Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains to this day the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points, with a league-record six MVP awards under his belt. Throughout his career, he collected six championship rings, two Finals MVP awards, fifteen NBA First or Second Teams, a record nineteen NBA All-Star call-ups, and an average of 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. In addition to his rank as the all-time leading scorer, he is ranked as the NBA's third leading all-time rebounder (17,440) and the third all-time in registered blocks (3,189).
Kareem combined dominance during his career peak with longevity and sustained excellence in his latter years. After claiming his sixth and final MVP in 1980, he continued to average above 20 points in the following six seasons. He was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players of all-time in 1996. Former Lakers coach Pat Riley once said, "Why judge anymore? When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? Let's toast him as the greatest player ever." Even 76ers star and Abdul-Jabbar contemporary Julius Erving touts him, saying in 2013, "In terms of players all-time, Kareem is still the number one guy. He's the guy you gotta start your franchise with."
With these incredible stats and praises, we are proud to offer a stunning Lakers jersey, circa 1980-85, used by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar himself on his home court in Los Angeles. This Tieman manufactured jersey is a mesh yellow body shell with a rounded tail and white & purple ribbing on the sleeves and neck. "LAKERS" on the front, "#33" on the front and reverse, and "JABBAR" on the reverse are all in purple on white double tackle twill. The NBA logo was first introduced in 1986, so this jersey is absent of that. Although not notated by a size tag, the measurements indicate a size 42-44 jersey, which is appropriate for Jabbar shirts during the era. The jersey shows solid game wear - however, there is mounting residue around the upper shoulder from previously being displayed in a frame.
Taking all aspects into consideration, the experts at MEARS have graded this incredible offering a near-perfect A-9.5 - with the only 1/2 point deduction being due to the aforementioned adhesive residue. How impressive! Kareem game used items are unspeakably rare, especially those with as high of a grade as this offering. Accompanied by a full Letter of Opinion from MEARS with a final grade of A-9.5!