Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) /

Best Milwaukee Bucks Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Everyone is quick to bring up the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helping the Los Angeles Lakers to championships, but he wasn’t drafted by the purple and gold. He started his legendary career a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, a home for six seasons where the NBA first got a glimpse of his otherworldly abilities.

Most NBA legends tend to produce at a high level during their rookie season, and Jabbar –formerly Lew Alcindor — was no exception. His averages of 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game are generous ceilings for most centers. In running away with the Rookie of the Year trophy, this guy was just getting started.

Kareem had been drafted following the inaugural season for the Bucks franchise. By their second year, their prized No. 1 pick had them in the playoffs. Following year No. 3, they were league champions and Jabbar was the MVP of both the regular season and NBA Finals.

The NBA has fostered many debates throughout it’s vast and plentiful history, but one argument all can agree on is the owner of the most unguardable shot. Jabbar’s skyhook was a graceful combination of size and touch defenders had no hope of stopping. It’s a move that allowed him to rack up the points at an incredible rate along with back-to-back scoring titles.

Across his six seasons in Milwaukee, Kareem took home two MVP trophies with averages of 30.4 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.4 blocks per game. Those accomplishments are enough for a Hall of Fame entry on his own, the first chapter in a career that has him as arguably the greatest center there ever was.