Lakers shocked to hear Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has leukemia

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To a man, the Lakers were stunned to hear that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

Kobe Bryant said he was ‘extremely shocked’ to hear that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was found to have Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous cells.

‘We’re shocked, just as is everybody else,’ Bryant said. ‘He’s extremely private.’

Abdul-Jabbar, a Lakers special assistant coach, informed very few people when he was diagnosed last December. He quietly told some of the Lakers’ coaching staff a few months later but did not inform other players and Lakers personnel.

Andrew Bynum, who was coached by Abdul-Jabbar the last few seasons, was also surprised to hear the news.

‘I didn’t even know until today, this morning,’ Bynum said. ‘It’s unfortunate. I wish him the best with it.’

-- Mike Bresnahan