Tag: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Writer compares Victor Wembanyama to Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Is Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar an appropriate comparison for incoming rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama?

Just about every basketball fan is waiting with anticipation to watch incoming rookie Victor Wembanyama to see if the 7-foot-4 big man can live up to the massive hype surrounding him.

The San Antonio Spurs center has a truly unique set of skills. He can handle the ball in the open court, hit perimeter shots out to the 3-point line, post up a little bit and protect the rim at a high level on the other end.

It is hard to find a player, past or present, that one could compare him to. Some may say Ralph Sampson, another skinny 7-foot-4 center who showed promise in the mid-1980s before chronic knee problems prematurely ended his career. But Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes the best comp for the French native, at least in a general sense, is Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Via Bleacher Report:

“When looking for a Hall-of-Fame comp, Abdul-Jabbar most closely fits the bill with his similar size, massive wingspan and ability to control a game on both ends of the court.

“Abdul-Jabbar stood 7’2″ and weighed in at 225 pounds, not far off from Wembanyama’s 7’4”, 209-pound frame. Unless he develops a sky hook (could you imagine??), Wembanyama’s offensive skill set is noticeably different from Abdul-Jabbar’s, of course.

“Imagine if someone Abdul-Jabbar’s size could handle the ball like a guard, attack off the dribble and shoot fadeaway threes at will. This is what Wembanyama could be now.

“Defensively, Abdul-Jabbar led the NBA in blocked shots four times (and possibly more given that this stat wasn’t even recorded his first four years in the league), making 11 All-Defensive teams in the process. Wembanyama could have a similar impact on that end, as his 8-foot wingspan and overall mobility is going to wreak havoc on opponents from all over the court.”

Abdul-Jabbar was arguably the NBA’s greatest center ever, and one could make a case he was the greatest basketball player ever, period. He was the league’s all-time leading scorer until LeBron James surpassed him in February, and he won a record six regular season MVPs, six world championships (five with the Lakers) and two NBA Finals MVPs. The big fella is also tied with James for the most All-Star game appearances at 19.

If Wembanyama even comes close to matching Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplishments, the Lakers and the rest of the NBA will be in deep trouble for the next 10 years. At least.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar doesn’t think Magic Johnson is the greatest point guard ever

Despite winning five NBA championships with him on the Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ranks another point guard ahead of Magic Johnson.

There has been a mild debate lately about who the greatest point guard in NBA history is.

For many years, most agreed it is Magic Johnson, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five world championships and made them into basketball’s gold standard in the 1980s. But with Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry winning his fourth ring in 2022, some believe he may have a legitimate claim to the honor.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played with Johnson on all five of those championship-winning Lakers teams, was asked who he thinks the greatest point guard is. The question came while Abdul-Jabbar was appearing on WPIX, a New York City affiliate of The CW. Surprisingly, he didn’t pick Johnson or even Curry (h/t Lakers Daily).

“I don’t think you’re gonna want to hear this,” Abdul-Jabbar said of his top point guard. “Oscar Robertson, the Big O. I only had a chance to play with him at the end of his career, but he was awesome,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “And if people had seen him play in the prime of his career and with the 3-point shot. Oscar had 3-point range, but he never got to play when the 3-point shot was incorporated into the game.

“And people don’t really understand how significant he was in how to play the game. But I played with him for those four years. I know Steph Curry and LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant), Magic, all those guys are superior. But I would have to go with Oscar.”

Abdul-Jabbar teamed with Robertson to win an NBA title during the 1970-71 season when their Milwaukee Bucks swept the Baltimore Bullets in the finals. It was only the big fella’s second pro season, yet he won his first of a record six regular season MVPs that year.

Robertson is best known by today’s fans for averaging a triple-double during the 1961-62 season. In fact, he averaged a triple-double for the totality of his first four seasons in the league.

He spent his first 10 years with the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) before heading to Wisconsin to finally get his ring. He retired in 1974 with career averages of 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds a game.

Byron Scott on Kobe Bryant not in the greatest ever debates

Kobe Bryant doesn’t come up in the debate of who is the greatest NBA player ever, and former teammate Byron Scott feels that is wrong.

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These days, the debate about who is the greatest player in NBA history has been reduced to two people: LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Although Jordan still seems to be the favorite in that debate, an increasing number of people, both young and old, believe James is the greatest basketball player of all time.

But seemingly forgotten in this debate is late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant. His resume is almost second to none in the sport’s history: five NBA championships, two scoring titles, two NBA Finals MVPs, two Olympic gold medals and countless indelible memories.

Former Laker Byron Scott, who played with and coached Bryant, told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson while on “Scoop B Selects” how he feels about the Black Mamba getting shortchanged in the greatest-ever discussions.

Scott also said that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another former teammate of his, has been disrespected in this debate.

No matter where Bryant truly belongs on the list of the greatest NBA players, he left a mark on Lakers Nation and on the Los Angeles area that will live forever.

Celtics champ, broadcaster Cedric Maxwell counters Dr. J’s all-time great list with his own

With the 2023 NBA offseason here in full swing, a fair amount of attention tends to turn toward the history of the league.

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With the 2023 NBA offseason here in full swing, a fair amount of attention tends to turn toward the history of the league in the absence of new deeds to analyze on the court or in roster construction. And in the wake of Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving putting out an all-time list of NBA greats, others have started to do the same.

Among them are former Boston Celtics championship forward and current broadcaster Cedric Maxwell broke down his list compared to Dr. J’s on his eponymous CLNS Media podcast with cohost Josue Pavon. The names on Erving’s list are Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor along with more modern era players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Karl Malone.

To hear who Maxwell put on his all-time great list, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Winning Time: See the cast of HBO’s new Lakers series compared to their real-life counterparts

The casting for Magic Johnson was PERFECT. Who else did they get?

If you like basketball, there is a decent chance you’re excited about the second season of HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

The drama is a dark comedy that provides an inside look at the rise of the Lakers dynasty in the early 1980s. It is a fantastic period piece about Los Angeles, too.

Of course, any show about Hollywood is going to have a star-studded cast as well. This one features the likes of John C. Reilly, Adrien Brody, Jason Segel, Jason Clark and Michael Chiklis. Several other actors, including former University of California basketball player Solomon Hughes, made their television debuts with this show.

The second season debuts on Sunday, August 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

Take a look at the cast of the show and then compare the actors to their real-life counterparts.

RELATED: Jason Segel on HBO’s Winning Time: ‘This is to basketball what Boogie Nights is to porn’

Can there be more than one G.O.A.T.?

For many of us, the G.O.A.T. of NBA players is MJ, for others LeBron , and for fans of the Celtics, it’s often Russell or Bird

For many of us, the greatest of all time or G.O.A.T. of NBA players is Michael Jordan, for others LeBron James, and for fans of the Boston Celtics, it’s often Bill Russell or Larry Bird while Los Angeles Lakers fans tend to favor Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, or Magic Johnson. Can all of these people be right?

The answer revolves around a classic and never-ending barbershop debate in the NBA community: whether there can be multiple players considered the G.O.A.T., or if there can only be one undisputed G.O.A.T. to rule over the rest of an admittedly impressive list of Hall of Famers.

The debate showcases the passion that basketball fans have for this age-old controversy, one that isn’t likely to get settled soon.

On a recent episode of the ESPN “NBA Today” show, the hosts dive into the debate for themselves and make their respective cases. Check it out in the video embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to 49ers after training camp practice

The 49ers had a special visitor at practice on Tuesday.

The San Francisco 49ers had a special visitor in Santa Clara for their sixth practice of training camp on Tuesday. The Niners welcomed NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to practice on Tuesday.

Brock Purdy, John Lynch, Arik Armstead and other members of the 49ers got the chance to meet and take pictures with the six-time NBA champion. Abdul Jabbar spoke to Kyle Shanahan and the team before they hit the locker room after practice.  

That’s always a warning — because when people favor you. You kind of relax. You got to put in the work that you’ve been doing the whole time. That’s the reason they drafted you and got you here. So, I just want to tell you that talent is a wonderful thing but you got to put the hard work in to get the fruit from it. So, do that and I’ll get some really good seats for the Super Bowl and hopefully you guys will be on top. 

Via @49ers on Twitter: 

During his legendary NBA career, Abdul-Jabbar won six championships along with six Most Valuable Player awards, on top of two NBA Finals MVPs. Abdul-Jabbar also won at the college level, winning three National Championships under John Wooden. The former UCLA Bruin was a 19-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times. At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored.  

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Celtics legend Kevin Garnett, And1 icon The Professor pick their all-time starting five

They also discuss the athleticism and skills of players from different eras.

When it comes to Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Kevin Garnett and And1 street ball legend The Professor, you would be hard-pressed to find two greater scholars of the game of basketball.

In a recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast, the duo discussed their all-time NBA starting five teams and reflect on the evolution of the game. KG selected a team consisting of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Shaquille O’Neal, while The Professor went more old school with Allen Iverson, Kobe, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for his squad.

They also discuss the athleticism and skills of players from different eras, recognizing the physicality and underestimated abilities of past generations.

To hear the logic behind each of their selections and their talk about how the league has changed over the decades, check out the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Gabe Vincent puts LeBron James and Kobe Bryant on his five greatest players list

Gabe Vincent, who recently joined the Lakers, put multiple Purple and Gold superstars on his list of the five greatest NBA players ever.

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The debate of who the five greatest players in NBA history are is one that will rage on forever, and perhaps there is no true objective answer at any given time.

Some answer with the players they think were the best at each of the five positions, while others will mention the five best players overall irrespective of position.

Guard Gabe Vincent, whom the Los Angeles Lakers just signed to a three-year, $33 million contract, was asked who his five greatest basketball players are, and he named one late Lakers legend, a living Lakers great and one superstar currently with the team (h/t Lakers Daily).

LeBron James, of course, is seemingly always mentioned on these lists. Over the last several years, an increasing number of people have believed he’s either the greatest of all time or one of the two or three greatest.

Kobe Bryant is on many people’s lists as well, and of course, many still feel no one was greater than Michael Jordan.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar often gets shortchanged in these debates, however. With six NBA championships, six regular-season MVPs (the most ever), two NBA Finals MVPs, two scoring titles and the second-most career points in league history, he deserves a high and permanent spot on everyone’s list.

Playoff MVPs: Choosing the best player in each postseason in NBA history

HoopsHype chooses an NBA Playoffs MVP for every postseason, including LeBron James, Michael Jordan and many more all-timers.

In the NBA, there is a regular season MVP and a Finals MVP, but no award for the best player of the postseason, which is odd if you think about it. Hell, we even had a bubble MVP that one time.

No worries, though, because we are here to right that wrong by naming a Playoff MVP for every postseason dating back all the way to the BAA days. There’s a bit of overlap between Finals MVP and our pick for Playoff MVP but there are also many years in which our Playoff MVP pick didn’t even see his team win the championship.

With so many players to discuss and so many Playoff MVP awards to hand out, let’s get right to it.

(You can go to the bottom of the page to see how many times each legend is selected).