Muslims Critical Of Abdul-Jabbar

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had an impeccable sense of timing on the basketball court during his Hall of Fame career with the Lakers, has run afoul of some Islamic leaders for his cameo appearance in a beer commercial.

The Islamic Society of North America on Friday condemned Abdul-Jabbar, who converted to Islam in 1971, for his participation in the commercial for Coors beer, calling the spot “devastating.”

The timing of the ad campaign could not be more disconcerting to Muslims. The commercials, which began Jan. 1, are running concurrent with the observance of Ramadan, the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. The use of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.

Around the world, Muslims are observing Ramadan, a time of fasting and abstinence from sunrise to sundown. Muslims pray, reflect, thank God for blessings and repent for sins. One goal of the monthlong observance is to discipline the body and strengthen moral character.

Sayyid M. Sayeed, secretary general of the Indiana-based Islamic group, called on Abdul-Jabbar to request that Coors drop the commercial or donate his salary to institutions that fight alcohol use.

Abdul-Jabbar could not be reached for comment.

Islamic leaders in Los Angeles agreed that Muslims are forbidden by their faith from partaking or promoting intoxicants, but they said Abdul-Jabbar should not have been called to task publicly.

Jordan won’t rest sore neck

With Ron Harper out with an injury and Dennis Rodman sidelined by suspension, Michael Jordan says he won’t rest his ailing neck since the Chicago Bulls need him in the lineup.

The league’s leading scorer was visibly hampered by the injury during Wednesday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although he scored 25 points, about five below his season average, he was often seen grimacing after shooting. Doctors have advised him to rest the injury, which occurred in Tuesday’s win over the Washington Bullets.

“They say that if I rested and didn’t do anything, it would get better quickly,” said Jordan. “But I’m not going to do that.”

Bulls do quite well without Rodman

Toni Kukoc and Michael Jordan scored 24 points each and the Chicago Bulls, playing without suspended Dennis Rodman, beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100-73 for their ninth straight victory.

The Bulls, who went 15-3 in games without Rodman a year ago, showed again they can win without him. Chicago outrebounded Milwaukee 38-34, led by Luc Longley with eight. Jordan and Scottie Pippen had seven each.

Pippen added 20 points and Jordan had 11 assists as Chicago captured its 12th straight win at the United Center.

Barkley out at least a week

Charles Barkley, the NBA’s third-leading rebounder, estimates he will be sidelined a week to 10 days because of an ankle injury.

The Houston Rockets’ power forward, who is averaging 14.8 rebounds and 19.8 points per game, was injured in Thursday night’s victory over Sacramento.

The Rockets also put guard Tracy Moore on the injured list for a lower back strain sustained during Wednesday’s practice. Center Charles Jones, 39, was activated to replace him after missing 11 games because of back strain.

Mavs to stick with 2 J’s

Although the Dallas Mavericks traded one of their troublesome three J’s, the two others appear to be in for the long haul.

The Mavericks said they’ve taken guard Jimmy Jackson and forward Jamal Mashburn off the trading block, three weeks after shipping point guard Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns in a six-player swap.

Warriors red hot from the line

Latrell Sprewell and Joe Smith scored 26 points apiece and the Golden State Warriors used nearly perfect freethrow shooting to beat the Indiana Pacers 98-91.

The Warriors hit 24 of their first 25 free throws, built a 16-point lead and held off a comeback by Indiana in the fourth quarter. Golden State finished 28 of 30 from the foul line to Indiana’s 16 for 32.