The Inspiring Career of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Vendor Russell Adams chats about the world of sports with executive assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: Hello, all. I’m here with Russ Adams, our longest-involved member of SportsWise. Who best to discuss Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 74th birthday this past April 16? Sir?

Russ: Thanks, Patrick. Well, Kareem is the NBA’s all-time leading point scorer (38,387), a 7’2” center who played 21 seasons. Paired with Earvin “Magic” Johnson on the Los Angeles Lakers “Showtime” squad throughout the ‘80s, they won five championships. His patented move was the Skyhook—the ball arced eloquently high above his fully raised arm, off his fingertips and into the basket. Man, I can see that shot go up as if I were sitting in front of that old black and white bubbleback television.

Patrick: Shoot, you’re not alone. Because you have me by a few years, I imagine you were able to truly realize Kareem’s technical mastery of that shot.

Russ: You may be right, but don’t dismiss your view on it: If nothing else, it was, simply, beautiful.

Patrick: Cool. All right, so, what do you think about his role in “Game of Death” (1972)?

Russ: Besides being one of Lee’s students, Kareem accepted the role because he’d always taken issue with the way Asians — especially Asian-Americans — were and still are treated in the media, movies and television. Lee was motivated to destroy the onscreen portrayals of Asian men as sexless and shuffling, and the females as demure and sexy and who needed saving by white men. Although Bruce Lee movies were highly popular, the idea of an Asian man “replacing” the white man as savior in mainstream movies never took. Kareem and Lee opened up the discussion for a non-white man to be front and center.

Patrick: And I like that, as a columnist for the Hollywood Reporter, Kareem spoke out against recent hate crimes. Very good publicity.

Russ: Right. And speaking of Mr. Abdul-Jabbar’s writing, let’s not forget he’s the author of several New York Times’ bestsellers.

Patrick: I remember reading a tweet of his. It went: “Throughout my lifetime, I’ve been able to do more than stuff a ball through a hoop…my greatest asset has been my mind.” A UCLA graduate, he has written 15 books, including “Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, World War II’s Forgotten Heroes” (2004 with Anthony Walton), as a children’s book, “What Color is My World?: The Lost History of African- American Inventors” (2012 with Raymond Obstfeld).

Russ: I’m glad you mentioned that children’s book, because it’s awesome that he’s so passionate about engaging young people with history. “What Color is My World…” tells an amazing story about contributions of Black inventors to contemporary American life. Lewis Latimer, e.g., invented the carbon filament for the electric light bulb. Not only does the book open Black kids’ minds to realize the limitless possibilities (a career in science is as cool as being an athlete), they gain an understanding of obstacles we’ve had to face. I also want to mention Mr. Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplishments. I wasn’t aware of: his Skyhook Foundation, which creates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities for kids. He’s created documentaries, is raising cancer awareness and he has received a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Patrick: Good deal. Anything else, sir?

Russ: From President Obama: “The reason we honor Kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the Skyhook… He’s as comfortable sparring with Bruce Lee as he is advocating on Capitol Hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence on patriotism.” Lastly, from Mr. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “Go out and make friends with someone who doesn’t look like you.”