I'll be honest....I didn't know how to take this photo when I first saw it. Yesterday was the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 65th birthday, and the proper respects were paid all across the internets and folks who respect basketball and history. Kareem always seemed poised, calm and composed on the court. Yes, he had his moments where he'd talk crazy and wag his finger in someone's face, but that's in the heat of the moment. Everyone's prone to those moments.
But giving three people on the other team the double bird salute, with the 'fro styled in such a fashion that Angela Davis would be proud, and Kareem with a look on his face that signified he was definitely "about that life"? Yikes.
Respect the sky hook, respect the champion and respect the double bird salute as we present your morning reading Starting Lineups on Tuesday.
Smoking Section: How Paul Pierce Slander Led To Getting Pulled Over By The Cops
Dirty Tackle: Colombian footballer allegedly threatens teammates with paintball gun
Complex: Video: Nas Recalls Reconciliation With Jay-Z
Dime Mag: Why Nerlens Noel & Shabazz Muhammad Shouldn’t Go To Kentucky
ESPN: Video: New ESPN ‘Michael Jordan’ Commercial
Sports By Brooks: Selig Legitimized Castro Far More Than Guillen
RESPECT: MTV Interviews the Creator of the Tupac Hologram
Player's Perspective: Piling on Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins
Marcus Troy: Gadgets: Blackberry Paybook 2.0 (Gift Set)
KSK: Antonio Cromartie Nearly Has His Own Starting 11
H1GHER: Unique Selling Propositions As It Relates to Streetwear
Eddie Maisonet is the founder and editor emeritus of The Sports Fan Journal. Currently, he serves as an associate editor for ESPN.com. He is an unabashed Russell Westbrook and Barry Switzer apologist, owns over 100 fitteds and snapbacks, and lives by Reggie Jackson’s famous quote, “I am the straw that stirs the drink.”
