Of all the photographers to shoot the 1980s “Showtime” Lakers, Malek Abdul-Mansour had a strategic advantage over his peers. Not only was he a former basketball player at the highest level, but he was also one of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s closest friends going back to their days at UCLA under John Wooden. Mansour, who played point guard, could anticipate a Lakers fast break as well as anyone, putting him in ideal position to shoot Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Wilkes, Cooper and others in their finest moments. With his unique connections and artistic skill set, he found himself on the Forum floor covering an NBA dynasty while his buddy set his sights on the game’s most coveted milestone. Who did Sports Illustrated trust to get the shot of Kareem breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time scoring record in 1984? You guessed it. Malek.

Part of the "Kareem Showtime Photo Collection" (Lot 18), comes this group of eighteen original Malek Mansour photographs capturing Kareem and the Lakers at the peak of their powers in the early to mid-1980s. Highlights include: three Kareem action shots from Lakers vs. Celtics clashes in the 1984 NBA Finals; three autographed (one PSA/DNA 10 Auto.) by Kareem; and several action shots of the 7’ 2” Hall of Famer shooting his classic sky hook or dominating above the rim. Mansour initially put together an album with his personal favorites of Kareem and, together, they presented it as a birthday gift to Kareem’s former girlfriend, Brenda Venus, in the mid-1980s. The voluptuous model/actress – now a best-selling novelist – has decided to consign the album after forty years.

The brown leather-bound album with “Kareem” in gold calligraphy on the front cover now contains 15 of the 24 original 8x10 photos that were initially displayed within. It comes with a separate 7.5” by 9.5” shot, glued to a black cardboard matte, showing Norm Nixon, Kareem, Magic & Silk’s faces as they watch from the Lakers bench during the 1980 NBA Finals against the 76ers. Kareem has autographed this one with “For Brenda” inscribed in 8/10 black marker. Notations in gold by Malek Mansour read “To Brenda 2-7-83” at the top left corner with his credit “Abdul-Mansour 1980” at the lower right-hand corner. On the reverse, he has handwritten in pencil, “This is the first color print that I have ever done by hand. Printed by me, Malek Abdul-Mansour 2-3-83”. It includes a PSA/DNA dual-authenticated Type 1 and Authentic LOA.

Two 8x10 photographs, each signed by Kareem in bold black marker, have been encapsulated by PSA/DNA. One is a full body shot of Kareem, hands at hips, in his Lakers home gold uniform with PSA/DNA dual Type 1 and autograph certification. The other is Kareem about to throw down a thunderous dunk with his signature graded a perfect 10. The fifteen ungraded photos remaining in the binder come in outstanding condition and merit Type 1 certification.

We are offering the entire collection of 25 photos in Lot 18 or split into six separate lots (242-247). Whichever accumulates the highest bid total – Lot 18 or the sum of Lots 242 through 247 – will sell.