earned him his fifth MVP award, tying Bill Russell's record.
In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals and emerged victorious. This set up a highly anticipated showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers, led by the talented young center Bill Walton. Despite Abdul-Jabbar's individual brilliance throughout the series, Walton and the Trail Blazers swept the Lakers in a memorable matchup, with Walton's exceptional passing and overall skill proving decisive.


The 1977-78 season started on a tumultuous note for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he broke his right hand just two minutes into the opening game. The injury occurred when Abdul-Jabbar retaliated to a rookie, Kent Benson, who allegedly elbowed him in the stomach. This led to Abdul-Jabbar punching Benson, resulting in a broken hand for Abdul-Jabbar and a black eye requiring two stitches for Benson. While Benson claimed that Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, there were no witnesses or replays to confirm this.
Abdul-Jabbar, who had previously broken the same bone in 1975 after punching the backboard support, missed almost two months and 20 games due to the injury. He was fined a then-league record $5,000 but was not suspended. Despite his absence, the Lakers struggled with an 8-13 record upon Abdul-Jabbar's return. Additionally, Abdul-Jabbar faced a notable setback as he was not selected for the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, marking the only time in his 20-year career that he was not named to an All-Star Game. This exclusion sparked criticism from the media.


However, Abdul-Jabbar responded emphatically to the criticism with outstanding performances on the court. He recorded impressive stats, including 39 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, coinciding with the day the All-Star rosters were announced. He followed this up with another stellar performance, registering 37 points and 30 rebounds in a victory against the New Jersey Nets just before the All-Star break.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Abdul-Jabbar maintained a high level of play over the next two seasons. He earned selections to the All-NBA Second Team twice and the All-Defense Teams, showcasing his enduring skill and impact on the court. However, the Lakers faced playoff disappointments, being eliminated by the Seattle SuperSonics in both the first round of 1978 and the semifinals of 1979.


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career with the Los Angeles Lakers was defined by continued excellence and success, particularly with the emergence of Magic Johnson and the onset of the Showtime era. Despite aging, Abdul-Jabbar remained a dominant force on the court, earning additional accolades and contributing to the Lakers' championship pursuits.
In the 1979-80 season, Abdul-Jabbar won his record sixth MVP award, his first season playing alongside Magic Johnson. Although he suffered an ankle sprain in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, he displayed remarkable resilience by scoring 40 points before missing Game 6, which the Lakers won to secure the championship, with Johnson earning the Finals MVP.


Over the next several seasons, Abdul-Jabbar maintained a high level of performance, averaging over 20 points per game. The Lakers won another championship in 1981-82, although Abdul-Jabbar battled migraines during the finals, affecting his scoring output. In 1983, the Lakers faced a rematch against the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals, but were swept, with Moses Malone outperforming Abdul-Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar's milestone moments continued, including breaking Wilt Chamberlain's career scoring record in 1984, solidifying his place in NBA history. He won his second Finals MVP in 1985, becoming the oldest player to receive the award, leading the Lakers to victory over the Boston Celtics in a memorable series. His leadership and performance were pivotal in ending the Celtics' dominance over the Lakers in the championship.


In his final seasons, Abdul-Jabbar continued to set records and contribute to the Lakers' success, including winning championships in 1987 and 1988. He retired in 1989, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held numerous NBA records, including most career games played, most field goals made, most minutes played, and most points scored, a record that stood until LeBron James surpassed it in 2023.

References

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