Further conversation on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Vendor Russell Adams chats with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: When we featured Russ Adams a few weeks back discussing the legendary NBA star Kareem Abdul Jabbar on the occasion of his 74th birthday and his keynote speech at the Illinois Holocaust Museum 2021 Humanitarian Awards Dinner, we pointed out he was also an educator to many. Personally, I had not thought beyond the Skyhook he perfected on the basketball court. Well, the Skyhook and the goggles. I’m stoked to have been able to dig a bit deeper into the man with the golden hook! Please read the letter from Mr. Winschief (below), followed by a brief response from legendary vendor and SportsWise original member: Russ Adams.

Patrick and Russ, I enjoyed the article on Kareem AbdulJabbar in the April 26th–May 2nd issue of StreetWise & especially the information of what Kareem has been doing since he retired. If I were going to ask a question, I would want to know his opinion on whether in today's college basketball environment, he feels that he'd have stayed at UCLA more than one year before bolting to the NBA. Abdul-Jabbar seems like someone who gained a lot of lifetime skills from his UCLA education, rather than just being at the school as an athlete alone. Also, I wonder what he felt at the time just after he became a Muslim when several folks he knew were killed by a different faction of the group, with the deaths tied to the ElijahMuhammad & the Chicago Muslims if I remember correctly. This must have been a very tense time for Kareem. [In the same vein,] I wonder if Michael Jordan's father had not been murdered and Michael had continued to play for the Bulls after that tragic death, rather than attempting to play baseball, whether he might have established the record for most points in an NBA career. Jordan had 32,292 points in his career, 6,000 less than Kareem. Jordan scored 3,000+ points one season and might have come very close to the record. Also, instead of two "three-peats,” the Bulls might have had 8 straight NBA titles. Bill Winschief

Russ: Bill, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I, like Patrick, never knew this much about Kareem. Same for me, it was the Skyhook and the goggles— oh, and his role in Game of Death. Amazing, man.

Patrick: Shoot, I remember seeing it with the neighborhood kids, including my sister and brothers, and when it was over, we were so excited that we ran through the streets doing karate! Man…

Russ: So, y’all were those rugrats I saw in the streets back then? Hilarious.

Patrick: (Laugh) So, what do you think about what Bill said?

Russ: Overall, I agree that it’d be cool to find out Kareem’s answers to those questions, but, for me, I believe some players are meant for the pros. Kareem is one of those. He’s been able to beautifully merge his talents—his ballplaying and his educationbuilding—over time. In regard to his becoming a Muslim during a tumultuous time, I imagine the religious and “spiritual” pull was enlightening enough to snag his entire soul. I agree it must’ve been a tense time for him. Lastly, I do believe Jordan could have broken Kareem’s record; however, I believe Jordan respected Kareem so much that it’s possible he wouldn’t have dared touch it. As for Jordan and the Bulls, I, also, believe the Bulls would’ve gotten at least eight of ‘em.

Patrick: All right, Russ, done deal. Anything else?

Russ: Yes. To Bill Winschief: Thank you for the food for thought.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org