Los Angeles Times (Sunday)

FINAL FAREWELL TO KAREEM IS A FITTING ONE

- BY SAM MCMANIS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 24, 1989 Editor’s note: Previously published content has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

You might remember Sunday, the finale of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s regular-season farewell tour, for the Rolls-Royce and other lavish gifts he was presented, the heartfelt speeches, or simply the touching sight of his Lakers teammates gently rocking him in a rocking chair during a musical interlude.

It all was so memorable, such a fitting and emotional tribute to the retiring Lakers center by his teammates, family and friends, coaches and management, as well as the 17,505 Forum fans to whom Abdul-Jabbar was the sole object of affection on this day.

But remember this too: It was not AbdulJabba­r’s final National Basketball Assn. game. That day will come sometime later this spring in the playoffs, when the Lakers will try to give Abdul-Jabbar another gift in the form of a seventh championsh­ip ring.

This disclaimer was duly noted by most of the speakers at Sunday’s ceremony, including Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and even broadcaste­r Chick Hearn.

And, as Abdul-Jabbar later said in a news conference: “This one, we knew was coming, formally. The next goodbye (will be) over and out. But it was nice to have this day.”

The Lakers, though their attention was diverted by the ceremony, made the most of it. They defeated the Seattle SuperSonic­s, 121-117, to finish the season with 57 victories and make Abdul-Jabbar’s day all the more memorable.

And in his 1,560th, and last, regular-season game, Abdul-Jabbar played 26 minutes, scored 10 points and had six rebounds. His last points came on a dunk off a Johnson pass. Thus, his NBA-record point total rests at 38,387.

The real purpose of the day was to salute Abdul-Jabbar’s 20 seasons in the NBA before Lakers thoughts become preoccupie­d with the playoffs, to present the emotional culminatio­n of a season of goodbye ceremonies.

Abdul-Jabbar, who has received a lot of gifts in recent months, was given a 1989 Rolls-Royce “Silver Spirit” from his teammates, a lighted tennis court to be installed at his home in Hawaii from Lakers owner Jerry Buss, and various other mementos and keepsakes.

Though unaccustom­ed to public displays of affection, Abdul-Jabbar seemed genuinely moved by the 45-minute pregame ceremony. His emotional layers were peeled away.

After Hearn introduced Al and Cora Alcindor, Abdul-Jabbar’s parents, and Kareem’s four children, the spotlight followed Abdul-Jabbar through a tunnel and onto the court.

Abdul-Jabbar raised his hands in acknowledg­ment, then sat in the rocking chair. The initial standing ovation lasted more than three minutes, Abdul-Jabbar shaking his head, smiling, looking up at the lights and making a brief swipe of his eyes with his right forearm.

That was followed by a rendition of the national anthem, sung by Abdul-Jabbar’s 8-yearold son, Amir. Later, Abdul-Jabbar would say that Amir surprised him a few days before by asking whether they would let him sing.

Hearn read a telegram by President George Bush, lauding Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplish­ments and his dedication in promoting literacy programs for youth.

Lakers Coach Pat Riley then talked about Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the team, about how he has served as a role model to Lakers players and coaches on and off the court. He read an open letter from the team to Abdul-Jabbar. “He is our mentor,” Riley said.

Then, as the players left the bench and circled the rocking chair, the song “That’s What Friends Are For” was played. While teammates tipped the rocking chair, Kareem took in the scene around him.

Near the end of the song, Abdul-Jabbar stood and was led by Johnson to a white RollsRoyce towed onto the court during the song. After hugging his teammates, Abdul-Jabbar opened the door and slipped behind the wheel.

Johnson then gave a simple but poignant tribute to Abdul-Jabbar. Pointing to the RollsRoyce, Johnson began:

“It’s definitely not enough. We should give you more than that. You’ve meant so much to all of us . . . . I’ve been fortunate to play 10 years with you. God has blessed me with the chance to get to know you, not only as a player but as a friend.

“I can remember when I was a snotty-nosed rookie. Not only did you wipe my nose clean, but you put me on the path to be not only the player but the man I wanted to be.”

Finally, 35 minutes after the ceremony began, it was Abdul-Jabbar’s turn to address the crowd. But not before yet another standing ovation, this one lasting more than three minutes.

Abdul-Jabbar raised his arms, then lowered his head, seemingly fighting back tears. As the ovation roared on, he curled under his lower lip and stared straight ahead as applause turned to chants of “Kareem, Kareem, Kareem.”

When the ovation finally died, Abdul-Jabbar thanked, among others:

His parents: “When your dad is a cop and your mom believes in what’s right and they set exacting standards for you, I’ve tried to live up to those. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.”

His children: “I’d like to thank these four little people over here because my relationsh­ip with them was not what it could have been because I had to step on this court. They never responded to anything but out of love and appreciati­on. I love you guys.”

Former UCLA Coach John Wooden: “He taught me a whole lot about becoming a man. Not just basketball, but about living your life.”

Teammates: “I think Mike Cooper and I go back the furthest, 11 years. This would be a very difficult life, if not for the people you work with. You guys (pointing to the bench) and the other guys I have played with, that’s what I’ll remember. I’ll never be able to work with people of that quality in a setting like we have here in the NBA.”

With typical equanimity, Abdul-Jabbar summed up his career and impending departure from basketball this way: “I don’t think I stayed too long, and I’m not leaving too early.”

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