Kareem handing ball to LeBronLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver looks on as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ceremoniously hands LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers the ball after James passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James will forever be linked after the latter broke the former’s NBA all-time scoring mark this season. However, it was hard to look past the fact that the two of them barely spoke to one another when the moment happened.

Jabbar, an NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend, recently discussed his relationship with James.

 

Basically, the two of them have no relationship.
“I’ve never had a chance to talk to LeBron other than two or three minutes,” Abdul-Jabbar told the Los Angeles Times. “There’s no animosity or resentment there at all. He’s done remarkable things. He deserves all the accolades, whatever it is, that he’s accomplished.

“We might get the chance [to speak]. I certainly wouldn’t be against it. As far as where his heart is and the things that he does, I’ve got nothing but admiration for him.”
James was asked about his relationship with the big man and he simply said: “No thoughts, and no relationship.”

Kareem has been critical of James at times, including last year when he referred to James’ celebration after hitting a three-pointer in overtime against the Indiana Pacers as “childish” and an act of “disrespect.” Around that same time, Abdul-Jabbar also took issue with James sharing a meme that suggested COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold were all the same thing.

Kareem may be willing to sit down and talk, but it remains to be seen if LeBron is willing to meet him halfway.

Abdul-Jabbar took part in a proverbial passing-of-the-torch moment by handing a basketball to LeBron at half-court after he broke his scoring record.

While Kareem made it clear that he knows things between him and James could be better, he also insisted that he was happy and honored to see LeBron break his record, which stood for nearly 40 years.

James secured his spot among the game’s all-time greats long before his impressive 20th campaign in the league.

Now we just wait and see if he will play a 21st season.