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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1980)
ro rtiend Observer January The Powerful Servant of Allah the leagues MVP in 1975-76 when the Lakers lost more games than they won, and a fifth time in 1976- 77. Bill Russell, a former Boston great is the only other player in the history o f the N.B.A. to be crowned MVP five times. C urrently, A b d ul-jab bar is averaging 24.7 points a game (sixth in the N.B.A.), and 11.5 rebounds to rank sixth also. He is leading the league in block shots and second in field goal percentage. Some fans and critics perceive Abdul-Jabbar as one most serious looking athlete playing in the National Basketball Association. Very seldom does he display a smile while on the court performing. ‘ ‘ I ’ m basically serious but laugh at a lot o f things. People relate to me either as a basketball player or a 7-foot object, not as a person. That’ s what I have to deal w ith.” His great height as a youth greatly influenced his serious looking facial expression. ” 1 was always taller than other kids but I was younger, too. You kind of withdraw in that situation. The things you don’t know about, you let go by. After awhile it came to be my natural demeanor. Like my freshman year at Power,” he said, “ I was most o f that year but I was on varsity with guys 17 and 18, guys getting ready to go to college, guys with all the experiences of adolesen- ce. You end up doing a whole lot homework on what life’s all about. By the time 1 was a senior, that age gap no longer existed, but because o f my height the gap was between inc and the people around me,” he said. What is it like to be a professional athlete? “ I t ’ s rough on me,” he said, "because like it or not, I'm a personality. That infringes on my right to be a private person and for that alone, it’ s not as desirable as some other situations I can think o f.” Abdul-Jabbar quickly admits that he still enjoys playing the game and “ it ’ s a great way to make a living. I like the sport which is highly impor tant. I s till want to win. When you're just looking to see you get paid on time, th a t’ s a very un professional attitude and that's when it’ s time to reconsider.” “ My attitude towards the game hasn’ t changed much over the last The concrete playgrounds in the urban jungle of New York City has produced thousands o f talented basketball players over the past three decades. But Kareetn Abdul- Jabbar is the best player to ever come out of the state, and perhaps the greatest athlete in the history of the sport. He is a very mellow and reserved individual who is intellectually sound. People still know little about hitn because that is the way he would perfer it. Abdul-Jabbar has found peace of inind, serenity, and him self through his Muslim religious convictions. He rarely gives interviews. A form er A ll-Am erican high school player at Power Memorial in New York under the name of Lew Alcindor. His team once had a 71 game winning streak, and his college squad, U .C .L .A ., lost only two games in three years and was the national champhion three times while he was there, (1967-68-and 69). He earned MVP honors in the NCAA tournament all three years, and was chosen the ‘ ‘College Player ot the Year” in 1967 and 1969, and runner-up to Elvin Hayes in 1968. Jabbar college scoring average was 24.6 points per contest. It is no coincidence that the dunk was out lawed while he was enrolled at U .C .L .A . Jabbar declined to represent the United States basket ball team in the 1968 Olympics part ly in protest against the practices of what he called then a ‘ ‘ racist nation.” Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the number one player in the 1969 college draft, Jabbar quickly made an impact by averaging 28.8 points per game and was named “ Rookie of the Year” for the 1969-70 season. J he next season Jabbar averaged 31.7 points per game as the young Bucks ran o ff with the N .B .A . championship by sweeping the Baltimore Bullets in four games. He was also the league’ s M VP that year, (1970-71). When asked why he changed his name, Kareem (stands for generous) Abdul (servant o f Allah)-Jabbar (powerful) said, “ I changed from Fvtilg a negro with a Christian name to being an Afro-American who has accepted Islam; people don’t under stand that.” He recalled that he first few years. It's my profession,” said became interested in Islam in high the 32 year old Abdul-Jabbar. “ At school. The attraction grew, he the present tim e, it's what I do remembered, probably because of most. There are a number o f things the rise in Black consciousness, the I might want to do when I retire. example o f the late Malcolm X, Journalism is one of them. I've been “ and a response to racism, to bitter interested in that all my life and I’ll ness and frustration that is readily want to get involved in it some way apparent.” or anothe r.” Jabbar graduated A lte r successive seasons of from U .C .L .A . with a degree in scoring 34.8 (71-72), 30.2 (72-73), History. 27.0(73 74), and 30.0(74-75) points “ Basketball is still tun lo r me per game, and being named MVP of now, though. It was a lot more fun the league in 1971-72 and 1973-74. when I played on Saturdays and Abdul-Jabbar asked the Milwaukee weekdays w ith my friends after Bucks to trade him to the Los school. You relate to the game d if Angeles Lakers. ferently as you progress. It could Before leaving the organization, still be fun it that was the level of Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to five my playing, pickup games. But this consecutive play-offs. The super is a business so that puts it on a d if center felt that his life style would be ferent level,” he said. more positive on the west coast, and Throughout his career, Abdul- with the diversified population o f Jabba has scored 23,428 points, California he wouldn’t feel like an grabbed 12,043 rebounds, blocked outsider. 2,175 shots, dished out 3,685 On June 16th, 1975, the assist, and has a 28.6 career scoring Milwaukee Bucks made one o f average in the N .B.A. In play-off basketball's biggest trades by send com petition the gentle giant has ing Kareetn Abdul-Jabbar and W alt scored 2,382 points, pulled down Westley to the Lakers for Elmore 1.293 rebounds, dished out 321 Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, assist, and has a 30.2 scoring Junior Bridgeman, and cash. average which is the best in the As a Laker the past five seasons Abdul-Jabbar has scored 27.7 (75- 76), 26.6 (76-77), 25.8 (77-78)s, and N.B.A. history. In addition to these accomplish ments, Abdul-Jabbar has been isou rag e 7 Community Calendar ELIOT NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5, 1980., Prince Hall, 116 N Russell. TENTH ANIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Vicki Adams, editor o f the BURNING SPEAR, in celebration o f their tenth aniversary, will be speaking at the Mallory Avenue Church, 138 N.E. Alberta, Friday February 8 at 7:30. Childcare provided. DEATH PENALTY U.S.A. a slide show documenting the use o f the death penalty as a means of genocide against Black people also will be shown, Friday, February 8 at 7:30 at the Mallory Avenue Church. For more information call 236-3611. LEGISLATIVE REPORT BREAKFAST. Senator Vern Cook, Representative Glenn Otto and Multnomah County Commissioner Gordon Shadburne will host the interim legislative report breakfast, at 8:00 a.in. Saturday, February 2nd, at the M & M Restaurant in Greshatn. The February breakfast will feature as special guests Felicia Trader, Multnomah County Budget Director and Dave Warren, Senior Analyst in the Multnomah County Budget office. They will discuss the 1979/80 County budget as it relates to the upcoming 1980 81 County budget. KBPS HIGHLIGHTS 11450 AM). Monday, February 4, I980., 8:30 p.in. ROTARY CLUB: “ A Black Actor Appreciates Am erica,” a speech by Thomas Jefferson Pruitt, character actor and television personality. HORIZONS: KBPS 1450 AM . February 7, I98O, 9:00 a.in. "Eartha Kitt: A Struggle for Stardom.” In a sensitive and poignant account o f her life, Eartha Kitt speaks candidly about her early years in the South and in Harlem, her struggles, overnight successes, stardom, and her determination to suc ceed. Lhe program was produced by NPR's Donna Lnnberick. V « Kareen A bdul Jabbar shows form that led him from the play grounds of New York to the height of NBA stardom named to the N.B.A. All-Star team nine times, and the leading vote get ter on the west squad this season. He has made the AII-N .B.A. first team six times during his career which is more than any active player, and second team three other years. A bdul-Jabbar has also been named to the N B A. All-Defensive lirst team three years and second team five seasons. Eroin the look o f his inspired play this season, these totals can only become better. The I akers own a 37-16 record which is a hall game behind Seattle in the Western Conference. Recently, Kareem became the highest paid basketball player in the world when new I aker owner Jerry Buss, a real estate wiz with plenty of class and style, destroyed his old contract and wrote a new one. Abdul-Jabbar old pact called for $650,000 a year. The new one is estimated to be worth over a million dollars a year, and use ot the Forum once a year lor the next eight years. When questioned about the p u b lic’ s expectations o f profes sional athletes, Abdul-Jabbar says, “ they want super heroes. They want you to be great on and o ff the court, in and out of the job which is not realistic, but that’s the way it is.” Abdul Jabbar agrees that people abroad see the situation different, “ I ’ ve traveled around the world. Outside this country, nobody know's I ’ m a basketball player but they regard me as a giant. Like in Thailand, the people there are very short and wow, they d id n ’ t say much but they stared. “ One time in Pakistan, I had 300 people following me. That can un nerve you. I had to get in a cab And in Istanbul, two little boys followed me. I doubled back and caught them just to play a joke on them.” Kareem has also toured A frica with the Slate Department where he spent time in Algeria, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania and Somalia. M ILITANT BOOKSTORE FORUM. Sunday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.in. Subject: "C apitalism ’s Economic Crisis Today,” with speaker Marty l andsberg, professor of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, and regional coordinator of the Union of Radical Political Economists. (Rescheduled from Nov. 18, 1979, when Forum was cancelled due to illness). For more information call 222-7225. BEGINNING ADULT JAZZ CLASS. Men and women interested in dance can learn modern fundamentals in the Beginning Adult Jazz Class being held at the Northeast YMCA each Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.in. "The class is active, fast-paced and fun, and no previous experience is necessary,” accor ding to instructor Robin Rifer, a dance graduate of Portland State University who has performed with the Portland State Repertory Dance Company. The northeast YMCA Fitness Center is located at 1630 NE 38th in Portland. For BABY CARE. A course in "Baby Care” will be offered by the Nursing and Health Services Division of the American Red Cross during February. The 4-session course will be given Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.in., on Feb. 4, 6, II , and 13, in the Red Cross Auditorium at 42(X) S.W. Corbett Ave. The class is primarily for parents, grandparents, foster parents or other primary care persons. There is no charge for the course. For more information, call 243-5272, American Red Cross, Nursing and Health Services. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. The Committee o f Spanish Speaking People o f Oregon is offering its service to low-income Hispanics and other persons who need help with emergency assistance to heat their home, emergency food and clothing, translation, transportation and employ "!. If you would like to utilize any o f these services, please contact Cf dropping by our office at 3214 S.E Holgate (in the ODD FT building), or call us at 283-1387 for an appointment from 8:00 am pm, Monday through Friday. ■-tS'ttivftt’, ^tr »sv t£r»« .’«iry^. X « rz ->x/yy By Utlysses Tucker. Jr. j i , Are you comfortable with being a hero for m illions o f youngsters around the United States? “ That’s kind ot scary. I ’m human just like them ,” he said. “ There aren’ t too many heroes around today because everyone is real. But when I was young my hero was Adam C layton Powell from Harlem. Tie was in the halls o f Congress, executing real power for the benefit o f Black people before those causes became popular,” Ab dul-Jabbar said. A bdul-Jabbar’ s personal goals include doing things for the better ment o f Black people. He feels strongly about it but admits, “ I’ m still searching,” he said. “ Everyone has their obligation to their com munity. It’ s hard on a lot of guys to fu lfill them because they can’ t get away from their everyday jobs I’ m in a different position. I understand my place very well. I never let it get away from me.” “ People in this country spend a lot o f time watching athletes, and I ’ ve been trying to show people what it’s like to be a succeff - to always be a human being and have the right values,” said the Kareem of the crop. SHOP ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH 806 NE ALBERTA STREET Reverend Bertram Griffin, Pastor IE N O W S 281 4429 Masses 5 00pm Vigil Saturday 10 00am Choir Sunday 12 00pm Folk Sunday FOR B R A N O * you k n o w V A R IE TIE S yo u lik e SIZES yo u w o n t ST ANDREW COMMUNITY SCHOOL 4919 NE 9th Ave Nonta Kelly. Principal Phone 284 1620 Grades 1 thru 8 I Th« Tr>«ndlw«l | S io.at In T«wi Sr««« 1908 HUGHES MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • • • • • • « 41 1 1 .1 M l l w a r r * , « • I4 |* J lt h 4 l a t í to r a ti« « • }})« I l l a « « N I a h ta a . 3 « rh N t a m b a r « a t O r a a la y • ] ] r « « a la i« N M i l l i « l a t a . i« « . I t l r t « « t i l O ! . l it a r , . • O t * « ra ta a t a a t t ú t o ta ria r a r x t t t « S I M e r r ta a t l 1 n i M a a <« <li 4 t i tH r lt la a * W a tt lo r t t t l« « O t w a a a »O ■ 4 * « t(fy REV. AUSTIN V. RAY, MINISTER 111 N.E. FAILING Dial A Prayer 284 0684 Worship 11 00am You are Welcome to Worship at THE ARK OF SAFETY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST Church School 9 45am Office 281 2332 Specializing In Individual • Marriage and Family • Group Therapy "The C hurch W here NO Stranger Feeli S trange ” /f warm spirit o f fellowship always” The Honorable Bishop U.V. Peterson, D.D "The Holiness Preacher,” Pastor Sunday Sunday School Morning Worship 9:15am 11:15am Showers of Blessings Broadcast" KGAH 1550 11 30am ,2:30pm YPBC 6 30pm Evangelistic Worship 8:00pm Tuesday Friday Noon Day Prayer Tuesday Bible Band Jr. Church Wednesday Choir Rehearsal Friday "The Pastor Speaks" 94 NE Killingsworth 281 0499 7 30pm ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH 7:00pm Corner of 8th and Skidmore Z 30pm Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Worship 11:00am Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00pm (second and fourth Sundays) Reverend Thomas L. Strayhand, Minister NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR THE CHURCH DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEED Sunday School Morning Worship Evening Service 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays Communion 1st Sunday W ed Family Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Friday - Brotherhood Fellowship Service with Morning Star 3rd Sunday Prayer and Pastor Phone 281 6476 Church Phone: 281 0163 9 30am 10 30am 7 00pm 5:00pm
