Kareem disgusted he has no statue outside Staples Center.

[Isitjustme?]

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won five world championships as a Los Angeles Laker and remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer, believes the franchise owes him a statue outside Staples Center and feels "slighted" that it hasn't already happened.

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Michael Stewart/Getty Images
With a statue of his likeness yet to grace the outside of Staples, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says "it's either an oversight" or the Lakers are "taking me for granted."
There are five statues outside the arena recognizing Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky and Oscar De La Hoya. Abdul-Jabbar believes it's high time the Lakers do the right thing and make him the sixth athlete so honored.

"I don't understand (it). It's either an oversight or they're taking me for granted," Abdul-Jabbar told The Sporting News in a recent interview. "I'm not going to try to read people's minds, but it doesn't make me happy. It's definitely a slight. I feel slighted."

The six-time NBA MVP sounded even more offended in a statement released subsequently by his business manager.

"I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success," Abdul-Jabbar was quoted as saying. "I guess being the lynchpin for five world championships is not considered significant enough in terms of being part of Laker history."

Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA titles in all and was part of three NCAA championship teams during his reign of greatness at UCLA. His accomplishments also include selection to a record 19 NBA All-Star teams (he played in 18).

Lakers spokesman John Black indicated to The Sporting News that Abdul-Jabbar is next in line to get a statue outside Staples Center.

"We've been at Staples Center 11 years and have two ex-players (Johnson and West) who have statues now," Black said, according to TSN. "It's not like we do it every year; we have no timetable. Whenever we do the next statue of the third Los Angeles Lakers player, it (will be) Kareem -- and he has been told that.

"Again, we didn't say when that was going to be. It could be next year, the year after or several years from now."

Several weeks ago, the Boston Celtics announced that Hall of Fame center Bill Russell will be honored with a statue in the city of Boston -- more than 40 years after his playing days for the Celtics ended.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6563112

[Isitjustme?]

Five rings and three MVP awards as a Laker. Kinda fucked up he even has to say anything.

[BlackSwordsMan]

After the skunker lakers laid on 5/4/11. Staples center is trying hard and away to distance itself from the lakers right now

[LnGrrrR]

lol Russell envy

[HarlemHeat37]

I wouldn't be surprised if they give one to Kobe and Bynum before him:lol..

:lol Jerry West having a statue..

[The Gemini Method]

Even De La Hoya has a statue before Kareem...Don't know how that has happened.

[ChrisRichards]

Kareem is a douchebag and has the personality of a wood that's whay he doesn't get the same amount of love West and Magic gets.

[ChrisRichards]

Even De La Hoya has a statue before Kareem...Don't know how that has happened.
Well now that's fucked up. I can see Gretzky having one before Kareem but Dela Hoya?:lol

They'd probably get Jack Nicholson a statue before they give one to Kareem lol.

[Giuseppe]

After the skunker lakers laid on 5/4/11. Staples center is trying hard and away to distance itself from the lakers right now

The Skunker!!!

[Isitjustme?]

De La Hoya is a beaner. LA is filled with beaners. Theres your explanation.

[lefty]

Kareem is a douchebag and has the personality of a wood that's whay he doesn't get the same amount of love West and Magic gets.

Because Magic is not a douche?

Fuck that hypocrit

[baseline bum]

De La Hoya is a beaner. LA is filled with beaners. Theres your explanation.

By that logic Lew should have had one years ago since LA is filled with douchebags.

[symple19]

He deserves one, but crying about it makes him the doucher of the week, imo

[baseline bum]

I seriously had to double check that this wasn't an onion article or something with Lew talking about how offended he is.

[picc84]

Just Kareem being Kareem tbh.

He's right though. Even if he is an old fart.

And :lol at :lol 'ing at the Logo of the NBA having a statue.

[Isitjustme?]

Outside of the first 200 rows of seats during any lakers game the crowd is loaded with beaners. They probably love seeing one of their own on the way into the stadium. Surpised there isn't a Fernando Valenzuela statue out there as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3790545703_39c4821ce0_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4710829541_5f6feba60f_z.jpg
http://images.quickblogcast.com/3/9/4/9/9/210012-199493/lakerswin.jpg?a=41

[Isitjustme?]

By that logic Lew should have had one years ago since LA is filled with douchebags.

Excellent point sir. I cede to your greatness.

[The Gemini Method]

Most Mexicans shunned De La Hoya--unless you're referring to the homogonized coconuts...(brown on the outside; white on the inside...) the Oscar statue doesn't reflect the true opinion of the Mexicans.

Scottie Pippen got his statue before Kareem did...though, Scottie's is more a bust.

[ChrisRichards]

Because Magic is not a douche?

Fuck that hypocrit
Magic is a douche too but he has great people skills. You know he's a BS'er but you'll end up liking him because he has that Magic smile.

http://sportsdesignblog.typepad.com/.a/6a01127953797128a40120a5e48d0c970b-300wi

[lefty]

Magic is a douche too but he has great people skills. You know he's a BS'er but you'll end up liking him because he has that Magic smile.

http://sportsdesignblog.typepad.com/.a/6a01127953797128a40120a5e48d0c970b-300wi

He does have charisma

[HarlemHeat37]

Jerry West's entire legacy = how great it is to be White, tbh..

[lefty]

I seriously had to double check that this wasn't an onion article or something with Lew talking about how offended he is.

Me too :lol

[Giuseppe]

Jerry West's entire legacy = how great it is to be White, tbh..

Har

[TD 21]

Jerry West's entire legacy = how great it is to be White, tbh..

Nowitzki is no different. Neither is Nash, Love, etc. The only high level white player in recent history that I can think of who's not only not overrated, but probably underrated, is Stockton. Gasol is arguable. He's been, at times, overrated and underrated.

Abdul-Jabbar is absolutely right to feel slighted. He's arguably the second greatest player ever and yet you don't hear much about him. He should have had a statue built shortly after the Staples Center opened.

[JoeTait75]

Maybe they should build a statue of him outside the Bradley Center or the old Mecca to assuage his ego.


The only high level white player in recent history that I can think of who's not only not overrated, but probably underrated, is Stockton.

Mark Price is underrated.

[lefty]

Maybe they should build a statue of him outside the Bradley Center or the old Mecca to assuage his ego.



Mark Price is underrated.

Not to Pat Riley : " Price is probably 1 of the 3-5 players in the L who can change the course of a game "

[baseline bum]

Jerry West's entire legacy = how great it is to be White, tbh..

There's some truth to that. I couldn't believe it when I saw him get cheered in the intro to GAME 7 OF THE FINALS in fucking New York. It wasn't a Laker crowd, as they booed the hell out of Wilt and every other Laker in the starting lineup.

[jacobdrj]

I thought it was a religious respect/fear thing. I know in most ME religions, images or forms of people are expressly forbidden, and perhaps Staples management just didn't want to deal with the possible South Park-like repercussions...

[hater]

:lmao lakerfans living in the past

[InTheCrust]

I thought it was a religious respect/fear thing. I know in most ME religions, images or forms of people are expressly forbidden, and perhaps Staples management just didn't want to deal with the possible South Park-like repercussions...

funny thing is..... statues and all other immortalizations of the like are forbidden in islam.... :lol

kareem needs to study

[TheManFromAcme]

funny thing is..... statues and all other immortalizations of the like are forbidden in islam.... :lol

kareem needs to study


good point :tu

totally slipped by me that KAJ is muslim

[Fpoonsie]

He deserves one, but crying about it makes him the doucher of the week, imo

Mother. fucking. this.

[JayTheClown]

funny thing is..... statues and all other immortalizations of the like are forbidden in islam.... :lol

kareem needs to study

I believe statues of religious idols (Muhammad, Jesus (who is a Prophet in Islam), Moses, etc...) are illegal in Islam. In Iraq (a Islamic country) there was a statue of Saddam Hussein for a while right? Unitil it was brought down.

[DMC]

I believe statues of religious idols (Muhammad, Jesus (who is a Prophet in Islam), Moses, etc...) are illegal in Islam. In Iraq (a Islamic country) there was a statue of Saddam Hussein for a while right? Unitil it was brought down.
Saddam wasn't a Muslim until 1999. The statue is older.

Even then he claimed to be a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad.

Also, I believe it's only against their religion to keep one inside their homes or to manufacture it themselves. This is any sculpted image. Supposedly the maker will be required to bring it to life in the next realm, aka fucked.

[ALVAREZ6]

Pretty damn pathetic being a grown ass man and NBA legend begging and crying over a statue. His playing history should be enough fulfillment for him, yet he's crying that they haven't honored him with a meaningless statue even though he's been told it will be done. Definition of an insecure, pussy ass fuck who is left with nothing better to do with his life.

[Isitjustme?]

Anyone catch this little emo tweet from a few days ago?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5742038777_62b56bf96b_b.jpg

[ALVAREZ6]

Anyone catch this little emo tweet from a few days ago?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5742038777_62b56bf96b_b.jpg

:cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry

[Pelicans78]

Having statues for religious purposes is forbidden in Islam. Also, statues are kinda taboo in general in Islam. Not sure why Kareem feels the need to have one.

[IronMexican]

Kareemo

[benefactor]

Kareemo
rofl