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‘Shocked’ by LeBron James, ‘Charmed’ by Michael Jordan – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reviews Lesser-Known Shaquille O’Neal Hollywood Movie That “Never Quite Came Together”

Published 03/28/2023, 11:59 AM EDT

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Some notable NBA personalities have tried their hands at different art fields. From albums in the genre of rap music to movies and TV shows, NBA legends have tried their hand at it all. While some of those roles have gone under the radar, others are still well-known. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently refreshed the memory of hoop fans in his latest blog as he reviewed a rare Shaquille O’Neal film, along side movies from other NBA greats.

Abdul-Jabbar holds several records in the NBA, even though he has made headlines recently for his work as an activist. The 6x NBA champion also runs a blog where he discusses socio-political issues. In his latest post, Cap has kept it light as he talked about acting roles by Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recalls acting roles of his peers

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On a relatively lighter note, for his blog, the 19x NBA all-star wrote about the acting roles done by some of his peers. He also detailed how impressed he was seeing them on the big screen. Abdul-Jabbar recalled being “charmed” by Jordan in the movie Space Jam. Jordan was featured in the 1996 movie as himself. The movie was based on Looney Tunes characters abducting Jordan and asking him to play basketball for them against a criminal alien group.

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The movie was a big success as it grossed over $250 million worldwide. Impressed by Jordan’s portrayal of the role, Abdul-Jabbar wrote, “There’s no way you aren’t charmed by the man’s aura.”

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He also talked about LeBron’s acting in the comedy movie Trainwreck. The Lakers icon said that he was “shocked” by his portrayal of the character in the movie. Applauding LeBron for his talent, he wrote, “He was so natural and funny that I forgot it was him.” Notably, LeBron was featured in the latest installment of Space Jam, titled Space Jam: A New Legacy, released in 2021.

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The 75-year-old has a few acting credits under his name as well. He has been featured in several movies and TV shows, most notable of which is Airplane!Game of Death, and Glass Onion. In his own words, Abdul-Jabbar “had a blast” doing these roles.

Read More: The Intriguing Story Behind the Creation of Michael Jordan’s Legendary Movie Space Jam

Abdul-Jabbar gives a special shoutout to Shaq

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The 2x NBA finals MVP talked about a lesser-known film, featuring Shaquille O’Neal. The movie was called Blue Chips and it was released in 1994, Shaq had a prominent role in the film. Abdul-Jabbar wrote, “The movie never quite came together, but I thought he was a terrific presence.” 51-year-old Shaq has done over 20 films and with his media presence, it is no surprise. As one of the most recognized faces on earth, Diesel does possess the ability to draw people into the theatres to watch him act.

Watch This Story: Michael Jordan’s Baseball Days, LeBron James’ History with Football, & Other NBA Players That Have Played Other Sports

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Written by:

Prateek Singh

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Prateek Singh is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He fell in love with basketball after witnessing the late great Kobe Bryant lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2009 and 2010 NBA Championships. A huge Kobe fan, covering the NBA for a living was a no-brainer for Prateek.
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Edited by:

Satagni Sikder