Solomon Hughes Talks Playing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on ‘Winning Time’ with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

Actor Solomon Hughes tells Rich Eisen how he landed the role of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on HBO’s ‘Winning Time’ and why he got into acting despite having a PhD, says why his 13 games with the Harlem Globetrotters were the most grueling stretch of basketball he’s ever gone through, and reveals what it’s like to channel Kareem’s mannerisms and his iconic Sky Hook.
Watch the Rich Eisen Show, an Emmy-nominated sports talk show, streaming live on NBC's Peacock, Audacy, and SiriusXM Ch. 85 Monday through Friday, noon--3 PM ET.
Showcasing Rich Eisen’s uncanny ability to blend insightful sports expertise with an offbeat mix of humor and pop culture, The Rich Eisen Show attracts the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment.
Subscribe to this channel to keep up with the internet's best sports and pop culture commentary, interviews, and much more!
------
SUBSCRIBE HERE:
bit.ly/2VjWSBC
FOLLOW US HERE:
/ richeisenshow
/ richeisenshow
/ richeisenshow
www.audacy.com/richeisen/listen
Thanks to our friends at Grabyo for supporting our live production and editing needs. Truly a game changer for what we're trying to accomplish here at the Rich Eisen Show. You can check out Grabyo and their suite of offerings here: bit.ly/3aac366
#RichEisenShow #WinningTime #Lakers

[@jonesy2892]

Solomon is excellent as Kareem. They couldn't have found a better actor for that role. I would love to see this guy become a huge star.

[@Throwedxiii]

Incredible casting. He literally became Kareem. The mannerisms, focus and authorative nature of Mr. Jabbar. That scene with him and Earvin Sr. was his best scene yet.

[@themarkl0813]

Him and Rob Morgan are killing it

[@AndrewAtkinson1]

This guy embodies Kareem. To the point where I was shocked to see the real Kareem in the sidebyside airplane shot. He's killing it.

[@ronaldwilliams5131]

Dude is doing a dope job 🙌🏿

[@AceEnforcer]

Such an amazing interview. Dr. Solomon seems like a very intelligent, articulate guy and nails his performance as KAJ in the show. Can't wait to see what's in store in the next few episodes and season 2.

[@royalband6839]

"WINNING TIME!" IS A GREAT SHOW!

[@TonyBakercomedy]

He did a GREAT job as Kareem.

[@averyce2]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with Dr. J, still are my favorite NBA players. I pray Kareem watches this interview with Solomon Hughes. I hope Kareem approves of the efforts. I wish for Kareem to give Solomon and the crew some praise.

[@jonathankopf8330]

Check out the newest episode out they have Dr. J in it

[@billblaski9523]

They say Dr J was really the 1st mainstream, crossover player into celebrity? Fish That Saves Pittsburgh is a cult classic?

[@kamasihill2478]

Emmy award winning performance IMO

[@joycejohnson7164]

Intellectual guy comes through, as he obviously is. GREAT show!

[@b.french2621]

Man I love this series. Solomon is a 🌟

[@fosman2960]

Show is amazing and this guy is 100% great in it.

[@CalobAdamsInfamous913]

I love him as Kareem

[@tubesled2020]

Rich! If you were SOOO impressed with the authenticity of the "Kareem Airplane scene?"...I can't believe you missed "THE REAL AIRPLANE DIRECTORS!!!"(Zucker bros. now with gray hair) directing the scene in the re enactment!(I know, because I worked with them, in "Ruthless People"😉)....loved the interview with Solomon btw, and the Lakers TV series!👍

[@ryancparker]

Great job, Solomon! You nailed it!

[@spennyhenny7680]

Love this show. Keep up the great work Dr. Hughes

[@fernandovasquez5251]

43 years old? He looks 25.

[@Smogg]

Crazy

[@jjawil494]

Fax I thought he was much younger

[@Ankhu86]

He do not look 43 at all

[@816BIGB]

Dr. Hughes!! A gentle giant!!!

[@Aj4youtube]

Bro I didn’t even look at him as a actor. I’m legit like, that’s Kareem 😂

[@tyharris9994]

Best acting on the show. Really captured his personality and mannerisms.

[@bigmoedeeby]

His performance was fantastic, well done sir.

[@ringsmatter5090]

Seems like a solid dude. I love the show.

[@99nozy]

Proud of my brother 👍🏿

[@cameltoeinspector6015]

fr fr

[@smokeyjoe795]

Great job

[@westlb12]

Rich Eisen you the man!!!

[@3deaster]

Dr Hughes is class act winning times is a great show

[@HenDawgTV]

Yesssirrr 🔥🔥🔥

[@tonylittles688]

Perfect Casting

[@ashbyashby2616]

So brilliantly acted!!!

[@abjustdoit1294]

Nobody was gonna tell him with the side by side that’s it’s clearly NOT the same cockpit

[@fredkruse9444]

Yeah, if it is the same one, it's been modified a heck of a lot.

[@Smogg]

@@fredkruse9444 definitely modified since then i think

[@NI-qm2kk]

He deserves a Oscar for Kareem

[@shaynepatrick3585]

Well An Emmy! But we knowhat u mean!! hate to be the 1st to tell Yall, Winning Season's Been cancelled for season 3! Man, that pisses me off!

[@NI-qm2kk]

I know man it sucks

[@adrialgracelyn1146]

Mr Hawkins Nicholas is the right person to start trading crypto currency with.He knows his way around the crypto world,he has been helping me increase my investment everyday by over months..

[@yolandacabrera4687]

I still wonder how he gets his analysis,I got profit of $40,000 with a capital of $4009 in 21 days of trading with him

[@yolandacabrera4687]

I still wonder how he gets his analysis,I got profit of $40,000 with a capital of $4009 in 21 days of trading with him

[@nancysandoval8310]

I never lost as a beginner, ever since I started Investing with Mr Hawkins Nicholas Gary winning and profiting has been certain.

[@wanzaaneann9414]

Hello I’m from India,my partner just approved my trading,I think I am interested how can I get in touch with him?

[@billysandoval3118]

How much exactly does he make of you in every trade don’t mind me askin

[@renewd]

The real Kareem has stated that he has no respect for the flimsy characters in "Winning Time". Despite this fact, this man seems to have good intentions.

[@billblaski9523]

Its a shame Kareem hates him or the show, Solomon does a good job of playing him

[@darinvee4980]

I read that this dude is 43! How the hell does he not even look 33? Lucky bastard!

[@thenameisyosh]

Show is AWESOME!!! 1st acting job?! GTFOH 🔥🔥🔥

[@micahclawrence]

He is good as Kareem but honestly kareem had wide intense eyes.

[@jonesy2892]

Agreed. Kareem's eyes were huge and his gaze was piercing. A very unique looking man. But it would have been impossible for the show to find a lookalike that fit all the criteria. Solomon is probably the best they could have found.

[@zoloj8510]

tuned in to see if he has a Brittish accent

[@ripapa6355]

You didn't 'resist the one dimension of being a tall black bball player'. You tried to be a bball player, and didn't make it. That's still valuable, you went for it. Don't act like you made some noble choice about it. :)

[@robaer8d]

Francisco Elson looks nothing like Kareem