Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Recalls Hilarious ’80s Lakers Pranks: “They Even Cut Up My Jeans!”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the most dominant and respected players in NBA history, was known for his fierce presence on the court and his reserved demeanor off it. However, those close to him knew that beneath his stoic exterior was a sharp sense of humor—one that often made him both the perpetrator and the target of pranks among his Los Angeles Lakers teammates in the 1980s.

Locker Room Laughter: Pranks as Team Bonding

In a recent interview with Jennifer Hudson, Kareem opened up about the long-standing tradition of pranks in NBA locker rooms. When asked if teammates played tricks on each other, the Lakers legend replied, “All the time.” He explained that these pranks were a way to break the monotony and keep spirits high during the grind of the season.

“Some part of a professional athlete, you gotta deal with boredom,” Kareem explained. “You know, you gotta go someplace, you gotta study players, know ’em, you gotta go over ’em again, and once you get it down, it’s repetitive, and it’s boring. So we do the best we can to keep it light, entertain each other.”

The Infamous Jeans Incident

Kareem recounted a particularly memorable prank that took place after a game in Boston. As payback for some tricks he had previously played on his teammates, a few Lakers decided to get even by cutting up his jeans.

“I remember one time I left Boston, and they had cut up my jeans,” he recalled. “Well, they were getting even with me for some of the tricks I had played on them.”

Shirt-Switching Shenanigans

He also shared another classic locker room tale involving teammates Larry Spriggs and Mike McGee. The two often dressed alike, and one night they switched shirts—a detail that led to a comedic situation. After McGee was injured and needed stitches, he ended up wearing Spriggs’ much larger shirt, which hung on him like a blanket.

Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold

James Worthy, Kareem’s teammate during the Lakers’ golden era, revealed that pranking the six-time MVP was always risky—not because Kareem would react angrily, but because he would patiently plot his revenge. The jeans incident, for example, was orchestrated by Byron Scott and Michael Cooper. Kareem waited for the right moment to get them back.

For Cooper, revenge came in the form of Nair hair remover applied to his scalp while he slept on the team jet, leaving him with a bald spot for days. Byron Scott faced his own retribution during a winter road trip, when Kareem cut holes in the toes of his socks, forcing Scott to endure the cold with less-than-ideal footwear.

A Unique Team Chemistry

Despite the pranks, Kareem never let on that he was bothered. Instead, he embraced the playful rivalry, always responding in kind and keeping the team’s camaraderie alive. These stories offer a rare glimpse into the lighter side of one of basketball’s greatest legends and the close-knit bond that helped define the Showtime Lakers.

Through laughter, pranks, and a touch of mischief, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his Lakers teammates found ways to keep their spirits high—proving that even the most serious competitors need a little fun along the way.