Image of Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Insets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa/Rodolfo Molina/Jamie Squire.

Magic Johnson claims LA Lakers legend has the best basketball career of all time, ‘he is the most…’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 8:25 PM ET

Magic Johnson drops a verdict on the most accomplished basketball player of all time, he’s a Los Angeles Lakers legend.

Being in a big market, the Los Angeles Lakers have always been able to attract superstar players and also ensure that their home-grown talents stay for the majority of their careers with the team.

Evidently, the team has had some of the greatest basketball stars of all time don the iconic Purple and Gold jersey.

But even among those superstars, NBA legend Magic Johnson believes one star transcends them all and is the most decorated basketball player of all time.

Magic Johnson wishes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a 78th birthday with a phenomenal take

When it comes to having an accomplished NBA career, the Lakers have had a plethora of stars who fit that description.

Be it Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, or Magic himself. But Johnson believes if there’s one player who had an outright most decorated basketball career of all time, it’s none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Magic reminded fans of this during his birthday wish for Kareem via his X handle.

“Happy birthday to the Captain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! If you combine three high school, three college, and six NBA championships, he is the most decorated basketball player of all time.

“Nobody’s basketball career is even close to Kareem’s – spanning his high school, college and NBA years!”

Kareem’s basketball journey

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

As Johnson mentioned, Abdul-Jabbar won at every level of basketball during his phenomenal career. He started things off with three high school titles.

Did the same in the NCAA with the UCLA Bruins as he led them to three titles. Coming to the next level of his career, KAJ transcended all expectations as he won six NBA championships.

Moreover, when he bid farewell to the game of basketball, he was the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. Kareem’s record was untouched for 39 years before LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Magic, who won five NBA titles with Abdul-Jabbar, arguably knows more about the Lakers legend than anyone else, at least among their teammates.

So when Johnson says Kareem had the best basketball career of all time, it’s much easier to agree with him than to debate it.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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