体坛英语新闻：NBA great Abdul-Jabbar's leukemia not life threatening

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- NBA's legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's leukemia is not life-threatening, which was diagnosed last December, it was reported in Los Angeles Times on Tuesday.

Abdul-Jabbar, 62, who suffers from a rare form of leukemia, revealed during an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he was diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous blood cells.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to fans after his jersey number 33 was retired by the Bucks at halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nov. 21, 2007. Jabbar played for the Bucks from 1969-75, then played for the Lakers.

    He acknowledged he was scared after visiting his doctor and learning of the diagnosis. The NBA Hall of Famer said his condition can be managed by taking a daily oral medication that specifically targets the abnormal protein that causes leukemia, seeing his specialist every other month and getting his blood analyzed regularly.

    "I responded well to the treatment," he said. "I just want that to continue to keep happening."

    The 2.18m center retired in 1989 after a fruitful career that lasted for 20 seasons. He holds eight NBA postseason records and seven all-star records.

    He dominated the NBA inside peerlessly and his honors remained unrivalable.