The Los Angeles Lakers have officially began work on a fourth bronze statue commemorating another Lakers legend. The franchise has decided that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be next to have a statue outside of the Staples Center to fans.
Although Abdul-Jabbar was already a star and an NBA champion before heading to Los Angeles from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1975, the Hall of Famer really began to flourish as one of the greatest players of all-time while playing alongside Magic Johnson as a member of the Showtime Lakers.
During his 14 years in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Lakers to five NBA titles while winning NBA MVP honors three more times. Perhaps Kareem's greatest accomplishment that has yet to be eclipsed is becoming the league's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. Kobe Bryant currently sits at fifth all-time in that category and the closest active player to passing Kareem.
Abdul-Jabbar had put together one of the most impressive resumes in NBA history before calling it a career in 1989. The Hall of Fame center finished with six NBA titles, six NBA MVP awards, two NBA Finals MVP awards and 18 All-Star appearances.
The man formerly known as Lew Alcindor is arguably one of the most successful NBA players in league history with a legacy that will never be forgotten in the city of Los Angeles from his years with the Lakers.
Abdul-Jabbar continued to the tradition of great Lakers centers following in the footsteps of George Mikan and paving the way for Shaquille O'Neal and the newly acquired Dwight Howard.
The Lakers legend will be the fourth in the line of Lakers greats with Chick Hearn, Jerry West and Magic Johnson coming before him.
