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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw his reign as the NBA's scoring king overtaken by LeBron James on Tuesday. Despite owning the record since April 1984, Abdul-Jabbar is not talked about enough as compared to basketball players of his ilk, like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Abdul-Jabbar is deemed by many as one of the finest basketball players in history. Despite this, he is often seen as an underrated legend. While Abdul-Jabbar's impact on the game cannot be overstated, he deserves more recognition and praise than he often receives.
Abdul-Jabbar’s career roundup
Abdul-Jabbar grew up in New York City and began his basketball career at a young age. After a successful high school career, he attended UCLA, where he played for legendary coach John Wooden.
There, Abdul-Jabbar led the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships and was named the National Player of the Year all three seasons. (Freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity.)
Abdul-Jabbar was selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 draft. He went on to play 20 seasons, spending the first six years of his career in Milwaukee and the final six with the LA Lakers. Throughout his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant force, earning six championships, six MVP awards, 19 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA first-team selections.
One of Abdul-Jabbar's most notable accomplishments is his incredible scoring record. He was the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points until Tuesday. He also holds numerous other records, including the most points in a single season and game by a center and the most career minutes played.
Abdul-Jabbar was also a remarkable defensive player, earning 11 All-Defensive team selections and leading the league in blocks four times.
Why Abdul-Jabbar is underrated
Despite his numerous accomplishments and records, Abdul-Jabbar is often considered an underrated legend. This is in part due to the fact that his career spanned from 1969 to 1989, a time when the NBA was not as popular as it is today. Abdul-Jabbar was also known for being reserved and stoic, which may be a contributing factor.
Another factor that has led to Abdul-Jabbar's being overlooked is the perception that he was a one-dimensional player. While it is true that he was known for his scoring, he was much more than just a scorer. He was an excellent passer, defender and rebounder. He was also a leader on and off the court and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
Despite being an underrated legend, Abdul-Jabbar's impact on the game will always be remembered and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players. He will be seen in the history books as someone who gave his all on the basketball court.
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