Next Laker in Line For a Statue at Staples Center

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not begin his career with the Lakers, as most of the stars did.  Instead, Abdul-Jabbar was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft, and he quickly turned the Bucks into an upper echelon team.  Abdul-Jabbar won Rookie of the Year in 1969, but most importantly he was the Finals MVP when the Bucks won the NBA title 1971.

Luckily, the Lakers acquired the dominant big man after he spent six years in Milwaukee.  Abdul-Jabbar made an immediate impact on the Lakers, and once he was paired up with Magic Johnson, the league would be changed forever.  The dynamic duo brought five championships to Los Angeles in the 1980s, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his second Finals MVP in 1988.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spent 20 years in the NBA, and currently holds the record for career point total at 38,387 points.  Of those 20 years, 14 of them were spent wearing purple and gold.  In his stay at Los Angeles, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged 20.4 ppg, 3.2 apg and 9.4 rpg.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not only considered a Laker great, but many people believe he is the greatest center to ever play the game.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM2HIUR15s0

Next: The Black Mamba

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