Because Kareem could use the sky hook with equal effectiveness with either his right or his left hand, and from any distance from the basket, it has basically transcended any element of the game of basketball that came after it.
Now, top this all off with the fact that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points 38, and had greater longevity in a career that spanned over 21 seasons, makes it hard to find a better argument.
Karl Malone's 36, points and Michael Jordan's 32, points keeps one of those players Jordan in the conversation for the all-time best.
But Kareem's sky hook was so devastating, opposing coaches and players had no other choice but to poke him in the eyes to try to stop it. This is when Kareem had to bring out the goggles. So, for you youngsters out there who were born in the '90s and later, contrary to popular belief, it was not Rip Hamilton or A'mare Stoudemaire that were the first to sport something protective over their faces during a game.
Critics will argue that it is Shaquille O'Neal 's power dunking ability that makes him one of the most dominating players to ever play the center position, and that he is better than Kareem. Of course, Michael Jordan's name will come up in the conversation because he won championships more recently than Kareem did, and also because he had a nickname and marketing campaign that spanned world-wide.
No one can argue that Jordan's "Air Jordan" logo with him flying through the air with both legs spread-eagle and tongue stuck-out was literally before its time, and didn't have an enormous impact on the game. Some even take it a step further arguing that Jordan's logo should replace the current NBA logo that consists of the great Jerry West driving to the basket.
This will always keep Jordan in the conversation but it is not enough to overtake Kareem's Sky hook shot and his scoring record. He led the Lakers to 5 championships in 14 years and is still regarded as one of the best NBA players of all time.
Previous Supermassive Black Hole Discovery. Next Top Moments. He also owned eight playoff records and seven All-Star records. No player achieved as much individual and team success as did Abdul-Jabbar.
An all-around player, Abdul-Jabbar brought grace, agility, and versatility to the center position, which had previously been characterized solely by power and size. He was a private man who avoided the press and at times seemed aloof. But late in his playing days Abdul-Jabbar began to open up, and as his career wound to a close, fans, players and coaches alike expressed their admiration for what he had accomplished in basketball.
During the season, his last, Abdul-Jabbar was honored in every arena in the league. When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? He was the only child of an overprotective mother and a strict father whose impassivity, some say, Alcindor grew to resent.
Far and away the tallest kid in the Harlem school system, Alcindor was viewed as something of a freak by his schoolmates. Alcindor simply ruled the college ranks. Basketball Writers Association. The time was ripe for a new center to dominate the league. Bill Russell had just left the Boston Celtics, and Wilt Chamberlain, though still effective, was almost 35 years old.
With Alcindor aboard in , the Bucks rose to second place in the Eastern Division with a record. Alcindor was an instant star, placing second in the league in scoring With a supporting crew of Bobby Dandridge, Jon McGlocklin, Greg Smith, and a young Lucius Allen, Milwaukee recorded a league-best 66 victories in , including a record 20 straight wins.
Milwaukee went in the playoffs and dispatched the Baltimore Bullets in only the second NBA Finals sweep in league history. Alcindor was named Finals MVP. In he repeated as scoring champion Milwaukee returned to the NBA Finals in but lost to the Boston Celtics, who were led by 6-foot-9 center Dave Cowens and a stable of guards who proved too quick for the year-old Robertson.
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