Quotes from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

They were now forced to graft hardy American vines onto their native plants.

I saw Islam as the correct way to live, and I chose to try to live that way.

Islam is about finding your own space.

LeBron James can get a shot off under any and all circumstances and he makes them.

I listen to jazz mainly. Mainstream jazz.

Yoga is just good for you.

I think race has been a burden for black Americans. Being Muslim has also been a challenge because so many people do not understand Islam.

As a parent, I have a job as a role model to my children, and by extension, to other young people.

A lot of young players don't really know much about the history of the game and a lot of them are missing out on what the game is all about, especially the whole concept of sportsmanship and teamwork.

It's hard for young players to see the big picture. They just see three or four years down the road.

Music rhythms are mathematical patterns. When you hear a song and your body starts moving with it, your body is doing math. The kids in their parents' garage practicing to be a band may not realize it, but they're also practicing math.

Today's youth are told to get rich or die trying and they really shouldn't take that attitude forward with them.

My most memorable moment came in 1985 as we beat the Boston Celtics.

I expect more people from China and Asia to end up in the NBA.

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly.

I got all A's and was hated for it; I spoke correctly and was called a punk.

My grandfather and my uncle both died from colorectal cancer, my dad almost died from it and I have the gene for it.

There are a lot of authors in the world, so it's difficult to find a unique niche to present your take on things. That is always a challenge for any author.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that the 761st was Patton's best tank unit and nobody knew about it.

I think black Americans expect too much from individual black Americans in terms of changing the status quo.

I've always tried to stay out of the fray and not be an object of controversy.

Fundamental preparation is always effective. Work on those parts of your game that are fundamentally weak.

Your mind is what makes everything else work.