Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

by Achilles on Mar 25, 2008 3:32 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 16 comments

With his performances in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, Kevin Love cemented his inclusion in the discussion of great UCLA centers. Of course, that discussion includes Hall of Famer Bill Walton and begins with the greatest college basketball player of all time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

This month in SLAM Magazine , Dave Zirin reminds us that Kareem - then known as Lew Alcindor - was more than just a great player on the court. He was also a brave and principled man off the court.

Though all of our focus is on the upcoming game with Western Kentucky, we pause a moment to reflect on our championship legacy and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

~~~

SLAM Magazine does many things well and a few not so well.

One of the best things they do - or have - or whatever - is run Dave Zirin's brilliant Louder Than a Bomb Column. Zirin - a journalist, author, blogger - writes about hoops and culture. His work, like his book about Muhammad Ali , takes no prisoners, offering smart (street smart, intellectual smart, just plain smart), tough takes about life and sport.

Unfortunately, one of the things SLAM doesn't do so well is get their website in line with their print magazine. Both are a worthwhile read, but (I'll get to the friggin' point now) Zirin's column is either non-existent online or so hard to find it might as well be.

Which makes it tough to blog about, since blogging sort of has a link-to-the-story mandate.

So, I've never blogged about Zirin before.

This time is different.

In the May 2008 issue (SLAM has a problem with dates, too, since it's only March 22 and I've had the issue for a week) Zirin's Louder Than a Bomb column is about one of Bruins Nations' own, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The column is titled, The Weight. It begins like this:

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the incendiary 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. These games are etched in our collective consciousness by track stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos and the immortal black-gloved fists they raised to the heavens. But the '68 Games was more than a moment; it was a movement called the Olympic Project for Human Rights. It was also a movement `called the Olympic Project for Human Rights. It was also a movement that involved the finest basketball player on earth. His name was Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor. The goal of OPHR and Lew Alcindor was nothing short of organizing every African-American athlete to boycott the 1968 Olympics, as a defiant act of anti-racism.

Zirin's piece continues, outlining the OPHR's goals. My own disinterest in typing out the entire article (remember: no link that I can find) - not to mention some pesky copyright laws preclude me from presenting the whole story. In a nutshell, the organization's mission was to not allow the United States to exploit "a few so-called Negroes" in the Olympics, only to have them return to a nation that oppresses them due to the color of their skin. There's much made of race traitors and racist whites.

Zirin continues:

This is what Alcindor signed on to, with the same calm demeanor and fierce courage he displayed on the court., even though he had everything to lose. "Big Lew" was the most prominent college athlete in the US, the center for John Wooden's dynastic UCLA Bruins teams. He was in the middle of an unprecedented run where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four for three years in a row. His size, agility and grace forced the NCAA to outlaw dunking. Alcindor was expected to lead the '68 Olympic Team to Gold. He joined the Black Athletes revolt instead. As he said to Sports Illustrated "I got more and more lonely and more and more hurt by all the prejudice and finally I made a decision ... I pushed to the back of my mind all the normalcies of college life and dug down deep into my black studies and religious studies. I withdrew to find myself. I made no attempt to integrate. I was consumed and obsessed by my interest in the black man, in Black Power, black pride, black courage. That, for me, would suffice. I was full of serious ideas. I could see the whole transition of the black man and his history. And I developed my first interest in Islam."

DZ writes that Alcindor spoke at the first OPHR conference and that the UCLA student recounted how even though he was a big basketball hero, he was almost shot and killed by a racist cop in Harlem during the summer. Zirin reveals that the boycott fell apart and that is why our memory of those games is that of Lee and Smith standing on the victory platform, with their black-gloved fists raised during the playing of the U.S. national anthem.

But the man who would eventually change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stuck with his principles and refused to play in Mexico City - Zirin says that Lee and Smith had "a 7-2 ally standing with them." Kareem would, as we all know, would go on to become one of the greatest, maybe the greatest, NBA player of all time, with a fistful of World Championship rings, a mantel full of MVP trophies and more points than anyone else ever scored. The four-letter-network recently named him the greatest college basketball player of all time. He's now an author of history books (his latest is called On The Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance.

Zirin concludes with this, a sentiment I couldn't express better myself:

On this, the 40th anniversary of 1968, we should proudly stand on the shoulders of Kareem and this forgotten example of an athlete who put principle before glory. One thing about standing on Kareem's shoulders: We know he can take the weight.

~~~

Keep your browser aimed at Bruins Nation all week for our continuing coverage of the Bruins quest for Banner 12.

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Thank You So Much, Achilles

What an astounding, courageous man.

I have a large photo of him on my office wall, circa '66, purchased for me by my husband because he knows that I have admired him for most of my life as an example of strength, skill, bravery, and most of all, intelligence.

A tmely piece about this amazing person--thank you, again.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 25, 2008 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kareem and UCLA

I would say "the face of UCLA," but personally I think the standout image of UCLA is that of Lew and Coach W with the champ net hanging on Lew's neck. Kareem is a true treasure, and I feel fortunate just to see him on campus for the various events he attends. His recent book is well-written, interesting, and intelligent--no surprise. I highly recommend it.

On the lighter side of things--anyone see him on the Colbert Report last week? Absolutely RANDOM cameo in which he plays Colbert's stage manager. Gotta love it!

by jjreicher on Mar 25, 2008 7:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: SLAM mag

"SLAM Magazine does many things well and a few not so well."

I think SLAM is the best print publication on basketball. They have even better content on the web. A few years ago I came across the blog of one of their columnists (now become their editor I guess), Lang Whitaker. It's called THE LINKS and it still exists today. IMO he's one of the most thoughtful yet entertaining writers out there. I just finished reading this..check it out http://slamonline.com/online/2008/03/links-the-greatest-basketball-player-in-the-world/

And last time I checked they have a review on the UCLA dynasty video. I'll find it and post it here.

As for the print and web not in sync, well if everyone can get the content on the web, why sell the mag?

by lildre on Mar 25, 2008 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Incredible photo...

for an incredible person. One of my personal heroes. And I have to say, what a stunning contrast that our most famous, or one of our most famous, atheletic alumni is Kareem, while USC's is O.J. Simpson.

by bizzybruin05 on Mar 25, 2008 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kareem

stole my seat at the season-closing Cal game. They kicked me out of the end of the student section, saying that they sold 5 rows instead of 3, so they allowed me to stand in the aisles near midcourt (which was actually a much better seat). I turned later to see that my former seat was taken by Abdul-Jabbar.

Funny story, but a wonderful wonderful person. Absolutely the greatest college basketball player ever.

by lolwtferic on Mar 25, 2008 8:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One more thing.

I just watched College Gameday Scoreboard and Hubert Davis, when asked if he was calling for the upset, said that he was not, just saying that WKY was going to put up a good, close game.

Um, rewind a day or two back, Mr. Davis. Apparently, WWL lives in a world were opinion is a day to day matter.

by lolwtferic on Mar 25, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great story Achilles

The thing about the UCLA greats is that they were not only world-class athletes, but also world class role models. Kareem is right up there with Jackie Robinson and Arthur Ashe.

by Ajax on Mar 25, 2008 10:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UCLA Greats

Let's not forget Rafer Johnson also. SI sportsman of the year in 1960, Olympic decathlon champion, flame lighter at 84 Olympics, founder of So Cal Special Olympics, involved with People to People from initial stages, and inducted into World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. Also happened to play on UCLA 1960 basketball team for Coach Wooden.

I would put up Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe, Kareem, and Rafer Johnson against any other school's top 4. No contest. Go Bruins !!

by islandbruin on Mar 26, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he was Student Body President

He was the One-Man University.

by Fox 71 on Mar 26, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else see

Neu's interview with the boys on best damn, pretty smooth as usual. I just love hearing him talk about UCLA because you can just tell he so passionate about being home at his alma mater and being given another shot. I really think hes gonna do it the right way this time.

This was also after Salley created a enormously awkward moment by telling callapari to his face that his son looked like shrek, after the poor little tubster drills a free throw. I wish he'd take a shot at JC not his kid lol..

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 25, 2008 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kareem

My boyfriend is a hardcore of Kareem. He always likes Collecting anything about this man. Several days ago, when I wassurfing online, I stumbled across a deal about an autographed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jersey: http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=92970&ru=279 , I am planning to get one to send to my boyfriend as a gift. Huh! Thanks for sharing, Achilles!!!

by ppomyyout633 on Mar 26, 2008 3:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Incredible Individual

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with "Lewis" (as Coach Wooden was fond of calling him) several times when I was at UCLA. He was (and is) incredibly soft-spoken with reasoned, measured thoughts. One gets the sense that there is tremendous depth there.

To be chosen by any sports entity as the best of all time in college basketball is more than lofty. So many talented athletes let their skills carry themselves through life and rarely break out of that world. To transcend his incredible basketball greatness with the intellect, grace, and humility he has is nothing short of astounding.

Usually, when a school puts up one of those promos about alums, they tend to force some jock uncomfortably into the role of businessman or scholar or some other apres-sports-career role and it is an uncomfortable portrayal. With Kareem, it is clearly not.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 26, 2008 4:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Commercial for UCLA

with Kareem gives me goose bumps every time I see it.

Isn't it interesting that the 3 greatest big men in our history all are men of character, commitment and generosity?

Our giants do have strong shoulders and I am proud of all of them and the tradition they have created.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 26, 2008 5:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coach Wooden

In terms of what Kareem and Bill Walton have in common besides their UCLA degree and their basketball success, one obvious link is Coach Wooden.

It is truly amazing that Coach Wooden could bring in a kid from Harlem and a kid from San Diego with obviously very different personalities, and in his role as teacher, impart life lessons which Kareem and Bill Walton have taken to heart.

by islandbruin on Mar 26, 2008 5:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a wonderful story

Thanks for sharing this A.

by Nestor on Mar 26, 2008 4:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When you use the term...

... "student-athlete," can you think of ANYONE who embodies both terms better than Mr. Abdul-Jabbar?

A rule-defining, record-breaking competitor... a peaceful yet thought-provoking political activist... an experienced, generous coach and mentor... and a respected writer and historian.

I hope no one ever tries to compare our iconic, Mount Rushmore-level alums like Jackie Robinson, Rafer Johnson, Arthur Ashe, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to those of the institution across town.

The sudden drop in altitude could result in vertigo and heart palpitations requiring serious medical attention.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 26, 2008 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs