I am a huge fan of the Kareem/Magic era Lakers. I have read both of Kareem's autobiographies, Magic's autobiography, Jerry West's autobiography, and others. But

I am a huge fan of the Kareem/Magic era Lakers. I have read both of Kareem's autobiographies, Magic's autobiography, Jerry West's autobiography, and others. But I'm sick of Kareem's shit. While the article hints at it, I will say directly what they will not: Kareem endured much racism, as undoubtedly did his peers, but Kareem is also a petulant and self-absorbed. Ever since Kareem retired, he's been on a campaign to explain to the world how they just misunderstand him. For example, here's a NY Times article from 2004 with essentially the same "I'm misunderstood" through-line: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/sports/pro-basketball-a-legend-learns-that-he-needs-to-be-liked.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/sports/pro-basketball-a-le... Notice that 1) even Isaiah Thomas' was under the impression that "Abdul-Jabbar supposedly had time for no one", and 2) even after being thankful for the time Kareem gave Thomas, Thomas said "I never saw that side of him that a lot of people talk about." Consider also that no one in the NBA - prior to Thomas in 2004, 15 years after Kareem's retirement - was interested in employing him as a coach or execute. To quote the article: "So why has Abdul-Jabbar had only minimal involvement in the N.B.A. since he began lobbying for a return in 1995? It goes back to his reputation, which even he admits was somewhat well deserved."