Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says fans prefer Magic Johnson because he 'made white people feel comfortable'

NBA legends and former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson have never seemed a lot alike — in playing styles or in personality. In an interview with The New York Times, Abdul-Jabbar, 68, offered up some candid commentary as to why Johnson drew more support from both fans and the press in the '80s.

"I understood why people liked him," Abdul-Jabbar said. "He had that great smile, so white people thought his life was okay. They thought that racism had not affected him. They were wrong, of course. But that's what they saw when they saw him. Magic made white people feel comfortable. With themselves."

Abdul-Jabbar, now a prolific columnist on racial justice, said he regrets not cultivating a better relationship with reporters over the years in the interest of appearing more likable to fans.

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Check out the whole profile here, especially if you've been dying to know what it's like taking a casual trip to the zoo with a basketball great.