These Men Changed The NBA For The Better
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing. We are down to the Final Eight and there is great sport for us to enjoy every weekend.
In moments like these, we like to take the time to reflect on the game we love and how it came to be the way that it is. Today, we wanted to look back on the careers of 5 men that changed the NBA forever.
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#5 – Pao Gasol
Not everyone will remember Gasol – who left the NBA at the end of the 2019 season. After 18 years with the company. Lakers fans will probably remember him as he was an integral part of them doing the Double in 2009 and 2010.
We think Pao Gasol is worth remembering for another reason.
Gasol played an important role in showing us that many European players have a lot to offer the NBA. America has been dominating the world of basketball for decades – thanks to both the NBA and the incredible national team.
Gasol didn’t let that put him off.
In 2002, he became the first foreigner to win Rookie of the Year and he went on to set many franchise records with both the Lakers and the Grizzlies. He was also the first Spanish All-Star.
Since Gasol joined the league, we have seen a few others make the trip across the pond including Giannis Antetokounmpo.
#4 – LeBron James
In the last week, James has been in the news – with some newspapers reporting that he might be leaving the Lakers before next season thanks to poor performance this year.
We don’t know if that will happen. We also think it is a little harsh to say LeBron put in a poor performance this year. Lebron averaged 30.3 points per game this season and is playing more minutes on average than he has in years – he was nothing to be ashamed of.
After the flurry of all-time greats that we experienced in the 1990s, many wondered if anyone would ever come along and play like Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan ever again. LeBron proved that was not only possible but he has stated he intends to play until he is crowned the G.O.A.T.
LeBron is 37 years old and is playing as well as he did nearly 20 years ago.
We feel bad for putting James so low on this list. However, we do think he has the potential to top it one day.
#3 – Micheal Jordan
Air Jordan is one of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court and we all know it.
But today, we don’t want to talk about what he did on the court but what he did off it.
Jordan is the original sports superstar. He is the one that created the world that athletes thrive in today. He took his opportunities to earn money off the court and showed others how to do it.
We also adore Jordan because he was one of the best ambassadors of the sport anyone could hope for. Spacejam made a whole generation fall in love with the game. We hope Spacejam 2 with LeBron will do the same.
#2 – Magic Johnson
This man not only changed basketball, but he changed the sporting world as a whole. He also changed how millions of people around the world viewed HIV and AIDS.
Johnson broke hearts when he announced he would be retiring from the NBA because he was HIV positive. Then one of the most beautiful things that has ever happened in sport took place.
The fans voted Johnson back to an All-Stars game, despite the fact that he hadn’t played for over a season and he wasn’t even eligible to play.
The fans showed up in huge numbers to welcome Johnson back into the game. His teammates and former rivals openly hugged him – made it clear he had a space in the sport, no matter his diagnosis.
Johnson had an incredible game and went on to rejoin the NBA – shattering stereotypes with every game that he played.
#1 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Abdul-Jabbar means a lot to all basketball fans.
He was a man who fought for players’ rights, who fought for civil rights, and who took a stand against injustice. And he did all of that while being one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Let’s just take a moment to look at his career stats – (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), defensive rebounds (9,394), and career wins (1,074). He held the NBA record in all of these categories when he retired.
Abdul-Jabbar showed everyone who followed him what it was possible to do in the game of basketball.