Kareem Abdul Jabbar 40 points in the 1980 NBA Finals

[Lebron23]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMIC4zKK_nE

Total Domination by they Captain.

[dunksby]

GOAT :bowdown:

[WillC]

Amazing highlights.

Dr J dunking all over Kareem on those first two possessions. But the big man was unstoppable at times.

[Dr Hawk]

Amazing how DrJ grabs the ball with one hand

[Psileas]

Simply one of the most underrated all-time great performances, especially considering that he came back injured and continued dominating (also scoring the most crucial basket of the series). Too bad this performance didn't belong to a flashy guard and will forever remain buried.

[TheBigVeto]

GOAT gonna GOAT.
He was robbed. Big time.

[Pointguard]

GOAT gonna GOAT.
He was robbed. Big time.

Seriously, Magic's game was a whole lot better than this one. Kareem had the great series but Magic had changed the game. Stopped saying he was robbed because without Magic, Kareem would be most peoples most disappointing list.

He was given a gift.

[jlip]

Simply one of the most underrated all-time great performances, especially considering that he came back injured and continued dominating (also scoring the most crucial basket of the series). Too bad this performance didn't belong to a flashy guard and will forever remain buried.

This

[KG215]

Seriously, Magic's game was a whole lot better than this one. Kareem had the great series but Magic had changed the game. Stopped saying he was robbed because without Magic, Kareem would be most peoples most disappointing list.

He was given a gift.
If he meant Kareem was robbed of Finals MVP that year, then yes, he has a point. Kareem averaged 33-14-3-5 on 55% shooting and Magic averaged 22-11-9-3 on 57% shooting. I know the numbers make it seem like both have a really good case, but I know there's been discussions about this on here in the past and on the "other" board and I recall the general consensus being Kareem deserved Finals MVP in 1980.

[Round Mound]

Most Elegant and Skilled Offensive Center Ever! :bowdown:

[G-train]

If he meant Kareem was robbed of Finals MVP that year, then yes, he has a point. Kareem averaged 33-14-3-5 on 55% shooting and Magic averaged 22-11-9-3 on 57% shooting. I know the numbers make it seem like both have a really good case, but I know there's been discussions about this on here in the past and on the "other" board and I recall the general consensus being Kareem deserved Finals MVP in 1980.

If you watched all 6 games I promise you that it is unbelievable that Kareem didn't win the Finals MVP.

[julizaver]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMIC4zKK_nE

Total Domination by they Captain.

Nice. Good moving of the ball, great players on the floor. That's what I call basketball. Kareem was awesome (I don't watch all the games just a few highligts like this) and deserving MVP (as stats sugests) of the series prior to Game 6. But I observed some things - I have watched him in the series vs Blazers (1977) and noticed that he seems bulkier than then and it seems that while vs Blazers he was still very quick (even explosive) and athletic in 3 years time he had lost some of his quikness - age or gaining more weight ?

[dunksby]

If he meant Kareem was robbed of Finals MVP that year, then yes, he has a point. Kareem averaged 33-14-3-5 on 55% shooting and Magic averaged 22-11-9-3 on 57% shooting. I know the numbers make it seem like both have a really good case, but I know there's been discussions about this on here in the past and on the "other" board and I recall the general consensus being Kareem deserved Finals MVP in 1980.
Any sane individual would tell you it was highway robbery, they gave it to Magic because CBS didn't want toggive it to an absent player.

[dunksby]

Nice. Good moving of the ball, great players on the floor. That's what I call basketball. Kareem was awesome (I don't watch all the games just a few highligts like this) and deserving MVP (as stats sugests) of the series prior to Game 6. But I observed some things - I have watched him in the series vs Blazers (1977) and noticed that he seems bulkier than then and it seems that while vs Blazers he was still very quick (even explosive) and athletic in 3 years time he had lost some of his quikness - age or gaining more weight ?
Kareem was unbelievable athletic wise but as his age advanced, he polished his game even more and relied on his post moves and especially his Sky-hook. Unlike when the Wilt trade, Lakers gutted their roster to get KAJ which cost him a lot of titles during his peak. Kareem was so great that he carried those weak teams to a lot of deep postseason runs aand finals. That's why Magic explicitly announced that he wanted to play with Kareem and for the Lakers when he declared for the draft.

[SHAQisGOAT]

:bowdown:

Jabbar would totally ANNIHILATE today's centers and league...
Look at the versatility of post moves/shots, how polished his game was, look at how well he recognizes how they're playing him and how quickly he takes the best action, look at how well he moves without the ball to get in the best position to score, look at the ridiculous mobility for someone at that height, the passing, the rebounding, the defensive awareness... You don't see that type of stuff with centers anymore, not even close at all... And Cap also had the GOAT scoring weapon in his arsenal.

Kareem should've been named FMVP, tbh...
His impact in those 5 games were greater than Magic's 6 games; he was out there injured in this one and they don't even win without him at the end, shit, they don't even get there without him, nor that close.
Not even like his and Magic's play/impact/level were that close at that time or in those Finals, Kareem was EASILY greater. And Jabbar would've still returned for some more if there was to be a game7.

(and for the record, I think Magic should've been named FMVP in 1988; that's 3 they got very wrong in the 80's, along with Bird in 1981)

[K Xerxes]

:bowdown:

Jabbar would totally ANNIHILATE today's centers and league...
Look at the versatility of post moves/shots, how polished his game was, look at how well he recognizes how they're playing him and how quickly he takes the best action, look at how well he moves without the ball to get in the best position to score, look at the ridiculous mobility for someone at that height, the passing, the rebounding, the defensive awareness... You don't see that type of stuff with centers anymore, not even close at all... And Cap also had the GOAT scoring weapon in his arsenal.

Kareem should've been named FMVP, tbh...
His impact in those 5 games were greater than Magic's 6 games; he was out there injured in this one and they don't even win without him at the end, shit, they don't even get there without him, nor that close.
Not even like his and Magic's play/impact/level were that close at that time or in those Finals, Kareem was EASILY greater. And Jabbar would've still returned for some more if there was to be a game7.

(and for the record, I think Magic should've been named FMVP in 1988; that's 3 they got very wrong in the 80's, along with Bird in 1981)

Kareem deserved 6 rings, 3 FMVPs and 5 MVPs. Magic still with same amount (defo should have had 88 FMVP). Bird with 3 rings, 3 FMVPs and 3 MVPs. I wonder if that would have changed how people today rank their GOAT lists. Maybe, maybe not. :confusedshrug:

[SHAQisGOAT]

Kareem deserved 6 rings, 3 FMVPs and 5 MVPs. Magic still with same amount (defo should have had 88 FMVP). Bird with 3 rings, 3 FMVPs and 3 MVPs. I wonder if that would have changed how people today rank their GOAT lists. Maybe, maybe not. :confusedshrug:

True. I think slightly more-or-less the same, tbh.

[Pointguard]

If he meant Kareem was robbed of Finals MVP that year, then yes, he has a point. Kareem averaged 33-14-3-5 on 55% shooting and Magic averaged 22-11-9-3 on 57% shooting. I know the numbers make it seem like both have a really good case, but I know there's been discussions about this on here in the past and on the "other" board and I recall the general consensus being Kareem deserved Finals MVP in 1980.

Actually Kareem had a lot of series like that in about 10 previous series? He was that type of beast but the league knew how to make it uneffective for nine years. There was a new reality in Laker land. Magic knew how to win which was Kareem's problem before his arrival. There is a very definite story line with Magic's arrival in Kareem's career. Kareem had the better numbers for sure but this team had a Magic air about them and it was there when Kareem wasn't on the court.

[Hey Yo]

Actually Kareem had a lot of series like that in about 10 previous series? He was that type of beast but the league knew how to make it uneffective for nine years. There was a new reality in Laker land. Magic knew how to win which was Kareem's problem before his arrival. There is a very definite story line with Magic's arrival in Kareem's career. Kareem had the better numbers for sure but this team had a Magic air about them and it was there when Kareem wasn't on the court.
What you're implying is that Magic knew how to win due to his college days at M.S and Kareem wasn't as successful in college (in terms of winning) than Magic was.

We both know the above wasn't the case whatsoever.

[Pointguard]

What you're implying is that Magic knew how to win due to his college days at M.S and Kareem wasn't as successful in college (in terms of winning) than Magic was.

We both know the above wasn't the case whatsoever.
Kareem just wasn't winning in the weak 70's, when he was winning every MVP in site, is what I'm saying. Magic had a better record without Kareem in the pros and definitely much better record once Kareem stepped down his role - in fact the only two peat on the resumes and the best offensive team ever as well.

[dunksby]

What you're implying is that Magic knew how to win due to his college days at M.S and Kareem wasn't as successful in college (in terms of winning) than Magic was.

We both know the above wasn't the case whatsoever.
Jordan nut huggers are the worst, insecure turtle dick bastards.

[jongib369]

http://i1.hoopchina.com.cn/user/363/3267363/p15jeq0fleg6o17n7gai1l5dg1nb.gif

[Hey Yo]

Jordan nut huggers are the worst, insecure turtle dick bastards.
nevermind...not sure if you're referring to me or who I originally quoted.

If it was me then you're wrong, Chico

[dunksby]

nevermind...not sure if you're referring to me or who I originally quoted.

If it was me then you're wrong, Chico
That guy is in every Kareem thread bashing him.

[dunksby]

nevermind...not sure if you're referring to me or who I originally quoted.

If it was me then you're wrong, Chico
Who you calling a dishwasher? Oh you said "Chico" nvm then.

[LAZERUSS]

Any sane individual would tell you it was highway robbery, they gave it to Magic because CBS didn't want toggive it to an absent player.


What were Kareem's numbers in that clinching game six on the road? You know...the game where Magic led a Laker blowout, with a monster 42-15-7 game on 14-23 and 14-14 (BTW, those 15 rebounds were FIVE more than anyone else had in that same game)? The Magic who controlled the PACE of the game...and essentially ran the Sixers into the ground?

All Magic did in that series was put up a SIX game series of 22-11-9-3 .573 .875.

You want "highway robbery"...look no further than the '88 Finals. Now that was DISGRACFUL voting.

[Hey Yo]

What were Kareem's numbers in that clinching game six on the road? You know...the game where Magic led a Laker blowout, with a monster 42-15-7 game on 14-23 and 14-14 (BTW, those 15 rebounds were FIVE more than anyone else had in that same game)? The Magic who controlled the PACE of the game...and essentially ran the Sixers into the ground?

All Magic did in that series was put up a SIX game series of 22-11-9-3 .573 .875.

You want "highway robbery"...look no further than the '88 Finals. Now that was DISGRACFUL voting.
"Jamaal “Silk” Wilkes outplayed Julius Erving in Game 6 with a career-high 37 points against Dr. J’s 27 to help the Lakers win the second title in franchise history.

"Game 6 was tied at the half, but the Lakers blew it open by scoring 14 straight points to start the 3rd quarter. Silk scored 16 points in the period and was the Lakers’ leading scorer until Magic passed him with some free throws when the 76ers started fouling at the end of the game. Wilkes also finished the game with 10 rebounds.

[LAZERUSS]

[QUOTE=Hey Yo]"Jamaal

[TheBigVeto]

Seriously, Magic's game was a whole lot better than this one. Kareem had the great series but Magic had changed the game. Stopped saying he was robbed because without Magic, Kareem would be most peoples most disappointing list.

He was given a gift.

Kareem was THE alpha dog of the Lakers back then, a true candidate of GOAT. Magic rode his coattails.

To quote the best basketball analyst in the universe: "The fact that Magic won the 1980 FMVP and then was acknowledged as a player who can play all 5 positions is a travesty and an embarrassment to the sport of basketball. Before Kobe won a FMVP, this was the most undeserving FVMP selection of all time. If Magic were to play center back in the 80s, the centers back then would've banged him to oblivion just like the dude who gave him HIV"

[zizozain]

@6:40 THE PLAY OF THE FINALS.

that timing was just perfect.. Magic catches the ball, lobbs it as Kareem spins and smokes Darryl Dawkins, Julius Erving comes to help and the rest is history, he gets posterzed AND1.. Lakers win and another chip.

(40 points on 24 fga) :applause:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored the Lakers' first 12 points and had 26 midway through the third quarter before leaving with a sprained ankle. With Abdul-Jabbar out, the Lakers managed to go on a 14-8 run to take an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Abdul-Jabbar came back in, playing on the injured ankle, and put on a head-to-head duel with Julius Erving, who scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Abdul-Jabbar had 14 points in the quarter, including a dunk and free throw with 33 seconds left to give the Lakers their final lead and a 3-2 series advantage.



This is one of the best finals performances of all time, imo. Amazing how he came back from the ankle injury late in the 3rd(which was obviously serious enough to keep him out of game 6), and dropped 14 in the 4th including those clutch shots late. Ended up with a super efficient 40 on 16/21 shooting.

Magic's game 6 got a lot more hype, but I always thought this game was far more impressive. In fact, I believe to this day that Magic's game 6 caused Kareem's 1980 season and playoff run to get completely overlooked.

Through 5 games, Kareem was having one of the great finals series of all time, as much as people talk about Shaq's finals numbers, Kareem put up numbers exactly like them in the '80 finals averaging 33/14/3/5 on 55% shooting.

I've always thought Kareem was robbed of that finals MVP, he was clearly the most valuable player through 5 games.

Luckily, I've seen almost every game from Kareem's '80 playoff run and a half dozen or so regular season games, and the level he was at, especially for a 32/33 year old center was remarkable, he didn't seem to have lost much, if anything.

It was Kareem's best championship playoff run, he averaged 32/12/3/4 on 57% shooting. That has to rank among the all-time great playoff runs. And one of his top 3 playoff runs along with his '74 and '77 playoff runs. Unfortunately, not as many games exist from the 70's, but at least we get to see 3 full games from his '77 run(game 6 vs Golden State and games 2 and 4 vs Portland), and part of a 4th game(game 7 vs the Warriors).

It's just too bad that Kareem spent much of his prime on teams that weren't that good. As he said in Giant Steps, that was the second good team he had played on.

ShaqAttack3234 doe

[Pointguard]

That guy is in every Kareem thread bashing him.
He was responding to me and I don't go around bashing Kareem. Once in a while I do the Magic comparison.