Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants to coach the Bucks

The Bucks will be looking for a coach this summer, and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants a shot at the job.

Mar 6, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The Milwaukee Bucks have a big decision to make with their head coach position this offseason, and there's a big man who's willing to step into the role. That would be NBA legend and former Buck Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Abdul-Jabbar told Dave Begel of OnMilwaukee.com that he would absolutely be willing to coach the Bucks if general manager John Hammond came calling. The big man laid out why he thought he would be a great choice for the job, emphasizing his ability to develop team chemistry and get the most out of his players:

“I know how to prepare for a season as an individual and I know what that means in terms of team commitment,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I can get all the right people together that have some chemistry and care about each other and they love the game. That’s where teams are made or not made successful.
“That’s very hard for GM’s to figure out. They know talent when they see it. But that ability to connect with your teammates, that personal chemistry is a hard thing to see in people. I can help players learn how to develop that chemistry. We had Pete Newell out here (in Los Angeles) and he was a master at understanding the personal fire within each player. I’d be a coach who can provide respect and keep the guys on the same page for a whole season.”

Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks seem like a good fit, especially because of the talent in place in the middle. Larry Sanders is turning into the one of the better centers in the game, and working with one of the best centers of all-time could only help his development. Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah worked out with Abdul-Jabbar this past summer, and Noah is in the midst of the best season of his career.

Abdul-Jabbar would certainly bring plenty of buzz to Milwaukee

Abdul-Jabbar would certainly bring plenty of buzz to Milwaukee, and it would be a more inspiring hire than some retread. At the very least, he should get a chance to sell himself to management as the guy who could help bring the Bucks to the next level.