Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Bobby Portis Declines Player Option with the Milwaukee; Bucks Can Offer Him Most Money

    June 29, 2022
    Packers Bucs 2022-23

    7 NFL Predictions for the 2022-23 Season

    June 29, 2022

    Five Realistic 2022 Free Agent Target for the Milwaukee Bucks

    June 29, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Bobby Portis Declines Player Option with the Milwaukee; Bucks Can Offer Him Most Money
    • 7 NFL Predictions for the 2022-23 Season
    • Five Realistic 2022 Free Agent Target for the Milwaukee Bucks
    • Sleeper, Underappreciated, and Underrated Packer Players On The Roster
    • Matt Lafleur’s Connection With All-Pro Free Agent Could Lure Him to Green Bay
    • Brandon Woodruff Returns from IL and to Form in Brewers 5-3 Win Over Rays
    • Three High-Profile Packers Players Who May Be Playing Their Last Season in Green Bay
    • Aaron Rodgers Ripped Colts Fans Over Andrew Lucks’ Retirement
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest VKontakte
    WI Sports Heroics
    • About
      • Privacy Policy
    • Sports
      • Packers
        • Green Bay Packers News
        • Green Bay Packers Rumors
      • Bucks
        • Milwaukee Bucks News
        • Milwaukee Bucks Rumors
      • Brewers
        • Milwaukee Brewers News
        • Milwaukee Brewers Rumors
      • Milkmen
        • Milwaukee Milkmen News
        • Milwaukee Milkmen Rumors
      • Badgers
        • Badgers Basketball
        • Badgers Football
      • Marquette
        • Marquette News
        • Marquette Rumors
      • Fantasy Sports
      • Outdoor Sports
    • Podcasts
      • Wickett On Wisconsin
      • Packers Podcast
      • Bucks Podcast
      • Brewers Podcast
      • Badgers Podcast
    • Local Reviews
    • Sponsors
    • Mark Mayfield Booking
    • Shop
    • Contact
    WI Sports Heroics
    Home»Sports»Bucks»MVP Spotlight – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    Bucks

    MVP Spotlight – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    SchicketBy SchicketApril 11, 2020Updated:June 16, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Early Life and College Career

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. on April 16, 1947. He played under the name Lou Alcindor until 1971. The day after the Milwaukee Bucks won the 1971 Championship, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

    UCLA

    Under the tutelage of coaching legend John Wooden, Abdul-Jabbar won three Most Outstanding Player awards in the NCAA tournament. Abdul-Jabbar was on UCLA teams that won three consecutive National Championships.

    NBA Career

    Milwaukee Bucks – Three MVPs

    With the first pick in the 1969 NBA draft the Expansion Milwaukee Bucks selected Alcindor (Abdul-Jabbar). This season Kareem took home the first of many awards and accolades, winning rookie of the year.

    First MVP 1970-71 Season

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his first MVP beating out the logo Jerry West and Dave Bing. He averaged 31.7 PPG, most in the league, and had a 22.3 win share. He led the Bucks to a 12-2 Playoff record and a sweep in the NBA Finals over the Baltimore Bullets. Kareem also took home Finals MVP. This unfortunately remains the only championship in Bucks history.

    Second MVP 1971-72 Season

    Abdul-Jabbar won his second MVP beating out Jerry West again and Wilt Chamberlain. He repeated as scoring champ with 34.8 PPG. He also had a mammoth 25.4 win shares. This Bucks team couldn’t repeat as champs sadly, losing to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

    Snub 1972-73 season

    Kareem finished second to Dave Cowens despite averaging 30.2 PPG and 16.1 RPG. Its crazy to think Kareem was within 12% of votes to winning 4 consecutive MVPs.

    Third MVP 1973-74 Season

    KA-J won his third MVP as a Milwaukee Buck over two great Bobs, McAdoo and Lanier. Kareem was third in scoring, fourth in rebounding, second in blocks and field goal percentage.

    Unfortunately the Bucks missed the playoffs in 1974 and Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade to New York or Los Angeles to better accommodate his Muslim lifestyle. It was also in 1974 that he started wearing his signature goggles after his second scratched cornea.

    Kareem was traded to the Lakers in October of the 1975 season.

    Los Angeles Lakers – Three MVPs

    Fourth MVP 1975-76 Season

    Kareem won his fourth MVP in his second season with the Lakers over Bob McAdoo again and former MVP Dave Cowens. Kareem was second in scoring with 27.7 PPG, first in rebounding with 16.9 RPG. He was also first in blocks with 4.1 BPG and fifth in field goal percentage at 52.9%. Similar to his final year in Milwaukee the Lakers missed the playoffs.

    Fifth MVP 1976-77 Season

    Kareem won back to back MVP awards again over all time greats Bill Walton and Pistol Pete Maravich. He was third in points with 26.2 PPG and second in rebounds with 13.3 RPG. He led the league in field goal percentage at 57.9% and was tied with the aforementioned Walton for first in blocks with 3.2 BPG. This Lakers team lost in the Western Conference Finals.

    Sixth (and final) MVP 1979-80 Season

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar impressively won MVP in the first year of the three point line and the year Magic Johnson was drafted. He won his final MVP over legends Dr. J (Julius Erving), George Gervin, and Larry Bird. He was sixth in points with 24.8 PPG and eighth in rebounding with 10.8 RPG. He led the league in blocks with 3.4 BPG and was second in field goal percentage at 60.4%. In his final MVP campaign the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship and began their dynasty.

    Legacy

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most career MVP awards to this day with six. He also holds a slew of all time records in the NBA including, points (38,387), minutes (57,446), field goals (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocks (3,189), defensive rebounds (9,394), wins (1,074) and fouls (4,657).

    KA-J was such a dominant post player that NCAA made dunking against the rules for almost 10 years. He remains adored by Bucks, Lakers and sports fans everywhere. In addition to being a basketball legend he’s also expanded his reach by being a global ambassador and mentor to athletes and people everywhere. Long live Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

    For our other MVP Spotlights, check below!

    • Robin Yount
    • Brett Favre
    • Aaron Rodgers
    • Christian Yelich
    • Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Follow me on twitter @tschicket13 and follow us @othwisconsin for more great content! Also be sure to check out the Overtime Heroics Forums page to join in on the discussion. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports , click here.

    Bucks Lakers NBA WI Sports Heroics Archives - Kareem Abdul Jabbar
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Schicket

    Related Posts

    Bobby Portis Declines Player Option with the Milwaukee; Bucks Can Offer Him Most Money

    June 29, 2022

    Five Realistic 2022 Free Agent Target for the Milwaukee Bucks

    June 29, 2022

    WATCH: Bucks First Round Draft Pick MarJon Beauchamp Addresses Media for First Time

    June 28, 2022
    MarJon Beauchamp

    Bucks Rookie MarJon Beauchamp Reveals Reason Behind Choosing to Wear #0

    June 27, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Editors Picks

    Brewers: The Ideal Playoff Roster

    September 20, 2021

    MVP Spotlight: Christian Yelich

    April 10, 2020
    Top Reviews
    Advertisement
    Demo
    WI Sports Heroics
    Facebook Twitter
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy
    • Advertisement
    • Contact us
    © 2022 WISportsHeroics All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.