Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers To Erect a Statue In His Honor
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The erection of the NBA's all- time leading scorer will debut during the 2012-13 season at the famed Staples Center.
Abdul-Jabbar has scored more points in the history of the NBA, a career total of 38,387 points during his 20 year career and is listed as the second baller to play the most games ever, a record-breaking 1,560. He has won five NBA championships with the Lakers out of a total of 6 NBA titles, and three of his six MVP titles were with the Los Angeles team. The Hall of Famer is considered the best center in NBA history.
Despite the career highs, a statue of fellow former Lakers player Jerry West was erected before him and Abdul-Jabbar expressed his disappointment to the media at the time. West's statue was unveiled during the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend.
"I don't understand (it). It's either an oversight or they're taking me for granted," Abdul-Jabbar reportedly told The Sporting News. "I'm not going to try to read people's minds, but it doesn't make me happy. It's definitely a slight. I feel slighted."
Abdul-Jabbar became a Special Assistant Coach for the Lakers in 2005 His position with the team ended during the 2010-2011 season.
John Black, the Lakers spokesman told The Sporting News that Abdul-Jabbar would be the next player to receive a statue in his honor not long after the remarks.
The Staples Center has five statues of notable sports figures: West, Magic Johnson, broadcaster Chick Hearn, hockey player Wayne Gretzky and boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
A date has not been announced for unveiling of a statue in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's likeness.
