I don’t get a big charge out of being the leading scorer. The object of competing is winning. I just try to do what has to be done for us to win. That might be anything at the time – defense, rebounding, passing. I get great satisfaction out of being a team player.
People still cheat on their wives, that hasn’t fallen out of fashion. We all speak of it badly, but it has not fallen out of fashion.
If they took the idea that they could escape poverty through education, I think it would make a more basic and long-lasting change in the way things happen. What we need are positive, realistic goals and the willingness to work. Hard work and practical goals.
I expect more people from China and Asia to end up in the NBA.
In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There’s so much more to the story.
I think Kwame will be an asset to the Lakers.
I’ve always tried to stay out of the fray and not be an object of controversy.
I’m the baddest among the bad guys.
LeBron James can get a shot off under any and all circumstances and he makes them.
I’ve never been a person to share my private life, but I can help save lives.
The constant expansion has diluted the talent. Other than that, it’s still the same game.
When I was a kid, no one would believe anything positive that you could say about black people. That’s a terrible burden.
The disconnect lasted too long. I think people got the idea I was sullen and couldn’t communicate, which wasn’t true.
The Lakers fans have been great, even folks in the supermarket are welcoming me back!
The Lakers were able to maintain a certain level of talent and success, and so were the Celtics. It became part of people’s sports lore.
Even when there are adverse circumstances, I try to do my job. And I usually do.
Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they are executed.
I think I really benefited from going to college.
I think a lot of people, if they get the opportunity to do some acting, they think, ‘I might be a star.’
I’m still my parent’s child, I’m still me, but I made a choice. I evolved into Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I think it has to do with evolution.