Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Awkward Moment for Lakers as Abdul-Jabbar Asks for Statue

Pool/Getty Images

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Feels Slighted on Not Having Statue

Here is the thing, the Lakers are wrong, but you never ask for a standing ovation for yourself. Allow me to explain.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently sat down with the Sporting News for an interview. It was then that he blasted the Lakers organization for their lack of acknowledgement of him.

He feels that it is high time he had his own statue outside of Staples Center. He stated the following in his interview.

I don't understand (it). It's either an oversight or they're taking me for granted. 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.

Somebody is not getting nearly enough hugs. Well, my arms are wide open Kareem. I will give you all the accolades in the world, but I guess your image delivering a sky hook outside Staples is all you want.

MUST READ: The 25 Hottest International Sports Fans

I agree that Abdul-Jabbar deserves recognition. He was a pivotal player in the Lakers history, but you never ask for recognition, that is your fan's job. You never toot your own horn.

The best part in all this is that he has been told that he is next in line. Lakers spokesman John Black told The Sporting News the following.

We've been at Staples Center 11 years and have two ex-players (Johnson and West) who have statues now. It's not like we do it every year; we have no timetable. Whenever we do the next statue of the third Los Angeles Lakers player, it (will be) Kareem -- and he has been told that.

You would have thought that the Lakers took his jersey from the rafters and burned it in effigy. I always figured that he would get recognition in statue form at some point, now I am not completely on his side.

I think the next Laker to go up should be Elden Campbell or Sedale Threatt, if only for the hilarity that would ensue. We love you Kareem, we just need you to calm down for one second.

Most recent updates:

Flag

Props (0)