he did it all while dragging la mere up and down the court for 48 minutes. but the reason we honor kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the sky hook. he stood up for his muslim faith when it wasn t easy and it wasn t popular. he was comfortable sparring with bruce lee as he is advocating on capitol hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence about patrioti patriotism. physically, intellectually, spiritually, kareem is one of a kind. an american who illuminates our bake freedoms and our highest aspirations. when he was 5 years old, michael jordan nearly cut off his big toe with an axe. back then his hands needed a