History Creator / KareemAbdulJabbar

Alongside UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan, Bill Russell, and Bob Cousy, Abdul-Jabbar is one of only four professional basketball players to have received the United States' highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (surpassed by UsefulNotes/LeBronJames in 2023) and still leads the league in games won and minutes played. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA All-Star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Abdul-Jabbar is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time.

However, Abdul-Jabbar successfully forced a trade back to his home-town Lakers in 1975 and played there for the remaining 13 years of his career. He continued to be immensely successful, winning MVP thrice more in '76, '77, and '80 and leading the NBA in blocks four times, becoming the Lakers' all-time leader in that stat. The arrival of Magic Johnson helped him win his first of five L.A. championships in that final MVP season; he claimed his second Finals MVP in '85. After finally retiring in 1989 at age 42 holding countless NBA career records. His #33 is retired by both the Bucks and Lakers.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[RedBaron The Captain]]]]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947 in New York City) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (surpassed by UsefulNotes/LeBronJames in 2023) and still leads the league in games won and minutes played. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA All-Star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height (at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players), his nearly unblockable [[SignatureMove signature skyhook shot]], the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam (and subsequent name change) in 1968 which, like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, led to some backlash and career difficulties.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (surpassed by UsefulNotes/LeBronJames in 2023) and still leads the league in games won and minutes played. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA All-Star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height (at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players), his nearly unblockable [[SignatureMove signature skyhook shot]], the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam (and subsequent name change) in 1968 which, like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, led to some backlash and career difficulties.

->''[[Film/{{Airplane}} "...but my dad said he didn't work hard enough on defense. And he says that lots of times, you don't even run down court. And that you don't really try... except during the playoffs."]]
->''[[Film/{{Airplane}} "The hell, I don't?! LISTEN, KID! I've been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA. I'm out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes."]]''

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screen_shot_2018_12_24_at_112506_am_3.jpg]]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (surpassed by UsefulNotes/LeBronJames in 2023) and still leads the league in games won and minutes played. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968; he changed his name from Lew Alcindor to his current Muslim name in 1971. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

His acting career boasts a [[OneSceneWonder few small but notable roles]], such as Hakim in Creator/BruceLee's ''Film/GameOfDeath'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' (a character who repeatedly denied being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and [[AsHimself himself]] in ''Film/GlassOnion''. He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in TheNineties.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is a rather understated figure. Camera-shy with a notorious discomfort with his fame, he mostly avoids the public eye, with hobbies such as coin collecting and detective fiction, the latter of which produced a series of highly acclaimed prequel novels to the Literature/SherlockHolmes stories, starring Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, as well as writing an episode for the revival season of ''Series/VeronicaMars''. His political activities have mainly included advocating on behalf of college athletes and offering cultural commentary on matters of race and religion.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is a rather understated figure. Camera-shy with a notorious discomfort with his fame, he mostly avoids the public eye, with hobbies such as coin collecting and detective fiction, the latter of which produced a highly acclaimed prequel novel to the Literature/SherlockHolmes stories, starring Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, as well as writing an episode for the revival season of ''Series/VeronicaMars''. His political activities have mainly included advocating on behalf of college athletes and offering cultural commentary on matters of race and religion.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (surpassed by UsefulNotes/LeBronJames in 2013) and still leads the league in games won and minutes played. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968; he changed his name from Lew Alcindor to his current Muslim name in 1971. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar still leads the league in all time points scored and games won. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968; he changed his name from Lew Alcindor to his current Muslim name in 1971. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

His acting career boasts a [[OneSceneWonder few small but notable roles]], such as Hakim in Creator/BruceLee's ''Film/GameOfDeath'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' (a character who repeatedly denied being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

Alongside UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan, Bill Russell, and Bob Cousy, Abdul-Jabbar is one of only four professional basketball players to have received the United States' highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis "Lew" Alcindor in April 16, 1947) is a former [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar still leads the league in all time points scored and games won. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and subsequent name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is a rather understated figure. Camera-shy with a notorious discomfort with his fame, he mostly avoids the public eye, with hobbies such as coin collecting and detective fiction, the latter of which produced a highly acclaimed prequel novel to the the Literature/SherlockHolmes stories, starring Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, as well as writing an episode for the revival season of ''Series/VeronicaMars''. His political activities have mainly included advocating on behalf of college athletes, and offering cultural commentary on matters of race and religion.

His acting career boasts a [[OneSceneWonder few small, but notable roles]], such as Hakim in Creator/BruceLee's ''Film/GameOfDeath'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' (a character who repeatedly denied being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

Alongside UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan and Bill Russell, Abdul-Jabbar is one of only three professional basketball players to have received the United States' highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is a rather understated figure. Camera-shy with a notorious discomfort with his fame, he mostly avoids the public eye, with hobbies such as coin collecting and detective fiction, the latter of which produced a highly acclaimed prequel novel to the the Literature/SherlockHolmes stories, starring Sherlock's brother, Mycroft. His political activities have mainly included advocating on behalf of college athletes, and offering cultural commentary on matters of race and religion.

->''“Arguably the best basketball career ever. From grade school to high school to college to the NBA, there has never been a more dominant player that I’ve ever seen.”''

His acting career boasts a [[OneSceneWonder few small, but notable roles]], such as Hakim in Creator/BruceLee's ''Film/GameOfDeath'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}''. He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis "Lew" Alcindor in April 16, 1947) is a former NBA all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar still leads the league in all time points scored and games won. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2'', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and subsequent name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

His acting career boasts a [[CardinalWolsey few small, but notable roles]], such as Hakim in [[Creator/BruceLee Bruce Lee's]] ''Film/GameOfDeath'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}''. He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is rather understated figure. Camera-shy with a notorious discomfort with his fame, he mostly avoids the public eye, with hobbies such as coin collecting and detective fiction, the latter of which produced a highly acclaimed prequel novel to the the Literature/SherlockHolmes stories, starring Sherlock's brother, Mycroft. His political activities have mainly included advocating on behalf of college athletes, and offering cultural commentary on matters of race and religion.

->''"“Arguably the best basketball career ever. From grade school to high school to college to the NBA, there has never been a more dominant player that I’ve ever seen.”"''

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis "Lew" Alcindor in April 16, 1947) is a former NBA all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar still leads the league in all time points scored and games one. With a record total of 6 MVP awards, 19 NBA all-star callings, and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and subsequent name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.

His acting career boasts a [[CardinalWolsey few small, but notable roles]], such as Hakim in [[Creator/BruceLee Bruce Lee's]] ''Game of Death'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/{{Airplane}}''. He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

His acting career boasts a [[CardinalWolsey few small, but notable roles]], such as Hakim in [[Creator/BruceLee Bruce Lee's]] ''Game of Death'' (for which he was trained in Jeet Kune Do by the man himself), and Roger Murdock in ''Film/Airplane''. He was more or less ''the'' SpecialGuest in TV shows in the 90s.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis "Lew" Alcindor in April 16, 1947) is a former NBA all-star and current author, actor, and activist. A center for Milwaukee Bucks from 1969 to 1974 and later with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 until his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar still leads the league in all time points scored and games one. With a record total of 6 MVP awards and 6 championships, combined with his unstoppable court presence and one of the most distinguished college careers in basketball history, Kareem is a very serious contender for the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, he's a pop culture giant (no pun intended) and one of the most recognizable players the NBA has ever produced. His most distinctive features are his gargantuan height -- at 7' 2', he towers even over most other basketball players -- as well as his nearly unblockable signature skyhook shot, the distinctive goggles he wore to protect his scratched corneas, the afro he sported in his younger days, and his conversion to Islam in 1968. Much like fellow sportsman UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, the conversion and subsequent name change led to some backlash and career difficulties.