opens IMAGE file “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