During the NBA's slow days of summer, Mirror Mirror examines the connections between hoops stars and similarly-named figures of historical note.No NBA center broke more barriers than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. (Well, except for Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Scot Pollard.) Similarly, no '80s female pop singer broke more barriers than Paula Abdul. (Well, except for Madonna, Whitney Houston and that lady from Lipps, Inc.)
Eh, let's cut the crap: this Mirror Mirror is based on Google Trends. (It was this or a Rick Bayless/Jerryd Bayless Top Chef mash-up.) Andy Warhol would have done it, too. (Well, probably not, but whatever.) Paula Abdul and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, after the jump.
References: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's invaluable Twitter account; Paula Abdul's invaluable Twitter account; Ryan Seacrest's invaluable Twitter account; The Soup, without which I'd have little idea Paula still existed; Forum Blue & Gold, without which I'd have little idea Kareem still existed; Airplane!, of course; the video for Rush Rush, of course (no fear, Keanu!); the city of Los Angeles, for bestowing such wondrous creatures on us (which almost makes up for ruining Planet Earth in myriad other ways).
Photo of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's rad Native American jacket via a screenshot found at Straight Bangin'. All other photos from Getty Images.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Two KAJ posts in one day?
Check out the hook while TZ revolves it.
This is a Paula Abdul post, Kareem is just a throw in! Though Paul Abdul is just another kind of cute, kind of loveable seeming, show girl, singer, dancer. Kareem really WAS a major break thru for big men. My encyclopedia lists, among the giants of history, Long Mores, 6`10 1/2. I don`t consider folks healthy and small enough to be Nba/Wnba all stars giants. Just very tall people. Giants are much hated. We still need an giants lib organization. Kareem was a good blend of Wilt and "Russ`s" style, on and off court, except for his migranes. The physical pain led to frustration, which led to violence, which was inexcusable, which led him to seek peace/islam, and fortunately, not submission/islam. He continued to be a Titan/Striver, fortunately. Wilt was ordered to submit. He compensated off court. "Russ" was better coached, he was encouraged to compensate ON court. Wilt usually led the Nba in FG%. He shot TOO LITTLE. Not too much. I don`t blame Kareem for the fits of violence I think were caused by physical pain. Perhaps I should. He was certainly intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful (and still is!), like "Russ", the little quipper (who still is!), and Wilt, the big stammeror who tried to be an encyclopedia set. Wilt was forced out of work by a legal suit. The judge should have ruled Wilt should have worked until the matter has finished being adjudicated. Kareem was still a decent starter on a very good team in his 20th season, Wilt should have worked at least 6 or so more seasons, about 20 total, as well. The Lakers owner may have merely wanted his star back, which he didn`t get. But it was typical of the bigotry against giants, men, blacks, etc., that folks feel they are too uppity and want to break them. They get less respect than they deserve. In the media, so do women. They are considered little more than decorations all too often. Like Paula Abdul is often considered just a cute piece of, um, fluff. That`s an Aol acceptable word, not the real one, but folks know that one, don`t they? So yes, there is more than Lakers and name comparison between Abdul-Jabbar and Abdul. The historical giant Jabbar named himself in part after was more like 9 than 7 feet tall. Kupchak, Johnson, Cleamons, Jabbar, and others would possibly be good coaches. Kareem would also be a good Western swing Sax and Flute player. Wilt only won 2 championships, one for Philly while he lived in New York, and one for Los Angeles, but if Auerbach had gotten him straight out of high school, like he publicly admitted he wanted to, and if Auerbach had still traded the rights to Cliff Hagan for "Russ", Wilt might have added "Russ`s" 11 championships to his 2, and played 5 more seasons, which would be in addition to the 6 more seasons Kareem worked. Or what it Wilt had signed with the Knicks right oout of the Rucker, right out of high school, in `55, and teamed with their all pro 6`6 center, Harry Gallatin? Think that might have made a difference? How many championshps have the Knicks won without Wilt? In the entire team history! Two? Maybe that makes the media who loved to hate Wilt the losers, not him. Doubt Kareem, Paula, and I will work together in their next gigs, but I wish them respect, and well.