Latest news with #KareemAbdulJabbar
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I maintained that attitude for way too long" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar admits he regrets not showing a friendlier personality during his basketball career
"I maintained that attitude for way too long" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar admits he regrets not showing a friendlier personality during his basketball career originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remained, for the most part of his Hall of Fame career, an enigma. Dominant on the court but distant off it, his stoic demeanor and deliberate detachment from the media carved out a misunderstood figure who often appeared aloof in the public eye. Now, in hindsight, he has voiced what many long suspected: that he regrets the emotional wall he built during his time in the league. Lessons that lingered too long Before Abdul-Jabbar became a name in NBA legendary history, he was Lew Alcindor, the towering centerpiece of John Wooden's dynastic UCLA Bruins. Under Wooden, the team was molded into champions with a discipline that emphasized humility, structure and media silence. Wooden discouraged his players from seeking attention and actively coached them to avoid it. The message was clear, the press was a distraction, a nuisance and not to be trusted. This mindset, built into the team culture at UCLA, stuck with Abdul-Jabbar far beyond his college years. As he transitioned into the NBA, that suspicion hardened into routine. "It made me suspicious and cautious with the media, and I maintained that attitude for way too long," Abdul-Jabbar said, acknowledging the ripple effect it had on his public persona. "Those are people you deal with when you are a professional athlete and if you don't do it, then it's bad for you, it's bad for your spot." Few athletes have achieved what Abdul-Jabbar accomplished in terms of accolades and influence. Six championships, six MVP awards and the all-time leading scorer title for nearly four decades speak to a career of unmatched consistency and cerebral dominance. Yet while his statistics soared, his public image often stood in stark contrast to his brilliance. It wasn't that he didn't have something to say — he was always one of the game's most thoughtful minds — but that he rarely offered access to the media or fans. That wall wasn't entirely of his own design. His initial wariness wasn't unfounded. As a young Black Muslim athlete in a tumultuous era marked by civil rights clashes, political assassinations and cultural upheaval, Abdul-Jabbar bore a unique weight. Changing his name shortly after joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 invited skepticism and criticism from press outlets unfamiliar or uncomfortable with his transformation. His refusal to participate in the 1968 Olympics due to racial injustice only cemented his position as an athlete willing to stand on principle, even if it meant standing alone. That principled solitude, however, came at a price. He often seemed remote to fans and uncooperative to journalists, which shaped a narrative that stuck for legacy outgrew the silence Despite the cold veneer, Abdul-Jabbar never stopped growing. As his playing days wound down and retirement ushered in a slower pace, he began to reveal more of himself. Essays, books, social commentary and speaking engagements brought forth the intelligence and compassion that had long been obscured by caution and restraint. Still, the regret lingered over the cost of staying guarded for so long. The cultural shift around athletes and media relationships has made his reflections even more poignant. In today's NBA, players are expected to manage their own brands, embrace social media and speak out on issues beyond basketball. Abdul-Jabbar helped blaze that trail, but he now sees how his approach may have limited connection when connection mattered most. In recent years, he's been more open, humorous and visible. He's appeared in documentaries, spoken out on political issues with clarity and calm, and even found a late-career rhythm as a writer — you can check out his Substack too! — and social critic. The distance that once defined him now feels bridged by his willingness to revisit the past with story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"It's as if I won a billion dollars in a lottery and 39 years later someone won two billion dollars" - Kareem set the record straight after LeBron passed his All-Time scoring mark
"It's as if I won a billion dollars in a lottery and 39 years later someone won two billion dollars" - Kareem set the record straight after LeBron passed his All-Time scoring mark originally appeared on Basketball Network. For close to forty years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record felt like something out of reach for almost any player who set foot in the association. The key word here is almost… That 38,387 wasn't just an ordinary number; it was proof of a guy dominating for so long that it felt like it was going to stay there forever. LeBron James dared to chase it, and on February 7, 2023, inside Arena, Bron hit a smooth fadeaway over Oklahoma City's Kenrich Williams in the third quarter to rewrite the history books. From that moment, the record that once seemed immortal belonged to someone else. And as James went on to celebrate with his family, the biggest supporters of his throughout his career, the man whose name had been at the top of that list for so long stood there in the stands smiling and clapping. No matter how many tried to paint a whole different picture, Kareem looked at peace with what had just transpired. The speculation about KAJ's reaction For months, there had been whispers that Abdul-Jabbar wouldn't take kindly to his record falling. It wasn't just fans speculating on social media either. Even Magic Johnson, Kareem's longtime teammate and close friend, publicly wondered how The Cap would handle seeing someone else pass him. And to be fair, the assumption wasn't far-fetched. After all, the man stood alone at the NBA's mountaintop for so long that it almost felt like that place belonged exclusively to him. It became a piece of his legacy, in a way, just like the skyhook. But instead of letting others speak for him or letting the noise grow, Kareem did what he felt was best: he addressed it in his own words. "In the months leading up to LeBron breaking my record, so much was written about how I would feel on the day he sank that record-breaking shot that I had to laugh," Abdul-Jabbar wrote in a 2023 piece on his Substack. "I'd already written several times stating exactly how I felt so there really wasn't much to speculate about. It's as if I won a billion dollars in a lottery and 39 years later someone won two billion dollars. How would I feel? Grateful that I won and happy that the next person also won. His winning in no way affects my winning."Kareem didn't flinch Those words came not from a man clinging to his past accomplishments but from one fully aware of what his journey meant and proud to see someone else continue building on the game's history. Records eventually fall, that's just how sports work, but legacy is a different story. What Kareem did in his time doesn't get erased just because LeBron moved past him, the same way LeBron's moment doesn't take anything away from the climb Abdul-Jabbar made to get there. The scoring title might have a new name attached to it now, but Kareem's footprint on the game and on the culture of the era he defined is as deep as ever. When that ball hit the bottom of the net to break his record, Abdul-Jabbar didn't flinch. He didn't cling to a title or turn it into some tired debate about legacy. His reaction made it clear — it was never about ego; rather, it was about two legends making their mark on the game we all love. And the crazy part? The King is still adding to that total, fighting off Father Time night after night until one of them finally gives story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
"I thought I might be dead in a few months" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on getting diagnosed with leukemia
"I thought I might be dead in a few months" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on getting diagnosed with leukemia originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born in 1947, is nearing 80. Despite that advanced age, he still seems to be going strong. Basketball fans should appreciate that, not just for his longevity, but because one story about the sports icon shows how quickly it can all end. In 2011, the Hall of Famer shared his reaction to a leukemia diagnosis — news that hit like a thunderbolt. Fearing the worst In November 2009, Abdul-Jabbar revealed he was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a blood and bone marrow cancer. The two-time Finals MVP said he had received the devastating news in December 2008. While shocking on its own, it hit harder because of memories of his close friend Bruno Kirby. The actor, known for "When Harry Met Sally…" and "Good Morning, Vietnam," died from leukemia complications in August 2006, "within 30 days" of his diagnosis, Kareem recalled. Of course, every case is different, and disease progression varies. Still, the Los Angeles Lakers legend admitted he instantly feared the worst when he received the same diagnosis, mainly because he "really had no understanding" of what he was dealing with. "I thought I might be dead in a few months," said Abul-Jabbar, per battle Fast forward to 2011, Kareem took to X (formerly Twitter) with hopeful news: he was cancer-free — a statement he later corrected. "You're never really cancer-free and I should have known that," he said. "My cancer right now is at an absolute minimum… It's not life-threatening at this point in my life." Following a similar approach to former superstar teammate Magic Johnson's powerful handling of his HIV diagnosis, Abdul-Jabbar faced his own illness head-on. For instance, the New York native became a spokesperson for Novartis, makers of Gleevec, the drug that transforms chronic myeloid leukemia into a manageable condition and boosts survival rates. "Medical science has made great strides over the last 20 years," Kareem noted. "People in my position are able to live their lives to the fullest. I'm very grateful for that. I'm lucky that they caught it in enough time, and I've responded well to the medication. If not for the success that medicine has made, I might be part of a much different story right now." It wasn't the only time cancer challenged him. In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar revealed he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years earlier. And while he fought it again, the now 78-year-old didn't forget those in the same fight. Kareem acknowledged that as an NBA star, he had access to top-tier medical care — something many in the Black community lack. "While I'm grateful for my advantages, I'm acutely aware that many others in the Black community do not have the same options and that is my responsibility to join with those fighting to change that," he wrote, per Good Morning America. "Because Black lives are at risk. Serious risk." Abdul-Jabbar was always the vocal leader in the Showtime Lakers locker room — a voice he clearly hasn't lost, even with adversity testing him time and story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks Remain Consistent Winners in the Giannis Era
Bucks Remain Consistent Winners in the Giannis Era originally appeared on Athlon Sports. You ever try keeping the same rhythm when everything around you keeps changing? That's the Milwaukee Bucks' story. New faces. New coaches. New plays. Same results. They just win. Advertisement Over the past seven NBA seasons, no team has won more games than Milwaukee. They've stacked up 368 regular-season victories, edging out the Celtics (366) and the Nuggets (355). The Bucks didn't just show up, they've stayed above a .600 win percentage through constant change. The Giannis Antetokounmpo era didn't promise this level of consistency when it started. But the Greek Freak, with his relentless work ethic and quiet leadership, made sure the Bucks didn't fade. Different supporting casts came and went, but Milwaukee kept finding ways to finish strong. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks for a shot against New Orleans Pelicans center Kylor KelleyBenny Sieu-Imagn Images This isn't the first time Milwaukee has owned the league. Back in 1970-71, the Bucks, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, tore through the NBA with a 66-16 regular-season record. They lost only three of their first 24 games. In the playoffs, they went 12-2 and swept the Baltimore Bullets in the finals. Advertisement That season marked Milwaukee's first championship. Their second didn't come until 2021, when Giannis delivered a legendary finals performance against Phoenix. So what's been the secret? Consistent leadership from Giannis, solid roster building and a refusal to let setbacks define them. Championship teams are hard to build. Sustained winners are even harder. The Bucks know both roads. In a league where rosters flip overnight and contenders fade fast, Milwaukee simply endured. And in the process, they've written one of the NBA's quietest dynasties. They may not grab headlines like the Lakers or Celtics. But year after year, the Bucks keep showing up. And most nights, they leave with a win. Advertisement Related: Bucks Receive Unfortunate Update on Three-Time NBA All-Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hypebeast
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Willy Chavarria x adidas Originals Double Back for a Second SS25 Drop
Summary Following the unveiling of yet another captivating new collaborative endeavor on theParis Fashion Weekrunway just under two weeks ago,Willy Chavarriaandadidas Originalsare back with another innovative and highly intentional new release. The pair (who continues to reign supreme as one of contemporary high fashion's favorite collaborative units) first presented the initial installment of its Spring/Summer 2025 collaboration back in May: an assortment of apparel, accessories and footwear that reveled in South Central Los Angeles' Chicano heritage. Today, the duo lifted the veil on the second part of the seasonal collection, which graciously expands upon the groundwork laid in the original ready-to-wear range. On the footwear front, adidas dips back into the archives to revive theadidas Jabbarsneaker – the silhouette created specifically for Kareem Abdul Jabbar in 1978. Chavarria's fine lines mesh effortlessly with the Three Stripes across the rest of the revived Jabbar apparel line, which includes co-branded athleticwear, including track jacketing and wide-legged track pants, heavyweight hoodies, and other loose-fitting silhouettes. Fresh silhouettes designed by Chavarria and adidas span a basketball jersey, gym shorts, and another tracksuit. Explore the second installment of the Willy Chavarria x adidas Originals Spring/Summer 2025 collection in the lookbook above and expect the range to drop at bothadidasandWilly Chavarria's official webstores on Thursday, July 10 at 10 a.m. EST.
