Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Forced To Backtrack After Latest LeBron James Comments Blow Up

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has come out and clarified his stance on LeBron James after his recent remarks about the NBA megastar went viral.

In fact, Los Angeles Lakers legend Abdul-Jabbar says he wants to go one step further and sit down with LeBron to hash it out.

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On hand to present Carmelo Anthony with the first-ever Social Justice Champion award, Abdul-Jabbar was taking questions from reporters when he was asked about where LeBron's legacy stands amongst the other pioneers of the sport.

And while he did praise LeBron for his work off the court with various charities and social justice campaigns, Abdul-Jabbar did mention that there was a few things LeBron has done which have rubbed him the wrong way.

"I admire the things that he's done that have gotten all our attention," he said.

"Sending a whole school to college? Wow. That's amazing. His thoughtfulness and willingness to back it up with his wallet, you got to give him credit for that. So I'm not throwing stones. I just wish he wouldn't - you know, some of the things he's done, he should be embarrassed about. That's just where I'm coming from."

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In particular, it appears LeBron's comments regarding the Covid-19 vaccine is what the NBA's all-time leading point-scorer is referring to - something LeBron has come under fire for in the past too.

"Some of the things he's done and said are really beneath him, as far as I can see," Abdul-Jabbar added

"Some of the great things that he's done, he's standing on both sides of the fence almost, you know? It makes it hard for me to accept that, when he's committed himself to a different take on everything. It's hard to figure out where he's standing. You've got to check him out every time."

Unsurprisingly, Abdul-Jabbar's remarks blew up online, forcing the Hall of Famer to come out and issue a response of his own.

"Today a reporter asked me a question about LeBron James and I regret my off-handed response which has been blown out of proportion," he tweeted.

"For years I've expressed my deep admiration and respect for LeBron as a community leader and athlete. That hasn't changed and never will."

After receiving his award from Abdul-Jabbar, Anthony said the two basketball greats should meet up and settle their differences away from the public eye.

"That's two grown men - two powerful black men getting in a room together and talking and speaking and putting things on the table, however anybody feels," Anthony said.

"In our community, we need those tough conversations. We need those uncomfortable conversations. If Kareem wants to sit down and talk, if LeBron wants to sit down and talk, that's a conversation that needs to be had."

Abdul-Jabbar was down for it.

"I wouldn't mind doing it if he would want to take the time," he said.

"I've definitely got the time."

Topics: Basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, lebron james, Australia