In the beginning of this month, Lebron James smashed a record that had stood for 39 years, making history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was overthrown by a future Laker great after nearly 40 years as the leader. KAJ played in the NBA for 20 years, which is currently the same amount of time LeBron James has.
But the difference between their two careers is that LeBron hasn’t missed a beat while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was nearing the end of his NBA career. Although he undoubtedly missed many games, every time he plays, it seems like he is just 30.
In his tweet to LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar praised him but also expressed the opinion that his time may have been better used if he had access to the same resources as we do now. The NBA player of today is treated like royalty, with specialised nutrition regimens, fitness routines, unique recovery plans, and, most importantly, chartered aircraft.
The players had to take a coach, thus things were very different in the 1970s and 1980s. Can you imagine seven-footers travelling on chairs with insufficient legroom for people of average height? That is nearly torturous.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Expressed Some Resentment That His Record Had Been Surpassed
Recently Kareem Abdul-Jabbar expressed some resentment that his record had been surpassed. “We had to get up at six and five and catch a commercial trip; you know, I didn’t even get to fly on charter flights.” These guys don’t realise how well they are treated, man, you know? There has been a significant change.
Someone’s voice seems envious! The entirety of what he says is accurate, and future generations will likely hear James’s blather on about the same topics. That is life, and technological improvements are such.
The monotony of the schedule and having to catch those early morning flights, he continued, were the hardest things to deal with. True once more, as players now leave for the game much earlier and get some rest on the plane.
No player from the past had the freedom that LeBron James does to spend a million dollars a year on simply his physical recuperation. Can you picture some of the greatest players in the history of the sport using today’s equipment?
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Kareem Had Missed the Boat by Two Decades
Wilt Chamberlain would have scored 50,000 points, and Michael Jordan wouldn’t have been as worn out. Due to the elimination of the four-year college requirement, Kareem could play in the league for 25 years.
He had the opportunity to begin his profession much earlier and take care of his body in the same manner as today’s athletes do. They might be unstoppable with that kind of arsenal and their skill sets during that time period.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had missed the boat by two decades when sports science exploded onto the scene in the late 80s and early 90s. His last season had come to a grinding halt by that point, and his career was already spiralling downward. He averaged just 10 points a game, a dismal performance in light of what LeBron James is currently accomplishing.
Future athletes may reflect onLeBron James’ performance and engage in the same discussion as the legendary Los Angeles Laker. They may easily surpass the current average with the league teasing a 4-point line and fewer games per season. It might be closer than we realise before 20 years in the league become considered typical.
Also Read: Skip Bayless Dissects Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s Response When LeBron James Beat Him
The post Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Is Envious of Lebron James from the moment he Shattered His Record, says “I could have played a few more years” appeared first on The12thMan.
