Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not only a keen observer of the league, he does not hesitate to be cash on certain subjects either. After attacking players opposed to the vaccine, the legend has this time approached the NBA game nowadays … and allowed himself a bewildering statement!
He may have been retired for over thirty years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continues to keep a particularly close eye on the evolution of the orange ball. The former pivot of the Bucks and Lakers is therefore a privileged conversation partner for the media, his public outings being always real treasures. Recently questioned about current basketball, he also summarized in just a few words how it had changed since the end of his career:
I think the 3-point shoot required everyone to be versatile in the game. Before the 3-point shoot, as a pivot, I never left the paint. If I got a rebound on defense, the coach would tell me to give it to the guards and get into position on offense, for the game we were going to play. Now people are learning to play differently.
As the Hall of Famer explains so well, the game has changed dramatically since its time. So much so that he thinks he would not have been able to dominate these days! Based on the example of the reigning double MVP, KAJ believes that he would not have lasted long, and that being the holder would not have been possible:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar cash: “I would have been on the bench”
The young man from Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo, oh my God. He dominates in defense and he is almost 2m10. And after that, he turns into a guard and manages the attack on the other side of the pitch. If I had tried to do this in my time, I would have been immediately sent to the bench. I would have been there with John Black (former vice-president of public relations for the Lakers, editor’s note) to compile the statistics.
We remind you that we are talking about the best scorer of all time, anyway! For some, he is also just the GOAT when it comes to the NBA. To imagine him waxing the bench therefore seems ridiculous to say the least… Especially since he himself revolutionized the game with his sky-hook, an inimitable offensive move. Considering his technical level, to see him develop a little behind the arc would be anything but surprising.
Finding himself deprived of Abdul-Jabbar’s talent, because he would not have been able to hold out at the 21th century? It seems impossible… On our side, we are sure that he would have had his place in today’s league!
