Bucks Kareem is better then Lakers Kareem

[coastalmarker99]

Looking at Kareem's years at the bucks I don't know how anyone could make the argument that Lakers Kareem was better than his Bucks version




Bucks Kareem from 1969 to 1975 won 3 MVPs should have been 4 as he was robbed in 1973 along with one title and finals Mvp to go along with his two scoring titles.


Plus he was at his peak scoring-wise and rebounding wise during those years with the Bucks in both the regular season and playoffs.




Compare that to Lakers Kareem who while winning 3 MVPs with the Lakers couldn't carry the Lakers to any significant playoff success until Magic arrived in 1979 plus his defence and rebounding had declined from his Bucks days where he had led the Bucks to the number one defensive rating from 1971 to 1974.

[dankok8]

No he isn't. Bucks Kareem had a bit more motor but Lakers Kareem was stronger and more polished. The slight decline in rebounding is made up for by his insanely efficient and resilient scoring even against top notch defenses. Torching the Blazers, Sonics and Sixers the way 1977-1980 Kareem did is no small feat.

[coastalmarker99]

No he isn't. Bucks Kareem had a bit more motor but Lakers Kareem was stronger and more polished. The slight decline in rebounding is made up for by his insanely efficient and resilient scoring even against top notch defenses. Torching the Blazers, Sonics and Sixers the way 1977-1980 Kareem did is no small feat.

Ok look at what Kareem did in the 1970 playoffs as a rookie averaging 35 and 16 rebounds and also what he did in the 1971 playoffs where he dominated teams on route to one of the most dominant title runs in Nba history and finally what he did both in the 1972 and 1974 playoffs virtually by himself as Oscar had declined massively by those seasons.




I honestly don't think that Lakers Kareem was capable of pulling the same stuff that Bucks Kareem did on both ends from 1969 to 1975 as he did not have the motor that he had as a Buck to go full out on both sides of the court for 48 minutes.

[dankok8]

Ok look at what Kareem did in the 1970 playoffs as a rookie averaging 35 and 16 rebounds and also what he did in the 1971 playoffs where he dominated teams on route to one of the most dominant title runs in Nba history and finally what he did both in the 1972 and 1974 playoffs virtually by himself as Oscar had declined massively by those seasons.




I honestly don't think that Lakers Kareem was capable of pulling the same stuff that Bucks Kareem did on both ends from 1969 to 1975 as he did not have the motor that he had as a Buck to go full out on both sides of the court for 48 minutes.

He was still better in his LA days. Of course he was still a monster in the early 70's but strong physical guys like Wilt and Thurmond could give him a tough time. His efficiency against those guys wasn't good in his Bucks days. In the late 70's and even 80's guys super physical guys like Moses and Gilmore could hurt him on the glass but they couldn't put a dent in his scoring game. 1977 onwards Kareem is probably the most indefensible player in NBA history. In the mid 80's at almost 40 years old dude was dropping bombs on Hakeem and Ewing. Like if 1977 Kareem put his head down and decided to go for 40 there was just about nothing you could do.

[iamgine]

Seems like a similar player unless we're talking about his later years.

[light]

I think what it boils down to with any of these greats is that the younger version is more athletic and more active but the older version is smarter.

The younger version will have more stats but the older version is more aware of what's truly important.

[Micku]

I can't say too much. I only seen a few games of Bucks Kareem. I mostly saw Lakers kareem.

I would say he is definitely more skilled or allowed to do more things within the post and scoring aspect while he was Lakers. Specifically of the 77 and onwards of the games that I watched him in. I think he had more tools in his arsenal and looked more smooth as a Laker. He added a consistent jumper in his game in the late 70s with the Lakers. And in the 80s, he seemed to be a better passer compared to his 77 self.

But with the Bucks, he seems more active defensively. He seemed a lot more mobile. Especially compared to the 80s Kareem. However he seems to be more raw with the Bucks, but still great. It could've been how they officiated the game back then as well.

Now I heard he added more muscle while his time with the Lakers, especially in the late 70s as oppose to his Bucks years. As dankok8 said, it could help him against centers who could muscle him. But I can't tell you how it affected his game imo because I didn't see much of his time with the Bucks other than a couple of playoff games. I always meant to watch more of them, but never got around to it.

[coastalmarker99]

He was still better in his LA days. Of course he was still a monster in the early 70's but strong physical guys like Wilt and Thurmond could give him a tough time. His efficiency against those guys wasn't good in his Bucks days. In the late 70's and even 80's guys super physical guys like Moses and Gilmore could hurt him on the glass but they couldn't put a dent in his scoring game. 1977 onwards Kareem is probably the most indefensible player in NBA history. In the mid 80's at almost 40 years old dude was dropping bombs on Hakeem and Ewing. Like if 1977 Kareem put his head down and decided to go for 40 there was just about nothing you could do.

70-75(6 seasons)
30.4/15.3/4.3/3.4/1.2 on 54%
.57TS%/17.9TRB%/15.3AST%
3x MVP
1x FMVP(1x champion/2 Finals appearances)
4x All NBA 1st team
1x All NBA 2nd team
2x All Defense 1st team
3x All Defense 2nd team
2x Scoring Champ
1x Block Champ

76-81(6 seasons)
25.8/12.8/4.4/3.4/1.2 on 56%
.60TS%/17.4TRB%/17.3AST%
3x MVP
1xChampion(1 Finals appearance)
4x All NBA 1st team
3x All NBA 2nd team
3x All Defense 1st team
3x All Defense 2nd team
1x Rebounding Champ
1x Block Champ





It is clear looking at this that Bucks Kareem was more dominant than his Lakers counterpart both in stats and individual achievements as Bucks Kareem has a finals MVP in 1971 compared to his Lakers version that has zero and it also should be noted that Kareem should have won the MVP award in 1973 which would put Bucks Kareem with 4 MVP's compared to Lakers Kareem who only has 3.

[Jasper]

and then we have today :
Coach Mike Budenholzer said the "joy and passion" has returned after the Bucks won their fifth consecutive game on Sunday against the Clippers. Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a show with 36 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists to rally Milwaukee. (He outscored the entire Clippers team 17-10 in the final 8:30.) It also was Antetokounmpo's fourth straight game with at least 35 points; that hasn't been done by a Bucks player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1973. -- Woodyard

[Pointguard]

and then we have today :
Coach Mike Budenholzer said the "joy and passion" has returned after the Bucks won their fifth consecutive game on Sunday against the Clippers. Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a show with 36 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists to rally Milwaukee. (He outscored the entire Clippers team 17-10 in the final 8:30.) It also was Antetokounmpo's fourth straight game with at least 35 points; that hasn't been done by a Bucks player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1973. -- Woodyard

Great example.

Once Giannis learns to break the wall and wins a championship while playing less defense and scores less people will say the new Giannis is better because he beat the obstacle that was in his way. Wilt wasn't winning until he averaged less than half of his 50 ppg. He was considered better than his prime too. Jordan was averaging 36 ppg over 2 years and in the next year averaged 33ppg and 8 bounds and 8 assist until he better focused his immense energy into winning.

[dankok8]

70-75(6 seasons)
30.4/15.3/4.3/3.4/1.2 on 54%
.57TS%/17.9TRB%/15.3AST%
3x MVP
1x FMVP(1x champion/2 Finals appearances)
4x All NBA 1st team
1x All NBA 2nd team
2x All Defense 1st team
3x All Defense 2nd team
2x Scoring Champ
1x Block Champ

76-81(6 seasons)
25.8/12.8/4.4/3.4/1.2 on 56%
.60TS%/17.4TRB%/17.3AST%
3x MVP
1xChampion(1 Finals appearance)
4x All NBA 1st team
3x All NBA 2nd team
3x All Defense 1st team
3x All Defense 2nd team
1x Rebounding Champ
1x Block Champ





It is clear looking at this that Bucks Kareem was more dominant than his Lakers counterpart both in stats and individual achievements as Bucks Kareem has a finals MVP in 1971 compared to his Lakers version that has zero and it also should be noted that Kareem should have won the MVP award in 1973 which would put Bucks Kareem with 4 MVP's compared to Lakers Kareem who only has 3.

Post their playoff stats as well... Also it's obvious Kareem was robbed of the 1980 Finals MVP. And had the DPOY award existed he would have won it in some of these years like 1976, 1979 and 1980.

[Jasper]

Great example.

Once Giannis learns to break the wall and wins a championship while playing less defense and scores less people will say the new Giannis is better because he beat the obstacle that was in his way. Wilt wasn't winning until he averaged less than half of his 50 ppg. He was considered better than his prime too. Jordan was averaging 36 ppg over 2 years and in the next year averaged 33ppg and 8 bounds and 8 assist until he better focused his immense energy into winning.

comparing alpha's Wilt and Jordan to Giannis is not fair , cause Giannis is all about a chip, and respecting his teammates.
Giannis loves his teammates and has played to their hand as often as possible. For Giannis to play less defense , and score less doesn't
make any sense at all , 2020 he was defensive player of the year.
Your comment sounds like Akeem should of never played defense , and passed when he was the first option.
(You need to watch more Bucks games)

[coastalmarker99]

Post their playoff stats as well... Also it's obvious Kareem was robbed of the 1980 Finals MVP. And had the DPOY award existed he would have won it in some of these years like 1976, 1979 and 1980.

Yeah and he would have won the DPOY with the Bucks in 1971 and 1974 to go along with maybe 1973 so your point does not make sense as Bucks Kareem was a better defender then Lakers Kareem and he also posted better stats in the playoffs as well.

[dankok8]

Yeah and he would have won the DPOY with the Bucks in 1971 and 1974 to go along with maybe 1973 so your point does not make sense as Bucks Kareem was a better defender then Lakers Kareem and he also posted better stats in the playoffs as well.

He didn't post better stats in the playoffs. Not by a long shot.

Bucks Kareem (1970-1974): 29.7 ppg, 16.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, ? spg, ? bpg on 54.0 %TS with ? topg in 44.8 mpg
Lakers Kareem (1977-1980): 31.6 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 3.8 bpg on 62.0 %TS with 3.8 topg in 42.9 mpg

Even his rebounding dropped very very little. The pace decreased. His TRB% went down from 18.1 to 17.4.

Kareem would never win DPOY over Wilt and Thurmond in 1971 and 1973 when he didn't even make an All-Defensive 1st Team. In 1974 maybe... but in his Lakers years he would win at a minimum two of them.

[julizaver]

He didn't post better stats in the playoffs. Not by a long shot.

Bucks Kareem (1970-1974): 29.7 ppg, 16.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, ? spg, ? bpg on 54.0 %TS with ? topg in 44.8 mpg
Lakers Kareem (1977-1980): 31.6 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 3.8 bpg on 62.0 %TS with 3.8 topg in 42.9 mpg

Even his rebounding dropped very very little. The pace decreased. His TRB% went down from 18.1 to 17.4.

Kareem would never win DPOY over Wilt and Thurmond in 1971 and 1973 when he didn't even make an All-Defensive 1st Team. In 1974 maybe... but in his Lakers years he would win at a minimum two of them.

Let's keep in mind that in 1970-74 Kareem got a lot of games exactly versus Nate and Wilt.
Bucks version of Kareem was more athletic, but there is a consensus that after Kareem start weight program he hit his peak around 1977 or something like that. Aside from Nate and Wilt in 1970-74 he dominated and destroyed everybody. Even against Blazers with Walton he was very dominant, just Blazzers were better team. My point overall is that if you exclude Kareem games vs Wilt and Nate his stats will be a lot better in terms of shooting efficiency. That's why maybe regular season stats are more representable than the posts. And Hakeem while a good defensive player is not a dominant player like Wilt and not a hard nosed hustling Nate (maybe the greatest one on one defensive center).