In his prime, Kareem was absolutely the greatest big man to ever play this game. Bar none. People forget what kind of a monster he was in the 70s because it was such a long time ago. Kareem wasn't always the 41 year old geezer most remember as. I wish he retired a year or two earlier.
@M I look forward to the soccer title game having more talked about ads than the Super Bowl. I'll be 112 years old by then, so I'm not sure how much television I'll be watching.
It surprises me watching this that Kareem had such a diverse array of moves and shots: Finger roll, turn around j-shot, little hook with his left hand. I knew that, but you forget over the years when you just hear about Kareem's sky hook.
RonnieLeeDuck That's the thing that kills me. Whenever I hear anyone talk about Kareem, it's always about the skyhook. While that's certainly his signature shot, he had plenty of other ways of scoring and contributed to his team in other ways. He was a outstanding rebounder through most of his career, an excellent shot blocker, and a superlative passer. He averaged five assists a game three times in his career, despite being such a dominating scorer. By contrast, Hakeem Olajuwon or Shaquille O'Neal, two other guys often brought up in the greatest center ever debate, never once averaged four assists in a season.
@@vonholland64 Yeah.. because overcoming a 3-1 deficit against a 73-9 team takes no heart and isn't clutch 🤦🏽♂️. While also surpassing those two in stats and accolades, despite joining the league straight from high school. Either you are biased or incredibly dumb.
I don't remember this game....but I must say what a GREAT performance by Kareem. What an amazing play to make that steal and set uo the tying bucket in the last minute. This would turn out to be a great rivalry...nobody knew how great at the time because it was interconference... Great upload.
Well, in Dwight's defense, the only people who could block Kareem's Skyhook were some of the greatest centers who ever lived, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, Artis Gilmore and Hakeem Olajuwon. Nate Thurmond was an incredible Kareem defender that could hold him to mortal numbers.
I just cant believe that they dont set up plays for J and noone come out to screen..by the way his passing ability is as great as any other superstar..from what i have seen he always passes to the open man fast and efficiently..
I don't get it, Kareem has it rolling all night, just picking apart Philly and when down one with 7 seconds left YOU DON'T go to to Kareem with a chance to win it. Senseless
Watching Kareem make the steal in the waning seconds of the game when his team desperately needed the ball back made me think of that kid in the movie "Airplane", who told Kareem that his father thought that he didn't play defense, and that he didn't REALLY try unless it was the playoffs.
This game was held on a Sunday afternoon April 1st , 1979. The NBA on CBS. A month earlier the Sixers lost to LA 126-111 in LA. Kareem only had 18 pts in that contest but he stepped up in this one.
Kareem was just ridiculously skilled, he truly had the best offensive arsenal of any center all time. Graceful, agile, smooth, never in a hurry, he will ALWAYS be the best basketball player I’ve ever seen
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving two of New York's Finest in the NBA doing Ruckers Park shit on professional level.. That was pure basketball.. And then Magic came..
Good point. He was just scary good and dominant in the 70's. Walton said the pre game talks were all about how to contain Kareem. It is too bad he played those last couple of yrs., esp for those too young to see him in his prime.
Sadly, Walton's injuries hurt his career. Duncan is great but, of course, Abdul-Jabbar is in a higher realm. No one dominated the game like Chamberlain and Russell's 11 rings in 13 seasons ranks Bill as the greatest winner the NBA has ever seen regardless of position played. -sampson ralph- claims "Kareem was absolutely the greatest big man to ever play this game," Concidering the overall playing career of Abdul-Jabbar (high-school, college and professional) he may have a point. Look it up.
You're right, Tyrone. Kareem would dominate in this era, for sure. How would any player defend the Sky Hook? I despised Kareem growing up (I was a Celtics fan, after all). That said, he's a legendary player for a reason: unstoppable scorer, good rebounder, excellent passer, good defender (in his younger days), etc. He'd probably be my top center pick for my all-time team, though Hakeem, Wilt, and others would be in the mix.
This is the best basketball player that i ever saw. This is Kareem at his best. He did everything. Stealing the ball out in space from Erving to tie the game in the last seconds. Sorry if it offends anyone but nobody was better than #33.
kareem with 15 reb and 7 assists. what a weird coincidence -- the following year rookie magic had 15 reb and 7 assists in the clinching game of the 1980 finals in Philadelphia!!
I saw this game as a kid. Great insight. Dawkins was a better shooter and free through shooter. I have always felt that if Dawkins played today he would be a top 3 center in league which is saying something. Dawkins is an early version of Dwight Howard. Jabbar playing today and Hibbert and Howard would take off-days against the Lakers. His foot work is incredible in this game.
@uberathlete A little perspective.Vince Carter has big hands 9.5 inches from bottom of palm to tip of middle finger.Julius' were 11 inches from the bottom of the palm to tip of middle finger and the same from outside little finger across the hand to the outside of the thumb.Literally the size of some baseball gloves.
Kareem should've had a triple double here... I do think he could get 4 bpg nowadays...it is more perimeter orientated now but more players attack the basket too...
@flight23magic32 Yes, twist of faith does occur at times. The Lakers of all teams have been a prime example of that theory. But I'm sure had the Bulls had Magic, Portland would have thought twice before drafting Sam Bowie.
@@Mmacrossfirekenai preaching to the choir. Dr.J and Jabbar in my opinion were the Best EVER.Than its everybody else.Whos 3rd Bird Jordan wilt Russell Maravich?You decide.My Top two Are the Doctor And Kareem.Period.
@@Mmacrossfirekenai The person said never though. For the years Moses played for the Sixers they had an answer. No disrespect to Kareem at all he was the top center for many years.
@flight23magic32 Yeah, you're right. But the Lakers had to win a coin flip from the Chicago Bulls first beofre they drafted Magic #1 Overall in the 1979 NBA Draft. Had they have lost that coin flip, chances are, the Bulls would have drafted Magic, and the Lakers would have either drafted Sidney Moncrief or probably Ralph Sampson. But instead, the Bulls(With the #2 Overall pick) got David Greenwood from UCLA. If the Bulls had Magic, do you think that they would've got "His Airness" in 1984?
here is something to think about.darryl dawkins is bigger than dwight howard.he was a great leaper and a monstrous dunker.kareem is 31 years old and will score almost 1000 points less than his best year,but dawkins just cannot defend kareem,he gives up way to much height.
@flight23magic32 One thing's for certain, if Len Bias would have not died in 1986, first of all, they could have not been destroyed the way they by the Lakers in the 1987 Finals, and probably would have taken the progressive dive they have taken after winning the 1986 World Championship.
They really had to double team Kareem. He was truly unstoppable. Dr. J was so graceful and could really elevate. However his jump shot seems only average. Not a strong as a Lebron or Jordan. The 76ers truly needed Moses Malone to guard Kareem since Dawkins could not do it.
Defensive effort seemed to be pretty atrocious back then.. what the hell was Kareem even doing on that last and one lmao or even the guard who switched onto him the play before. lol
FG% should be there, I doubt Dwight could block the skyhook seeing how badly he struggled against Yao's basic hook. BPG? I'm thinking more like 2.5-3.0 a game. If we're talking Milwaukee Alcindor, then the 4.0 statline is wholly possible.
@@creditorclass6513 Wilt old was probably a better athlete than young Wilt, maybe not as fast but still quick, great leaping ability and stronger every year... the guy was stronger every fucking year until he was 50 something. It's crazy. So, don't talk about old Wilt, because old Wilt was still a fucking Alien
In my opinion, Olajuwon was the most talented all-around center, Wilt was the most athletic, but Kareem had the most graceful style and the deadliest weapon; the skyhook.
The Lakers had Nixon, Ford and a little used but talented guard out of Virginia Tech named Carter. And soon Johnson. Did they play at the Forum, or the White House? lol
Are you joking? Kareem shot over 55 % his entire career and averaged over 24 points a game for 19 yrs.. Wilt dominated the game when the NBA was 75% white.
Bad comment. It doesn't matter what race. Regardless, centers dominated that era and there were alot of hall of famers. Wilt had to deal with Bill Russel for instance. Wilt still dominated young 24 year old kareem too with injured knees. I also seen a clip where he blocked kareem's skyhook twice in a row lol. Also, wilt probably has at least 7k blocks. He has 8.8 blocks career average.
Some of the most jaw dropping shots Julius ever made were layups...not dunks. Kareem was a great player...but Laimbeer did not foul him in game six of the 1988 Finals. The Pistons were robbed of a threepeat. Bad Boys for Life....
You've got a good case. Jordan dominated in the weakest NBA era of all time -- the mega-expansion '90's. He'd be my starting shooting guard, with Bird as small forward, and Magic as point. Power forward and center are very difficult to pick because there are SO many good ones. Kareem would likely be my pick, but I change my mind from time to time. Tim Duncan, Kevin McHale, Karl Malone? I'm not sure who I'd take as power forward. Though I don't like him personally, I might well pick Lebron.
lew protected player look at 029 fouls fuck outa guy but they somehow call travel to bail him out lol total bs lew gievn all title by refs same as jordan n diet jordans
