When Bruce Lee Trained With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar By Jeff Chang | September 25, 2025 | Source --- Overview This article, excerpted from Jeff Chang’s book Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America (Mariner Books, 2025), explores the unlikely but transformative training partnership between martial arts legend Bruce Lee and basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) in the late 1960s. --- Backgrounds and Context Lew Alcindor’s Ascendance: Entered the spotlight as a hypersized basketball star at UCLA, standing 7'2". After two years of partying and personal searching, he sought new purpose. Led UCLA to back-to-back NCAA championships; was a central figure during the dramatic “Game of the Century” in 1968. Experienced racial discrimination and hostility growing up and during college years. Joined the Black liberation movement and converted to Sunni Islam during this period, adopting the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bruce Lee’s Role and Philosophy: Martial artist and actor known for pioneering Jeet Kune Do and his philosophical approach to combat—valuing fundamentals, preparation, and practical effectiveness. Sought to adapt his techniques to counter even towering opponents like Lew Alcindor. --- The Meeting and Training Introduction to Bruce Lee: Alcindor initially skeptical of learning from an actor until introduced by mutual acquaintance Mito Uyehara. Met at Bruce Lee’s Los Angeles home, where Bruce immediately sized up the towering athlete’s potential in martial arts. Training Approach: Started with fundamental drills—testing Alcindor’s power via heavy bag punching and kicking. Bruce’s wife, Linda, demonstrated a powerful kick that physically shocked Kareem, illustrating martial arts power regardless of size differences. Bruce’s Adaptations: Realized traditional Wing Chun techniques were less effective against someone as tall as Kareem. Shifted training focus away from close-contact drills like chi sao to more suited methods considering Kareem's unique physicality. Sparring sessions focused on Bruce working out theories against Kareem’s reach and strength. Philosophy Shared: Both men emphasized the importance of practicing fundamentals to mastery ("practicing one kick 10,000 times"). Bruce imparted lessons on controlling “chi” (life force), helping Kareem develop presence of mind and perceive movements in slow motion during combat. --- Personal and Social Dimensions Both Bruce and Kareem dealt with fame and racial discrimination, which created a bond and mutual understanding. Their conversations extended beyond training to social issues such as racial injustice, politics, and philosophy. Shared cultural discoveries through books and discussions—Bruce learned about imperialism and struggles faced by Asians, Kareem engaged with Bruce’s philosophies rooted in martial arts and Eastern thought. --- Impact and Legacy Training sessions served as a refuge for Kareem amid media hostility questioning Black athletes' patriotism and activism during the civil rights era. Bruce Lee, fascinated by the challenge Kareem posed, said he wanted to learn how to beat a tall opponent. Their collaboration exemplified the fusion of physical discipline and cultural/personal empowerment during a turbulent historical moment. --- About the Author Jeff Chang is a celebrated author and historian known for his work on culture, music, and social history, including hip-hop origins and Asian American identity. His other notable contributions include award-winning books and documentaries related to race, culture, and sports. --- Excerpted from Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America *by Jeff Chang. Copyright © 2025