Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered by many fans and sportswriters to be the greatest basketball player of all time. The 7-foot-2 Hall of Fame center, famous for his indefensible skyhook, dominated the NBA for 20 years, first with the Milwaukee Bucks then with the Los Angeles Lakers. Before that he was the star of the UCLA Bruins teams that won three consecutive NCAA championships. Kareem was the NBA's MVP six times, a 19-time all-star and set the NBA all-time records in nine categories. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points, a record that may never be broken.
Since retiring as a player in 1989, Kareem has balanced his love of basketball with his love of
history. In 2002 he led a USBL team, the Oklahoma Storm, to a championship. Since 2005, he has
been the special assistant coach for the Lakers, working with Andrew Bynum.
In 2008 he was chosen The Greatest Player in College Basketball History.
Kareem also remains intellectually active, authoring six bestselling history books intended to popularize the contributions of African-Americans to American culture and history. His books include "Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement"; "Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes"; "A Season on the Reservation," which chronicles his time teaching basketball and history on an Apache Indian reservation in White River, Ariz.; and the current New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller, "On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance."
His audio adaptation, "On the Shoulders of Giants: My Audio & Musical Journey through the Harlem Renaissance," is a four-volume compilation read by Bob Costas, Avery Brooks, Jesse L. Martin, and Stanley Crouch, and features private and fascinating conversations with dozens of icons, including Coach John Wooden, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones and Billy Crystal. He has also been written to L.A. Times, under the Sports section.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been appearing on various radio stations and TV shows, as well as the most relevant websites talking about his life and his new audio book, On the Shoulders of Giants.
All images are property of www.iconomy.com unless otherwise stated. All info copyrighted and owned by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not replicated without permission.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAP!!!!
Posted by: Mia | April 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM
how about some golf? come out to beautiful desert princess resort here in the desert and enjoy a couple of rounds....ask deborah for a reference!!!! norm lubke
Posted by: norm lubke | April 15, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I'd love to hear the story behind that photo of Kareem and Muhammad Ali. I've never seen it before.
Posted by: ttrentham | April 15, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Happy Bday! If you ever post a reply, that would bring great activity to your blog!
Posted by: Charles | April 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Happy Birthday Cap!
I wish you all the best.
Go Lakers!!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 15, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Hey Charles he replies to his fans, click on fan mail.
Thank you
Posted by: I. | April 15, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday from Jameson and I! We miss you in Playa del Rey.
Posted by: Kimberly Morris | April 15, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday from Jameson and I! We miss you in Playa del Rey.
Posted by: Kimberly Morris | April 15, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday! From A loyal Seattle Supersonic fan!
Save the Sonics!
P.S. I have never heard of Dragon Inn?
Posted by: Nicholas | April 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Kareem,
it a pleasure to work with you.
You are a truly inspiration.
I would like to wish you a happy birthday and all the happiness in the world!
Feliz Aniversario!
PS: for those of you whom would like to know... Kareem is a terrific boss too :)
Posted by: Isabel Brescovici | April 15, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Ive been a hugh UCLA fan since the Hazard days and a bigger Laker fan since the Baylor days. Thanks for everything! ESPN was right. A lot of people dont know that you were best NBA player ever, too. Nobody, not Wilt, Russell, MJ, Bird, Magic...nobody has as many NBA MVPs.
Thanks again.
Posted by: kparker | April 15, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Happy Birthday Kareem!
As a lifelong fan and professional drummer, I can't believe I've never seen this photo of you at the kit (sporting the traditional grip, no less!)
Joel
Posted by: joel | April 15, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Happy Birthday Kareem!
I want to offer you a free meal at my dad's restaurant in Oakland, Chinatown in California! if you're interested, here's the address:
New Oakland Seafood Restaurant
307 10th Street
Oakland, California 94607
Feliz Cumpliano Kareem!
Posted by: Anderson | April 15, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Happy Birthday Kareem!
Posted by: Rashad | April 15, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Happy Birthday Mr. Abdul-Jabbar! I hope you accomplish your birthday wishes.
Posted by: George | April 15, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Kareem, Happy Birthday from an LA resident in South America. I´m currently in Chile and will offer to pick you up from Santiago airport. You are more than welcome to stay at my family´s home in Valparaiso, Chile. The view of the Pacific Ocean from my family´s home is incredible. Aside from that, we can drive down to Viña del Mar to relax at the beach. You would love it here. I´ll be here for another ten days. I´ll be anxiously waiting for the call. People here are kind of short so I´ll need advance notice to book a limo or a tour bus. They have horse drawn carriages if you don´t mind. I can book one of those too.
Posted by: Richard Alvarez | April 15, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Happy Birthday Kareem !!
Your doin a great job with Bynum, can't wait till he comes back.
Posted by: sean dog | April 15, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Happy Birthday Cap!!!! Enjoy....
Posted by: complex brotha | April 15, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Happy Birthday To You Cap, may all your birthday wishes come true! It always picks me up to read your blog. Thanks for keeping it real!
Posted by: Native Bruin | April 16, 2008 at 03:51 AM
Happy Birthday Captain! Hope you have a great day! Sorry I can't help in making any of your birthday wishes you have listed come true. Take care!
Posted by: MOLaker | April 16, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Happy Birthday, Mr. Jabbar. I hope that all your wishes come true. Since you seem to enjoy nostalgia, I'll relate my memory of you.
I only met and interacted with you personally on one occasion. When you were a freshman, I encountered you in the company of Mel Farr in the billiards room in the Student Union at UCLA. While I was able to beat Mr. Farr in pool, I was not as lucky in my game with yourself. The most noteworthy memory of that game was that you did not seem to require the use of a bridge- no matter how far away the ball was.
Posted by: 66 & 74 | April 16, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Happy Birthday Kareem!
I wish you all the best for you and your family.
What do you think about Hakeem Olajuwon and his nomination for the hall of fame. You was his mentor in the past, what do you think about him and his career ?
Thanks
MARK
From FRANCE
Posted by: MARK | April 16, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Felicidades Kareem,
As a fellow Aries , I undertand your need to be near water. Estes Park, is a great place to travel the continental divide. Isabel Allende describes Valparaiso as a vibrant seaport city from which many traveled by ship to settle in San Francisco during the gold rush. I would not turn this offer down. Wish i could come along.
Posted by: Abogada Adelante | April 16, 2008 at 07:30 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAPTAIN!
ENJOY!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 16, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Happy Birthday, Cap!! I hope you have a great day.
You will write about your adventure on the Continental Divide Trail, won't you??
- Mike in S.D.
Posted by: Mike in San Diego | April 16, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Kareem,
I just stumbled onto your blog and I'm hooked! I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. I've always been a fan, even when you broke my heart as a boy in Philly! (oh those Sixers match ups were fun!)
I too am a drummer and LOVE that pic of you and Ali, just amazing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and again thanks for sharing all your valuable insights.
Your grace and integrity have always been much appreciated!
Posted by: Larry Aberman | April 16, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and all good things for the coming year,
Roberta (your UCLA pal)
Posted by: Roberta | April 16, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Happy Birthday wishes from your friends and fans in San Diego. It seems only fitting that after all the gifts you have provided to us through your basketball, activism, love of music and culture, and writing that we have a chance to thank you and wish you the very best. Happy Birthday Kareem!
Posted by: Rod Wade | April 16, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Happy Birthday to you, Kareem.
Hope to see you at St. Croix, The Caymans or Trinidad someday. It doesn't get any better than the Carribbean!
Great photo. For a shy guy, you certainly get around.
Love and Blessings.
Posted by: Carol | April 16, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Hau`oli la Hanau ~ Happy Birthday!
I hope all 3 wishes come true!!! Relax & enjoy your day!
Cassandra
Posted by: Cassandra | April 16, 2008 at 11:01 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREEM, HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY AND ENJOY YOURSELF
Posted by: TAMMY | April 16, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I.
Thanks for the info. I am on the Lakers blog if anything. Do you have a user name there?
Regards,
Posted by: Charles | April 16, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Happy Birthday to the still greatest ever. I know Chickie is smiling today as well.
Posted by: jay abramson | April 16, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Happy Birthday~!
Have a wonderful time enjoying your 3 wishes!
Gail and the crew
Posted by: Gail | April 16, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Happy b-day once and future Captain.
Posted by: Losdela | April 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!WISHING U ALL THE BEST
Posted by: alicia skeen | April 16, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Happy Birthday Kareem. I grew up watching you play, you're my dad's favorite (Next to Magic) and you're an all around good steward of the earth (and the Lakers). Hope you enjoy many more birthdays. You're a national treasure.
Posted by: Danielle Belton | April 16, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Happy Birthday, Kareem!
From a lifelong Celtics fan.
- BT
Posted by: Bill Tyrrell | April 16, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Kareem, happy birthday from a long time Milwaukee Bucks fan. Although it has been a long time ago, I hope you realize how much you meant to our franchise and the fans that were there at the start of your career. You will always be the best player we had and gave us so many thrills it would be difficult to name only few. Keep up the good work in your life, you will continue to impact many, many people in a positive way!!
Posted by: larry costello's yellow legal pad | April 16, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Happy birthday Mr. Abdul-Jabbar
From a good friend son from the Dominican Republic hope to see you soon in our country.wish nothing but the best and alot of health. too
Best Regards
Dempsey Gutierrez
Posted by: Dempsey | April 16, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I can't make any of your birthday wishes come true, but I still wish you the best birthday ever. Much Love and peace!
Posted by: Ingrid | April 17, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Kareem,
We are contemporaries. I never missed a game you played in that I could possibly see. You are the BEST player ever as well as a wonderful person and humanitarian. Thank you for the wonderful model you exemplify.
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories. I hope you had a wonderful birthday and I pray that you enjoy many more years of happiness and great health ~ David
Posted by: David Mayo | April 17, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Happy Birthday Kareem from the Continental Divide Trail Alliance!
We are so happy to hear of your birthday wish and that you would like to experience the CDNST in Colorado. We would love to help make that happen. Of course right now, the Trail is buried under snow, and it may be July until we can help make your wish come true, but we wouldlove to get you out to experience the CDNST in Colorado, or anywhere it traverses between Mexico and Canada!
Happy 61st Birthday and wishes for many many more!
Teresa Martinez
Field Operations Manager
Continental Divide Trail Alliance
303-838-3760
www.cdtrail.org
Posted by: Teresa Martinez | April 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
We share a birthday! So Happy Birthday to you, too!!
BAC
Posted by: BAC | April 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM
First off, I would like to say Happy belated birthday to the Greatest Basketball player of all times and also one of the worlds most influential people of all times. Many respects to you Kareem. I am one of many fans of yours and everytime I watch a Lakers game I still see you shooting the Skyhook. Thanks so much for all the Memories Kareem.
Sincerely Yours, William Herrmann of Clarksville,Indiana.
Posted by: William Herrmann | April 17, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Happy birthday, sir. I hope that it is a great one.
Posted by: Peter | April 17, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I hope you had a great birthday Kareem! I have a tremendous amount of repect for you and am glad to see you back with the Lakers and here with the LA Times.
Keep up all the great work.
Posted by: Paul Martinez | April 18, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Kareem, it has been a pleasure to work with you and see you rebound, shoot and re-score in such a tremendous way. Especially with such amazing presence these last few years. You and Deborah make an indomitable team in changing the world, making it a better place for all.
Here's to another phenomenal year, and many more ears for your ever-expanding voice.
Grace & Peace,,
ME
Posted by: Mark Alan Effinger | April 22, 2008 at 12:36 AM