Being the second most productive scorer in NBA history at present, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn’t resentful or upset that LeBron James eclipsed his all-time scoring mark recently.
Abdul-Jabbar expressed, following the game, “An achievement holds little value if one used the careers of fellow players merely as a means to elevate oneself. My focus was always on striving to excel and contribute as a valuable team member. The scoring milestones—and ultimately the record—were simply a consequence of that mindset.”
“I believe LeBron operates with a similar approach,” he added.
Abdul-Jabbar even rectified his former teammate Magic Johnson’s assumption that it would be a “difficult truth to accept” once James achieved the feat.
He stated, “Magic’s perception was off the mark. I hold no grudge against him for presuming I might be perturbed, given how fiercely competitive I used to be.”
These days, the ex-Laker’s priorities have shifted significantly, as he sought to clarify:
“The primary reason I’m not deeply concerned about my record being surpassed: my focus has shifted from my basketball legacy to my societal impact,” Abdul-Jabbar remarked.
“I’m not pursuing the creation of a vast financial empire; instead, I contribute through writing pieces in defense of democracy and supporting marginalized communities. (Possibly the riches will follow eventually with a particularly exceptional article.) I’m also heavily invested in my charitable organization, the Skyhook Foundation, providing underprivileged children with immersive STEM education experiences in the Angeles National Forest for a week. These, along with my family, are where my efforts lie. (Oh, and did I mention, I’m 75 years old!)”
Image Source: LeBron James @ Instagram
