This column, by NBA Insider Jan Hubbard, first appeared in the July 3, 1989, issue of The Sporting News under the headline “Kareem Leaves A Large Void,” written after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 42, and the Lakers were swept in the NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons. It marked the end of the Los Angeles icon’s remarkable basketball career.
NEW YORK — The final days were beautifully and brutally appropriate. They satisfied romantics and realists alike. Those who fantasized about one of the most remarkable careers in National Basketball Association history ending with a flourish were able to smile and savor their dream come true. And those who believed an aging, once-great athlete had stayed too long in a young man's game were able to nod and say, "I told you so."
The last two games in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s remarkable 20-season NBA career were, in short, a perfect reflection of what made him great and what made his last year ordinary.
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals against Detroit, the Lakers’ 42-year-old Abdul-Jabbar reached back into time, scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds, each a season high, in the Lakers' 114-110 loss.
In Game 4, however, Abdul-Jabbar had only seven points and three rebounds. He missed each of his six skyhooks as the Pistons completed their championship sweep with a 108-97 victory that ended the Lakers' season — and the longest and most distinguished career in NBA history.
Abdul-Jabbar left the game with 19 seconds left and received a prolonged, thunderous ovation from the fans in the Forum, his teammates and even the Pistons.
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"I just tried to enjoy the moment, take it all in and receive the crowd, Abdul-Jabbar said. "I gave my teammates one last hug. That's the last time I'll be able to do that on the hardwood."
For that, fans could be sad and thankful. There is little doubt that there will be a void next season when, for the first time since 1969, there is an NBA without Abdul-Jabbar. Yet after watching Abdul-Jabbar average a career-low 10.1 points and shoot 47 percent from the floor — the only time be ever made less than 50 percent of his shots — there was little doubt that it was time.
Abdul-Jabbar's last season was not an easy one. Instead of being excited about what the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner called his "Magical History Tour,” Abdul-Jabbar was distracted.
"I had a serious letdown,” Abdul-Jabbar said. "My problem began with the mental aspect of things. I'm dealing with several times more burnout than a lot of other folks are.”
It showed. Abdul-Jabbar, a fitness zealot, reported to camp overweight. During the season, he showed up late for a practice session. On one trip, he forgot his uniform and had to wear jersey No. 8. All were firsts.
In January, Lakers Coach Pat Riley hinted at the idea of making Abdul-Jabbar a reserve. Columnists across the country said he had stayed too long and urged him to retire immediately. Abdul-Jabbar lashed back and said: "I've never gotten a realistic appraisal from those people anyway. When I was able to do all the things that they say I'm not doing now, they never gave me credit. It's just a long story of distorted coverage.”
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That irritability was another example of the extremes in Abdul-Jabbar's career. He was a player so talented that he sought perfection. In a sense, he achieved it. Many times, objective observers said there was little doubt that he was the best player in the history of the game.
Yet there also were critics who suggested that Abdul-Jabbar was less than perfect. As a physical genius, Abdul-Jabbar could not accept that. At times, he felt unappreciated.
But the extremes were nothing more than a tribute to his longevity. Stick around for 20 years, and it is a safe bet that every success and shortcoming will be magnified.
Basketball players also are public figures, and by playing longer than anyone else, Abdul-Jabbar was forced to deal with those who critiqued him longer than anyone else. Abdul-Jabbar admits to being aloof early in his career, but he said that as he grew older and began dealing with a new and younger generation of sportswriters, he became cooperative.
The publicity often reflected his moods. At his worst, Abdul-Jabbar could be abrupt and condescending. At his best, he was mysterious but fun.
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After his Game 3 performance, despite the loss, he was in a light mood. Someone noted that it was his best rebounding game of the season. Abdul-Jabbar said, "Better late than never."
And when someone asked what it was like to play without Magic Johnson, who missed the last 13 minutes of the game with hamstring injury, Abdul-Jabbar said. "It's like you have a great sports car and (you lose) a great driver, and all of sudden you have to find some guy who's been driving a bus."
Everyone laughed. And two days later, when he left the court for the final time, it was hard not to smile. Some who were very close to him probably cried. And perhaps a few hardcore critics jeered.
Extreme feelings, however, were nothing new. During his career, Abdul-Jabbar was praised and damned, loved and hated. But now that he is gone, there is one fact that cannot be disputed: The sport of basketball is better because of him.