Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The Skyhook Endures, and a Six-MVP Dynasty

In the lineage of NBA giants, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is unique: he dominated not with explosive dunks or flashy handles, but with one move—the skyhook—for twenty years.

Kareem retired with 6 regular-season MVPs (most ever), 6 championships, and 2 Finals MVPs (1971 Bucks, 1985 Lakers). His 38,387 points stood as the NBA's all-time scoring record until LeBron James passed it in 2023. From 1969 to 1989 he spanned two decades, living through the league's evolution from black-and-white to Showtime.

His signature skyhook was nearly impossible to block: one foot planted, body leaning back, arm extended straight up to loft the ball in a high arc. He used it for twenty years at startling efficiency—one of basketball's most elegant, most effective scoring tools.

After retiring he became an author and activist, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2023. From Lew Alcindor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, from scoring machine to cultural symbol, he proved greatness can be quiet and can be long.

Related Reading

• 1985 NBA Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1971 NBA Finals MVP: Lew Alcindor (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 1980 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1976 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 1977 NBA MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)