Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played a prominent role in the Los Angeles Lakers orbit on Sunday — and I don't mean on episode five of “Winning Time.”
The Lakers legend was on-hand at Crypto.com Arena to personally award Carmelo Anthony with the brand-new Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy, which honors the NBA's Social Justice Champion.
“It’s an honor for me to be able to receive that and I’m glad that Kareem can have an award named after him." @carmeloanthony on receiving the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Award. pic.twitter.com/sEuuk8AWJl
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 4, 2022
Abdul-Jabbar awarded a few minutes to reporters while on the premises, too. He was asked about his prior criticisms of LeBron James (mostly via his Substack) — specifically, for the Big Balls Sam Cassell dance, for not advocating for the COVID-19 vaccine, and for that Spider-Man meme questioning coronavirus symptoms. The Hall of Famer and, nowadays, prolific columnist and social and cultural critic, didn't mince his words.
“Some of the things he's done and said are really beneath him, as far as I can see,” Abdul-Jabbar said before the Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets. “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.”
“(I hold) a higher expectation for him because he understands the issues and spoken to them quite forcefully and eloquently,” Kareem added. “I think he has so much going for him in terms of respect and accomplishment and he shouldn't stoop to those moments.”
Abdul-Jabbar said he is “all for” LeBron passing him on the NBA's all-time scoring list (likely next season), and would also welcome a one-on-one sitdown with the Lakers superstar.
“If he would take the time, I definitely got the time,” Kareem stated. “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. I just wish he wouldn't — you know, some of the things he's done, he should be embarrassed about. That's just where I'm coming from.”
LeBron, who didn't suit up for the Lakers vs. the Nuggets due to a sprained ankle, did not take questions on Sunday. Melo, however, was asked whether he would be open to mediating a peace-making conversation between the two Lakers icons.
“I don’t even think there’s an issue, to be honest with you,” he said. “But I’ll be that. I’ll sit in the room with those guys and bring ‘em in. I don’t think no media needs to be involved in that. That’s two grown men. Two powerful Black men getting in a room together and talking and speaking and putting things on the table, however anybody feels. I’m around Bron so I know he don’t talk about it much. … But yeah, that’s a conversation that two Black men need to have. In our community, we need those tough conversations. We need those uncomfortable conversations. If Kareem wants to sit down and talk, if LeBron wants to sit down and talk, that’s a conversation that needs to be had.
“I don’t think we need Kareem lashing out at Bron. And you haven’t seen Bron say anything about Kareem. So, I think that’s a lot easier than we’re envisioning… Again, it’s behind closed doors. Let’s have a conversation, let’s talk about what’s the issue. We’re both men. We’re both Black men. I think that’d be a powerful conversation.”
To Melo's point, the lone time LeBron has publicly addressed Kareem's recent criticisms came back in December, after LeBron posted the infamous meme.
“I don't have a response to Kareem at all,” LeBron said at the time. “And if you saw the post and you read the tag, you're literally, honestly asking, ‘Help me out?' Help me kind of figure it all out. We're all trying to figure this pandemic out.”
Later on Sunday, Abdul-Jabbar clarified his condemnation in a letter to the Los Angeles Times:
Over the years, I’ve been asked to comment on and write about LeBron James. A couple years ago, I wrote an article for Sports Illustrated about LeBron as a Sportsperson of the Year in which I said: “[T]his generation couldn’t do any better in the hero department than LeBron James. Part of being a hero is to have both the modesty to feel unworthy of such a heavy word and the strength to accept the responsibility that comes with others looking to you to be that hero. What is a hero but someone who stands up for those who can’t? Who embodies our cherished ideals of sportsmanship: fair play, hard work and compassion? That pretty much describes the LeBron James I’ve watched and come to know since he was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft and was named Rookie of the Year.” In the two years since I wrote that, my respect and admiration has only grown for LeBron as I watched him champion worthwhile causes while maintaining his status as an elite athlete. As he closes is on my all-time scoring record, I have been a cheerleader urging him on, happy to pass the mantle to someone so worthy as an athlete and a person.
LeBron is still the daunting hero I described two years ago. He’s still a major force in improving lives in the Black Community. He’s still one of the greatest basketball players in history. He’s still a man who has earned the overwhelming admiration of millions. And every day he goes out and proves why he deserves that admiration.
On occasion I have chided LeBron when I thought he was dropping the ball when it came to supporting the community. But I did so in the spirit of a loving older brother offering guidance, whether wanted or not. So, when I said that he has done some things he should be embarrassed about, that wasn’t a slam or a barb or even a finger wag, it was me recapping some of what I’d said in the past. The Sports Illustrated article was an homage to LeBron for winning the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for his role in social activism. So, when I think he may be veering from the path that made him win that award, I mention it. I’m a journalist. That’s what I do. But I believe LeBron is strong enough and gracious enough to understand that I have only love for him in my heart.
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