Modern NBA fans got used to players displaying solid longevity with players like Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and, of course, LeBron James. They were blessed with physical traits and worked extremely hard to have lengthy careers.
In the 1980s, it was rare for players to do this, but the shining examples were Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . Since Kareem was already one of the best players in the league, it was absurd seeing him stay on top even when he entered his 40s.
"The wisdom I've gotten from the game more than compensates for the physical deficiencies I had. I've also kept the physical thing at a pretty high level by training 12 months a year," Kareem said on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. "You just have to be dedicated to this as a profession and approach it as something you want to do all your life. At that point, you can make a decision when to leave."
Prolonged success made him one of the best
Due to his longevity, Kareem was the top choice for the best player ever when he retired in 1989. That was a full 20 years since he entered the NBA as the first overall pick of the 1969 Draft.
It was an easy choice for the community because Kareem ended his career with numerous accolades, including six championships, two Finals MVPs, six regular season MVPs, 19 All-Star Game appearances, and 15 All-NBA selections. That kind of resume was unheard of in the '80s, which still lives up to the hype today.
Nowadays, Kareem is involved in the debate about who is the best player in NBA history alongside LeBron and Michael Jordan . He was so good and respected because he played in different eras and remained dominant primarily through his signature skyhook shot.
Cap was a vital player for the Lakers until he retired in 1989. He knew it was time to hang up his sneakers and ensured he would not emulate Sugar Ray Leonard by returning to the sport after retiring. Kareem retired with a rich legacy and did not tarnish it by returning, even though he could have still played.
KAJ is an example of a big man extending his career
Abdul-Jabbar was one of the most durable players in NBA history, playing 1560 out of the potential 1640 regular season games he could have played in. That is tremendous longevity and durability, which was impressive for a 7'2" titan.
Kareem always took care of his body and trained hard behind the scenes. He always had a healthy approach to the game, which made him a durable player. Cap is the best example for most big men to follow since it is more common for taller players to suffer injuries, especially on their knees. His dedication to becoming a top player made him succeed and be known as one of the greatest.
Related: Pat Riley on urging the Lakers to sign an aging Kareem-Abdul Jabbar: "We have to sign him unless somebody knows something that I don't know"
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