Remembering Michael Jackson
“Whenever I saw Michael Jackson he seemed to be so fragile and overwhelmed by the circumstances that he had to deal with in his life. My own experience with the corrosive effects of fame and lack of anonymity made me view his circumstances with alot of compassion. I got to know Michael when he was just a boy around 10 years old working with the Jackson Five. My good friend, Bill Cosby use to pick up the Jackson kids on many Sundays to take them to play basketball. When I wasn’t playing for UCLA I would always join them for this Sunday tradition. The Jacksons have always been my supportive friends and my thoughts and prayers are with the family as they mourn their loss.
Michael’s star will continue to shine forever because his talent was stupendous and made him the most well-known entertainer of the late 20th Century. I hope Michael can finally rest in peace.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
June 26th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Well said, Kareem
June 26th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Salam Brother Kareem,
Do you know if Michael had actually converted to Islam like his brother?
Thank you for being a great role model for Muslims.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Insha Allah
June 27th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Thank you KAJ for the kind words…it’s so refreshing to hear the postives..and yes new he can finally rest in peace.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Michael was such a handsome young man, it’s too bad he couldn’t see the real man in the mirror. I hope in the after life he’s been restored and found the peace he never seemed to have in this world.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:52 am
no, michael jackson has commited many sins. as a muslim, u know what they are. hundreds of regular, hardworking people die everyday, and nobody notices, or cares. but when somebody like michael jackson dies, its the end of the world.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:27 am
It’s good to find people commenting on Michael Jackson that are remembering good memories & aren’t so concerned with dicussing all the media hype & controversy.
He did a lot of wonderful & positive things throughout his lifetime. That should be his legacy. It’s time to let the other stuff go.
June 27th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I know Micheal Jackson was marked with controversial issues. But His talent was unmeasurable! Every song has been a part of me, since I was a little girl!! There is not a song without a memory of something in my life. “Rock With you” Michael, May you RIP.
You will be missed!!
June 27th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Mr. Jabbar,
Thank you for your wise and compassionate words. I hold a special place in my heart for Michael Jackson and the childhood memories he augmented. I can remember dancing with my cousins to “Off the Wall” and the giddiness of buying “Thriller”…his music reminds me of the best parts of my childhood. I always felt that he had a generous, loving soul and possessed tremendous unique talent…I admired both. It angers and pains my heart to see the unethical manner the media covers, denigrates and exploits people, famous or not. I hope Michael is at peace finally and I hope his family is accorded the respect they deserve.
June 27th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
He was one of the greates entertainers of all? time!
June 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I can appreciate any opinion from someone who actually “knew” Michael. Much of what you are hearing is speculation, which is not good. I can appreciate his talent, RIP Michael!
June 28th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Kareem,
A very touching tribute to Michael Jackson! It was a complete shock and we will miss him but his music and video performances will be with us forever. As we are all now just being reminded, Michael helped break social barriers for us all. I hope that positive portion of his legacy will overshadow the controversy that dominated the later part of his life.
You are a very classy person indeed. Your comments and insight are very profound. Your website and Twitter comments open up a side of you which adds to your greatness on the court. Keep up the good work.
Rob
June 28th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Kareem,
It’s so nice to hear such kind words about a superstar coming from another superstar. You exhibit to me everything that epitomizes a wonderful guy, just like Michael. R.I.P. MJ! ~ Till we meet again ~ Nobody can try and hurt you now!
June 29th, 2009 at 5:02 am
I heard Michael Jackson all of my life. His awesome talent will never be forgotten. When Fred Astair sent a message to Micheael Jackson and told him he was a great entertainer and dancer, I felt like I had been congratulated. Fred Astair was one of the greatest dancers of all time. I felt like the world appreciated his talents after those comments.
I can associate so many of his songs with events in my life and its hard to see him go.
But I am thankful that the went in a way that seems so painless, cardiac arrest…he just stopped breathing…I will miss rocking with you Michael and yes…gone too soon.
Sympathies to the Jackson Family, and Joe too we all bear this pain with you.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hi Kareem,
Thanks for your thoughts. I really believe that there has been some mistake, and that Michael was not supposed to have left at this time. I know it. I believe that something he was supposed to do was not finished. It’s not right, and it doesn’t make sense. Something really isn’t right. Don’t you sense it too?
On another note, **please** write your book about ‘Health and Fitness’ for athletes and entertainers. The world can benefit from your secrets for performance longevity on the court, and also for entertainers who travel around the country and do shows. Also, we need someone important (in addition to Deepak Chopra, and especially someone like you) to make a strong statement against the ‘pharmaceutical mafia’, run by the “AMA” thugs. To me, this could be a golden benefit from the tragedy of Michael’s departure.
Kareem, you’re a great man, and others have stood on the shoulders of people like you and Michael. It is a treasure that sensitive and talented people like you and Michael had the courage to ‘excel’ in a hostile world. You are a great role model.
Robert
June 30th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Well said Kareem. You are such a cool guy. I’m going to be at the Sports Legends Challenge this fall and I hope that will be able to have you as my team captain!
-Ana
July 1st, 2009 at 1:35 am
I think Michael’s humanitarianism should be as celebrated as his talent and contributions to music & entertainment. Despite his reputation getting tarnished, he still had the character to give. Even if those lies were true, I think it says more about the fallen state of human nature to jest & scrutinize somebody that actively & consistently chose to use their celebrity, especially as one as great as Michael’s, to try to help children & society at large. He did it on the way to the top, at the top, and at his lowest. That’s a rare attribute in an age where we celebrate people who’s only claim to fame is to put out reality shows, sex tapes, and are basically famous for nothing or celebs who don’t use the opportunity they have to help others. Michael can’t be celebrated enough.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Well said Kareem. Michael did a lot for a lot of people in many ways. May his soul rest in peace.
Thank you Michaee from all your fans all around the world to what you gave us.
-George
July 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm
michael jackson is to the entertainment industry what michael jordan is to sports. nobody will ever be able to influence a generation the way he has and nobody will ever sell as many albums as he did ever. he is the greatest for a reason and greatly represents what a legend should be. rip mj you are and always will be the KING
July 4th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Dear,
KAJ,Special thank you,DON’T FORGET MJ…
July 8th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Assalam Alaikum Kareem.I am a white american muslim.Michael Jackson broke color barriers,in my opinion he was the greatest entertainer that ever lived.Kareem i hope your in good health,everything is going great.God bless Michael Jackson.Deron Mccullough
July 10th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Kareem, I believe that Micheal was a good man. I think people preyed upon him somewhat Like Mike Tyson. I am 49 years old and remember when the Bucks won 22 straight. You guys won it all. I remember when you got poked in the eye. I remember when you got traded for a bunch of real good players. Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgeman, Brian Winters and Dave Meyers. It ended up being a very one-sided deal! For the Lakers that is. I also sadly remember when all your Jazz albums burned up in your house. Kareem, no matter what the press was saying in the 1970′s the fans knew the real deal. We appreciated you. We knew how good you were. Your heroes are cool. Bass Reeves was a real legend. I love reading about the old west. What I miss most about todays NBA is guys like you, Walton, Thurmond and Wilt. Real centers going head to head. Not centers who play on the perimeter and shoot jump shots! Take care big guy!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
truly one of the greatest entertainer of all time.
rest in peace michael
July 11th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Kareem,
Thank you for your thoughts on the passing of the great Michael Jackson. It is nice to hear from someone who actually knew him, and not from the media whores who attempt to tarnish his name. Michael was a blessing!
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop and when I was in college he was a sure thing with the girls (better than Barry White) if you know what I mean:) Dancing to his music was always a blast!
You were my favorite player as I was growing up, and I know you suffered from the unfair scrutiny of the media. I understand why athletes like yourself, and Barry Bonds won’t speak to the media. What they did to Michael Jackson is the real crime.
Thanks again for the post…
Peace,
Marty
July 12th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
It is so refreshing to read and hear nice words spoken after Michael Jackson’s name. Since his passing we have heard some of the most negative things about him, I feel for his family and children who have to see this. Regardless of what he was accused of everyone deserves peace when they die. R.I.P. M.J.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Well said. Kareem
July 14th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Hey all,
Cap, well stated. Michael was a true entertainer. He cared about the world. His work work ethic is unmatched. The world will miss him.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Kareem
You have always spoke your mind with a great amount of class. Well said about MJ who had a heart of a king and could dance like King David.
July 21st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
The greatest entertainer of our generation. R.I.P.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:18 am
dear kareem, I am one of your biggest fans as a basketball player and fellow muslim. recently I was made aware of you promoting a poker event during the holy month of Ramadan. please try to re-book this event for a later date if you can, that would please alot of your muslim family members! thank you and may God guide and bless you in your remaining years!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Kareem,
When something so tragic as Michael’s death happens I believe the people that are in his inner circle beging to question themselves as to what more they could have done. But, no one knows the time nor the hour and under what circumstances that day will come. When the world learned of his heart being stopped and never to start again the world stopped as well at that moment, and what appeared to be for days until his memorial service.
It reminded me of when you left the game of basketball. Your final game and walk for me just stood still in that dismal hour. My chest felt as if someone had laid a ton of bricks on it and the tears were more than I could have controlled as I moaned for a week and did not looked at any form of basketball for several years.
When good or bad things become a part of your favorite public figure or superstar’s life it somehow affects you as a fan, even if it is, for a moment.
My heart ache for Katherine and the Jackson family but most of all for his children. Because we as adults are sometimes pushed and pulled in different directions beyond our control even when we have a say and these kids because of their ages may not have a say in where they go. The courts may conclude that they are not mature enough to make that decision, but to me, what should really matter is how happy they feel about where they will be going. I pray that Blanket is not separated from his brother and sister of whom he appear to be so attached.
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar, continue to take care of you; stay healthy and gracious.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am
I listen to his music over 10 hours every day, im really sad hes gone
but for my tribute for him I got a Beat It Jacket and im really excited Im wearing his glove as i type out this 
I love you Michael! You didnt deserve what all those mean people said about you, and i hope you knew you have people that love you! I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JJ! You were and will ALWAYS be the King Of Pop! I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON AND THERES SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LOVE YOU, MOON WALK TO HEAVEN BABY! Peace out King of Pop! You will always be in my heart!
November 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Michael Jackson was amazing, he was such a star in every right. Here’s to hoping his heart and love live on forever. Long live MJ!
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:50 pm
god belss you
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:51 pm
you are a cool baskitball player you are asome