Shannon Sharpe believes Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the most undervalued player in NBA history | NBA News
Shannon Sharpe recently made waves in the basketball scene with a daring statement: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the most undervalued player in NBA history. This remark was made during an episode of his Nightcap show, where Sharpe earnestly argued that Abdul-Jabbar’s phenomenal career is often overlooked in the never-ending debate about who is the NBA’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT).
Kareem Abdul Jabbar gets overlooked again in GOAT talks
Shannon Sharpe started with Bleacher Report revealing their Top 100 NBA Players list in July 2025. The rankings ignited a huge debate, especially since Kobe Bryant—often hailed as one of the greatest players of all time—was left out of the top 10. Fans and analysts, including Sharpe, were quick to highlight what they felt was disrespectful. However, while Sharpe agreed that Kobe deserved a better spot, he turned his attention to a more significant issue: the persistent oversight of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
During Nightcap, Sharpe not only stood up for Kobe—he also seized the opportunity to bring attention to Kareem, wondering why someone with such an incredible track record isn’t part of the GOAT discussions alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James. As noted by Basketball Network, it was clear that Sharpe was frustrated, “Despite Kareem leading both Michael Jordan and LeBron James in several career achievements or statistical records, why isn’t the seven-foot center given more significance as the NBA’s GOAT?”
Kareem Abdul Jabbar earned more MVP awards than any player in NBA history
To really get what Sharpe is saying, we should check out Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s career highlights. We’re not just discussing any player here; we’re talking about a legend who ruled the game for twenty years. Kareem snagged six NBA Championships, kicking things off with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971 and then adding five more with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.He snagged six MVP Awards in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1980, which still stands as the highest in league history. His total of 38,387 career points kept him as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer for almost 40 years until LeBron James shattered that record in February 2023.At 42, Kareem was still putting up double-digit points and playing a key role in getting the Lakers to the Finals, something only a handful of players have achieved in history. He made a splash right away by snagging both the MVP and Finals MVP in his second season, guiding the Bucks to their first championship. Later on, he was the backbone of the Showtime era in LA, teaming up with Magic Johnson to create one of the most legendary dynasties in sports.Also Read: The Chicago Bulls extend Billy Donovan and fans are left wondering if real change is ever comingShannon Sharpe believes that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the most overlooked player in NBA history, and it boils down to this: his record—six MVPs, six titles, and nearly 40 years as the scoring leader—merits greater acknowledgment. During Nightcap, Sharpe made it known that he’s fed up with Kareem being sidelined while Jordan and James dominate the greatest of all time discussion.
FAQs
What was Kareem’s career scoring record?
He scored 38,387 points, holding the NBA scoring record for nearly 40 years.
How many MVPs did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar win?
Kareem won six MVP awards, the most in NBA history.
Who broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record?
LeBron James broke the record in February 2023.
