Sports

When Kareem Picked his Greatest Ever Point Guard, he initially Snubbed Magic Johnson

Published

2 months ago

May 1, 2026

admin

NBA fans can debate forever about one of the sport’s most popular subjects: the greatest of all-time conversation. Yet when the discussion turns to LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, another legend is often left just outside the spotlight. That player is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose full basketball résumé may be the strongest the game has ever seen.

Abdul-Jabbar, known as Lew Alcindor during the earlier stages of his career, piled up accomplishments across every level of basketball in a way few athletes in any sport can match. Only Bill Russell has a comparable winning case, though he starred in a much smaller NBA that was easier for one great team to control.

Jabbar captured three High School state championships, three NCAA championships at UCLA, and six NBA titles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. He also won six MVP awards, the most in league history, two Finals MVPs, made 19 All-Star teams and earned 15 All-NBA selections. That still only scratches the surface of everything Kareem achieved during his basketball life.

Kareem held the NBA’s all-time scoring record for 39 years before LeBron surpassed him in 2023. While his sky-hook allowed him to generate offense on his own, Jabbar also benefited from playing alongside several brilliant teammates over his 18-year NBA career. For a dominant center, having the right point guard was especially important.

That made it interesting when Jabbar was asked to name the greatest point guard ever. His response was not necessarily the one many fans would expect.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Didn’t Pick Magic Johnson – But Soon Changed his Mind

Back in 2023, Jabbar was asked by PIX11 news who he considered to be the best point guard of all-time. The obvious answer for most people would be Magic Johnson. “Magic” lived up to his nickname with a combination of charisma, vision and creativity that transformed the Lakers on and off the court.

Johnson was the engine behind the fast-paced Showtime Lakers of the 1980s. He arrived in Los Angeles as a rookie in 1980, joined forces with Jabbar, and helped deliver a championship immediately. That began an extraordinary run in which the Lakers won five titles and reached eight NBA Finals across ten seasons before Kareem retired.

As a seven-foot-two center armed with arguably the most reliable signature shot in NBA history, Jabbar needed guards who could consistently feed him in the right areas. Johnson was an ideal fit, because he remains one of the most skilled passers ever.

AI Names & Ranks 10 Greatest NBA Players in History

ChatGPT has had its say and has ranked the 10 greatest NBA players of all time.

While sharing the floor with Johnson, Kareem was selected to ten All-Star teams, made seven All-NBA teams, and won another MVP even as his athletic prime was fading. It would be fair to say Johnson’s brilliance helped extend Jabbar’s dominance deep into the later years of his career.

So, who did Kareem place above everyone else at point guard? It was not Stephen Curry, the player most often debated vs. Johnson. Instead, Jabbar pointed to another championship teammate: Oscar Robertson.

“I only had a chance to play with him at the end of his career, but he was awesome…. And if people had seen him play in the prime of his career and with the three-point shot.”

Jabbar only played alongside Robertson during the final four seasons of Oscar’s career, but the veteran guard was still a major force. In their first year together, they led Milwaukee to the 1971 NBA championship. Kareem praised Robertson as a complete player who could impact every part of the game, including shooting from distance before the three-point line existed.

Kareem later clarified on social media that he should have selected Johnson because of their longer partnership and five championships together. Even so, he has continued to stress that Robertson deserves far more respect in all-time conversations. His larger point seemed clear: Oscar’s game was decades ahead of its era.

Oscar Robertson Was the Original Triple Double Machine

Oscar Robertson is frequently overlooked by younger fans. In some ways, he was a 1960s version of Russell Westbrook, but with a more controlled style and a stronger connection to winning. Unlike Russ, Robertson’s game had very few weaknesses; he could score, pass, rebound, run in transition, control the half-court offense and defend multiple positions.

Across his career, Robertson averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds. He opened his NBA career with five straight seasons of at least 29 points and nine assists per game, even averaging a triple-double for a full season in 1962. It took 55 years before Russell Westbrook became become the second guy to do it.

Although Robertson won only one MVP award in 1964, he finished in the top five of MVP voting in each of his first eight seasons. The former Buck remains one of the defining players in league history because of his winning impact, modern skill set and remarkable statistical production. Jabbar made sure he received his recognition, and rightly so.

Sports

Bruno Fernandes Makes Final Man Utd Summer Exit Decision

Published

2 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Manchester United are set to keep hold of club captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, according to TalkSPORT, amid doubts over his future at Old Trafford.

It comes after an impressive individual season for the playmaker, who broke the Premier League assist record with 21 in a single season, overtaking Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the process.

It was his displays that helped push Man United towards a Champions League return, as the team finished third in the division and ensured they were back among the elite for next season.

However, after Fernandes faced doubts over his future last summer, similar questions have arisen this year about a potential transfer exit, as clubs loom large in the background for a possible deal.

Now, it seems as though the star player has made his decision.

Bruno Fernandes To Stay At Man United

According to a report from TalkSPORT, Bruno Fernandes has been telling his Man United teammates that he intends to stay at the club this summer.

The 31-year-old is yet to hold any formal talks with the higher-ups at Old Trafford, but there is no indication that they will push for an exit either.

Fernandes has a contract that runs until 2027, but it also features a one-year extension clause in it that can be triggered before he becomes a free agent next summer.

Man Utd Join Race to Sign Attacking Midfield ‘Sensation’ Alongside Premier League Rivals

Manchester United are looking towards the future, and have a wonderkid in their sights this summer.

There is also a £56 million release clause in his deal for non-English clubs, which could draw interest from Saudi Arabia after last year’s pursuit.

The attacking midfielder also previously admitted that he would be open to joining a club in Serie A or La Liga at some point before he retires, but it appears unlikely that will happen this summer.

It comes as a major boost, not least for Michael Carrick, as the report adds that he is keen to keep Fernandes within the squad for next season.

You scored

out of 20

Fernandes Contract Decision

Once the dust settles on this summer’s transfer business, Man United may want to consider a new deal for Fernandes to secure his long-term future at the club.

At 31, he is still proving that he is capable of some top performances and has all the quality to drag the Red Devils through some important moments.

While the club tries to rebuild back towards the top again, repaying the faith in the Portuguese international would show just how key he has been to the team, and could allow them to build around him.

Man Utd Join Race to Sign Attacking Midfield ‘Sensation’ Alongside Premier League Rivals

Manchester United are looking towards the future, and have a wonderkid in their sights this summer.

There is, of course, some risk to that. Potentially high wages for a player nearing the latter end of their career will make some uncomfortable with another contract extension.

But it is worth considering keeping an important player at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

Sports

Romano Shares Update On Man Utd Signing Tchouameni

Published

24 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Real Madrid have not opened the door for the exit of Aurelien Tchouameni just yet amid links with a summer transfer to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils are preparing for a big season at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick and much will be expected of them on the transfer front as they bid to improve on a third-place finish in the 2025/26 campaign.

Man United have yet to add to their squad ahead of the new term but Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to sign on the dotted line after the clubs agreed on a £35million deal for the highly-rated Brazilian.

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who is valued at £80million, has been mentioned regarding a Man United transfer, but Tottenham now look set to pip them to his signature after reaching a verbal agreement with the Hammers, according to freegard media.

Carrick is expected to overhaul his midfield and add even further options on top of the incoming arrival of Ederson, with Real Madrid ace Tchouameni linked with a transfer to United.

However, a deal for the 26-year-old, who joined Los Blancos from Monaco in 2022, is not so straightforward at this stage due to a couple of factors, as outlined by Romano in his latest YouTube video.

What Fabrizio Romano has said about Tchouameni deal

Taking to his YouTube channel on Thursday morning, Italian journalist Romano provided an update on Tchouameni amid talk of a big-money move to Old Trafford from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Romano outlined the two reasons why a transfer to Carrick’s team has not progressed so far.

“Many of you asking me, there are many rumours on Man United returning for Tchouameni and what’s the truth,” he explained. “The two problems on Tchouameni remain the same and have not changed so far.

You scored

out of 20

“One problem is the salary, Tchouameni is on a very big salary, and at the moment is financially not what Man United want to do. On the technical point of view, Man United would love Tchouameni, Man United consider Tchouameni a fantastic player, so they would love to go for him, but it’s important to say Real Madrid, as of today, I can confirm this. I can stand by my information, are yet to open doors for exit of Aurelien Tchouameni.

“So, as of today, Man United, or the agents of the player, have not received any call from Real Madrid saying, ‘If you want, you can get Tchouameni’. This is not that it’s going to happen at some point in the summer I will let you know, and if it’s going to happen, Man United would be ready to try and understand the situation, because they love Tchouameni, but financially there is a problem on the salary, and then Real Madrid are yet to open doors on this one.”

Man United’s midfield options under Michael Carrick

Man United’s midfield proved to be a big talking point early in the 2025/26 season with Ruben Amorim struggling to find the perfect blend in the position.

However, the return of Carrick to Old Trafford proved to be a key turning point for the football club as his team flourished in the middle of the park under his guidance.

Casemiro, who has departed the football club this summer, excelled in midfield and chipped in with a number of key goals, with Kobbie Mainoo going on to become a mainstay in the middle after previously looking like he would exit at the turn of the year after a lack of minutes under Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes, once again, proved to be a pivotal figure for United and went on to set a new Premier League record of 21 assists in a league season as he was awarded both the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season.

Following Casemiro’s departure, United will add to their numbers once Ederson officially joins from Atalanta but there are still further additions to be made, with Tchouameni potentially someone who can elevate their midfield to the very next level as they look to make big strides in the Premier League and Champions League.

Mateus Fernandes Bombshell Emerges After Man Utd and Tottenham Talks

Spurs are in the market for a midfielder this summer

Sports

Arsenal Expected To Complete £80m First Summer Transfer

Published

40 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Arsenal are expected to formally approach Aston Villa and make a bid to sign Morgan Rogers this summer, GIVEMESPORT understands and senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs believes a deal will be completed.

The Gunners have been slow to show their hand so far in the summer transfer window having won the Premier League title last season.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be keen to make changes to his squad this summer to ensure the 2025/26 season is not a one-off and that the Gunners challenge for years to come at the top of the Premier League standings.

Rogers is Arsenal’s number one target

Changes are expected to be made in the forward line, with Arsenal willing to listen to offers for the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli this summer.

And their number one transfer target is Rogers, who is expected to leave Aston Villa during this transfer window.

Rogers, described by Jamie Redknapp as ‘one of the world’s best players’ last season, is at peak age and peak value, and Villa know bringing in a sale can help Unai Emery reinvest in multiple squad players and balance the books. Even with Champions League football next season, Villa are still looking to bring in funds as they navigate the final cycle of the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules and seek to satisfy UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: “My understanding is that the deal is already advanced on the player’s side, so between Arsenal and Morgan Rogers, the feeling is very positive. Now it’s going to be on the conversations they will have with Aston Villa, so talks will follow club to club.”

Villa are looking for a fee of at least £80million to sell Rogers this summer and, according to GMS, the Gunners are set to place an opening offer for the England international, with Rogers keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal should complete Rogers transfer this summer

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring vs Manchester United

Jacobs said: “I do expect Arsenal to sign Morgan Rogers. He is Arsenal’s leading target for left-wing and/or No.10. My information is that Rogers has zero preference as to whether he’s signed as a left-winger or a No.10.

“Arsenal are expected to bid and this could move quickly. Aston Villa, even with Champions League football, are looking for a major sale to balance their books.

⚽

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

“When Rogers extended last year, there was an understanding that he could leave this summer for a fee of £80million as a starting point. It’s not a release clause or gentleman’s understanding, but Villa had said they would not unduly stand in his way.

“I’m still told engagement will start at £80million, that’s not to say it’ll be the number that secures a transfer, but that is the beginning to start a conversation with Aston Villa. I think there’s a very strong chance this deal happens.”