Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made news Wednesday by complaining via Twitter that he's not being given a fair shake by NBA decision-makers. He wants to become a head coach, and he not only doesn't get interviewed for openings, but rarely even gets mentioned as a candidate by the quick-to-speculate media. Kareem has never been suggested a head coach candidate for any job in our vast considerations here on FanHouse, and a long ESPN.com story by J.A. Adande on Phil Jackson's potential successors eliminated Kareem from the outset.The tone of Kareem's comments make it sound as if he's owed an opportunity based on his status (top scorer of all-time, legendary player, smart-as-a-whip man). Is he? Does the NBA owe anyone a job?
I would argue that KAJ needs to be on a bench (he's a special assistant, not a bench assistant now) for a few years before he can start a real complaint campaign. But then you just point at Vinny Del Negro, and that argument's lost. Henry Abbott, in the above-linked TrueHoop analysis, argues that by whining Kareem shows he may not be the right guy for an NBA head coach gig, which is at least partially about inspiration and motivation. That sounds right, too.
The bare reality might be, however, that NBA general managers are intimidated by Abdul-Jabbar. He's an imposing figure, just as much mentally as physically. He is not a company man, or at least he has shown a resistance to following a party line ... even when it comes to discussing the development of Andrew Bynum, his student he has at time ripped publicly. Teams don't want their coach causing storms in the media in terms of internal drama -- fighting with players, fighting with management, fighting with the world. Proven coaches -- Jackson, Pat Riley -- get away with it, but it's human nature for people to want to surround themselves with agreeable people. (Hence, the Del Negro hire.) Kareem's has also always found himself on the short end of the stick in terms of fame. Kareem and Magic Johnson each had three MVP trophies with the Lakers, and KAJ played two more full seasons in L.A. than Magic. But Magic is Mr. Laker, and always will be. Kareem was known as a bit of dour, quiet man during Showtime's heyday, and that reflects on the attention he commands in retirement. Larry Bird has the same sort of stigma ... but Bird jumped into coaching almost immediately, not taking a decade-and-a-half off to experience the world in other ways. Bird's playing fame directly carried into his coaching career. Kareem's playing fame has faded with time, and there's no major groundswell of popular love behind him.
If KAJ did make an earnest effort to get a job, he'd get one within a few years. Heck, I know he'd get one before Patrick Ewing. But this isn't the right way to go about it going forward. We're all aware Kareem wants a job. It's up to him to turn that awareness into support.
LIVE: NBA Finals Game 6
Obama Gives Speech At Historic Landmark
Michael Hastings Dies In Car Crash At Age 33
Karzai Suspends Talks With U.S. Over Taliban Negotiations
Obama Defends NSA Programs
Report Highlights Climate-Poverty Link
House Passes Major Anti-Abortion Bill
Banks Caught In How Many Mortgage Settlement Violations?
GOP 2016 Contenders Test Swords In Immigration Debate
Food Stamps Mean $100 Million To Military Families
REPORTS: Patriots TE Questioned By Police In Murder Probe
GOP Education Fix Goes Too Far
Serena Makes Inflammatory Remarks About Steubenville Victim
'I Know Four People Who Have Been Shot'
House Committee Advances Immigration Bill Over Dem Objections
WATCH: FBI Releases New Video Of 2008 Times Square Bombing
Google Is Using The First Amendment To Push Back Against The NSA
Official Claims White House Wasn't Involved In IRS Scandal
Young Adults Want Health Insurance, Which Is Good News For Obamacare: Survey
4 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Attack On Afghanistan Air Base
Major City Closes In On Plastic Bag Ban
U.S. To Start Talks With Taliban
Huge Savings Predicted From Immigration Bill
Fineman: Bachmann's 'Got A Point' On Syria
Congressman To Challenge IRS In Court
Same-Sex Couples Face Significant Housing Discrimination, Historic Government Study Says
LOOK: Iran's New President Makes Important Statement In New Tweet
U.S. Companies Lobbying Furiously To Save Tax Loopholes
Mika Admits 'Hypocrisy' Over NSA Scandals
