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Bayliss · 07-01-2002, 10:44 AM

<< Winning hasn't gotten old for Abdul-Jabbar

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Associated Press

ENID, Okla. -- It wasn't another NBA title, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says he got plenty of satisfaction in seeing his Oklahoma Storm capture its first USBL championship.

The Storm defeated Kansas 122-109 on Sunday before a crowd of 1,100.

After the victory, Abdul-Jabbar, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win six NBA championships, waved the gleaming trophy above his head as confetti streamed down from the roof of the Mark Price Arena.

"When I played in the playgrounds of New York I wanted to win, that was important," Abdul-Jabbar said. "It doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't matter what level you are in, winning is a great accomplishment and is gratifying."

Abdul-Jabbar helped the Storm overcome a 4-8 start and mesh several new players to win the title.

"Being able to help these guys do what they want to do, to get them noticed; I am honored and thankful for it," he said.

Said Storm owner James Bryant, "This is wonderful. When this team started it was brand new, the players didn't know each other, the coaches didn't know each other, we began to rebuild and that is the way Kareem wanted it. We struggled early, but we began to play well late and the rest is history." >>

Maybe this will give Kareem a better shot of becoming a NBA coach sometime.

07-01-2002, 10:44 AM	#15
Bayliss Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 16,054	<< Winning hasn't gotten old for Abdul-Jabbar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press ENID, Okla. -- It wasn't another NBA title, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says he got plenty of satisfaction in seeing his Oklahoma Storm capture its first USBL championship. The Storm defeated Kansas 122-109 on Sunday before a crowd of 1,100. After the victory, Abdul-Jabbar, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win six NBA championships, waved the gleaming trophy above his head as confetti streamed down from the roof of the Mark Price Arena. "When I played in the playgrounds of New York I wanted to win, that was important," Abdul-Jabbar said. "It doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't matter what level you are in, winning is a great accomplishment and is gratifying." Abdul-Jabbar helped the Storm overcome a 4-8 start and mesh several new players to win the title. "Being able to help these guys do what they want to do, to get them noticed; I am honored and thankful for it," he said. Said Storm owner James Bryant, "This is wonderful. When this team started it was brand new, the players didn't know each other, the coaches didn't know each other, we began to rebuild and that is the way Kareem wanted it. We struggled early, but we began to play well late and the rest is history." >> Maybe this will give Kareem a better shot of becoming a NBA coach sometime.