Today in Sports History: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

February 5^th, 1989

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores his 38,000 point

There have been many basketballers who have scored many points.  In recent years, Karl Malone put in nearly 37,000 points.  Michael Jordan was credited with over 32,000.  Wilt Chamberlain—31,419, Shaquille O’neal—28,596, Moses Malone (not related to Karl)—27,409, Elvin Hayes, who played most of his career before the 3-point shot—27,313, John Havlicek, who played all of his career before the tre,—26,395.  Many players are on the list of the top 25 all-time NBA scorers, bottomed out by Clyde the Glide Drexler’s 22,195.

But, only one man has gone beyond 38,000.  38,387 by the time he walked off the court for good.

You knew him originally as Lew Alcindor, but he was born April 16^th as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. in New York.  You know the story of his name change when he converted to Islam. 

After a prolific career under John Wooden at UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar was the top overall pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 draft.  The Bucks had beaten the Phoenix Suns for the rights of the first pick.  A coin flip was the deciding factor.  Abdul-Jabbar was also the top draft pick the ABA’s draft that year, taken by the New Jersey Nets.  Furthermore, he was offered a million dollars by the Harlem Globetrotters. 

His first game on NBA hardwood took place October 18^th, 1969.  Less than 8,000 saw, Abdul-Jabbar score 29 points, leading the Bucks to a 119-110 victory over visiting Detroit.  He would go on that first season to average 28.8 points per game, second in the league. 

In his 2^nd season, he was named the league’s MVP as he upped his average to 31.1 points per game, leading the league.  In just their third season in existence, the Bucks won 66 games, the 2^nd most ever, and they went on to win their only championship.

Abdul-Jabbar is still the Bucks all-time leading scorer.  In 468 games over 6 seasons, he poured in 14,211 points.  Despite his overwhelming success, he was unhappy in Milwaukee, where his beliefs were not shared by many.  He was asked to be traded, and on June 16^th, 1975, he headed west to the Lakers in exchange for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters.

Abdul-Jabbar would wear the purple and gold for the first time October 23rd, 1975 as the Lakers opened the season in New York.  The New York native did not lead his team in scoring that night.  Cazzie Russell’s 29 points were 2 better than Abdul-Jabbar’s. 

Under Coach Bill Sharman in the 1975-76 season, the Lakers finished under .500 at 40-42 and failed to make the playoffs.  But, they were building for Showtime. 

Under Paul Westhead, LA won a title in 1980, then again in 1982—the first of four under Pat Riley. 

February 5^th, 1989, the Lakers took to the court at the Los Angeles Forum, hosting the New Jersey Nets, the team that made him the ABA’s number 1 pick in 1969.  That night, Abdul-Jabbar was just third best in points for his team.  His 18 were behind a guy named Majic Johnson (27) and James Worthy (22).  That’s not what is most important, for it was the cumulative total that mattered that night.  In a 134-116 victory, heading down the homestretch of his career, Abdul-Jabbar went over 38,000.  He would score a total 24,176 with the Lakers.  That combined with his Milwaukee total combined for 38,387, a record then, and still