How would the 1970's be viewed nowadays without Kareem

[coastalmarker99]

In a hypothetical situation in which Kareem didn't exist.

How differently would we view that era?

Jerry West and Wilt both win MVPs in 1971 and 1972.

The Lakers maybe go back to back in 1971 and 1972.

Bob McAdoo now has three MVPs

Bill Walton has two MVPs

The ABA now has the clear-cut best player in the world with Doctor J.

A tough question for me to answer is who goes down as the best NBA player of that era with no Kareem.

[ShawkFactory]

1974-1979 has the be the worst 5 year stretch in league history. You had Cap at his peak and the merger threw a wrench in things of course but it still felt like a trial period. No one cares and it’s quite strange.

[coastalmarker99]

1974-1979 has the be the worst 5 year stretch in league history. You had Cap at his peak and the merger threw a wrench in things of course but it still felt like a trial period. No one cares and it’s quite strange.

Yeah you had some very weak teams during that stretch winning titles.


Take away Kareem and guys such as Wilt and West along with others such as McAdoo basically get looked at by causal fans as being vultures who took full advantage of an incredibly weak era.

[tanibanana]

I always felt 1970s basketball was more of Dr.J for hardcore and real hoopers.
But mainstream, casuals and in consensus it was Kareem not just NBA but world.

So without Kareem, for NBA, it would Havlicek for me.

[iamgine]

I don't think people cares about the 1970s so it wouldn't be viewed that differently.

[TheGoatest]

1974-1979 has the be the worst 5 year stretch in league history.

The 90s give this period a run for its money in terms of weakness.
And believe me: If Kareem had an equivalent of The Great Scott Pippen as in that period, it would do wonders for that era's reputation. Then that era would be perceived as stronger, because that Kareem team would've demolished all competition and give an illusion that it was a strong era overall, when in fact they just would've been demolishing weak competition like the 90s Bulls.

[light]

In a hypothetical situation in which Kareem didn't exist.

How differently would we view that era?

Jerry West and Wilt both win MVPs in 1971 and 1972.

The Lakers maybe go back to back in 1971 and 1972.

Bob McAdoo now has three MVPs

Bill Walton has two MVPs

The ABA now has the clear-cut best player in the world with Doctor J.

A tough question for me to answer is who goes down as the best NBA player of that era with no Kareem.

I don't even think about Kareem when I think of 1970s basketball. I think of Dr. J and the Knicks.