Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticizes LeBron James, says he should be ’embarrassed’

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, talking earlier than the Lakers hosted Denver on Sunday afternoon on the unveiling of a social justice trophy bearing his identify, once more criticized LeBron James for actions he mentioned “had been beneath” James and mentioned the Lakers star ought to be “embarrassed” by among the issues he’s completed.

Abdul-Jabbar wrote critically earlier this season about James’ dealing with of COVID-19 in public feedback supporting Andrew Wiggins’ vaccine hesitancy and about James’ use of a meme equating COVID-19 to the widespread chilly and the flu.

He mentioned the criticism was born out of excessive expectations for James’ activism and the way he’s addressed problems with inequality “fairly forcefully and eloquently.” Whereas he’s met James, the 2 males have by no means spoken about activism or Abdul-Jabbar’s criticisms.

“I wouldn’t thoughts doing it if he would take the time. I undoubtedly bought the time,” Abdul-Jabbar mentioned of talking with him. “I like the issues that he’s completed which have gotten all our consideration. Sending a complete faculty to varsity? Wow. That’s wonderful. His thoughtfulness and willingness to again it up along with his pockets, you bought to provide him credit score for that.

“So I’m not throwing stones. I simply want he wouldn’t — you recognize, among the issues he’s completed, he ought to be embarrassed about. That’s simply the place I’m coming from.”

James was unable to play Sunday towards the Nuggets due to ankle soreness. He’s listed as everyday.

James declined to immediately deal with Abdul-Jabbar’s earlier criticism about his use of the Spider-Man meme with reference to COVID-19.

“No, I don’t have a response to Kareem in any respect,” James mentioned on Dec. 28. “And should you noticed the put up and also you learn the tag, you’re actually, actually asking, ‘Assist me out?’ Assist me type of determine all of it out. We’re all making an attempt to determine this pandemic out. We’re all making an attempt to determine COVID and the brand new strains and the flu, I feel folks forgot in regards to the flu. Individuals actually forgot in regards to the flu throughout these occasions. Like, that’s nonetheless going round. That is flu season. So folks have forgotten in regards to the flu. Individuals have forgotten about widespread colds. That occurs. Particularly with loads of our children which are in class. My daughter is in first grade so loads of these youngsters are getting widespread colds and getting the flu.

“However, no. I don’t have any response to Kareem. In any respect.”

The inaugural Social Justice Champion Award went to Carmelo Anthony in 2021. Sunday, the league unveiled the trophy, which Abdul-Jabbar impressed and helped design.

Abdul-Jabbar additionally took concern with James’ celebration in Indiana, which earned a $15,000 tremendous from the NBA for being “obscene.”

“I feel he has a lot going for him when it comes to respect and accomplishment and he shouldn’t stoop to these moments,” he mentioned.

James is presently chasing Abdul-Jabbar for No. 1 on the league’s all-time scoring listing, trailing him by 1,325 factors.

“I’m all for him doing it. There’s no envy there,” Abdul-Jabbar mentioned. “I simply — with the problems I used to be speaking about, issues that actually have an effect on the Black group, he ought to be cautious. That’s all I’m asking.”