Kareem apologizes to LeBron for criticizing him

One day after openly criticizing Lebron James for some acts that he considers “shameful” and “beneath him” considering James’ stature both in basketball and in society in general, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbarapologized to the current star of the yellow and purple.

“All I have to say is this: I was there to give carmel anthony the NBA Champion of Social Justice Award. I’ve been speaking to the press since high school, it’s 60 years of making statements. And I haven’t always succeeded. And Sunday was one of those nights,” Abdul-Jabbar said Monday on SiriusXM NBA Radio, referring to comments he had made at Crypto.com Arena before the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets.

“I didn’t mean to criticize LeBron in any way. He’s done a lot for the African-American community and for basketball. We may not always agree, but I want to sincerely apologize to LeBron and make it clear. I have great respect for him.” And if he can accept that, I will be very happy.”

James, who missed Sunday’s loss with a sore left ankle and will miss Tuesday’s Lakers game at Phoenix with the same injury, has not been made available to reporters by the Lakers since Abdullah’s comments. Jabbar.

Abdul-Jabbar’s two main points of contention with James were a dance the 19-year veteran used earlier in the season, popularized by former NBA All-Star Sam Cassell, which the NBA has deemed obscene and will fine players. players for using it, and an Instagram post by James suggesting he was confused by the difference between the common cold, the flu and COVID-19.

“Some of the great things he’s done, he’s standing on both sides of the fence almost, you know? It’s hard for me to accept that when he’s committed to a different vision of everything,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “It’s hard to find out where he stands. You have to check it every time.”

James is just 1,326 points shy of overtaking Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading scorer, a record the retired center has held for nearly 38 years, some fans on social media have surmised.

He was gracious when asked about James’ scoring pursuit Sunday and reiterated that stance with SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“I think if he stays healthy, he has every chance of breaking the record,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “It’s a marathon race. It’s not a sprint. And it’s very close. So I hope he achieves everything he wants to achieve because the accolades he’s gotten throughout his career are well deserved and absolutely something he’s earned.”