Kareem Abdul-Jabbar quotes - page 5

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest in NBA history. Renowned for his signature skyhook shot, he holds the record for most points scored in the league for many years. He has also become a prominent author, activist, and cultural ambassador beyond his athletic career. Here are 114 of his quotes:

I've had enough success for two lifetimes. My success is talent put together with hard work and luck.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The '80s made up for all the abuse I took during the '70s. I outlived all my critics. By the time I retired, everybody saw me as a venerable institution. Things do change.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

You got guys now declaring they're ready to play pro ball in their second or third year of high school. It's crazy! They're missing so much.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The first time I shot the hook, I was in fourth grade, and I was about five feet eight inches tall. I put the ball up and felt totally at ease with the shot. I was completely confident it would go in and I've been shooting it ever since.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

But people don't know if I can teach the game. I know I can. My experience in Oklahoma was positive. It opened my eyes to how the game is played -- the interaction among players, fans and media, how all that works. You have to know about the business of the game and how the actions of players and coaches affect the business. I think I have it down now.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

We want to show how hip-hop, which kind of fuels today's basketball stars, is directly related to jazz.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I'm the baddest among the bad guys.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I was getting hot flashes and sweats on a regular basis. That's not normal, even for my age.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I need about three seats lengthwise to sleep on a plane. It's not easy for me to curl up.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

You're never really cancer-free and I should have known that.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Elgin's game was an incredible performance, also. I don't think there's any comparison. Elgin did it without three-point lines. His game was attacking the hoop and hitting jumpers inside 20 feet. Kobe's range is unreal, and he does it his way.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I'm not comfortable being preachy, but more people have to start spending as much time in the library as they do on the basketball court. If they took to the idea that they could escape poverty through education, I think it would make a more basic and long-lasting change in the way things happen. When we set up unrealistic goals and then don't achieve them, that's another example of internalized defeat. What we need are positive, realistic ideas and the willingness to work. Hard work and practical goals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar