Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born in New York City, New York, 16 April 1947; age 64 years with the name of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr..) Is a former basketball player from the United States.


career

He played for UCLA, then professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Highest scoring record with 38 387 of all time is still held by him. After retirement he also became a star playing the movie, in which the film Game of Death with Bruce Lee and the comedy film Airplane!.


Early life

Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on April 16, 1947, and grew up in Manhattan in New York City, the only child of Cora Lillian, a department store price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Sr., a transit police and the birth of jazz musician.At, he weighed 12 pounds, 10 ounces (5.73 kg), and twenty-two and a half inches (57.2 cm) long. He was raised as a Catholic and attended St. Jude School in Inwood section of Manhattan. Later he converted to Islam. He originally joined the Nation of Islam in 1968, prior to retake Shahada and embrace Sunni Islam that same summer.
From an early age he began his record-breaking basketball accomplishments. In high school, he led Power Memorial Academy to three straight New York City Catholic championships, 71-game winning streak and 79-2 record overall.


College

Lew Alcindor played three seasons for the 1966-69 UCLA Bruins under coach John Wooden, contributing to a three-year team record of 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of Houston, Alcindor had eye injury has not fully recovered (see below) , and the other to crosstown rival USC who played a "stall game" (ie, no shot clock at the time, so the team can hold the ball as long as it wanted before attempting to score).


During college career, Alcindor was named Player of the Year twice (1967, 1969), was three times All-America First Team (1967-1969), played on three NCAA Basketball champion teams (1967, 1968, 1969), was honored as the Outstanding Player NCAA Tournament (1967, 1968, 1969), and became the first Naismith College Player of the Year in 1969.


In 1967 and 1968 he also won USBWA College Player of the Year which later became Oscar Robertson Trophy. Alcindor became the only player to win the Helms Foundation Player of the Year three times. The 1965-1966 UCLA Bruin team is the preseason # 1. But on 27 November 1965, a team of students led by Alcindor defeated the varsity team 75-60 in the first game at Pauley Pavilion new. Alcindor scored 31 points and 21 rebounds in that game.

This dunk was banned in college basketball after the 1967 season, mainly due to the dominant use of shot.It Alcindor was not allowed again until 1976.


While playing for UCLA, he suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, at the Cal game when he was hit by Tom Henderson of Cal in a rebound battle.He will miss next two games against Stanford and Portland. This happens just before an important game against Houston. His cornea later would be scratched again during his pro career, and caused him to wear goggles for protection.


Alcindor boycotted the 1968 Olympics by deciding not to join the basketball team of the United States Olympic Men that year, protesting the unequal treatment of African-Americans in the United States.
In addition to playing basketball, Alcindor also holds a degree in history from UCLA.


Game of the Century


Main article: Game of the Century (college basketball)
On January 20, 1968, Alcindor and the UCLA Bruins faced the Houston Cougars in the season lecture was first nationally televised regular basketball. In front of 52,693 fans at the Houston Astrodome, Elvin Hayes scored 39 points and 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, who suffered scrapes on his left cornea, was held to just 15 points as Houston beat UCLA, 71-69. 47-game winning streak that ended the Bruins in what is called "Game of the Century". Hayes and Alcindor would have a rematch in the 1968 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament where UCLA man, with a healthy Alcindor, would defeat Houston 101-69 in the semi-finals and went on to win the National Championship.


School notes

Alcindor had a remarkable career at UCLA. In the 2011-2012 season, he still holds the shares or the number of individual records at UCLA:
The highest career average score: 26.4
Most career field goals: 943 (tied with Don MacLean)
Most points in a season: 870 (1967)
The highest season average score: 29.0 (1967)
Most of the field goals in a season: 346 (1967)
Most free throw attempts in a season: 274 (1967)
Most points in one game: 61
Most of the field goals in one game: 26 (vs. Washington State, February 25, 1967)


Professional career


Milwaukee Bucks

Harlem Globetrotters offered $ 1 million to play for them, but he refused, and was named first in the 1969 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks Bucks won a coin toss with (which is only in their second season of existence.) Phoenix Suns for the first pick. He was also selected first overall in the 1969 American Basketball Association draft by the New York Nets Nets.The believe they had the upper hand in securing Alcindor service because he was from New York, but when Alcindor told both the Bucks and Nets that he would accept an offer of only from each team, the Nets bid too low.


Lew Alcindor entry into the NBA was timely, as center Bill Russell had just left the Boston Celtics, and Wilt Chamberlain, though still effective, is 33 years old. Alcindor's presence that allows the 1969-70 Bucks to claim second place in NBA Eastern Division with a record of 56-26 (up to 27-55 years before), and he was an instant star, ranking second in the league in points (28.8 ppg) and third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), for which he was awarded the title of NBA Rookie of the Year.
The next season the Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Robertson, who is known to sports fans as "Big 'O'." Milwaukee went on to record the best record in the league with 66 victories in the 1970-71 NBA season, including then-record 20 wins. Alcindor was awarded the first of six NBA Most Valuable Player award, along with his first scoring title (31.7 ppg). [6] In the playoffs, the Bucks went 12-2 (including the four-game sweep of the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA Finals), won the championship, and Alcindor was named Finals MVP. On May 1, 1971, the day after the Bucks won the NBA championship, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, its Arabic translation roughly "generous / noble (Kareem), servant (Abdul) the mighty / stern one (Jabbar) [ie Allah].


Abdul-Jabbar remained a dominant force for Milwaukee, repeating as scoring champion (34.8 ppg) and NBA Most Valuable Player the following year, and helping the Bucks to repeat as division leaders for four consecutive years. In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar won his third MVP award in five years and were among the top five players in the NBA in points (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), blocked shots (283, second) , and field goal percentage (.539, second).


While remaining relatively injury-free throughout his NBA career, Abdul-Jabbar twice broke his hand. First time during pre-season game in 1974, when he banged hard and gets his eyes scratched, which angered him enough to punch the basket support stanchion. When he returned, after missing the first 16 games this season, he started to wear protective eyewear. The second time he broke his hand in the 1977-78 NBA season opener. Two minutes into the game, Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee pressing Kent Benson in retaliation for an overly aggressive elbow. He was out for two months.


Although Abdul-Jabbar always spoke well of Milwaukee and its fans, he said that being in the Midwest do not fit the needs of both cultures and request trade New York or Los Angeles in October 1974.


Los Angeles Lakers


In 1975, the Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve center Walt Wesley from the Bucks for center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, and rookie "blue chippers" Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgeman. In the 1975-76 season, first with the Lakers, he had a dominating season, averaging 27.7 points per game and led the league in rebounding, blocked shots and minutes played. His 1111 defensive rebounds remains the NBA single season record (defensive rebounds are not recorded before the 1973-74 season). Also marked the last time anyone had 4,000 or more PRA (Points + Rebounds + Assists) in a single NBA season. He won his fourth MVP award, but missed the post-season for the second year in a row.


After he joined the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark glasses (he had to throw them in the 1979-1980 season). Years of struggling under NBA backboards, and beaten and scarred in the face in the process, have taken their toll on her and she developed corneal erosion syndrome, where the eyes begin to dry out easily and cease to produce moisture. He never missed a game in the 1986-87 season because of dry eyes and swelling as a result.


In the 1976-77 season, Abdul-Jabbar had a strong season. He led the league in field goal percentage, finished second in rebounding and blocked shots and third in points per game. He helped lead the Lakers to the best record in the NBA, and he won a record-tying fifth MVP award. In the playoffs, the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors in the semi-Western Region, setting up a confrontation with the Portland Trail Blazers. The result is a memorable battle, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Bill Walton. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated the series statistically, Walton and the Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first trip in the playoffs) swept the Lakers, behind Walton's skillful passing and leadership.


Abdul-Jabbar played that remain strong over the next two seasons, being named to the All-NBA Second Team twice, All-Defense First Team once, and All-Defense Second Team once. The Lakers, however, continue unobstructed in the playoffs, being eliminated by the Seattle SuperSonics in both 1978 and 1979.
In 1979, the Lakers acquired 1st overall draft pick Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Trade and draft paved the way for a Laker dynasty when they went on to become one of the most dominant teams of the 1980s, appearing in the finals eight times and won five NBA championships. Individually, while Abdul-Jabbar is not the dominant center he had been in 1970, he suffered a number of highlight moments. Among them is a record sixth MVP award in 1980, four All-NBA First Team designations, two more All-Defense First Team designations, 1985 Finals MVP, and on April 5, 1984 Wilt Chamberlain's record for career points. Later in his career, he bulked up to around 265 pounds, to be able to hold a stretch play was a very physical position to the beginning of the 40s.


While in LA, Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga in 1976 to increase flexibility, and is famous for his physical fitness regimen. He said, "There is no way I can play as long as I did without yoga.
In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar home burned, destroying many of his belongings including beloved jazz LP collection. Many Lakers fans sent and brought her album, which he found upliftin.
On June 28, 1989, after twenty professional seasons, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement. In the "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at the game, home and away games and prizes ranging from a yacht that said "Captain Skyhook" to framed jerseys from basketball career to the carpet Afghanistan.



In his biography My Life, Magic Johnson recalled that in a farewell game Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers and Celtics legends participated a lot. Any player wearing trademark sunglasses and Abdul-Jabbar sky hook should try at least once, which led to comic results. Lakers make the NBA Finals at the end of Abdul-Jabbar three seasons, defeating Boston in 1987, and Detroit in 1988. Lakers lost to the Pistons in a sweep of four games at the end of the season.
At the time of retirement, Jabbar holds the record for most games played by one player in the NBA, it will then be broken down by Robert Parish.


Post-NBA career


Since 2005, Abdul-Jabbar has served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar had been interested in coaching since his retirement, and gave him influence in the league, he thought that the opportunity would present itself. However, over the years playing, Abdul-Jabbar has developed a reputation for being introverted and sullen. He did not speak to the press, which led to the impression that he did not like them. In his biography My Life, Magic Johnson recalled instances when Abdul-Jabbar brushed him off when Magic (as a ball boy) asked for his autograph, Abdul-Jabbar froze out reporters who gave him too enthusiastic handshake or even hugged him, and refused to stop reading the newspaper when give interviews. Many basketball observers, but Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem believes that silence, either through contempt for the press corps or simply because of introversion, contributed to a shortage of training opportunities offered to Abdul-Jabbar by the NBA. With words, he said he had the mindset he could not overcome, and continued his career did not realize the effect it may have a reluctance on the future development prospects. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I do not understand that I also have influenced people like it and that is all that I always look like they are trying to unload I was too suspicious and I paid the price for it ...

Since he began lobbying for a position coach in 1995, he has managed to obtain only low-level assistant and scouting jobs in the NBA, and the only head coaching position in the minor professional leagues.
Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament wrote the song "Sweet Lew" about a similar incident when he met Abdul-Jabbar that he "idolized" in a charity match and got the "complete lack of response or interest". Ament was disappointed with the incident. This song appears on the B-Sides that Pearl Jam Lost Dogs compilation.



Abdul-Jabbar has worked as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics, helping mentor, among other things, the center of their children, Michael Olowokandi and Jerome James. Abdul-Jabbar was the head coach of Oklahoma Storm United States Basketball League in 2002, led the team to the league championship that season, but he failed to land the head coaching position at Columbia University years later. He then worked as a scout for the New York Knicks. Finally, on 2 September 2005, he returned to the Lakers as a special assistant to Phil Jackson to help the Lakers center ', and especially their young conscripts Andrew Bynum. Abdul-Jabbar influence that has been credited with the emergence of Bynum as the more talented NBA center. Abdul-Jabbar has also served as a volunteer coach at the College of Fort Apache Reservation Alchesay in India in Whiteriver, Arizona in 1998.

Player profiles

Abdul-Jabbar played the center position and is considered one of the best players of all time. He is the all-time leading NBA scorer with 38,387 points, having collected six titles, six regular season MVP and two Finals MVP awards, fifteen NBA First or Second Teams, a record nineteen NBA All-Star call-ups and an average of 24, 6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 blocks per game. He is also third all-time in registered blocks (3189), which is even more impressive because this stat is not recorded until the fourth year of his career (1974).
On offense, Abdul-Jabbar is a low-post threat unstoppable. Unlike the other low post dominant as Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore or Shaquille O'Neal, Abdul-Jabbar was a relatively small player, standing 7-2 but only weighing 225 pounds (although in recent years, his Lakers listed Abdul-Jabbar is weight 265). However, he made for the relative lack of bulk by showing a book of intelligence, strength, and is famous for his ambidextrous Skyhook shots (see below), who found it impossible to block defenders. This contributed to its high accuracy .559 field goal, making it the most accurate scorer of all eighth timeand feared clutch shooter. Abdul-Jabbar is also fast enough to run the "Showtime" fast break led by Magic Johnson and well-conditioned, standing on a timber which is an average of 36.8 minutes. Unlike the other big men, Abdul-Jabbar also could hit enough free throws, finishing with a career average of 72%.
On defense, Abdul-Jabbar to maintain a dominant presence. He was selected to the All-Defensive NBA team eleven times. He frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability, denying an average 2.6 shots a game.


As a teammate, Abdul-Jabbar exudes leadership and love of nature called "Cap" or "Captain" by his peers. He is also known for his strict fitness regime, which made him one of the most durable players of all time. In the NBA, his 20 game season and 1560 show that only exceeded by Robert Parish.
Abdul-Jabbar made 35 team and the NBA 50th Anniversary, and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time in 1996.


Sky-hook

Abdul-Jabbar, known as "sky-hook" trademark hook shot in which he bent his whole body (not just the arm) as a straw in one fluid motion to raise the ball and then release it at the highest point of the curved motion of his arm. Combined with long arms and great height (7 feet 2 inches), the sky hook was almost impossible for defenders to block without goaltending. Only a few have blocked Skyhook legendary, including basketball great Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Nate Thurmond, and Manute Bol. It is a reliable offensive weapon and feared and contribute to a lifetime high percentage of .559 field goal. As a twist, he is adept at shooting with either hand Skyhook, which makes it even more difficult to defend themselves. According to Abdul-Jabbar, he learned to move in the fifth grade after practicing with the Mikan Drill and soon learned to appreciate it, because it is "the only shot I could use that can not be destroyed again in my face.


NBA career and statistics


Tim and year

1969-75 Milwaukee Bucks
1975-89 Los Angeles Lakers


Statistical

This game was played - 1560 (2nd most in NBA history)
Field goal% - 55.9 (10th highest in NBA history)
Free throw% - 72.1
Three point% - 5.6
Rebound - 17 440 (3 rd highest in NBA history)
Rebounds per game - 11.2 (23 highest in NBA history)
Assist - 5660 (the 34th in NBA history)
Assist per game - 3.6
Stealing - 1160
Steals per game - 0.74
Block - 3189 (3 rd highest in NBA history) (Note: the blocks are not tabulated until the 1973-74 season officially)
Blocks per game - 2.57
Points per game - 24.6 (14th highest in NBA history)
Holds the NBA record for career:
Most points (38 387)
Minute game (57 446)
Most field goals made (15 837)
Most field goals attempted (28 307)
Most All-Star selection
Most All-Star game played