Kareem Abdul-Jabbar statue unveiled

Purple-and-gold confetti falls around Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the statue depticting his trademark sky hook outside of Staples Center on Friday evening during a ceremony to honor the Hall-of-Famer.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Kareem Adbul-Jabbar acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony to unveil his statue outside of Staples Center on Friday evening.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Hall-of-Famers (from left) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and James Worthy share a laugh during a ceremony to unveil a statue in honor of the Lakers center.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Magic Johnson gives former teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a hug and a kiss before the unveiling of the former Lakers center’s statue outside of Staples Center on Friday evening.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers fan Jack Nicholson points to the stage after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s statue was unveiled Friday evening outside of Staples Center.  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

A who’s who of basketball greatness assembles alongside the statue of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Friday evening outside of Staples Center. If you look closely, you can spot Lakers legends Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Pat Riley, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis and non-Laker Bill Walton.   (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)