MVP reflections: My first ever, my first in L.A., and my last

Winning my first MVP in 1971, my second year with the Milwaukee Bucks, was a great honor. I liked the fact that it went along with us winning the world championship, and having done it while playing with Oscar Robertson made me feel great. During that season, I had to play a couple of games against Wilt Chamberlain, who was the standard prior to me for excellence in pivot play. I was able to outplay him -– 40.2 PPG in five games, including a 50-point game –- and that to me was an indication that I had possibly arrived.

Prior to the 1975-76 season I was traded to the Lakers. I was very fortunate to win my fourth MVP award that year, because the team didn't do well. We finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs. But I had such a great year statistically, that's why I won it. In 1980, when I won my last regular-season MVP, that was also the year that a rookie named Magic Johnson burst onto the scene. When we got Earvin, we had somebody that could run the team offense. Jack McKinney did a great job of understanding Earvin's unique ability to play the game and to devise an offense that worked for all of the people that we had on the team.  I've won six total regular-season MVPs, more than any other player, and people ask me all the time -- do I think that another player will achieve that number? It’s always possible, but it’s going to take a dominant player to do it. There have been a lot of great players to not win it.

My thoughts on Kobe’s first MVP: Kobe has had the ability to score so prolifically that people at times have knocked him. But winning that award helps put everything in perspective and shows that he's been a leader and team player in addition to being so brilliant at what he does. Derek Fisher’s return to Utah on Friday is the one-year anniversary to the day of what Derek went through during last year’s playoffs with his daughter’s medical troubles and his emotional return for Game 2 of the Jazz’s Western Conference semifinal series with the Warriors. I thought Derek made quite a statement both as a professional athlete and as a parent that day. He was able to do both with an outstanding degree of determination and focus. When he returned to Utah this season as a member of the Lakers, I was surprised by the reception he received from the crowd, and I didn't understand it. Maybe the people up there in Utah have some issues that I'm not aware of.

I think Derek Fisher brings a lot to the Lakers --  he has meant quality leadership for the team and he runs the offense with a steady hand. He keeps the younger players from just flying off the edge emotionally, keeps them steady and keeps them focused. His excellent play on the court aside, I think he is very valuable to the team just because of his leadership qualities. Derek has made everybody focus on how we need to win instead of getting into useless details. He's enabled the team to recognize the difference between those useless details and what is important to succeed.

My most memorable moment for our franchise, and for me personally, was beating the Celtics in 1985. That was a very special moment. I was fortunate enough to be the MVP in that series. That, to me, had a whole lot of emotional value to it, which some people might not understand. The Lakers were 0-8 against the Celtics in championship play up until that point, but we finally had the better team. And for me being a key reason for the Lakers to be able to finally break through was even more special.

P.S. Today is my last blog for the L.A. Times. Starting Monday, May 12,  I will be moving my blog to my own website. I hope you will join me at www.kareemabduljabbar.com so we can continue sharing.

Comments

[fred warrick]

i've got to say
in the mid 60's Bill Russell made me want to watch basketball
in the late 60's UCLA center Lew Alcindor made me want to play

twenty years of watching great Bucks and Lakers games - eleven times at the Boston Garden in the 70's

fourty years of shooting hoops - plenty of times alone(shooting jumpers by yourself is a great way to relax, focus or work out issues) -

my favorite game of yours to still watch is the 85' finals game 2 - written off by the pundits and announcers, you pretty much stopped the great Celtic frontline in its tracks all by yourself. This was your last MVP of any kind, second in the finals-and in many ways the most impacting on the NBA as it ended the BOSTON DYNASTY

memories for a lifetime.

[Brian McCarraher]

Mr.Addul-Jabbar
I admire what you have done in the game of basketball. The fact that you were able to succeed with not only your physical ability but also with your intelligence and your abiltiy to out think your opponent.
You are the best player I have ever seen to this day. I started watching the NBA back in the late 70s and your were able to dominate the game in a way few others ever have. Not just scoring points but what you were able to do in the clutch was remarkable. It seemed the bigger the shot the calmer you appeared.
I know that unlike alot of the stars who came along later the NBA allowed for whatever reason defenders to get away with murder in "guarding" you. Almost as if they were trying to even things out.
What your were able to do in 1985 against a great center Robert Parish who was in his physical prime was just unbelievable. You took Parish and you dominated a series full of great players and legends in their own right. That was the best basketball I have ever witnessed in my 36 years on this earth.
I am glad that you finally got a chance to show what you can do as a coach in tutoring Andrew Bynum. His footwork this past season and the other improvements that he showed were no accident. He was learning from the best. If I owned an NBA team you would be the man to coach it. I hope that someday soon you get that chance if thats what you still want to do.
Sorry If I am all over the place in my comments but I have always admired you on and off the court. Just want to let you know that you have some loyal fans out here who support you fully.

Brian McCarraher..

[rashad]

Kareem,
If you were a coach, how would you instruct your players to defend Kobe?

[Chris Baker]

I'm glad Fisher's back with the Lakers. NBA players are human beings--they are fathers, brothers, and sons. It's a great example that Fisher has made, especially when the NBA has a ton of irresponsible fathers.

Considering the circumstances regarding Fisher's contract with the Jazz, I do think the Lakers owe them some type of compensation--a draft pick.

It seems that Kobe Bryant has finally grown up. I'm happy to see it. I would love to see him be a real leader of this team and bring home a few more titles. It looks like that is happening.

That reminds of why Showtime was so successful. Showtime was all about the TEAM and winning championships. Everybody made everybody else look good.

The best thing about 1985 was that the final victory was in that old dump, the Garden!

[Deke Babamoto]

Dear Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
I've been reading you in the LAT and will follow you to www.kareemabduljabbar.com.
You still riding the bike, man?
http://midnightridazz.com/