Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s comments about Dirk

 Kareem must not be getting the attention he is craving !!!

 Kareem must not be getting the attention he is craving !!!

I didn’t see or read the entirety of what Kareem said and some of it could have been taken out of context, but there are times when I just wish guys like Kareem would just do the diplomatic thing and just say something like "he’s a great player" or whatever.

It isn’t like Dirk has done anything to warrant the criticism from Kareem, so why even allow yourself to make such comments.  Dirk has been one of the best players in the NBA for over a decade and a half.  The stats you mentioned earlier speak for themselves.

It makes Kareem look a little bad to make comments like these.  I could call Dennis Rodman a one trick pony if we want to go by Kareem’s standards, and we all know that Rodman was much more than that.

I didn’t see or read the entirety of what Kareem said and some of it could have been taken out of context, but there are times when I just wish guys like Kareem would just do the diplomatic thing and just say something like "he’s a great player" or whatever.

It isn’t like Dirk has done anything to warrant the criticism from Kareem, so why even allow yourself to make such comments.  Dirk has been one of the best players in the NBA for over a decade and a half.  The stats you mentioned earlier speak for themselves.

It makes Kareem look a little bad to make comments like these.  I could call Dennis Rodman a one trick pony if we want to go by Kareem’s standards, and we all know that Rodman was much more than that.

 Sometimes people say dumb things in a lapse of judgement, Kareem should know better and is actually leaning towards bitter old man mode…

Anyone with Eyes knows that Dirk was/is the Truth, he’s one of the best scorers All Time, maybe more versatile than Kareem himself on Offense, no need to disrespect the man because he’s not locking down the paint

Not many players will every touch Dirk’s greatness IMO, have some respect LouLou…

 Sometimes people say dumb things in a lapse of judgement, Kareem should know better and is actually leaning towards bitter old man mode…

Anyone with Eyes knows that Dirk was/is the Truth, he’s one of the best scorers All Time, maybe more versatile than Kareem himself on Offense, no need to disrespect the man because he’s not locking down the paint

Not many players will every touch Dirk’s greatness IMO, have some respect LouLou…

I think it’s pretty obvious that Kareem’s comments are ridiculous. But in reference to Dirk’s defense, many people forget that while he was never a great rim protector or anything for his size, he was used in a versital role during his all star days. I remember going to a Nets game during his MVP season and after scores Dirk was pressuring Kidd full court in the first and third. And offensively obviously he can score from pretty much anywhere on the court whether its high post, low post, or perimeter through his patented fades, dribble drives or pull up jumpers. If you disagree with that you really just need to watch his finals games again the LeBron led Heat. 

I think it’s pretty obvious that Kareem’s comments are ridiculous. But in reference to Dirk’s defense, many people forget that while he was never a great rim protector or anything for his size, he was used in a versital role during his all star days. I remember going to a Nets game during his MVP season and after scores Dirk was pressuring Kidd full court in the first and third. And offensively obviously he can score from pretty much anywhere on the court whether its high post, low post, or perimeter through his patented fades, dribble drives or pull up jumpers. If you disagree with that you really just need to watch his finals games again the LeBron led Heat. 

Dirk may be the furthest thing from a one trick pony of all PFs of his generation lmao. At least offensively, Kareem’s delusional to call him that.

Also, is anyone else really annoyed with these old players never giving full credit to this generation’s crop of players. I was watching the Spurs vs Magic game and boy was George Gervin delusional. He was on air saying that his generation was way more talented because this generation only "shoots threes" and "cannot dribble with their left hand". Man is he serious now?? Not being able to dribble with your off-hand was seen everywhere in the 60s and 70s. And he still refuses to give Klay Thompson credit of beating his record of points scored in a quarter becuase he used 3s. Get over it Ice. 

Dirk may be the furthest thing from a one trick pony of all PFs of his generation lmao. At least offensively, Kareem’s delusional to call him that.

Also, is anyone else really annoyed with these old players never giving full credit to this generation’s crop of players. I was watching the Spurs vs Magic game and boy was George Gervin delusional. He was on air saying that his generation was way more talented because this generation only "shoots threes" and "cannot dribble with their left hand". Man is he serious now?? Not being able to dribble with your off-hand was seen everywhere in the 60s and 70s. And he still refuses to give Klay Thompson credit of beating his record of points scored in a quarter becuase he used 3s. Get over it Ice. 

When kareem refers to dirk as being a one-trick pony I kind of find it ironic because if anyone has an appreciation for how having one unstoppable move can allow you to continue to be an impact player and extend your career it should be kareem. While early in his career he was a dominant rebounder and defender, the 1980s version of kareem was an average rebounder at best and pretty poor overall defender. He stayed around the league for so long and was still considered elite strictly because he had the most unguardable shot in NBA history and was as close to a sure thing as you could get when you needed a bucket.

Anyone who has watched the NBA over the past 15 years knows how dominant Dirk has been so there is no need to go into detail defending his legacy here. Just find it interesting that kareem would even make a comment like that.

When kareem refers to dirk as being a one-trick pony I kind of find it ironic because if anyone has an appreciation for how having one unstoppable move can allow you to continue to be an impact player and extend your career it should be kareem. While early in his career he was a dominant rebounder and defender, the 1980s version of kareem was an average rebounder at best and pretty poor overall defender. He stayed around the league for so long and was still considered elite strictly because he had the most unguardable shot in NBA history and was as close to a sure thing as you could get when you needed a bucket.

Anyone who has watched the NBA over the past 15 years knows how dominant Dirk has been so there is no need to go into detail defending his legacy here. Just find it interesting that kareem would even make a comment like that.

Kareem’s always been known as a salty dude.

As for dirk, the year the mavs won the ring (2011?) he absolutely killed my lakers in the playoffs. I truly felt for that playoff run he was the best player in the game of basketball for 2 months.

Kareem’s always been known as a salty dude.

As for dirk, the year the mavs won the ring (2011?) he absolutely killed my lakers in the playoffs. I truly felt for that playoff run he was the best player in the game of basketball for 2 months.

 i get what he’s trying to say.but the way he said it was disrespectful.

 not everyone in the hall of fame is there becuz of their all around game.they’re there becuz they dominated during their era. i’d put dirk in the same class as offensive talents like gervin,dominique wilkens,dantley and miller.those guys werent known for being all around players,but they were great talents.whose play deserves a play in the hall.

 i get what he’s trying to say.but the way he said it was disrespectful.

 not everyone in the hall of fame is there becuz of their all around game.they’re there becuz they dominated during their era. i’d put dirk in the same class as offensive talents like gervin,dominique wilkens,dantley and miller.those guys werent known for being all around players,but they were great talents.whose play deserves a play in the hall.

I’m not a fan of nowitzki but he has absolutely dominated in NBA at times. He is one of the best offensive players of all time. At his size and the variety of moves that he has, he’s been one of the toughest match ups ever and he has led his team to a ring. Kareem’s comments have no back up and everyone knows that.

I’m not a fan of nowitzki but he has absolutely dominated in NBA at times. He is one of the best offensive players of all time. At his size and the variety of moves that he has, he’s been one of the toughest match ups ever and he has led his team to a ring. Kareem’s comments have no back up and everyone knows that.

 Dirk is 8th all time in defensive rebounds.

Another 450 odd and he will jump KAJ into 7th.

Salty. 

 Dirk is 8th all time in defensive rebounds.

Another 450 odd and he will jump KAJ into 7th.

Salty. 

 why he wasn’t up to the challenge of guarding Moses in the 1983 Finals when Kurt Rambis and Mark Landesberger guarded him most of the time and Moses averaged more offensive rebounds per game than Kareem averaged overall. And not only did his Lakers team lose to Moses, but was beat by the other Hall of Fame centers in Olajuwon and Walton and the Blazers demolished them.

 why he wasn’t up to the challenge of guarding Moses in the 1983 Finals when Kurt Rambis and Mark Landesberger guarded him most of the time and Moses averaged more offensive rebounds per game than Kareem averaged overall. And not only did his Lakers team lose to Moses, but was beat by the other Hall of Fame centers in Olajuwon and Walton and the Blazers demolished them.

 First off all, let me clarify two things before I post my reply, so I can avoid the waves of negative energy coming my way later on. 

1) Was KAJ harsh? Or disrespectful? Or anything you would like? Probably yes. There was a way to transmit his opinion without making all this fuss. Wanna call it a try for getting attention? Sure, let’s do that. I agree with people saying he has been quite controversial since forever.

2) Is Dirk a great player? Yes. One of the all-time best power forwards? No doubt. A legend for the Mavericks? Yeap. He is spectacular to watch and has a great scoring instinct. A great leader and a good guy, too.

Now, having tried to fend off most of the people accusing me of being disrespectful towards Dirk, I have to ask, what is wrong in Kareem’s statement? Apart from the phrase he used, of course.. Everybody in here is saying the same thing. Dirk is/was dominant as a scorer. Or dirk can score the ball in a number of ways. These things are true, but am I missing something here about what all-around game means?!? I mean come on people, we have a 7 footer here that according to his own saying is a terrible rebounder. He does not pass the ball as well as many other forwards do, he does not block shots, steal the ball or play good D.. Being a versatile scorer or a great ball handler and shooter for your height DOES NOT make you a good all around player..

 Mad love for Dirk but I am not sure where Kareem got it wrong.. Having an all around game is about doing 5-6 things pretty well and helping your team in every aspect of the game. Dirk has immense quality as a player and a character I really admire, but is not an all-around player. Winning a championship while impressively leading the way for your team doesn’t cut it, either. And diminishing Kareem’s value as a player by saying he wasn’t an all-around guy is not a serious argument (he probably was not, especially late in his career but it’s not the point!). Nowitzki is a huge icon and an all-time great. But we should give him credit for what he is/was, an extremely charismatic scorer and leader with a great mind for the game, and not try to label him as an all-around guy. Give any 7ft tall player 30 min for 15 seasons and he’ll give you an average of 8-9 boards per game. That does not say anything guys, at least not to me. There are many many people in the league that can defend, rebound, steal or block the ball better than Dirk. He is great and Kareem should be more careful, but we have to see things as they are.

 First off all, let me clarify two things before I post my reply, so I can avoid the waves of negative energy coming my way later on. 

1) Was KAJ harsh? Or disrespectful? Or anything you would like? Probably yes. There was a way to transmit his opinion without making all this fuss. Wanna call it a try for getting attention? Sure, let’s do that. I agree with people saying he has been quite controversial since forever.

2) Is Dirk a great player? Yes. One of the all-time best power forwards? No doubt. A legend for the Mavericks? Yeap. He is spectacular to watch and has a great scoring instinct. A great leader and a good guy, too.

Now, having tried to fend off most of the people accusing me of being disrespectful towards Dirk, I have to ask, what is wrong in Kareem’s statement? Apart from the phrase he used, of course.. Everybody in here is saying the same thing. Dirk is/was dominant as a scorer. Or dirk can score the ball in a number of ways. These things are true, but am I missing something here about what all-around game means?!? I mean come on people, we have a 7 footer here that according to his own saying is a terrible rebounder. He does not pass the ball as well as many other forwards do, he does not block shots, steal the ball or play good D.. Being a versatile scorer or a great ball handler and shooter for your height DOES NOT make you a good all around player..

 Mad love for Dirk but I am not sure where Kareem got it wrong.. Having an all around game is about doing 5-6 things pretty well and helping your team in every aspect of the game. Dirk has immense quality as a player and a character I really admire, but is not an all-around player. Winning a championship while impressively leading the way for your team doesn’t cut it, either. And diminishing Kareem’s value as a player by saying he wasn’t an all-around guy is not a serious argument (he probably was not, especially late in his career but it’s not the point!). Nowitzki is a huge icon and an all-time great. But we should give him credit for what he is/was, an extremely charismatic scorer and leader with a great mind for the game, and not try to label him as an all-around guy. Give any 7ft tall player 30 min for 15 seasons and he’ll give you an average of 8-9 boards per game. That does not say anything guys, at least not to me. There are many many people in the league that can defend, rebound, steal or block the ball better than Dirk. He is great and Kareem should be more careful, but we have to see things as they are.