Kareem Abdul-Jabbar overcome by public support during leukemia battle

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar meets media, Nov.15, 2009. (AP)

Lakers Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar just returned from a trip during which he went public with the news that he is living with chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

When meeting with media on Sunday at Staples Center he described the overwhelming outpouring from fans and the general public. "It's been a great opportunity for me to re-connect with people in a different way and I'm very glad I did," he said. 

Abdul-Jabbar, who is known as a private and somewhat withdrawn individual, has no choice but to interact when he is out in public.

"People have come up to me everywhere," he said. "In the supermarket, at the airport, when I'm stopped at a red light people give me signs. Not the usual LA signs when you've been at a red light too long", he added while chuckling. "I'm really overcome and it's been beautiful."

He is spreading the news that this particular disease doesn't mean the end of things. Abdul-Jabbar said, "I feel good about my future. It's not a death sentence. Too many people don't understand that."

It had been reported and he confirmed that he was in discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies about a position similar to the one he has with the Lakers. He noted, "It was great that the Grizzlies were interested, but the way things have worked out I can't really pursue that now."

Kareem hasn't closed the door on becoming a head coach in the NBA, but said, "I've got a full plate right now and I'll deal with that". During the offseason Jabbar had tweeted his interest in becoming the Lakers head coach when Phil Jackson steps down.

It seemed like an odd way to announce his wishes. He is close to the Buss family who owns the team and has access to anyone at any time. It sounded like he wanted to drum up some public sentiment for his dream. And yet, the flirtation with the Grizzlies indicates he thinks that desire will go unfulfilled.

Asked if he has limitations on what he can do, he pointedly said, "I only have to take the time to see my health care specialist, get my blood analyzed and take daily medication. But beyond that it's not going to cramp my lifestyle."

Abdul-Jabbar mentioned that he is working on a documentary based on his most recent book, "On The Shoulders of Giants." But when asked if he has a professional relationship with the pharmaceutical company Novartis, whose medication he is taking, Abdul-Jabbar was vague despite a press release posted November 10, 2009 on nba.com that he is partnering with the drug company.

He said his son, who is a doctor, pointed him in the direction of Novartis. But he said, "There are other places to go for information." He named a website and a social networking site but when they were pulled up it was noted that they are both maintained by Novartis.

He has nothing to be ashamed of and frankly if it helps others who wouldn't know where to turn when handed a diagnosis I would say that he has everything to be proud of.

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