Seven-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul Jabbar is in the history books as one of the sport’s greatest ever talents, but also as a man at the heart of some of the greatest ever rivalries.
His team were one of those who clashed in a historic rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers up against the Boston Celtics.
The two sides met in the 1985 finals, with Abdul-Jabbar‘s team coming out on top, thanks in part to Larry Bird‘s poor form.
When asked what his favourite hot dog topping was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Abdul-Jabbar replied, “the tears of the 1985 Celtics when they lost to the Lakers in the finals.”
That competitive streak is still in him today, as Abdul-Jabbar reflected on how the sport of basketball has changed.
“There were good three-point shooters, you might get 10 three-point shots in a game, now there are 10 three-point shots in a quarter.
“It seems like it’s a three-point shooting contest,” he said as he analysed how the game has moved on.
“I am the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and I only made one three-point shot in my career.”
In the record books, he is fast being pursued by LeBron James, who is averaging more than double his points per game tally in his 19th season of basketball action.
“The GOAT committee meets in secret, so that’s something we’re never going to know about, but if LeBron [James] breaks my record next year coming up, that will be one last record that I won’t have to worry about ever again,” he joked, when asked who was better of the two.
Marca
