Los Angeles acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. "He was my hero", Washington later said. "It was a dream come true." Abdul-Jabbar would later play an important role in the fight that changed Washington's life.
Bob Ryan wrote a column on Washington in 1978. Ryan later said, "You couldn't not like the guy when you sat down and talked with him. ... He never wanted to hurt Rudy the way he did. ... I felt bad for him." The article endeared Washington to Celtics fans. The relationship was short-lived, however; he was traded after playing just 32 games for the team.