20 photos that show Kareem Abdul-Jabbar making the Bucks a championship contender

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar drive on Wilt Chamberlin at the Milwaukee Arena.

Oscar Robertson (in shades) was examined by Dr. (Robert) Parks LeTellier and Lew Alcindor awaited his turn as the Milwaukee Bucks underwent physical examinations at the club office Monday morning.

Lew Alcindor.

Starting five and Coach of Milwaukee Bucks. From (from left) Jon McGlocklin, Larry Costello, Oscar Robertson; standing, Bobby Dandridge, Lew Alcindor, Greg Smith.

His suitcase in his lap, injured Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks sat in a wheelchair at General Mitchell field Monday as he waited for a ride to his apartment after arriving with the team from Wichita, Kansas. The wheelchair was provided to save Alcindor the long walk from the plane. He had suffered a sprained right ankle Sunday night in an exhibition against the Chicago Bulls in Wichita.

Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks leaped high or a rebound in the NBA game against the Seattle Supersonics.

Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks inspected the 1971 Dodge Charger he won as the most valuable player in the recent National Basketball Association championship playoffs with the Baltimore Bullets. The presentation was made in New York.

Milwaukee Bucks' Lew Alcindor, smiles as he receives congratulations from Baltimore Bullets' Jack Marin (24) after winning the NBA championship in Milwaukee. The Bucks' first season wasn’t all that dazzling at 27-55 in 1968-69. But then they drafted Alcindor with the No. 1 pick. In 1970-71, the Bucks captured an NBA title by sweeping the Baltimore Bullets.

Lew Alcindor seemed to be on a level with the chandelier as he met the press in an interview session at the Pfister hotel. The new star of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball association shared the podium with Bucks officials, among them President Ray Patterson (bottom), General Manager John Erickson (next to Alcindor) and Board Chairman Wesley D. Pavalon (extreme right).

Members of the 1969-'70 Bucks team posed for a picture at Coach Larry Costello's house December 23, 1969. The Costello family included Leslie Sue (then 4); wife Barbara, who was holding 9-month old Colleen and Larry, with arms around 2-yeawr old Pamela. Others in the first row from left: Lenny Chappell, Don Smith, Guy Rodgers, trainer Arnie Garber, business manager Ted Herpel and Flynn Robinson. In rear, from left: Fred Crawford, Dick Cunningham, Lew Alcindor (Behind tree), Bob Greacen, Greg Smith, Bob Dandridge and Jon McGlocklin.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Milwaukee Bucks and his bride of six days, Habiba Jabbar, arrived in New York from Washington en route to Africa for a State Department tour.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar, basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee Bucks center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dunking the ball against the Chicago Bulls.

Bucks center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, laughs as he sits on bench and watches last few seconds of Bucks-Chicago Bulls National Basketball Association playoff game, April 22, 1974 in Milwaukee. Abdul-Jabbar was the game's leading scorer with 32 points as the Bucks won, 113-90. Joining him on the bench, from left, are Dick Cunningham, Bob Dandridge and Oscar Robertson.

Lew Alcindor made it look nice and easy as he pulled down a rebound in the first half of Friday night's game against Seattle at the Arena. Watching the big Milwaukee Buck do his stuff were Len Wilkens (19) and Lucius Allen (behind Lew). The Bucks won, 131-98, to score their third straight victory.

Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabber) in a practice.

Lew Alcindor wiping his face during a time out at the Milwaukee Bucks' intrasquad game at Carthage college in Kenosha. Alcindor collected 34 points and 26 rebounds as the Greens won, 128-79.

Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabber) dunking the ball.