Abdul-Jabbar To Magic: Obama's No "Rookie"

[jefferson_dem]

Abdul-Jabbar To Magic: Obama's No "Rookie"
January 22, 2008 03:30 PM

Unbeknownst to him, basketball legend-turned-author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was pulled into the 2008 campaign fray this week.

In a radio ad airing in South Carolina, Abdul-Jabbar's former teammate Magic Johnson endorses Hillary Clinton and suggests that her chief rival, Barack Obama, is an overreaching rookie.

"We won our first game on a last-second shot," the former L.A. Lakers point guard says in the ad. "I was so hyped. But the captain of my team said, 'Take it easy rookie, it's a long season, it's a long road to the championship.' He was right."

The team captain that Magic is referencing: Mr. Abdul-Jabbar, who told the Huffington Post that Magic has it wrong about Obama. "I don't think he's a rookie. He's served as a senator very capably, and he is very skilled in terms of his ability to organize and lead people. And that's what we need right now."

Abdul-Jabbar, who recently authored a book charting the lasting impact of the Harlem Renaissance, said he doesn't fault Magic Johnson for his endorsement. "Mrs. Clinton is not a bad choice, I just think Mr. Obama is the best choice."

But he noted, "Unfortunately, Mrs. Clinton has been at many times a divisive figure, and I don't think that's intentional on her part, but I do think that's the case."

Abdul-Jabbar's book "On the Shoulders Of Giants" addresses the legacy of key African American leaders (in a glowing book review, the Washington Post said the author had transitioned from "iconic professional athlete to astute cultural historian.") But he chose not to weigh in on the recent racially-loaded spats between Obama and Clinton.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/22/abduljabbar-to-magic-ob_n_82707.html

[LSparkle]

1. Slam dunk -- in yo' face!

Thanks, Kareem!

[Cha]

8. Too Cool, No? YES!

I always liked Kareem ..he was Lou Alcindor back when I was young:)

That quote by Magic Johnson needed to be answered from someone like Kareem..thank you!

[AtomicKitten]

24. booya!

upside the head

[Nailzberg]

2. Listen, Kid! I'm out there busting my buns every night.

Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.

[stevedeshazer]

5. LOL!

Nice Airplane! reset.

[Patsy Stone]

13. No kid, my name is Roger Murdock

[sniffa]

19. ........

:rofl:

Wonderful, post.

:post:

[NJObamaWoman]

3. Good...But I hope he continues by getting a Bird & Jordan

[SoxFan]

7. He already has Jordan

Jordan contributed to Obama's campaign last year.

I'm waiting for the Kevins (McHale and Garnett)...

[Nailzberg]

21. Michael likes Obama, too

Michael likes Obama too
Chicago Sun-Times, Mar 8, 2004 by Editorials

If anyone doubted the degree of enthusiasm that exists for the candidacy of Barack Obama, who has forged ahead in the polls in his bid to win the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, consider this: Michael Jordan contributed $10,000 to his campaign.
Advertisement

That's right, Michael Jordan, who has always been careful not to express any political views or come out on the side of any politician for fear of compromising his assets as a businessman, is supporting the state senator from Hyde Park. What's next, a pronouncement on Iraq?

One is tempted to say that Jordan, who has kept a pretty low profile lately, stepped into the political spotlight to draw some of that old attention to himself. More likely, he has been drawn to the smart, attractive, charismatic Obama the same way so many people are drawn to those qualities in Jordan. It's not difficult to envision Obama becoming a superstar in the Senate, and in even a higher office. But first things first. He has to show he can perform in the clutch, just as Jordan did so many times in tasting glory with the Bulls.

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. Kareem is one of my favorites

it's a crime, a FUCKING CRIME he can't get a job and is being blackballed from the NBA.

[catzies]

6. Agreed. He would have made a great head coach by now

Certainly better than Isiah Thomas, that's for sure.

/end threadjack

[Cha]

9. Why is he being blackballed?

:(

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. he wasn't well-liked by coaches or GMs while he was in the league

he had a reputation as a moody person - he was also very politically outspoken. Those types are a no-no in pro sports.

[Cha]

14. Thanks! Well, when one door shuts

..other opportunities come along..I see he's written an outstanding bookB-)

Abdul-Jabbar's book "On the Shoulders Of Giants" addresses the legacy of key African American leaders (in a glowing book review, the Washington Post said the author had transitioned from "iconic professional athlete to astute cultural historian.")

[MH1]

15. Sounds like a strong endorsement.

I'm not up on the latest with retired NBA stars - can Magic Johnson claim to be anything of a "cultural historian"? Or did you just illuminate why they support different candidates?

[Cha]

17. No, I was talking about what Kareem has

done since he's been "blackballed" by the NBA..see MagicRat's post above.

I wasn't comparing the two former basketball players. I like Kareem's choice and he made it clear that Obama is not a rookie.

If anything hilary is the rookie in the deportment department.

[JackORoses]

11. and Kareem nails her with the Sky Hook for old times' sake

;)

[Patsy Stone]

12. These two need to play a game of one on one

so we know who to vote for.

[Adelante]

16. OMG, that's a great idea!

What a relief that would be :toast:

[itsrobert]

20. Kareem keeps in fairly good shape

Magic not so much. I think Kareem could probably take him at this point.

[Patsy Stone]

22. I think

I'd pay money to see this.

[HamdenRice]

26. I think Magic's weight problems have to do with HIV meds

I vaguely recall he had one of those complications having to do with fat deposits.

Anyway, Kareem has always been an intellectual and Magic not so much, but a very nice guy.

Nevertheless, I give Magic a huge amount of political credit for coming out as HIV+ and playing in the Olympics. He was the Jackie Robinson of HIV+ people in some ways.

You don't have to be a genius to do the right thing.

BTW, Kareem lived in my neighborhood when I was a kid and he autographed my Cub Scout manual -- as "Lew Alcidor". He already indeed had the reputation of being introverted, and downright rude if we neighborhood kids asked for an autograph, making it all the more remarkable that one summer night when I ran into him in front of my house, he agreed to write it for me.

[H2O Man]

18. He is one

of the professional athletes that I have long had great respect for.

[johnnydrama]

23. it's funny

what did the rookie Magic do in the most important game of the year?

Take over, and almost single handidly win LA the championship.

Not the best analogy there Magic.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Colobo]

27. Kareem schools Magic.