He is an NBA legend. A guy far too often overlooked when the discussion turns to the greatest players of all time — six titles, six MVPs, 19 All-Star appearances, and he’s scored more points than anyone in the history of the game. Off the court, he’s been a historian of the game, as well as a noted voice speaking about race issues and being a Muslim in America.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also is in the hospital right now. From a press release via the UCLA Medial Center.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this week with cardiovascular disease, and he underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery on April 16. The operation was performed by Dr. Richard Shemin, UCLA’s chief of cardiac surgery.
Shemin said the surgery was successful and he expects Abdul-Jabbar to make a full recovery....He asks that you keep him in your thoughts and, most importantly, cherish and live each day to its fullest.
He asks that you keep him in your thoughts and, most importantly, cherish and live each day to its fullest.
Kareem, 68, was born in New York but came West to play for the legendary John Wooden at UCLA. Then going by Lew Alcindor, his impact on the college game was so large the NCAA banned dunking for a few years because of him.
So Kareem developed the “sky hook” — the single most iconic shot in the history of the game.
He is in our thoughts, and we can’t wait to see him back around the game soon.
