Damn I love Kareem Abdul Jabbar

[malaise]

I so wish some of the young athletes would study this great role model.
Control the disease my brother - we need you. Love you big time. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[tabasco]

1. Although I'm not a big BB fan, Jabbar always seemed like a class act.

I was very sorry to see that he is ill.

[Liberal_Dog]

2. A True Class Act

Stay Strong Kareem!!

[maxpower]

3. Well wishes

Kareem

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. He is one of the best!

He coached at an Indian reservation:

Officials said last week that the former Los Angeles Laker star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was going to high school on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona to be an assistant basketball coach.

Abdul-Jabbar, the 51-year-old former All-Star center, who apparently developed a fondness for the area after researching a book there, made Alchesay High School an offer officials were unable to refuse.

He said he was interested in volunteering, and they couldn't turn him down,'' Raul Mendoza, the school's head basketball coach, said. After all, this is Kareem.''
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/27/sports/plus-basketball-abdul-jabbar-to-coach-in-arizona.html

[malaise]

5. A genuine class act

Love him.

[me b zola]

6. I've always been a huge fan of Kareem

As a girl I kept a notebook filled with every news/sports story that was written about him in the LA Times. I was a competitive swimmer from my earliest memories, but as I became older I spent more and more time in the alley behind our house perfecting my Kareem sky-hook. Once in high school I told my mother that I wanted to play on the basketball along with the swim team. She told me that I couldn't do both, so I quit swimming--mom was infuriated.

Now young girls have female basketball heroes to look up to, I'm so glad for that. But I'm so thankful for being able to "grow up with" Kareem.


Be well, Kareem, you have been very special in my life. :hug:







edited for spelling

[malaise]

7. Nice post

:hi:

[lastliberalintexas]

8. He seemed like a real jerk the one time I saw him in an airport

It was a podunk out of the way place, so there weren't many people around at all and this was long before the 9/11 hassles of traveling. The airport janitor walked up to him and politely asked for his autograph and he refused. I was close enough to hear his refusal and, though I don't remember his words, I do remember his tone was bad. Just didn't seem like a nice person at all.

That said, I do wish him well in his treatments.

[Cleita]

10. Every body is a jerk at one time or the other.

It seems that it's your turn today. A lot of celebrities get short with people looking for autographs when they are stressed because they are seldom ever left alone.

[lastliberalintexas]

12. It was the airport janitor

in a deserted airport. It's not like he was being mobbed by worshipping fans. He'd been in town for a COC speech, I think, and couldn't summon the graciousness to sign an autograph for a woman who wouldn't earn in her lifetime what he'd made in a single season.

As much as they'd like to, celebrities can't have the fame and fortune without the fans.


Has nothing to do with the fact that I still wish him well in fighting his illness.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Well I've met Kareem and he was gracious as hell

so there you go. It struck me at the time how much attention he must get because of his size and his fame. Others can sort of skulk around and get by, but he just stands out, even in a room filled with NBA players. It struck me that must get trying at times in a way it would not for others.

[Cleita]

9. KO is a big guy in stature. KAJ made him look like a midget.

I had to laugh, but I think Keith did that interview in that way so that the camera shot would point it out. I hope he keeps his disease under control too.

[malaise]

11. Yep

Good spot.

[H2O Man]

13. He is an wonderful man.

I have a very high opinion of him.

[malaise]

14. Same here

:hi:

[rurallib]

16. May I plug something related? Give blood or platelets if you can

Sign up to be a white cell or marrow donor.
I am a white cell donor and know that I have helped some folks with adult leukemia get a few extra miles.

[malaise]

17. Good idea

One of my close friends has had leukemia for over 10 years. Never have I seen anyone manage an illness with such diligence.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

18. And I'm SO OLD THAT.....

I remember when he was Lew Alcindor.

And I'm not even a sports fan.


:D

[SeattleGirl]

19. Another "so old that" who remembers also. n/t