Kareem Abdul-Jabbar apologizes to LeBron James for critical comments

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time main scorer, issued an apology to LeBron James for feedback the Corridor of Famer made about him following a trophy unveiling for the league’s Social Justice Champion Award.

“All I’ve to say is that this: I used to be there to present Carmelo Anthony the Social Justice Champion Award. I’ve been speaking to the press since highschool. That’s 60 years of constructing statements. And I haven’t all the time gotten it proper. And Sunday was a type of nights,” he stated on Sirius XM NBA radio Tuesday.

“It wasn’t my intention to criticize LeBron in any means. He’s accomplished a lot for the Black neighborhood in addition to for the sport of basketball. We could not all the time agree, however I need to whole-heartedly apologize to LeBron and make it clear to him that I’ve large respect for him. If he can settle for that, I’ll be very joyful.”

Following a trophy unveiling bearing Abdul-Jabbar’s identify and a likeness of his palms on a basketball, Abdul-Jabbar elaborated on his written criticisms of James, predominately for points pertaining to COVID-19 and vaccination.

The Lakers entered the season as a totally vaccinated staff.

Following his feedback, Abdul-Jabbar tried to additional clarify his stance in a letter to The Instances, referencing an article he wrote for Sports activities Illustrated praising James as an advocate for social betterment.

“Within the two years since I wrote that, my respect and admiration has solely grown for LeBron as I watched him champion worthwhile causes whereas sustaining his standing as an elite athlete,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote in that letter. “As he closes is on my all-time scoring report, I’ve been a cheerleader urging him on, joyful to go the mantle to somebody so worthy as an athlete and an individual.”