"He wasn't distraught; he never lets you know what's going on inside" - Kareem Abdul Jabbar's business manager was stunned by his reaction to the

NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar always had a quiet demeanor. He reacted and showed emotions on the court. But in 1983, the six-time NBA champion had to deal with a personal issue after a fire gutted his Bel-Air mansion. The blaze destroyed most of its content, worth roughly $2.5 million.

It was the biggest financial loss in a single-family house in the city's history, UPI.com reported. Jabbar's business manager, Tom Collins, was with the Los Angeles Lakers center when he visited the burned-down mansion.

"We spent about an hour up there. His only words to me were, 'I've never seen anything like it,'" Collins shared.

Kareem's quiet shock

At the time of the fire, Jabbar and the Lakers were playing the Boston Celtics. LA lost to the Cs, 110-95. So he was told the news after the game, and his reaction raised eyebrows.

Just like what most people see on the basketball court, Jabbar did the same when he saw the devastated property. Experiencing such would upset anybody; the 'Big Fella' likely felt that but hardly showed it.

"Like any normal, natural human being who comes home and finds everything he treasured in a lifetime in one big ash, he had to be upset," Collins added.

Among the things lost in the fire were Kareem's trophies, plaques, milestone basketballs, photographs and paintings, and memorabilia of a brilliant college and professional basketball career.

Riley gave Jabbar a pass

Given such a mishap, it would be understandable that Jabbar would need some time off and away from basketball. It would have been a huge problem for the Los Angeles Lakers, considering Kareem was vital to the franchise.

Then-Lakers coach Pat Riley understood the situation of his prized big man and allowed him to take as much time away as possible. However, the 19-time All-Star would instead make an immediate return.

"He's devastated," Riley said. "He's got to take care of his family first."

Rather than do so, the 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year rejoined the Lakers in time for their match against the Dallas Mavericks on February 2, 1983. The Lakers lost that game against the Mavs, 122-120. Legendary center's performance that night hardly showed signs of being affected by it.

Jabbar scored a game-high 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots in 34 minutes of action. The Lakers would get things together after back-to-back losses to the Celtics and the Mavs. They went on a four-game winning streak, bringing down the Kansas City Kings (twice), the Seattle Supersonics, and the Utah Jazz.

LA squad, despite their struggles that season, went on to make the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, Kareem and company would get swept by the Philadelphia 76ers, 4-0, which made 1983 a year to forget for 'The Cap.'

Related: "Our bodies have been here, but our minds haven't" – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's comments after the Lakers losing streak in 1983