Can't help myself - My 2 favorite sports heros of all time are Danny W and KAJ. Kareem recently turned 75 and there is an abundance of Laker and other BB sports legends wishing him a happy 75th on You Tube, INCLUDING some Celtics! Worth a watch!! My 2 favorite rivalries in sports are easily UF vs UGA and LA vs Boston especially during KAJ/Magic - Bird/Parrish. I find Kareem to be a gifted speaker and I agree with much of his toughts about life and the world. He has had a remarkable career outside of basketball that may not be as recognized as his hoops career. Bill Russell once called the "Sky-Hook" the most elegant, iconic and artistic expression of basketball ever represented by a player in the history of the NBA, and I think he is imminently qualified to make that claim. I happen to agree. I'm late but happy birthday CAP!
I was accepted at UCLA that year (NOT as an athlete) in the same major as Alcindor, but chose a different university. Always wondered what it would have been like to be in his classes. That said, I have no regrets about where I went (from my name you can tell I was happy to stay for a second degree).
Still one of the greatest, most balanced shots ever seen. The big guy was a force….and played 20 years. Amazing.
Sky hook at his height was a shot that could not be blocked. Liked his game playing with the Big O prior to Lakers trade as well.
Parrish blocked it a few times in their numerous matchups. As Kareem got older his extension was not quite what it was as compared to his earlier days. Wilt may have blocked it a couple of times but it was the most unblockable shot in the game as far as i am concerned. Cowens was a bit of a problem for (Lew Alcindor) but Cowens would push him / get underneath his armpit and move him, I always felt Cowens got away with murder when playing against him.
Regarding "who" was the best ever - It's an interesting argument, All I know in a game of shirts and skins with the greatest 10 to ever play and I get to pick first as a manager, KAJ is my first pick, every time - over Jordan, Russell, Wilt, Lebron, Magic, Bird, Durant, Dr J, you name it, a young Lou/Kareem would the first pick.
Wasn't a big fan of Lew/Kareem (I was pulling for Wilt in those battles they had), but KAJ and MJ are the the 2 greatest scorers of all time (if you don't consider just the first half of Wilt's career). If those two rate a 99 as scorers (Wilt rated a 100 for the first half of his career), then I put Durant at about a 98. I don't think Durant has been quite as consistent as those two and I think sometimes defers too often given his scoring gifts (like when he was with Westbrook). MJ and Kareem were never bashful about doing what they did best (to their credit and often to my great frustration!! ). They're both very high in my GOAT list.
Most players decline rapidly after a certain age. Lebron and KAJ did not. Difficult investing money in long term contracts on some of these guys that are not 100 percent focused on basketball and conditioning/eating right.
We may never see Bigs like Kareem or Wilt again. The game has changed too much. Those Wilt-Kareem match-up were classic.
