Kareem Abdul-Jabbar apologizes to LeBron: ‘It wasn’t my intention to criticize’

Simply days after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stated Lebron James has performed issues which can be “beneath him” and that he ought to “be embarrassed by” different issues he’s performed, Abdul-Jabbar issued an apology and clarified his earlier feedback in regards to the Lakers’ star.

Abdul-Jabbar made his preliminary feedback through the Los Angeles Lakers’ sport in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The six-time NBA champion was in attendance to current Carmelo Anthony with the NBA’s inaugural Social Justice Champion Award.

Sports activities Illustrated experiences that the six-time MVP spoke on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday and stated that generally he can get issues improper.

“I’ve been speaking to the press since highschool, that’s 60 years of creating statements,” Abdul-Jabbar stated, by way of ESPN. “And I haven’t at all times gotten it proper. And Sunday was a type of nights.

“It wasn’t my intention to criticize LeBron in any manner. He has performed a lot for the Black neighborhood in addition to for the sport of basketball. We might not at all times agree, however I need to wholeheartedly apologize to LeBron and make it clear to him that I’ve great respect for him. And if he can settle for that, I’ll be very glad.”

Abdul-Jabbar additionally despatched an electronic mail to the Los Angeles Occasions on Sunday sharing his ideas on James as an activist and why he was so crucial of James.

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR CRITICAL OF LEBRON JAMES, EXPLAINS REMARKS

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw through the sport in opposition to the Detroit Pistons on November 28, 2021, at Staples Heart in Los Angeles, California.
(Adam Pantozzi/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs)

“LeBron [James] continues to be the daunting hero I described two years in the past,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “He’s nonetheless a serious drive in bettering lives within the Black Group. He’s nonetheless one of many biggest basketball gamers in historical past. He’s nonetheless a person who has earned the overwhelming admiration of thousands and thousands. And every single day he goes out and proves why he deserves that admiration.

“Every now and then I’ve chided LeBron after I thought he was dropping the ball when it got here to supporting the neighborhood. However I did so within the spirit of a loving older brother providing steerage, whether or not needed or not. So, after I stated that he has performed some issues he ought to be embarrassed about, that wasn’t a slam or a barb or perhaps a finger wag, it was me recapping a few of what I’d stated previously.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives at WE Day California at The Discussion board on Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Inglewood, Calif. 
(Picture by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

The Lakers (31-48) had been formally eradicated from NBA playoff competition Tuesday following a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns. 

James didn’t play in Sunday’s sport attributable to soreness in his left ankle, and he missed Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Suns.

Comply with Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.

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