In the 6-foot-11 class of Bleacher Report’s all-time height rankings, the Milwaukee Bucks‘ Giannis Antetokounmpo is up against stiff competition – incumbent Tim Duncan, plus Kevin Durant – that may prove insurmountable. The Bucks do have a couple of entries on the list already, however, both Hall of Famers who collaborated to secure the organization’s first championship back in 1971.
The collaborators: Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Milwaukee Bucks ride Hall of Fame duo to first title in third year of franchise
Robertson, crowned as the best 6-foot-5 player ever, and Abdul-Jabbar, 7-foot-2, contributed to Milwaukee’s championship at very different points in their careers.
By the time he joined the Bucks, Robertson had spent 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Royals, a forerunner of the Sacramento Kings. Acquired via trade, he produced a title alongside Kareem in his very first Milwaukee season, only the third in franchise history. It was the sole championship of his 14-year career. Though past his peak, he finished out his playing days with a productive Bucks tenure. In 1971, Robertson averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Jul 14, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; NBA former player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former player Oscar Robertson wave to the crowd during the second quarter in game four of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports (NBA News)
The NBA’s long-time leader in career triple doubles (181), he was surpassed by Russell Westbrook in 2021. Trailing by just 17, Denver’s Nikola Jokic is hot on Robertson’s heels and could pass him next season, putting the Bucks great third on the all-time list.
When the Bucks won the championship, Robertson’s partner in crime was then known as Lew Alcindor. It was not until after winning the title that Kareem began using his Muslim name, although he had converted to Islam several years before.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oscar Robertson, Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (left) and Giannis Antetokounmpo are transcendent talents from two great eras of Bucks basketball
Abdul Jabbar Antetokounmpo
In contrast to Robertson, Kareem was just a sophomore when Milwaukee won the chip, capturing his first MVP that same season after winning Rookie of the Year in 1970. Of his six career MVPs, three came with the Bucks. Seeking a city with a larger Muslim community, the NBA’s second-all-time-leading scorer ultimately requested a trade from Milwaukee, which the team granted by sending him to the Lakers in 1975.
Also in contrast to Robertson, although he won five more titles in Los Angeles, Kareem had his most prolific seasons as a Buck. He led the league in scoring in both 1971 and 1972, with averages of 31.7 and 34.8. In each of his first four seasons in Milwaukee, he also led the NBA in made field goals per game. Taking advantage of his tall frame and massive wingspan, the hook-shot houdini dominated the glass at a clip of 15.3 boards per game during his Bucks career.
Twice averaging four blocks per contest as a Laker, he paced the competition four times in that category, including his final Bucks season.
Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
February 19, 2022; Cleveland, OH, USA; NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (left) and NBA great Julius Erving (right) during the Skills Challenge during the 2022 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
He wrapped up his career third all-time in blocks, two spots ahead of Duncan. Actually, given that the league only began tracking blocked shots in 1973-74, Kareem’s fifth season, he very likely amassed more career rejections than the two players ahead of him on the list: Hakeem Olajuwon, who debuted in 1985, and Dikembe Mutumbo (1992). Adding to his official career total of 3,189 four years of 200-plus blocks – a conservative estimate – would push him past Olajuwon with room to spare.
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