As a Northwestern stats analyst, I’ve dissected every box score from the 1987 Finals—and nothing shocks me more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 32-point, 18-for-13 explosion at age 39. His 51% FG and 2.5 blocks per game defy time. Was this the ultimate testament to legacy? Let’s break down why this underrated performance still haunts modern analytics. Spoiler: it’s not just about points.