![]() His scoring record would be even higher on the top shelf, requiring a stepladder and Boban Marjanovic to fetch. Imagine, then, if Kareem had the benefit enjoyed by LeBron, or was one-and-done with college. Spencer Haywood would not win the landmark court case regarding basketball hardship until a few years later. Therein lies the catch: While James went straight from the prom to a paycheck, Abdul-Jabbar had to grab a four-year scholarship. He was on the wish list of every college with a gym. He was already friendly with Wilt Chamberlain – the man whose NBA career scoring record he broke – and Bill Russell, unheard-of then between high schoolers and professionals. It did not work - he lost two games in four years.ĭespite the absence of the internet and 24-hour sports channels, Kareem was nonetheless magnified in basketball circles in high school. Opposing coaches prepared for Abdul-Jabbar by raising brooms in practice and having team-mates shoot over them. Power won 71 straight games with a 7-foot-1 center and had lines wrapped around the block. The difference is Abdul-Jabbar's high school games in the mid-1960s weren't on national TV, there were no AAU travel teams, and most distinctly, a go-directly-to-the-NBA path was not an option for him.īorn in Harlem, Abdull-Jabbar attended Power Memorial Academy, a Manhattan prep powerhouse since bulldozed and replaced by a 38-story condominium complex. The two most pursued basketball teenagers of the last 60 years are 1-2 on the NBA career scoring list. LeBron was rather direct recently when asked if he had any thoughts on Kareem or if any relationship exists: "I have no thoughts and there is no relationship."Īs is often the case in these situations, there's more commonality than either of them know, more than what the surface shows, which aided both in their respective careers more than they realize. ![]() Although an apology came quickly, and Kareem has since expressed admiration for LeBron, the all-time scoring list will represent the only close company they'll keep until further notice. Also: Kareem mildly scolded LeBron last spring regarding his initial nonchalance about the Covid-19 vaccine which caused him to bristle from the criticism. Partly because of their colliding generations, they lack a meaningful connection. ![]() ![]() LeBron built a financial castle greater than the gross national product of entire countries, without a degree or expertise besides basketball. He made a fortune and lost some of it through shady management. There's more: Kareem is an extensive reader, deep thinker and poetic writer. Image: LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - AP Photo/Getty His rare basketball skillset managed to not only adapt to any and all stylistic trends in the game but overwhelm them. LeBron is magnified by cable TV and dissected by social media, name-dropped by Drake and willingly lathers up the global attention, though on his terms. He was moody, suspicious of strangers and reporters, the symptoms of a shy giant who could not duck society if he wore a floppy hat and sunglasses. Kareem was raised on Civil Rights and Vietnam, schooled at UCLA, soothed by John Coltrane and groomed in a big man's NBA where he was, as his cinematic alter-ego Roger Murdock explained in "Airplane!," out there busting his buns every night dragging Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes. Kareem and LeBron – two very different NBA greats How NBA 2K video game sparked a journalist's career NBA announces 2022-23 regular season scheduleĮxclusive: Lin on Curry's fight to play his own way and lasting effects of 'Linsanity' Full NBA guide for every team ahead of 2022-23 season
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