Lakers Make Kareem Feel Right at Home : Pro basketball: They beat Charlotte, 109-97, after former star's No. 33 is retired during halftime ceremony.

By SAM McMANIS

March 21, 1990 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

They hung Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s jersey high above the Forum court during a halftime ceremony Tuesday night. There, jersey No. 33 will hang along side those of Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, Laker legends all.

The Lakers of the present, accustomed by now to standing for ceremonies after last season’s Abdul-Jabbar farewell tour, capped the night by beating the Charlotte Hornets, 109-97, and clinching a playoff spot. They also maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over Portland in the Pacific Division.

James Worthy, the other Laker who wears goggles on-court, missed the game because of lower back spasms. Worthy is listed day-to-day, but the Lakers (49-16) didn’t need him against the Hornets. Byron Scott led the Lakers with 21 points, and Magic Johnson, A.C. Green and Orlando Woolridge each added 15.

This night, however, was to celebrate the past more than worry about the present state of the Lakers. They will have plenty of time to concern themselves with catching Detroit for the NBA’s best record and staving off Portland, Utah and Phoenix in the West.

Tuesday was their last time to formally honor the Laker center emeritus, who retired after 20 seasons, the last 14 with the Lakers.

“That solidifies the end of an era,” said Michael Cooper, who played 11 seasons with Abdul-Jabbar. “It’s over now, because Kareem can’t go up there and get that jersey and put it on.”

Abdul-Jabbar, speaking to reporters earlier Tuesday, called the ceremony a “visual confirmation” of his record-setting career.

The halftime ceremony began with a two-minute standing ovation that somehow rendered Chick Hearn, master of ceremonies, speechless. Hearn eventually read a long list of Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplishments, then introduced Johnson, who hugged his friend and former teammate.

Johnson, near tears, thanked Abdul-Jabbar for letting him and the rest of the Lakers share in his accomplishments and thanked Abdul-Jabbar for helping him grow as a person.

“Like Tina Turner said, ‘You’re simply the best,’ ” Johnson said. “You’re definitely better than all the rest.”

David Stern, NBA commissioner, then presented Abdul-Jabbar with a framed jersey similar to the one on the Forum wall of fame.

“All I have to say is (Abdul-Jabbar’s) longevity, consistency, durability and greatness will never, ever be equaled in our league,” Stern said. “I’ll see you in the Hall of Fame.” At that point, Abdul-Jabbar’s jersey was unveiled. It was hung next to that of former hockey great Rogie Vachon. The jerseys of Chamberlain, West and Baylor were moved to the right side of the United States flag.

Abdul-Jabbar then addressed the crowd.

“I was absolutely positive I definitely got out of my system the feeling of thrills and chills I get here,” he said. “I’m sure that’s what Coach (Pat) Riley was talking about when he was trying to get me back playing. . . . want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Abdul-Jabbar’s day at the Forum began with a noon press conference during which, among other topics, he addressed his feelings about having his jersey retired. A few hours later, Abdul-Jabbar dropped by the Laker locker room and gave out gifts to all of the players. Then, he watched his first Laker game in person this season.

“I’m very proud,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I kind of got fed up with ceremonies after last year, but I’m happy to come back for this one.”

Abdul-Jabbar credited Laker players for prolonging his career and helping him deal with the pressures of a high-profile life.

Laker players were happy to have Abdul-Jabbar back at the Forum, if only for a night.

“Just him being here brings back a lot of good memories,” Scott said. “The best six years I’ve had have been with (Abdul-Jabbar).”

Added Johnson: “You can’t describe how it feels. It’s like I’m getting (the retired jersey) too, because I feel so close to him.”

Laker Notes

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s press conference on Tuesday was partly to promote his soon-to-be-released book, “Kareem,” a diary of his final season with the Lakers. The book, written with Mignon McCarthy, includes Abdul-Jabbar’s thoughts on many subjects, particularly the hardships of life on the road, and also offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Lakers.

For instance: After the Lakers had lost their eighth consecutive road game last January, Abdul-Jabbar wrote, Magic Johnson tore up the visiting locker room at the Arco Arena. “He’d had enough of it,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “He went on a tirade in the dressing room, slamming furniture around and hitting the blackboard so hard it cracked, almost falling on him. It was out of character for him, but, at his peak of frustration, he was making a point. . . . I thought the outburst was good.” . . . Johnson, smiling, confirmed the incident. “I had to get my message across,” he said. “I’m not used to losing.”

Abdul-Jabbar throws bouquets to nearly everyone in the Laker organization, from General Manager Jerry West to trainer Gary Vitti. But, in the same passage in which Abdul-Jabbar talks about his friendships with reserves Tony Campbell, now with Minnesota, and Mark McNamara, he criticized Mychal Thompson--for his personality, not his basketball ability. Abdul-Jabbar wrote that Thompson “was an athlete as gifted in hype as he was in basketball” and was “given to exaggerated claims of his abilities in a wide range of areas off-court.”

When Thompson, according to Abdul-Jabbar, told teammates he could out-box anyone in the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar turned promoter for a match--all in fun, apparently--between Thompson and Byron Scott the day after the Lakers had won the 1987 NBA title. Abdul-Jabbar wrote that Scott split Thompson’s lip in bare-knuckle sparring. . . . Thompson’s rebuttal: “All I can say about (the sparring session) is that when you’re in a foreign country with their judges, you never get a fair shake.” Thompson is from the Bahamas.

Abdul-Jabbar also revealed that Clipper owner Donald T. Sterling sought his advice before moving the Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles after the 1983-84 season. Abdul-Jabbar suggested to Sterling that the Clippers move to Orange County. “When Sterling asked me what I thought about the L.A. Sports Arena, I hoped he was kidding,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. . . . Abdul-Jabbar, during his afternoon press conference, explained his reasons for writing a scathing open letter to long-time tormentor Wilt Chamberlain, published in part in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times Magazine. “Wilt had his say for a long time about me and my career,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I never responded to it. Now that I have time, I can talk about his life and his career.”