THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DETROIT PISTONS : As the Clock Runs Its Course, Abdul-Jabbar Keeps On Ticking

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could do this in his sleep. Instead of goggles, he could wear a blindfold. The referee could spin him around three times, as in pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and Abdul-Jabbar instinctively would still know where to go for the opening tap. Familiarity breeds contenders.

At the very least, the old fogie of Inglewood could go out there tonight for Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons wearing bifocals, or a pair of those Teddy Kennedy half-glasses pushed forward along the bridge of his nose, with possibly some support hose in place of socks, and orthopedic Adidas. Maybe a pocket watch in his basketball trunks, on a fob.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, gentleman ballplayer, dispassionate pundit, courtly chief justice of America’s courts, has been doing basket business too long to be overcome with excitement or nerves. No Maalox in this Laker’s locker. When asked Monday if he still gets butterflies before a game big as tonight’s, Abdul-Jabbar smiled as though someone had inquired about his tonsils, or his baby booties, or his hair, something long since gone.

“Those butterflies are dead,” he said.

For him, the little creatures that fly inside men’s stomachs became an endangered species after he left UCLA, and inevitably became extinct. During this same evolution, along with the yips, Abdul-Jabbar also lost some of his zest, some of his zing, becoming with each passing season a basketball player of decreasing motion and emotion. It works for him, just as a sunny disposition works for his solar opposite, Earvin Johnson.

UCLA was so good when he was there, Lew Alcindor never had to be nervous. After that, with a new team and, ultimately, a new name, he expected to develop some shakes, but because the Milwaukee Bucks slid through the 1971 playoffs so easily, beating the Lakers for the conference title in five games and the Baltimore Bullets for the league championship in four straight, Abdul-Jabbar never found the need to wait on pins and needles.

“But, as we all know,” he said on the eve of another moment of truth, 17 years later, somewhat wistfully, “that was long ago and far away.”

The questions came at Kareem left and right, just as Detroit’s defenders do, and he handled them casually, nonchalantly, as matter-of-factly as he handled those two free throws that saved Game 6 and the hopes of the Lakers on Sunday. They went on and on, just as Kareem’s career has, just as these playoffs have.

“Today’s the first day of summer,” Abdul-Jabbar chirped at one point, or as close as he ever gets to chirping. “I played in a world championship series in 1971, and we won the last game on April 30 . I don’t object to a longer season, but I don’t think we should be competing with Wimbledon .”

Question: Is it tough getting up emotionally night after night?

Abdul-Jabbar: I think after all the elation yesterday, of coming back to win that one, we’re all a little numb today. We’ve been through a lot. Last year, we went through the whole playoffs losing three games--one to Golden State, two to Boston. This year, we’ve already lost nine. The season takes its toll.

Q: If the Lakers repeat as champions, could they go down as the greatest team of all time?

KAJ: Well, in the recent history of basketball, anyway. We didn’t compete in the ‘50s or ‘60s, so it’s merely open to speculation.

Q: What did you think of Pat Riley’s “guarantee” of back-to-back championships last summer?

KAJ: When he first made it, I wasn’t paying any attention, because I was on my way to vacation. Later on, I kind of thought the timing was premature. It was a worthy goal for us, but it was an added weight. It was like running a flag up and challenging everybody.

Q: Would losing Game 7 to Detroit make this season a failure?

KAJ: It won’t make it a failure, but I’m sure in a lot of people’s minds, they’ll have reason to smirk. That’s life. People get jealous of someone else’s success. It’s a lot easier for a team that has never won anything to win the minds and hearts of the public, over a team that wins year after year.

Q: In other words, you can empathize now with how the New York Yankees once felt?

KAJ: No, I hate the Yankees.

Q: Were you pleased to be the one who had to make the game-winning free throws in Game 6? Did you want the team’s fate in your hands in that situation?

KAJ: Well, I didn’t even think about it. I just said, “Here I am. Let’s see what I can do about it.”

Q: Isiah Thomas scored 43 points but might not play in Game 7. Can Detroit win without him?

KAJ: I don’t know about Isiah Thomas. First he gave us: “Oh, my aching back!” Then he went out and played a hell of a game. Next, it was: “I can beat you guys on one leg.” And he damn near did it. So, I’ve learned not to trust Isiah’s injury status.

Q: What did you think of Wilt Chamberlain’s comment that you should have retired five years ago?

KAJ: I try not to pay too much attention to childish remarks. Speculation on how great somebody might be if . . . that’s a little too much hot air.

Q: Do you resent people who say you don’t belong out there?

KAJ: People started to write me off when I was 35, so I’m used to it. It’s nice to prove them wrong.

Q: How important is winning this championship to you, since you won’t have that many more chances?

KAJ: Well, the world won’t come to an end if we don’t, but it would definitely be an achievement. We won’t have a chance to repeat again, unless we win it this year. Or, I guess what I mean is I won’t.

Q: What if you repeat as champions, and Riley goes out the next day and guarantees three in a row?

KAJ: He won’t be able to do that. We’ll get to him first.

Q: A couple of years from now, if the Lakers are in a Game 7, where do you see yourself? Watching at home on TV? Sitting in a seat here at the Forum? Off on some remote island with no way of watching? Or still playing center for the Lakers?

KAJ: Well, if I’m watching, it probably will be sitting someplace comfortable with a cold drink.