In the late 60’s/early 70’s the NBA was under siege by the renegade, up and coming ABA. And before there was “The Decision” from King James, there was the decision of then 7 foot Lew Alcindor (soon to be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Under Commissioner and former NBA great George Mikan, the upstart League promised to start plucking from what had long been the NBA’s talent pool.
Coming out of UCLA Alcindor was the prized diamond of the 69′ Draft Class, recognized universally as a Center who could turn a team’s fortunes instantly. After winning the coin toss with Phoenix, Milwaukee immediately opted to select Alcindor with the first pick in the NBA Draft. However Alcindor had also shown high interest in playing for the New Jersey Nets of the ABA due to growing up in New York and highly intrigued in playing close to home. While also privately believing that it was a better place for a Muslim to live as opposed to Milwaukee.
So Alcindor gave both clubs an ultimatum. He would meet with both clubs once privately, and whoever offered the most money would acquire his services on the hardwood. All the Nets had to do was offer more money and they’d snag him no problem. Except when the check was revealed it was not only lower than Milwaukee’s offer, but Alcindor felt so disrespected he vowed never to play for New Jersey.
If that check is even a dollar more than Milwaukee’s offer it changes everything. The ABA finally gets the TV contract they had been searching for due to them possessing the best basketball player in the world, the Bucks likely don’t stay in Milwaukee, the Big O never gets a championship, the NBA loses what would be its cornerstone guy going into what would become its worst era in League History, everything changed the day Lew Alcindor opted to play for the Milwaukee Bucks.
