Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began his NBA career on October 18, 1969
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Times were completely different, but on October 18, 1969, the basketball world was waiting to finally see Leo Alcindor in the NBA. The “hype”, to use the current term, was huge.
“Alcindor is perhaps the most popular athlete in the history of sports”, John Erickson saidle GM des Bucks. “So it’s only natural that he’s at the center of the fans’ conversation.”
The one who would become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives in the big leagues with a unique status: it is unquestionable the best college player in history. Three-time NCAA champion and three-time Final Four MVP, 1967-1969, with UCLA. So dominant that the NCAA reacted by deciding to ban the dunk altogether! This is how this develops his legendary skihook.
Complete test to get started
With Bill Russell retiring after his eleventh title in thirteen seasons, the league is looking for a new monster to battle Wilt Chamberlain. On that famous night in October 1969, he pitched against Walt Bellamy’s Pistons. He’s a real customer, who still averaged 17.4 points and 12.5 rebounds last season (he played 88 games after being traded to Detroit).
Bucks number 33 does not disappoint. He recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Low post, no Detroit players manage to contain him.
It is too big and technical. Walt Bellamy is loaded with fouls, especially offensive ones, on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he will score most of his 25 points when the game is over. Defensively, his presence is intimidating and he steals and blocks several balls (statistics not yet officially recorded at the time).
In the hall, the “Mecca Arena”, there will be only 7,782 spectators who will witness the victory of the Bucks and the debut of the future best scorer in NBA history and an absolute legend of world basketball.
The following season, with the support of Oscar Robertson, will bring the Bucks their first NBA title, before the one they won in July 2021, fifty years later.
2025-10-18 10:10:00
