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5

For which two NBA teams did Lou Alcindor/Kareem Abdul Jabbar play?

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MILWAUKEE BUCKS / LOS ANGELES LAKERS - sports illustration
MILWAUKEE BUCKS / LOS ANGELES LAKERS — sports

The legendary center's storied 20-year career was split between two iconic franchises, beginning in Wisconsin. Drafted first overall in 1969 as Lew Alcindor, he immediately transformed the Milwaukee Bucks into a powerhouse. Teaming up with the great (Review) Oscar Robertson, he led the Bucks to the franchise's first NBA championship in 1971. It was also during his six seasons in Milwaukee that he converted to Islam and famously adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, cementing the first chapter of his legacy.

In 1975, seeking a more culturally suitable environment, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He would spend the remaining 14 seasons of his career in purple and gold, becoming the centerpiece of the "Showtime" dynasty of the 1980s. Alongside Magic Johnson, he captured five more NBA championships. Wielding his signature, unstoppable (Review) skyhook shot, he became the league's all-time leading scorer, a record he still holds today. These two teams were the only ones he ever played for, defining two distinct and dominant eras of his Hall of Fame career.