Kareem: Some of LeBron’s actions ‘really beneath him’

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticized LeBron James on Sunday over some of the Los Angeles Lakers star’s actions and comments.

“Some of the things he’s done and said are really beneath him, as far as I can see,” Abdul-Jabbar said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Some of the great things that he’s done – he’s standing on both sides of the fence almost, you know?

“It makes it hard for me to accept that when he’s committed himself to a different take on everything. It’s hard to figure out where he’s standing. You’ve got to check him out every time.”

Abdul-Jabbar has been publicly critical of James on a couple of occasions this season. In a video posted in early December, he addressed the Lakers forward’s “Sam Cassell dance” celebration during the week prior, remarking that “goats don’t dance” – a veiled dig at James’ claim to being the greatest of all time.

The 74-year-old also took exception to James’ social media post on Christmas Eve, in which the Lakers forward suggested he was confused about the difference between COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold. On his Substack blog, Abdul-Jabbar said the post was a “blow to (James’) worthy legacy.”

The Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers icon said that he’d be willing to have a comprehensive conversation with James regarding his criticisms.

“If he would take the time, I definitely got the time,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I admire the things that he’s done that have gotten all our attention. Sending a whole school to college? Wow. That’s amazing. His thoughtfulness and willingness to back it up with his wallet – you got to give him credit for that.

“So I’m not throwing stones. … Some of the things he’s done, he should be embarrassed about. That’s just where I’m coming from.”

In a later statement, Abdul-Jabbar reiterated his respect for the four-time MVP and said his earlier remarks were “blown out of proportion.”

Today a reporter asked me a question about Lebron James and I regret my off-handed response which has been blown out of proportion. For years I’ve expressed my deep admiration and respect for LeBron as a community leader and athlete. That hasn’t changed and never will. –@kaj33 https://t.co/QEWed5YovX

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) April 4, 2022

Giannis becomes Bucks’ all-time scoring leader in OT win over Nets

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo became the franchise’s all-time scoring leader by collecting his 40th point in Thursday night’s 120-119 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets.

The moment Giannis became the Bucks All-Time Scoring Leader!!

Congratulations @Giannis_An34!! pic.twitter.com/a7w4tHK8Eb

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 1, 2022

The 27-year-old entered Thursday’s contest trailing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 14,211 points. It took the legendary big man just six seasons to reach his mark, while Antetokounmpo needed nine campaigns.

“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is just one of the iconic players in our league,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said postgame, according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “And what he was able to accomplish in Milwaukee and then, of course, going forward, he’s one of the all-time greats.

“So, for Giannis to pass him, organizationally, as our all-time career leading scorer, to have a front-row seat for the last three and three-quarters, almost four years, I just feel incredibly fortunate. His teammates are beyond happy for him. … It’s beyond impressive what he’s done, and he’s got a lot more left ahead of him.”

Antetokounmpo finished the contest against the Nets with 44 points, helping the Bucks erase a double-digit deficit. The team clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs with the victory.

The two-time MVP is on track to score over 25 points per game for the fifth straight season after failing to reach that mark in the first four campaigns of his career. He’s currently averaging a career-high 30.1 points per contest.

The Bucks honored their superstar’s record-breaking accomplishment with a tribute video. Milwaukee drafted Antetokounmpo 15th overall in 2013.

From the 15th pick to Milwaukee’s All-Time Scoring Leader.

The work isn’t done. Stay hungry. pic.twitter.com/decXP9Osz0

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 1, 2022

Kareem: NBA should mandate vaccine for all players, staff

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants all NBA players and team personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The NBA should insist that all players and staff are vaccinated or remove them from the team,” the Hall of Famer told Matt Sullivan of Rolling Stone as part of a look at the anti-vaccine sentiment in the NBA. “There is no room for players who are willing to risk the health and lives of their teammates, the staff, and the fans simply because they are unable to grasp the seriousness of the situation or do the necessary research.

“What I find especially disingenuous about the vaccine deniers is their arrogance at disbelieving immunology and other medical experts. Yet, if their child was sick or they themselves needed emergency medical treatment, how quickly would they do exactly what those same experts told them to do?”

Players aren’t required to be vaccinated. However, all referees, most NBA staff, and any team personnel working within 15 feet of players must be vaccinated by Oct. 1.

Around 50 to 60 NBA players have yet to receive a single COVID-19 vaccine dose, sources told Sullivan.

Andrew Wiggins and Kyrie Irving are among the notable players who reportedly remain unvaccinated.

Abdul-Jabbar expressed disappointment in players not advocating for the vaccine, specifically those of color.

“By not encouraging their people to get the vaccine, they’re contributing to these deaths,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I’m also concerned about how this perpetuates the stereotype of dumb jocks who are unable to look at verified scientific evidence and reach a rational conclusion.”

NBA creates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Award

The NBA announced Thursday the establishment of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award, a new distinction given annually to a player for “pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s decades-long values of equality, respect, and inclusion.”

“I’m honored and grateful to be associated with this award that will recognize the dedicated and selfless people fighting to promote social justice for all marginalized people,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “To me, it’s another giant step in the right direction for the country and all people who value equality.”

A six-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, Abdul-Jabbar has long been considered one of basketball’s foremost voices in the area of social justice.

During his playing career, Abdul-Jabbar and other prominent Black athletes, including Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell and Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown, launched the Cleveland Summit to support boxer Muhammad Ali’s decision not to participate in the Vietnam War.

While at UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar and sociologist Harry Edwards led the charge to boycott the 1968 Mexico City Games, motivated by the assassinations of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and the maltreatment of Black people in the United States.

“In addition to being one of our greatest players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has devoted much of his life to advocating for equality and social justice,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “With this new award, we are proud to recognize and celebrate NBA players who are using their influence to make an impact on their communities and our broader society.”

The winner of the inaugural award will choose a charitable organization to receive a $100,000 prize, while the four other finalists will each select an organization to receive $25,000.

All 30 teams will nominate a player for the award. Finalists will be selected by a seven-person committee comprised of former NBA players, league executives, and social justice activists. The nominees and winner will be revealed during the upcoming NBA playoffs, which are set to begin May 22.

Abdul-Jabbar defends police brutality protests: Racism is ‘everywhere’

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar defended nationwide protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in an op-ed Saturday for the Los Angeles Times.

“Yes, protests often are used as an excuse for some to take advantage, just as when fans celebrating a hometown sports team championship burn cars and destroy storefronts,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn. But African-Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer.

“Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible – even if you’re choking on it – until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere.”

Abdul-Jabbar has been an outspoken activist since starring for UCLA during the mid-to-late ’60s.

In 2017, the former Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks center called out President Donald Trump for his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.

On Saturday, Abdul-Jabbar once again invoked Trump’s name while defending the protesters and speaking about the fear black people live with when doing everyday activities like going for a jog or a drive.

“What you should see when you see black protesters in the age of Trump and (the) coronavirus is people pushed to the edge, not because they want bars and nail salons open, but because they want to live. To breathe,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote.

LeBron eyeing Kareem’s all-time record for points

LeBron James turns 35 on Monday, and he’s going to have to play a few more seasons if he has any plans on passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA record for points scored.

He admits he’s thought about it.

“I would be lying if I said I don’t see it,” James told Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. “Obviously I’m not trying to say, ‘OK, well if I play this amount of time, if I average this’ … I’m not doing that because I’ve never done that with my career. I’ve always just kind of let it happen. Whatever happens, happens. But I see it. I do see it.”

Going into Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, James has 33,334 career regular-season points – 5,053 behind Abdul-Jabbar. James has averaged about 1,900 points in each of the last four seasons; if he kept that pace, he’d become the league’s all-time leading scorer during the 2022-23 season.

James also sits just 309 points behind Kobe Bryant for third all time. He’s on pace to surpass him in late January while averaging 25.5 points per game.

James was named AP male athlete of the decade on Sunday.

Kareem on GOAT debate: ‘There can be more than one’

Although he hasn’t played a game in almost 30 years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and still has more league MVP trophies (six) than anyone else.

Still, perhaps due to recency bias and names like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, he’s often forgotten in the debate over who’s the greatest player to ever suit up in the NBA.

It doesn’t bother him.

“These ‘GOAT’ discussions are fun distractions while sitting around waiting for the pizza to be served,” Abdul-Jabbar told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears. “But they’re on par with ‘Which superpower would you want most: flight or invisibility?’ Whether I’m included or not in anyone’s list doesn’t matter. I played my hardest and I helped my teammates. That’s the most important thing I walked away with.”

Abdul-Jabbar starred in the league from 1969-89, most of which was an era dominated by centers and big men of his ilk. To wit: Only one three-pointer was sunk during the six games of the 1980 NBA Finals.

“The reason there is no such thing as the GOAT is because every player plays under unique circumstances,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “We played different positions, under different rules, with different teammates, with different coaches. Every player has to adapt to their circumstances and find a way to excel. This isn’t ‘Highlander.’ There can be more than one.”

Kareem: LaVar Ball types turning NCAA into ‘huckster show’

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar kept up his criticism of LaVar Ball on Friday, saying that the publicity-seeking hoops dad is cheapening the college game.

“Everybody knows about his sons because he has been able to hype them,” Abdul-Jabbar told Philadelphia radio station 97.5 The Fanatic. “But I don’t think that’s good for college basketball. It looks like it’s a huckster show. And that bothers me, you know. You have people going those lengths to promote their kids. I don’t get it.”

The 70-year-old Hall of Famer has been critical of Ball before, saying last month that he doesn’t think LaVar is doing his sons any good. Like Abdul-Jabbar, Lonzo Ball starred at UCLA and could also end up playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Abdul-Jabbar, who has won more NBA MVPs (six) than anyone else in history, also reiterated his viewpoint that the one-and-done rule is a “travesty” for college basketball.

“One-and-dones doesn’t make any sense to me,” he said. “To have somebody come and be on campus for six months and play a basketball season, what is that? … it’s not good for the college game and it hasn’t been good for the pro game. I think they better find a different way of dealing with those issues.”

There’s a sense that alterations will need to eventually come to both eligibility and draft rules. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has gone on record saying the league is considering ditching the one-and-done rule as early as next season.

Bryant joins Kareem, Malone in 33,000-point club

Only three players in NBA history have scored more than 33,000 career points: Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and, as of Thursday, Kobe Bryant.

The “Black Mamba” dropped 18 points (including an honest-to-goodness alley-oop) in the first half against the Sacramento Kings to wade into rarefied territory.

Bryant entered the game eight points back of the plateau.

It was a throwback performance for the 20-year veteran, as he was noticeably crisper after having taken the last three games off to rest a sore shoulder. He shot 10-of-18 from the floor as he dropped a smattering of daring drives, crafty passes, a few signature fadeaways, and finished with 29 points on the night.

Despite Bryant’s best efforts, his team still trailed by 21 at halftime and by as many as 27 in the second half. But the Lakers made a game of it and eventually took the lead in the fourth quarter, with Kobe on the bench, before falling 118-115.

He won’t be around forever, so cherish these last few moments, and celebrate the rare flashback performances. Legends like Bryant come once in a generation.