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LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar beef, explained: Why Lakers stars don't have strong relationship

Jordan Greer

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LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar beef, explained: Why Lakers stars don't have strong relationship image

LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have a lot in common beyond being the NBA's top two all-time leading scorers.

They were high school phenoms. They exceeded massive expectations, capturing multiple NBA MVP awards and championships. They managed to operate outside of the typical aging curve. They have been outspoken on social issues.

And, of course, they donned the purple and gold uniform, adding to the incredible history of the Lakers.

While they share those similarities, James and Abdul-Jabbar don't have much of a relationship. In fact, James once said there is "no relationship" at all.

Why have they failed to make a strong connection? With James now ahead of Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time scoring list, let's take a look back at what these basketball legends have said about each other in recent years.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticizes LeBron James for COVID-19 stance

In September 2021, James admitted that he was "skeptical" about the COVID-19 vaccine before choosing to be vaccinated, and he declared that he didn't want to be a vaccine advocate. Then, in December 2021, James shared a meme on Instagram that compared COVID-19 to the flu and common cold.

Abdul-Jabbar criticized James in both instances, writing on his Substack page that James was "just plain wrong" and describing his Instagram post as a "blow to his worthy legacy."

"While LeBron is a necessary and dynamic voice critical of police brutality against the Black community, he needs to be the same necessary and dynamic advocate with vaccines, which could save thousands of Black lives right now," Abdul-Jabbar wrote.

James later explained why he posted the meme, but he declined to directly address Abdul-Jabbar.

"It's flu season, so people have forgotten about the flu. People have forgotten about common colds," James said. "That happens, especially with a lot of our kids in school. My daughter is in first grade, so a lot of these kids are getting, like, common colds and getting the flu.

"But no, I don't have any response to Kareem — at all."

In addition to his comments on the COVID-19 vaccine, Abdul-Jabbar called out James for celebrating a clutch shot with a "stupid, childish dance."

"It doesn't make sense," Abdul-Jabbar said. "GOATs don't dance."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticizes LeBron James again, then apologizes

Abdul-Jabbar lobbed more criticism at James in April, telling reporters before a game between the Lakers and Nuggets that "some of the things he's done and said are really beneath him."

"Some of the great things that he's done, he's standing on both sides of the fence almost, you know? It makes it hard for me to accept that when he's committed himself to a different take on everything," Abdul-Jabbar said. "It's hard to figure out where he's standing. You've got to check him out every time."

While Abdul-Jabbar did credit James for his charitable efforts and the creation of the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, he believed that James should be "embarrassed" about some of his actions.

Abdul-Jabbar later expressed regret about his "off-handed response" and declared that he would always have a "deep admiration and respect" for James.

"On occasion, I have chided LeBron when I thought he was dropping the ball when it came to supporting the community," Abdul-Jabbar said in a statement. "But I did so in the spirit of a loving older brother offering guidance, whether wanted or not.

"So, when I said that he has done some things he should be embarrassed about, that wasn't a slam or a barb or even a finger wag, it was me recapping some of what I'd said in the past. ... But I believe LeBron is strong enough and gracious enough to understand that I have only love for him in my heart."

LeBron James discusses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record at Media Day

During his 2022 Media Day availability in September, James discussed his pursuit of the NBA's all-time scoring record, noting that Abdul-Jabbar didn't agree with him on certain issues.

"To sit here and to know that I'm on the verge of breaking probably the most sought-after record in the NBA, things that people said would probably never be done, I think it's just super, like, humbling for myself. I think it's super cool," James said. "Obviously Kareem has had his differences with some of my views and some of the things that I do.

"But listen, at the end of the day, to be able to be in the same breath as a guy that wore this same uniform, a guy that was a staple of this franchise, along with Magic [Johnson] and 'Big Game' [James Worthy] over there for so many years, especially in the [1980s], and a guy that does a lot off the floor as well, I think is just super-duper dope for myself to be even in that conversation."

LeBron James says he has 'no relationship' with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

After an October preseason game, a reporter asked James if he had any thoughts about Abdul-Jabbar or his relationship with the only man ahead of him on the all-time scoring list.

"No thoughts — and no relationship," James said.

Magic Johnson says Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won't be happy when LeBron James passes him

During an October appearance on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, Johnson, who played alongside Abdul-Jabbar for a decade, told Shannon Sharpe that his former teammate probably won't be thrilled when James becomes the top scorer in NBA history.

"I don't think [he'll handle it] well," Johnson said. "Let's just be honest. If I got to say it, we got to be honest. And the fact that it's a dude playing for the Lakers, too. It's a dude playing in [Los Angeles].

"I think it'll be a hard pill to swallow. ... I think he thought he was going to have [the record] forever."

However, it's worth pointing out that Abdul-Jabbar has consistently been supportive of James when asked about the record, even saying he would be "right there to cheer [James] on" when he passes him.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sends birthday message to LeBron James

Abdul-Jabbar shouted out James on Twitter when he turned 38 years old in late December. Abdul-Jabbar also referenced his career point total of 38,387.

LeBron James on his relationship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

In a January interview with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James covered several topics, including his relationship with Abdul-Jabbar. He didn't offer much detail, though, mostly repeating what McMenamin had said to him.

"I think in the sense of just the correlation of, like you said, being high school phenoms, to doing the things that we did off the floor for the betterment of our people, to wearing a Lakers jersey and trying to carry on that legacy that Dr. [Jerry] Buss and so many great people set out for," James said.

"And then being a part of this conversation with the scoring record. That's the relationship. That's the conversation. We will kind of always be linked."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on hand to witness history

Despite their differences, Abdul-Jabbar was in attendance at Crypto.com Arena as James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer. James passed Abdul-Jabbar with a 38-point performance against the Thunder on Feb. 7.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar explains why he never had a relationship with LeBron James

In a Feb. 8 post on his Substack page, Abdul-Jabbar praised James for breaking his record, writing that James "makes me love the game again." He also addressed James' previous comments about their relationship.

"LeBron said we don't have a relationship. He's right — and for that I blame myself," Abdul-Jabbar wrote. "Not for anything I did, but perhaps for not making more of an effort to reach out to him. By nature I have never been a chummy, reaching-out kind of guy (as the media was always quick to point out)."

Abdul-Jabbar pointed to the age difference between himself and James, noting that he passed Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list in 1984, the same year that James was born.

"When he started to make a name for himself, I was already pretty removed from the NBA world," Abdul-Jabbar wrote. "Except for certain gala events, I was just like any other fan, watching games on my TV in my sweatpants while munching on too many unhealthy snacks.

"That disconnect is on me. I knew the pressures he was under and maybe I could have helped ease them a bit. But I saw that LeBron had a friend and mentor in Kobe Bryant and I was just an empty jersey in the rafters. I couldn't imagine why he'd want to hang with someone twice his age. How many do?" 

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.