The time was totally different, but on October 18, 1969, the basketball world was waiting to finally see Lew Alcindor in the NBA. The “hype”, to use a current term, was enormous.
“Alcindor is perhaps the most publicized athlete in the history of sport”, said John Ericksonthe GM of the Bucks. “So it’s natural that he’s at the center of fans’ conversations. »
The man who would become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives in the Big League with a unique status: he is undoubtedly the best university player in history. Three-time NCAA champion and three-time Final Four best player in a row, between 1967 and 1969, with UCLA. So dominant that the NCAA reacted by deciding to ban the dunk altogether! This is how this developed its legendary skyhook.
A full-scale test to start
With Bill Russell retiring after an eleventh title in thirteen seasons, the league is looking for a new monster to battle with Wilt Chamberlain. That famous evening in October 1969, he made his appearance against Walt Bellamy’s Pistons. He’s quite a client, who still averaged 17.4 points and 12.5 rebounds last season (having played 88 games following his transfer to Detroit).
Bucks number 33 does not disappoint. He compiled 29 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Low post, no Detroit player manages to contain him.
It’s too big and technical. Walt Bellamy is weighed down by fouls, particularly offensive ones on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he will score most of his 25 points once the match is over. In defense, his presence is intimidating and he steals and blocks several balls (statistics which were not yet officially recorded at the time).
There will be only 7,782 spectators in the room, the “Mecca Arena”, to witness the victory of the Bucks and the debut of the future top scorer in NBA history and an absolute legend of world basketball.
The following season, supported by Oscar Robertson, he brought the Bucks their first NBA title, before the one won last July, 50 years later.
