Jabbar Helps Team Shoot To Win.

Byline: Mike Hall Associate Sports Editor

* Former NBA star says his time coaching at a reservation high school is all about the players

WHITERIVER, Ariz. -- Raul Mendoza knows all too well that fear of success can sometimes be far more powerful than fear of failure.

Mendoza, boys' basketball coach at Alchesay High School on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, has been preaching for his four years at the school that it's OK to succeed.

"Native Americans don't want to stand out," says Mendoza, a member of the Papago tribe. "They want to mix, mingle. It's something against their culture to stand out."

This year, Mendoza has an ally.

He escaped the evil lures of New York City's Harlem district, is used to celebrity status and certainly is used to standing out.

Meet Kareem Adbul-Jabbar, the Falcons' new assistant coach.

Long way from NBA

Jabbar, all 7 feet, 2 inches of him, is dressed in black Guess jeans and a casual sweater. He stands in front of a grease board minutes before Alchesay's game with visiting Blue Ridge on a recent Friday.

He writes:

"Stop ALL drives to the hoop."

"Stay down, box out shooters."

"Stay inside until the ball is passed out."

"Protect ball."

"Get good shots each time."

He tells the players:

"They are not going to beat us with outside shots. Make staying in the paint your priority."

Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and the owner of six NBA championships, is finding his way as a high school assistant coach.

He is as serious this night as any during his NBA career, this despite an almost festival atmosphere during a game where the public address announcer makes frequent jokes and the players and referees often exchange smiles.

Jabbar is also just as serious about being a part of -- and possibly making an impact on…