Flashback - Kareem calls Dirk a “One trick Pony”

[JLaw]

For those that never read Kareem's Open Letter to Wilt:

"People will remember that I worked with my teammates and helped us win. You will be remembered as a whining crybaby and a quitter, stats and all."

Full letter:

Kareem’s open letter to Wilt “Chumperlame” | Basketball Network

An Open Letter to Wilt Chumperlame
It’s been several years now, Wilt, that you have been criticizing my career with your friends in the press. Since this pattern does not seem to have any end in sight, I feel that I might as well have my say about the situation.

It would seem that someone who achieved as much as you did would be satisfied with his career. After all, some of the things you did in your time were quite admirable and have given us an enduring set of records for the books. So why all the jealousy and envy?

In trying to figure this out, I started to look for what you would be jealous of, and that’s when the picture started to become clear. Many remember how frustrated you were when your team couldn’t win the NCAA tournament. Your talent and abilities were so great that everyone assumed the NCAA was all yours. But after a terrific triple-overtime game, Kansas lost. You complained about the officiating, your teammates and other things, and then quit, leaving college early to tour with the Globetrotters. That seemed to set a pattern for you. After any tough test in which you didn’t do well, you blamed those around you and quit.

In professional basketball, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics gave you a yearly lesson in real competitive competence and teamwork. All you could say was that your teammates stunk and that you had done all you could, and besides, the refs never gave you a break. Poor Wilt.


In 1967, your team finally broke through. That 76er team established records that are still standing today. But the following year, the Sixers lost and, predictable as ever, you quit. You came out to L.A. and got with a dream team. The only lack that team had was leadership at the center position. Bill and the Celts took one from you in ’69, and the Knicks followed suit in ’70. People are still trying to figure out where you disappeared to in that series. True to form, after the Knicks beat the Lakers in the world championship in 1973, you quit and haven’t been seen on the court since.

Of course, you came out every so often to take a cheap shot at me. During the sixth game of the world championship series in 1988, you stated, “Kareem should have retired five years ago.” I can now see why you said that. If I had quit at the time you suggested, it would have been right after a disappointing loss to the 76ers. And it would have been typical of one of your retreats.

But after that loss, I decided that I had more to give. I believed in myself and in the Lakers and stuck with it. We went on to win three out of four world championships between ’85 and ’88. The two teams you played on that won world championships, in ’67 and ’72, never repeated. They never showed the consistency that the Lakers of the ‘80s have shown. And you didn’t want me to be part of that.

Given your jealousy, I can understand that. So, now that I have left, one thing will be part of my legacy: People will remember that I worked with my teammates and helped us win. You will be remembered as a whining crybaby and a quitter, stats and all.

Wilt Chumperlame

This low key deserves its own thread, Cap was out here making Coli posts in 1990 Probably called him “Artis Gilmore with gonorrhea“ at some point

 

[Thegospel]

Chauncey Billups, and it only took 2 seconds to think about...

Whats wrong with yall,? Smh

 

[Thegospel]

Those guys were the best player on their teams and considered the "leaders". Dirk was the best player on the Mavs. I don't know what "unquestioned alpha" means in this context. He was the best offensive player. But the Mavs had a great team top to bottom, and they don't win shyt without Tyson Chandler anchoring the defense. Hence why they went from a champion, to a first round sweep in one year when they didn't bring him back.

Malone was a cog in the machine. He's not putting up the scoring numbers he did without Stockton spoonfeeding him and the offensive system. How many times you see Malone just take over a game? Just get him the ball and get out of his way? Or anchor/shutdown a team defensively in the middle? You and I have very different definitions of dominant.

Billups and dennis johnson were the best to WHO?

 

[GOAT]

Billups and dennis johnson were the best to WHO?

Shut up, dog. You're the one playing dumb here. They were the best players on teams that went to the Finals twice and won once. A direct answer to your question. If you still don't know, google is your friend.

Now fukk out my mentions.

 

[AlbertPullhoez]

Shut up, dog. You're the one playing dumb here. They were the best players on teams that went to the Finals twice and won once. A direct answer to your question. If you still don't know, google is your friend.

Now fukk out my mentions.

Just cause they won Finals MVP don't mean they were the best players.

I say Sheed was the best player on that team. And most old heads would say Gus Williams not DJ was the best player on that Sonics team

 

[Torrential]

Playoffs Cap avg 24 and 10

Playoffs Dirk avg 25 and 10

thecoli.com yall

 

[GOAT]

Just cause they won Finals MVP don't mean they were the best players.

I say Sheed was the best player on that team. And most old heads would say Gus Williams not DJ was the best player on that Sonics team

Sheed was FAR too inconsistent to be the best player on that team. When he was motivated I guess he had an argument. In totality, he was basically a 14/8 guy for Detroit during those years (regular season/playoffs) while being the second or third best defender.

DJ is the more highly regarded player in NBA history between the two and he was one of the best defensive guards ever while putting up 20 a game. I wasn't born in the late 70s early 80s, so I'll take your word for it. Either way, the point stands that players have led teams to the Finals/titles without being dominant forces.

 

[Easy-E]

Playoffs Cap avg 24 and 10

Playoffs Dirk avg 25 and 10

Cap's average rings = 6 We disrespect anybody nowadays

3rd in playoff scoring all time, Dirk 16th

 

[Thegospel]

Shut up, dog. You're the one playing dumb here. They were the best players on teams that went to the Finals twice and won once. A direct answer to your question. If you still don't know, google is your friend.

Now fukk out my mentions.

Now he getting mad. I know how to bring the women up outta yall. We was talking sports and you gettin all hot and bothered. Know you was talking nonsense lmao

 

[GOAT]

Now he getting mad. I know how to bring the women up outta yall. We was talking sports and you gettin all hot and bothered. Know you was talking nonsense lmao

Yeah, constantly playing dumb like I didn't answer your question several posts ago is going to make me lose patience with your dumbass. You're original statement was stupid and easily debunked by multiple posters in this thread. Now go on with your day.

 

[Thegospel]

Yeah, constantly playing dumb like I didn't answer your question several posts ago is going to make me lose patience with your dumbass. You're original statement was stupid and easily debunked by multiple posters in this thread. Now go on with your day.

Lmao brought the lil girl out. You didnt debunk a damn thing and sound foolish.......and emotional. Gus Johnson didnt lead anything and neither did Billups. They had co stars miss thang

 

[frush11]

Dirk should have 2 Chips, if the refs called that first Final against Miami properly.

 

[Jesus Is Lord]

Playoffs Cap avg 24 and 10

Playoffs Dirk avg 25 and 10

Cap 6 MVPs


Dirk 1 MVP

 

[CHICAGO]

Playoffs Cap avg 24 and 10

Playoffs Dirk avg 25 and 10

KAREEM 27 & 12
OVER HIS 1ST 15 PLAYOFF RUNS
(35 & 18 AT HIS PEAK)

DIRK 25 & 10
OVER HIS 15 SEASON PLAYOFF CAREER
(27 & 12 AT HIS PEAK)

​

 

[GOAT]

Lmao brought the lil girl out. You didnt debunk a damn thing and sound foolish.......and emotional. Gus Johnson didnt lead anything and neither did Billups. They had co stars miss thang

Yeah, I would think Gus Johnson "didn't lead shyt". Considering he's a commentator/sportscaster. Not a member of ANY of the teams in question. Dumb fukk.

You don't even know the players being discussed and you think your dumb ass has an argument against ME?