History+of+the+Los+Angeles+Lakers

Jake Singer and Chad Sonkin
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar**

Honors American History

Mrs. Price

**Background / Overview of Topic** Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr, also known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lew, The Big Fella, or Cap, paved the way for how dominant Center's and Power Forward's play the game today. **Who?** Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born with the name Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. He changed his name because he changed his religion from Christianity to Islam. The reason he changed his name was because he was very influenced by the religion. He said that most of the slaves brought to America were Muslims. His family was brought to America by a French man named Alcindor. **What?** Kareems amazing stature of 7-2 and his famous skyhook shot, set him up for many accomplishments in his career. In his college career he was named twice player of the year (1967, 1969), he also was a three time All- American (1967-69). He played on three NCAA basketball championship teams (1967-69), and also wone the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament. He also won would would later be called the Oscar Robertson Trophy, and the Helms Foundation Player of the Year. Besides basketball he also got a degree in history at UCLA. His after- college career started off large, as he declined $1 million to play for the Harlem Golbrotters. He was than the first overall pick in 1969 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. He led the Bucks to the best season of 66 victories in the 1970-71 season, and had the than record of a 20 game win streak. He also Won his first of six Mosr Valuable Player Awards. He also averaged 27 points per game in his career with Milwaukee. Than in 1975 he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and lead the league averaging 27.7 points per game, and lead the league in blocks, rebouding, and minutes played. His 1,111 defesnive rebounds is still a record today. He won 6 Most Valuable Player awards **Where?** Cora Alcindor, Kareem's mother, gave birth in New York City. He went to private school in New York for his childhood. He went to Power Memorial Academy, where he set numerous state records and led the team throughout high school to a 95-6 record. In 1965, Kareem chose the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He won 3 consecutive National Championships there under famous coach, John Wooden. Throughout his NBA career, he lived in Milwaukee and Los Angeles while always having his home back in New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles and helps current players on the Lakers. **When?** Kareem was born on April 16, 1947. His NBA career started when he was drafted to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969. He won his first championship with the Bucks his second season, 1970-1971. However, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. He helped led the Lakers to multiple championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. His prestigious career was rewarded with Sports Illistrated Sportsman of the Year in 1985, Most Valuable Player in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1980. It all came to an end when he retired in 1989. Finally, to put an everlasting memory of his career, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. Way after his playing years, Kareem was appointed Special Assistant Coach of the Lakers in 2005. Kareem introduced his famous skyhook shot to basketball. College basketball outlawed dunking the ball in 1967-1968 due to Kareem. The NCAA allowed it again 9 years later. **Bibliography**
 * Significance of the Topic? [[image:jabaar.jpg width="197" height="203" align="right"]]**

Adande, J. A. “Secrets of the Skyhook.” //ESPN.com// (2009): n. pag. Web. 17 May 2011. [].

Barnes, Dana R. “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” //Notable Sports Figures// (2004): n. pag. //Gale World History in Context//. Web. 13 May 2011. [].  Gale. “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” //Encyclopedia of World Biography// (Dec. 1998): n. pag. //Gale World History in Context//. Web. 13 May 2011. [].  “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” //ABC-CLIO eBook Collection//. N.p., 2011. Web. 16 May 2011. [].  “Laker’s Universe.” //Lakers Universe: Everything about Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant//. N.p., 1999. Web. 17 May 2011. []. 