Kareem Abdul Jabbar Calls Michael Jordan A Sell-Out
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Fair or Foul?
It's been nearly three decades since NBA Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar squared up against Michael Jordan on the hardwood, but the former Los Angeles Laker recently fired a few shots at His Airness on a very different playing field — politics.
"You can't be afraid of losing shoe sales if you're worried about your civil and human rights," Abdul-Jabbar told NPR. His comments were made in response to an infamous Jordan quote — "Republicans buy sneakers, too" — that dates back to 1990, which, although some say was exaggerated, has never actually been disputed by the man himself.
"He took commerce over conscience. It's unfortunate for him, but he's gotta live with it," Abdul-Jabbar said.
In the past, we've covered Michael Jordan's refusal to speak up against sneaker violence, and while this is a different beast altogether, Abdul-Jabbar's "commerce over conscience" statement rings true in both situations. Hopefully the G.O.A.T. will clap back sooner than later.
It's been nearly three decades since NBA Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar squared up against Michael Jordan on the hardwood, but the former Los Angeles Laker recently fired a few shots at His Airness on a very different playing field — politics.
"You can't be afraid of losing shoe sales if you're worried about your civil and human rights," Abdul-Jabbar told NPR. His comments were made in response to an infamous Jordan quote — "Republicans buy sneakers, too" — that dates back to 1990, which, although some say was exaggerated, has never actually been disputed by the man himself.
"He took commerce over conscience. It's unfortunate for him, but he's gotta live with it," Abdul-Jabbar said.
In the past, we've covered Michael Jordan's refusal to speak up against sneaker violence, and while this is a different beast altogether, Abdul-Jabbar's "commerce over conscience" statement rings true in both situations. Hopefully the G.O.A.T. will clap back sooner than later.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Calls Michael Jordan A Sell-Out 72 votes
Fair
88%
64 votes
Foul
11%
8 votes
Comments
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Jordan won't respond.
As far as selling out goes, while an argument can be made that Jordan has chosen to not divorce himself from Nike considering human rights violations and cultural effects here in the United States, it still is a stretch to blame any of it on him. Whether it was his name on those shoes or someone else's, those problems will still persist.
If he can at least take a portion of the money that he makes and put it to where it will benefit humanity, I can't really be mad at him. -
Fairid like to think that being an NBA star that kareem would be able to say this with more conviction than somebody who is say, an outsider to that culture.
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FairI say its fair but bc of his overall personality, but not bc he doesnt speak out on "sneaker violence "
Lmao
SNEAKER VIOLENCE!
Ya know, as opposed to money violence, ? violence, and "disproportionate opportunity" violence . ? hilarious to me how people try/tried to use MJ as a scarpegoat for hood ? bein hood ? -
I've been saying ? MJ the ? .
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FairAs much as I love Jordan the basketball player. Off the court he is a ? ? .
This dude is a self righteous ? . Who only serves his own personal interests
Look up Michael Jordan and private prisons -
FairBut..
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If you hold a position of power or wealth and you don't contribute something of substance it is selling out. Not saying everyone has to be MLK or what not, but you have to realize there are voiceless and disenfranchised people out here. You can contribute on the low behind the scenes and i don't even think Jordan does that.
That's why Bill Russell is the true goat to me. Dude stood up for something and was on the front lines. -
FairIf you hold a position of power or wealth and you don't contribute something of substance it is selling out. Not saying everyone has to be MLK or what not, but you have to realize there are voiceless and disenfranchised people out here. You can contribute on the low behind the scenes and i don't even think Jordan does that.
That's why Bill Russell is the true goat to me. Dude stood up for something and was on the front lines.
Kareem Jim Brown Russell ali were all on them front lines and deserve all the respect. Jordan has done a lot of ? ? -
That ? doing his best to find the next white hope from America in the NBA
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Kareem sold out when he broke up with Pam grier
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Don't think Jordan really cares either way.
People have been saying that about him for years. -
MJ won't get in any argument about politics.
The most pro black move he's ever made is help spike Lee finish Malcolm x when he ran out of money
Side note: MJ wouldn't have stopped violence in america over his shoes by speaking out about it...even if he cared -
Jordan is a Carolina hustler. Money Mike ain't tripping on none of that. It's all about being wealthy. To each his own , black people too worried about so called leaders when they need to be focusing on themselves. Jordan couldn't change you as an individual even if he woke up as Malcolm tomorrow morning, we expect too much out of people who we think COULD be a positive example while ignoring the blatant negative examples we see on a daily.
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blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/02/the-athletic-dream-team-youve-never-heard-of/
Kareem been a OG of standing up could you imagine if this was done today? -
Fair
blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/02/the-athletic-dream-team-youve-never-heard-of/
Kareem been a OG of standing up could you imagine if this was done today?
Dude looks like James Toney behind Kareem lol -
FairFair but I rock Js
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FairJordan is a Carolina hustler. Money Mike ain't tripping on none of that. It's all about being wealthy. To each his own , black people too worried about so called leaders when they need to be focusing on themselves. Jordan couldn't change you as an individual even if he woke up as Malcolm tomorrow morning, we expect too much out of people who we think COULD be a positive example while ignoring the blatant negative examples we see on a daily.
All that's ? , Mike was put in a position where he was the most revered athlete in the world. Any man that doesn't stand up to affect change is a coward ? ass ? . How can you be cool with making millions of dollars while the ? that emulate you are being beaten, shot and mistreated on a daily basis? -
blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/02/the-athletic-dream-team-youve-never-heard-of/
Kareem been a OG of standing up could you imagine if this was done today?
These new athletes are too lazy and pacified to be on that today. -
Jim brown was that dude.
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Fair
Chamillionaire agrees -
Good ass thread... Yo is a difficult topic this one man on one end you got that part were u look at Jordan and the power he has to be able to move the masses and help the disenfranchised like it was mentioned... But on the other hand you got a businessman who can't help but continue to be a businessman and not reach down to those we see that need that help, while you have some that simply.
Unfortunately this is true sometimesJordan is a Carolina hustler. Money Mike ain't tripping on none of that. It's all about being wealthy. To each his own , black people too worried about so called leaders when they need to be focusing on themselves. Jordan couldn't change you as an individual even if he woke up as Malcolm tomorrow morning, we expect too much out of people who we think COULD be a positive example while ignoring the blatant negative examples we see on a daily.
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not_osirus_jenkins wrote: »Jordan is a Carolina hustler. Money Mike ain't tripping on none of that. It's all about being wealthy. To each his own , black people too worried about so called leaders when they need to be focusing on themselves. Jordan couldn't change you as an individual even if he woke up as Malcolm tomorrow morning, we expect too much out of people who we think COULD be a positive example while ignoring the blatant negative examples we see on a daily.
All that's ? , Mike was put in a position where he was the most revered athlete in the world. Any man that doesn't stand up to affect change is a coward ? ass ? . How can you be cool with making millions of zdollars while the ? that emulate you are being beaten, shot and mistreated on a daily basis?
Like I said to each his/her own. You absolutely right in the point you're making but is it Mike's fault totally? Are the people you say are being beaten, shot and mistreated responsible for their own actions at all? Where does personal responsibility kick in at? I understand children are impressionable but are you saying that black people need someone to show them the right way to be rich? I know that people like Ali, Jim Brown and Kareem have taken personal stances towards activism especially in regards to the black community but just because a brotha is the best at playing basketball and selling sneakers, that doesn't mean his views or personal leadership qualities is contusive to what is needed in relation to black people. -
Mj is just an ? but he's not responsible for sneaker violence. As for the nike sweat shops would you rather those chinks have no jobs???
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I never understood why black people think that, ? +Money=Malcolm X
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I'm keep rockin J's shrug
