NBA 2012-2013 Season Thread - Page 648

I didn't say he cared...
I'm just saying there's been a lot of talk since Kobe dropped #30k about greatest Lakers, greatest players, etc. and I don't see how Kareem hasn't been talked about more.
I'm young and didn't get to see him play so maybe I'm missing something but looking at his stats they're pretty amazing. I realize he was on some pretty great teams and played for a long time but he dominated the game at every level, revolutionized it even.

I did watch him play a lot as a kid. He was supremely efficient and competent. His defense was never given enough credit either. The best player you can compare him to today is Tim Duncan.

Today you need publicists and agents and players who get out there and self promote for attention. Kareem doesn't do that so to an extent his contributions get left behind.

For example, ask a group of young kids that don't know much about bball who is better, Blake Griffin or Tim Duncan? The kids will say Griffin because of show and flash. Reality is Duncan by miles.

There's always a bias in analysis towards modern players.

before he actually got his statue outside staples center:


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 'Slighted' By Lakers Without Statue At Staples Center

Lol

Interesting, didn't know he said that.

To a degree its his own fault for not doing more to cement his legacy, but that's also a sad commentary on society.

Jabbar was pretty much the best player in the 1970's before NBA became as big as it is now. Gotta be considered the best college player ever, NCAA banned dunking to give other teams a chance. Incredible longevity. Weird personality, standoffish and quiet, but probably pursued show-business to greater effect than any other top baller except for arguably Jordan (MJ's TV commercials probably had more cultural impact than Jabbar's movie appearances).

In addition, Jabbar didn't go broke like most ex athletes do.

speaking of old/new players, I would love Blake Griffin to try and do his facials () on one of those old school frontlines like Laimbeer/Mahorn or McHale/Parish. He would get away with it once.

Nah he'd pretty much posterize them repeatedly like kobe.

80's rules, Laimbeer and Mahorn would kill him. Like literally break his neck or something. Today's rules, those two guys wouldn't be in the league anyway because they wouldn't be able to play that game

^pretty much. but then again you had guys like shawn kemp who posterized the shit out of people and even taunted during the ballyhooed early 90's tougher defenses.


kobe would've been smart and just adjusted and took more jumpshots, slash carefully to get fouled and get to the line. if anything it looks like kobe really studies the old school stuff and adapts what worked then to his game now.

Definitely. Remember Mailman on Thomas?

Shawn (manchild) Kemp was awesome and the proto-type beast, though his rapid decline, once it started, made me a little sad. Griffin, though would not make the old-school defensive players back down the way a flying refrigerator like Kemp did.

Ha ha, now that we're here... Wade dunks him and walks over him.