LOS ANGELES — The relationship between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James has been complicated. On Sunday, with Abdul-Jabbar in town to present Carmelo Anthony with the NBA’s inaugural Social Justice Champion award, it continued to be.
Addressing reporters after a brief ceremony, Abdul-Jabbar praised James’s efforts in the community—specifically citing the hundreds of students James has sent to college on full scholarships through his “I Promise” school in Akron, Ohio—but reiterated his position that James needs to do more.
“I admire the things that he’s done that have gotten all our attention,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “Sending a whole school to college? Wow. That’s amazing. His thoughtfulness and willingness to back it up with his wallet, you got to give him credit for that.”
