![\"kareem](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/70\/4by3\/2023\/02\/08\/7003adc5c7334fa7b8009021ab3ee610_md.jpg\")
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is opening up on his relationship — or lack, thereof — with LeBron James … admitting he didn’t make much of an effort to be a mentor for the Lakers superstar due to their age difference.<\/p>\n
75-year-old KAJ released a Substack<\/strong> essay to explain where he stands with the guy who dethroned him at the top of the all-time scoring list … and aside from a “couple minor jabs” over his COVID-19 vaccine stance, the Captain says he has had high praise for the King over the course of his career.<\/p>\n But when it comes to being buddies with 38-year-old Bron, Abdul-Jabbar says James was right in saying they had “no relationship” back in October … and he’s taking responsibility.<\/p>\n “LeBron said we don\u2019t have a relationship,” KAJ said. “He\u2019s right — and for that I blame myself. Not for anything I did, but perhaps for not making more of an effort to reach out to him.”<\/p>\n “I think the main reason that I never formed a bond with LeBron (again, entirely my fault) is simply our age difference,” he continued. “I established my scoring record in 1984 — the year LeBron was born. When he started to make a name for himself, I was already pretty removed from the NBA world. Except for certain gala events, I was just like any other fan, watching games on my TV in my sweatpants while munching on too many unhealthy snacks.”<\/p>\n Kareem admits he could have reached out to guide LeBron with all the pressure he faces as the star of the NBA, but took solace in knowing he had a guy like Kobe Bryant he could talk to.<\/p>\n “I couldn\u2019t imagine why he\u2019d want to hang with someone twice his age. How many do?”<\/p>\n Kareem was present when LeBron passed 38,387 career points … and the two shared a special moment on the court.<\/p>\n![\"kareem](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/22\/4by3\/2023\/02\/08\/229494bee74b423492faaa37208436ba_md.png\")
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