A friend who knows me well sent me this little chart comparing the NBA and NCAA stats of Kareem Abdul Jabbar versus Michael Jordan. Note: this doesn't even include high school stats - if it did, it would be more lopsided in favor of KAJ.
I have nothing against Michael Jordan or anybody else you want to mention in the conversation about the Greatest of All Time in the game of men's basketball. I love the game and I loved watching MJ throughout his career. In today's game, players like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Damien Lillard, and LeBron James, etc. are absolutely brilliant and there are so many fantastic shooters and ball handlers. But nobody, not even the greats like Russell or Wilt or Magic, has a better basketball resume than Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
My admiration for Kareem goes beyond the court, however. He graduated in four years with honors in History from UCLA. He has been an outspoken advocate for civil rights his entire life. He served the U.S. as a global cultural ambassador and is an honored recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He voluntarily coached high school basketball on an Indian Reservation in Arizona for one season and served as an assistant coach for the Lakers (adding two more rings, btw) in the NBA. His Skyhook foundation funds camps for underprivileged children that promote healthy living through sports and education. He has acted in numerous television shows and movies. He has written more than ten books and countless journal articles since his retirement from the NBA after twenty seasons. Now in 2020, Kareem, soon to be 73 years old, is the executive producer of the History channel's Black Patriotism: Heroes of the Revolution.
Kareem's influence on my life and on the world at large continues to be inspirational. If you want to argue about who is the G.O.A.T., go ahead. But really, all you are arguing about is who comes in second place.
Peace, Love, and Heroes,
Jim
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