Kareem Abdul Jabbar's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career
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One of the greatest players to ever step onto a basketball court, the only man who could ever rival the greatness of Kareem Abdul Jabbar was his 9-year-long teammate, Erving “Magic” Johnson. Johnson is widely regarded as the best point guard of all time, and he and Kareem created one of the greatest one-two punches on offense of all time. Magic controlled the tempo of the team, while Kareem went down low and got a bucket whenever his team needed him to. The two were, and still are, lifelong friends, and together, they won an astonishing 5 NBA championships and created one of the most beloved teams of all time in the Showtime Lakers.
- Birthplace: Lansing, Michigan
- Position: Point guard, Power forward
- 1Kareem Abdul-Jabbar147 Votes
- 2James Worthy96 Votes
- 3Michael Cooper40 Votes
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The Big O, Oscar Robertson spent the twilight of his career playing alongside a very young, but incredibly talented Kareem Abdul-Jabar on the Milwaukee Bucks. Robertson was entering the 11th year of his career, and while he had monstrous stats, including averaging a 30-point triple-double and a league MVP, the one thing that eluded The Big O was a championship. That was, of course, until he paired with Kareem and the two took the league by storm! Robertson and Kareem won a championship in just their first year playing together, and many feel that the reason Kareem left the Bucks was specifically that Robertson retired.
- Birthplace: Charlotte, Tennessee
- Position: Point guard, Shooting guard
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The starting small forward for the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, “Big Game” James Worthy helped elevate and solidify the Lakers as a complete and powerful dynasty. A man who would become one of the most clutch and important members of any playoffs team, Worthy and Kareem had a wonderful tandem together, both being masterful two-way players who were able to count on each other in the most important times. Worthy averaged 17.6 points per game during his career during the regular season, but when the lights shined brightest during the playoffs, he increased his points per game by nearly 4 to 21.1. Worthy is remembered as one of the clutchest players in league history, and for good reason.
- Birthplace: Gastonia, North Carolina
- Position: Small forward
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar actually spent the most time in his career playing with defensive dinamo Michael Cooper. Playing an astounding 917 games together throughout their career, Cooper and Kareem would go on to win 5 championships together with Cooper being the starting 2-guard for the Showtime Lakers. Cooper was never a strong scorer, the highest PPG of his career being just 10.5 per game, however, what he lacked on offense, he thrived on defense. Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987 and being named to 8 All-Defensive Teams in his career, Cooper was the glorified stopper for the Lakers, and Kareem and the team knew they could always count on Coop.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Position: Point guard, Shooting guard, Small forward
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Early in his career, Bob McAdoo was arguably the greatest player in all of the NBA. Winning an MVP award in 1975, McAdoo was a scoring phenom who changed life for fans of the Buffalo Braves. As time went on, McAdoo's production slowly diminished, and he still didn't have a chip to his name. When he was traded to the Showtime Lakers at the end of his career, however, all of that changed. McAdoo provided a powerful spark off the bench for the team, and some much-needed wisdom to the young Lakers squad. McAdoo would eventually go on to win 2 championships with the Lakers playing as their very own 6th man.
- Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina
- Position: Power forward, Center
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Legendary Laker Gail Goodrich may have only played a single season with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before he left for the New Jersey Nets, but during his time with the rookie Kareem, Goodrich left one remarkable impact on the big man. Goodrich averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists during his career, and while he played alongside Kareem he had one of the best seasons of the twilight of his career, putting up 19.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. While their time may have been short-lived, Lakernation was able to see two legends play together for one short, wonderful time.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Jazz
- Position: Shooting guard
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Adrian Dantley may have only played two of his earliest seasons with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but the lengthy 6"5' shooting guard made a resounding mark throughout his time with The Captain. Averaging 18.4 points per game while on the Lakers, Dantley showcased brilliant skills, however, injury was eventually his downfall. While Dantley showcased phenomenal talent, the Lakers already had another strong scoring wing in Jamaal Wilkes who did everything Dantley did, so he was shipped out to Utah for power-forward Spencer Haywood.
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
- Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
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- Danny Howdel
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Jamaal Wilkes was the offensive genius that the Showtime Lakers needed early throughout their tenure. A man who could go and get out 20 points on any and every given night, Wilkes was the second scoring option behind Kareem, and he thrived on the openness that playing with The Admiral gave him. A phenomenal two-way player, Wilkes would go on to win 3 championships playing alongside Kareem, however, injuries would derail the latter end of his career, forcing him to lose his starting spot to up-and-come James Worthy, and he would eventually be cut from the Lakers while rehabbing, but he will always be remembered and beloved by Lakers fans for his time in the Purple and Gold.
- Birthplace: Berkeley, California
- Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
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- flickr
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A.C. Green joined the Los Angeles Lakers as a rookie and played with Kareem during the twilight of his career. While Kareem may have been slowing down compared to his Hall of Fame production, Iron Man A.C. Green made sure there was always a secondary presence down low to help The Captain. Averaging 11.3 points and 7.9 rebounds during his time with the Lakers, Green proved to be an invaluable member of the team on both offense and defense and would help Kareem win his final 2 NBA championships in 1987 and 1988.
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Position: Power forward, Center
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- Scott L
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Stormin Norm Nixon spent the first 6 years of his career playing in the purple and gold alongside the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Nixon was the starting point guard for the team until Hall of Famer Magic Johnson joined the team, but even than Nixon still started games alongside Magic and Kareem, providing a much-needed scoring punch and secondary ball handler to throw Kareem the rock down low. Nixon would go on to win two championships with Kareem and Magic while on the Lakers, and would eventually be shipped out to the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers for rookie Byron Scott.
- Birthplace: Macon, Georgia
- Position: Point guard
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Chosen in the same draft alongside Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Bob Dandridge grew up alongside Kareem, as they spent the first 6 years of their career playing with one another. The 6"6 swingman from Norfolk State was an electric scorer who could put up 20 in the blink of an eye. Dandridge provided a potent outside game while Kareem attacked the paint. The two men, alongside their star guard Oscar Robertson, would eventually go on to win the 1971 NBA championship together, and form a deadly big three that the league would fear for years to come.
- Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia
- Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
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While many know Byron Scott as a head coach today, back in the '80s, Scott was the high-flying, explosive scoring 2-guard for the latter-end Showtime Los Angeles Lakers. Drafted in the league in 1983, Scott played his time with a much older Kareem, but thanks to his athleticism and IQ, he was able to get The Captain many open looks and help on the defensive side of the ball. Scott would average 16.7 points per game during his time with Kareem and would help the Lakers achieve another 3 championships.
- Birthplace: Ogden, Utah
- Position: Shooting guard
The prolific and feisty backup big man for the Showtime Lakers, Kurt Rambis proved to be one of the most important non-star members of the team throughout their legendary dynasty. he may have only averaged more than 20 minutes per game two times during his 7-year stint with the team, but Rambis showcased guts and grit that made him the enforcer of the team. Whenever anyone, including Kareem, got into a fight, you could guarantee Rambis was there ready to back up his team, and over the course of his years with the Lakers, he would be rewarded with 4 NBA Championships.
- Birthplace: Terre Haute, Indiana
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings
- Position: Power forward
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- flickr
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Lucius Allen is one of a few players who actually played alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen was the backup point guard for the '71 Bucks team that won the championship, and later in his career, he would be the starting guard alongside Kareem in the Lakers. Both men had a wonderful connection on and off the court, with Allen always knowing when and where to feed the big fella. The two men played a combined 479 games together and had an astonishing 61.5 win percentage when they were on the court.
- Birthplace: Kansas City, Kansas
- Position: Shooting guard
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Spencer Haywood may have only played a single season with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but his presence on the team was astronomical. Being a close personal friend of Kareem, Haywood was able to tell The Captain the truth without fear of serious reprocutions. This helped keep the team in line and show everyone how to win, which they did in 1980 winning the NBA championship together.
- Birthplace: Silver City, Mississippi
- Team: Buffalo Braves
- Position: Power forward, Center
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- Los Angeles Lakers
Pat Riley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar may have one of the most interesting dynamics between players. Riley played his final year in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers when Kareem joined the team. While Pat was already on his way out of the league at this point, only averaging 11.5 minutes per game and putting up 5.5 points per game, Riley would eventually go on to coach Kareem and lead the big fella to 4 NBA Championships.
- Birthplace: Rome, New York
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns
- Position: Shooting Guard
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- Metaweb
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While Michael Thompson may be most associated with the modern NBA fan as Klay Thompsons' father, back in the '80s, the stretch big man was a key piece in the Lakers final two championships during their Showtime Era. Providing perfect spot minutes for Kareem when he was on the bench, Thompson may have been past his prime, but he could still score and rebound in bunches, making sure the team would stay afloat when The Captain was out. Thompson would eventually finish off his career with the lakers, but not before winning 2 NBA championships.
- Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas
- Position: Power forward, Center
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Mike McGee spent the first 5 years of his professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers as a backup guard for during their Showtime era. While McGee never had the most eye-popping stats, averaging a high 10.2 points in 15.4 minutes during the 85-86 season, McGee played into his role perfectly, being a more than decent two-way player off the bench. He would eventually help the team win two NBA championships, one in 1982, and the other in 1985.
- Birthplace: Tyler, Texas
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The Electic Eye Flynn Robinson was indeed a journeyman, playing for the Bulls, Royals, Bullets, and Lakers, but for two of the best seasons of his career, he was the starting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Robinson would put up the best stats of his career next to the Captain, putting up 20.3 points and 3.6 rebounds one season and 21.8 points and 3.3 rebounds the following. Robinson would also be selected to the only All-Star game of his career while playing for the Bucks.
- Birthplace: Elgin, Illinois
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A phenomenal backup big man for the Los Angeles Lakers, Don Ford may not be a name too many NBA fans know, but he did a wonderful job of providing excellent spot minutes for Kareem when he would take his rests. Most known for his excellent defensive prowess, Ford may not have ever won a chip with the Lakers, but he helped show what it meant to be a professional to all the young guns on the team.
- Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California