Little Danny;426863 wrote:...........By the time Erv got into the picture.....Kareem was a shell of his former self.
I realize you are probably exaggerating to make a point...but, that statement is absolutely ludicrous.
You are obviously not of a generation to have ever seen Kareem play live.
If all you know of the NBA in the 1980's is what you see on ESPNClassics, I can see why you might say that.......however,
although KAJ was in the second half of his career by the time Magic was drafted in 1979, he went on to put up numbers that would argue against any assessment of him being a mere "shell of his former self."
For the initial Magic season in LA, Abdul-Jabbar (24.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg) further cemented his place in history by winning a record sixth MVP Award.
Abdul-Jabbar continued to average at least 20 points for the next six seasons.
The Lakers reached the NBA Finals eight times in the 10 seasons between 1979-80 and 1988-89.
In the 1985 Finals, Game 2, Abdul-Jabbar recorded 30 points, 17 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocked shots in a 109-102 Lakers win. Los Angeles went on to win the series in six games.
In the Lakers' four victories in that Final, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.
Abdul-Jabbar was named Finals MVP 1985.
Before you throw your "expert assessment" of Kareem's career out there so lightly, perhaps you should have the knowledge to back up your sass.