Two-time NBA Finals MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played alongside Magic Johnson for several years when they were dominating with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Johnson is widely considered to be one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, but Abdul-Jabbar believes another basketball icon played the position better.
“I don’t think you’re going to want to hear this. Oscar Robertson. The Big O. I only had the chance to play with him at the end of his career, but he was awesome,” Abdul-Jabbar told New York’s WPIX.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks to the media during a press conference before the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers Feb. 9, 2023, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Even if Abdul-Jabbar, also known as “The Captain,” did not name Johnson, Robertson was certainly somewhat of a curveball. Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry has reignited the debate over the league’s all-time best point guards.
Curry is a prolific shooter and is credited with revolutionizing modern basketball.
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Robertson played in a different era. He won one NBA title but was named the league’s MVP six times. He is a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, honored for his NBA career and his accomplishments in the Olympic Games.
NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson pose for a photo before a game between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks during Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals July 14, 2021, at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Abdul-Jabbar suggested Robertson’s game was underappreciated, and he did not have the benefit of playing during the 3-point shot era.
“If people had seen him play in the prime of his career with the 3-point shot … Oscar had 3-point range, but he never got to play when the 3-point shot was incorporated into the game. People don’t really understand how significant he was.”
(L-R) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Orlando Woolridge of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers during a game in 1988 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson spent a few seasons together with the Milwaukee Bucks, helping lead the franchise to the 1971 NBA title.
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Abdul-Jabbar acknowledged Johnson, Curry and LeBron James’ greatness.
“I know Steph Curry and LeBron, Kobe [Bryant], Magic [Johnson] … all of those guys are superior, but I would have to go with Oscar,” Abdul-Jabbar said. Robertson had career averages of 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 14 NBA seasons.
