Wilt Chamberlain

TheOtherGreatOne

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
3,005
3,365
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I'm 28, and so never watched Wilt games growing up, and forgive me, haven't taken the time to go back and watch them. But I'm familiar with his accomplishments, and his name is unavoidable in basketball conversations everywhere. But a lot about the man seems more like myth than fact. Everything from him being a seven-footer with a 48-inch vertical (http://theexercisers.com/how-to-inc...e-vertical-jump/highest-vertical-jump-in-nba/) to his claim to having slept with 20,000 women.

What about this guy was real? Did he actually play at almost 300 pounds? Did he really have a 9'6" standing reach *without* shoes? Did he have a better vertical than Hamidou Diallo?
Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominate player to ever play the game hands down not even close.
 
A

anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y

Guest
Putting Willie Cauley Stein in the same conversation as Wilt Chamberlain is completely ridiculous. WCS couldn't carry Chamberlain's jock.
Yeah I agree. No freakin' way Wilt could run the court like WCS. Down low, yes Wilt was far more stronger and superior but let's not mistake his brute strength for athleticism. No way in hell could Wilt be a wide receiver in football either.
 

childe

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
1,406
1,277
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Wilt ran a 10.9 second 100-yard dash in high school. He competed in track and field before he ever considered basketball.
 

Me and Rex

Sophomore
Apr 14, 2016
141
183
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Wilt won the NCAA high jump. Nothing against WCS... But Chamberlain was in a class of his own athletically. And yes he was faster down the court than WCS as well.

And honestly... If he had known how much of an emphasis would be placed on all time scoring, I have no doubt he would hold that record too. Wilt could've played in the league at fifty.
 

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
81,354
124,928
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Even in his last season in the league, he set the NBA record for FG% (72.7%).

The number of NBA records that he still holds is staggering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Wilt_Chamberlain
Quite impressive how many records still stand.

I like this:
  • NBA Record – Most 50 Point Games in a season (45 in 1961–62)
  • Chamberlain holds the next most with 30 in 1962–63. No other player has had more than 10. Only Michael Jordan (39 including playoffs) and Kobe Bryant (26 including playoffs) have more than 20 in their careers.
 
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GoCatsForever2k15

All-Conference
Jun 7, 2015
3,082
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Wilt was a freak, and the talent gap between him and the rest of the league has never been eclipsed by another player. He wouldn't have anywhere near the impact on the game if he played today as he did in his era. Both things are true.
 
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uky8unc5

Heisman
May 22, 2002
17,427
12,929
113
Wilt was a freak, and the talent gap between him and the rest of the league has never been eclipsed by another player. He wouldn't have anywhere near the impact on the game if he played today as he did in his era. Both things are true.
I cautiously agree. Wilt was amazing and would be a superstar. But in today's NBA that is so perimeter oriented, he or Jabbar (etc) would be the best big men in the League. But that would not equal automatic titles.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,261
72,027
113
Think Willie Cauley Stein...only a little better athlete and much more skilled basketball player. When Wilt was motivated, he was a phenom.

Us old guys like to (exaggerate) portray old time players as best of all time. Wilt was legit.
Wait, Wilt played wide receiver in HS?
 

uky8unc5

Heisman
May 22, 2002
17,427
12,929
113
I would take Wilt in his prime against all takers.
I agree with you in principle. But you realize Bill Russell won 9 titles with Wilt in the League.

Point: Wilt alone isn't enough. And that would be more true today. That does not finish Wilt's legacy.
 
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drbubba

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2005
6,112
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O, that's not right...but it is funny.
I cannot jump, so my ancestry does not include Wilt.
 

TheOtherGreatOne

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
3,005
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I agree with you in principle. But you realize Bill Russell won 11 titles with Wilt in the League.

Point: Wilt alone isn't enough. And that would be more true today. That does not finish Wilt's legacy.
Just check their had to head stats. Russell wasn't on those championship teams because he was better than Chamberlain. He had better team mates,and boston was the media darlings of the day and got every break, just like the Chicago bulls in their heyday. Russell couldn't carry Chamberlain's jock strap. The media loved Russell and hated Chamberlain, and believe me that made a big difference in those days just like on the bulls. Just remember the mighty Jordan never won a championship without Pippen. Not only did Wilt lead the league in scoring and rebounding by a large margin numerous times he also found time to lead the league in assists too.
 

anon1773610819

Heisman
Mar 17, 2017
3,592
15,225
113
Just check their had to head stats. Russell wasn't on those championship teams because he was better than Chamberlain. He had better team mates,and boston was the media darlings of the day and got every break, just like the Chicago bulls in their heyday. Russell couldn't carry Chamberlain's jock strap. The media loved Russell and hated Chamberlain, and believe me that made a big difference in those days just like on the bulls. Just remember the mighty Jordan never won a championship without Pippen. Not only did Wilt lead the league in scoring and rebounding by a large margin numerous times he also found time to lead the league in assists too.
Thanks you said what I was thinking
 

AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,877
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Think Willie Cauley Stein...only a little better athlete and much more skilled basketball player. When Wilt was motivated, he was a phenom.

Us old guys like to (exaggerate) portray old time players as best of all time. Wilt was legit.
With all do respect, don't mention WCS and Wilt in the same sentence. Kaminsky wouldn't have dominated Wilt in the Final Four. Just kidding, but I'm still angry at that performance.
 

uky8unc5

Heisman
May 22, 2002
17,427
12,929
113
Just check their had to head stats. Russell wasn't on those championship teams because he was better than Chamberlain. He had better team mates,and boston was the media darlings of the day and got every break, just like the Chicago bulls in their heyday. Russell couldn't carry Chamberlain's jock strap. The media loved Russell and hated Chamberlain, and believe me that made a big difference in those days just like on the bulls. Just remember the mighty Jordan never won a championship without Pippen. Not only did Wilt lead the league in scoring and rebounding by a large margin numerous times he also found time to lead the league in assists too.
No offense, but you are very very wrong about Russell vs Chamberlain. I'm sure that's because you weren't around in the 50's 60's. I was a witness to those years. In fact I saw both of them play in person a few times (vs Cincinnati Royals and in Boston).

Bill Russell is listed on everyone's first team all history NBA. Forget stats. Russell messed with Wilt's mind in the big games. That doesn't insult Wilt's legacy.
 

uky8unc5

Heisman
May 22, 2002
17,427
12,929
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With all do respect, don't mention WCS and Wilt in the same sentence. Kaminsky wouldn't have dominated Wilt in the Final Four. Just kidding, but I'm still angry at that performance.
I'm with you. WCS was so fast and athletic. He reminded me of a young Wilt in those aspects ONLY. But Kaminsky...I still cry in bed some nights...
 

Me and Rex

Sophomore
Apr 14, 2016
141
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Chamberlain NEVER fouled out of an NBA game. One season, he averaged MORE than 48 mpg. Just think about those two facts for a minute.
 

Calsarmy

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2013
1,009
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In 1966 Wilt who played professional basketball. High jumped 7 feet at Kansas. Played pro volleyball. Threw the discus once against Al Ortter the world record holder. Wilt threw it one time. Came within 2 inches of Otters world record. Wilt decided that year he wanted to fight Mohammed Ali for the world boxing championship. Wilt trained seriously for 6 months. The fight was set for Houston Tx Astrodome. Tickets printed, a sellout. Before it came off Ali was charged as a draft dodger and not allowed to fight. I was a big Ali fan but im not sure if All could have beat Wilt. Wilt though was really an athlete of all most indescribable accomplishments
 

GoCatsForever2k15

All-Conference
Jun 7, 2015
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I cautiously agree. Wilt was amazing and would be a superstar. But in today's NBA that is so perimeter oriented, he or Jabbar (etc) would be the best big men in the League. But that would not equal automatic titles.

I won't completely disagree there. Mostly meant there wouldn't be any 50 ppg/25+ rpg season averages, etc. they'd still be great, but the rest of the pack would be a hell of a lot closer to em than what they played against. The quality of the league as a whole is just insanely better than it was then.
 
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Feb 14, 2007
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No offense, but you are very very wrong about Russell vs Chamberlain. I'm sure that's because you weren't around in the 50's 60's. I was a witness to those years. In fact I saw both of them play in person a few times (vs Cincinnati Royals and in Boston).

Bill Russell is listed on everyone's first team all history NBA. Forget stats. Russell messed with Wilt's mind in the big games. That doesn't insult Wilt's legacy.
Hell, Wilt had 52 rebounds in a game against Russell. I'd hate to see how many he would have had if Russell hadn't messed with him.
 

uky8unc5

Heisman
May 22, 2002
17,427
12,929
113
Hell, Wilt had 52 rebounds in a game against Russell. I'd hate to see how many he would have had if Russell hadn't messed with him.
Rebounds Career: Wilt averaged 22.9...Russell averaged 22.4

Playoff Stats (when numbers count)
Wilt: 160 games, 22.5 points, 24.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 47% FT, 52% FG

Russ: 165 games, 16.2 points, 24.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 60% FT, 43% FG

HEAD TO HEAD - Wilt’s record against Russell: 58-84

NBA Titles when both were in the League: Wilt 1 Russell 9

 
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king of cali

All-Conference
Nov 24, 2005
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Chamberlain NEVER fouled out of an NBA game. One season, he averaged MORE than 48 mpg. Just think about those two facts for a minute.

Never fouling out of a game isn't impressive when you add in the context that Wilt would stop playing defense after he got 4 or 5 fouls.
 

childe

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
1,406
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Chamberlain NEVER fouled out of an NBA game. One season, he averaged MORE than 48 mpg. Just think about those two facts for a minute.

I'm not sure how many other current or former centers have or have had the stamina to average 48 minutes per game.

As far as his strength was concerned, listen to the comments from Arnold Schwarzenegger at this beginning of this clip:
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,435
46,357
90
Im only 30 but Mantle is my guy. Me and pops are big memorabilia collectors and our Mantle auto's are the most treasured (even though we're big stl fans). I got to meet him when I was around 10 in the 90's at an auto signing. Have never forgotten it

Imagine if the Mick had slowed down and stopped drinking? Goat? I think so.

My favorite auto's are our inscribed signed baseballs by mick, a game used pair of pants, and an autographed 8x10 of the Mick frok his rookie season when he wore the number 6.

One of the few times I ever saw my dad genuinely sad was the day Mickey Mantle died.
 
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Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,435
46,357
90
Had a chat with former NBA center Stuart Gray one night, and he said that the two strongest guys he ever played against were Wilt Chamberlain and Artis Gilmore.

Thing is, Wilt was something like 45 years old when they played a pickup game together.