NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said he’d be happy to sit down and discuss issues with LeBron James, after urging the Lakers superstar to re-think some recent actions.
The all-time leading pointscorer was on-site to present Carmelo Anthony with the first-ever Social Justice Champion award, while James missed the game with an injury. Abdul-Jabbar was asked about James’ standing within the sport right now.
While praising the latter’s charity work, Abdul-Jabbar briefly spoke about recent incidents that had annoyed him.
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“I admire the things that he’s done that have gotten all our attention,” he said.
“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.”
Abdul-Jabbar criticised James late last year for a celebration after hitting a late three-pointer against the Indiana Pacers, and also for James’ inaction towards the COVID-19 vaccination.
“Some of the things he’s done and said are really beneath him, as far as I can see,” he told reporters.
“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.”
The 74-year-old said later in a tweet that he regretted his comments and that his response had been blown out of proportion.
https://twitter.com/kaj33/status/1510814571853856772
Anthony said after the game that the pair should handle the matter privately.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Abdul-Jabbar, who later clarified his comments in an email to the LA Times saying his remarks were made in ‘the spirit of a loving older brother offering guidance’, said he would be happy to meet up.
“I wouldn’t mind doing it if he would want to take the time,” he said.
“I’ve definitely got the time.”
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