Kareem Likens Acting to Playing Basketball

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Lakers, the highest scoring player in NBA history, finds little difference between playing on the basektball court and acting in movies.

“Acting is only slightly different from playing in a basketball game,” said Abdul-Jabbar, who was on vacation here. “In both instances you’re dealing with performances and you’re dealing with skills. I think I have both.

“Ultimately, basketball is a performing art, and so is acting,” according to the all-star center who led the Lakers to last season’s NBA championship.

Abdul-Jabbar, whose movie credits include appearances in “Airplane” and “Fletch,” will have more time for acting after he retires after next season.

“I think I can make the transition, with a lot of effort,” he said. “It’s not much good to have credentials--but no talent. I look forward to trying (acting) again and again.”

At 7-foot-2, Abdul-Jabbar doesn’t feel his height will stand in the way of securing roles.

“I think there are plenty of roles out there where size is not a factor. I can be an executive, a plumber, an electrician, a cab driver. The whole key is having the talent first, and then the fun on screen later.

“I won’t ever have the problem that Alan Ladd did--standing on boxes, talking to his leading lady.”