Another day goes by and another honored Los Angeles Lakers legend in Wilt Chamberlain. It is 25 years since Chamberlain’s death and almost 50 years since he last played basketball, yet his records and accomplishments show through to this day.
On Monday, Chamberlain would have been 87 years old. A truly larger than life figure who many believe would have his fair share of words for today’s NBA.
Regardless, the record books continue to be filled with Chamberlain’s records. Many of which will probably never be broken.
Wilt Chamberlain’s Lifetime Legacy Lives On
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest to wear the Purple and Gold 💜💯 pic.twitter.com/xdqe4TrPVM
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 21, 2023
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Last season, Philadelphia 76ers NBA MVP Joel Embiid finished the season averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. In Chamberlain’s rookie season in 1960, he averaged 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds.
While the numbers help to paint a picture of Chamberlain’s excellence, they truly don’t tell the full story. The big man became one of the trail blazers for the dominance of a true center.
Chamberlain opened his career with the Philadelphia Warriors. 10 seasons and 10 straight All-Star appearance including an NBA championship in 1967.
Chamberlain also played with the mercy of not having steals or blocks recorded throughout his career. Yet the legend is told that he recorded an unofficial pentuple-double.
Of all the wonders of Chamberlain, it’s not too far fetched to assume he recorded the monster stat line. Unfortunately, there is no true indication except for the stats made public.
Chamberlain still sits alone as the only player to score 100 points in a single game. The same season he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game with the Warriors.
The scoring decline of Chamberlain took a major turn towards the end of his career, but Chamberlain helped Jerry West earn his first NBA championship with the Lakers. Chamberlain led the 1972 Lakers with 19.4 points and 23.2 rebounds per game. Numbers that were good enough to earn him Finals MVP honors.
Nobody like Wilt Chamberlain, born on this day in 1936. #brotherlylove pic.twitter.com/xRM0ndPmSu
— The Farzy Show with Marc Farzetta (@FarzyShow) August 21, 2023
The Age Old Dilemma
The only way to look at Chamberlain’s game are through his insane stat lines and old timey photos. More recently, samples of revived game footage show through, yet many still argue how great Chamberlain really was.
The biggest argument of Chamberlain’s career begs the question, who did he even play against? Would he be able to last in today’s NBA?
Simply put, Chamberlain was ahead of his time. While still playing in at least 72 games every season except in 1970, the NBA only had eight teams competing.
One of which were the mighty Boston Celtics led by Hall of Fame center Bill Russell. If Russell wasn’t enough, Chamberlain also had his battles with Walt Bellamy, Willis Reed and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. All of which are in the Hall of Fame.
Chamberlain’s legacy overshadows the greatness of these centers, and of course the legend of the 100 points game lives on today. During that season, Chamberlain averaged 48.5 minutes per game meaning he played every minute of every single game including overtime.
The wear and tear took a toll on his body towards the end of his career, but those are minutes in today’s NBA that are unthinkable. Chamberlain also has a worse career free throw percentage than Shaquille O’Neal. Yet, during his 100 point game, Chamberlain shot 28 out of 32 from the free throw line showing there was no way to stop him.
There will be centers in today’s NBA that Chamberlain can dominate. Of course, there will also be the few that can keep up to Chamberlain’s stature or dominate him. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Lakers big man Anthony Davis, Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokoumpo and Embiid are the few that come to mind.
Most career APG by a player 7'0" or taller:
4.7 — Giannis Antetokounmpo
4.4 — Wilt Chamberlain
3.7 — Brad Daugherty
3.6 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
3.4 — Joel Embiid— Extra StatMuse (@extrastatmuse) August 21, 2023
The Last Word On Wilt Chamberlain
There’s no perfect argument in the NBA. Yet, no one can argue the greatness that is Chamberlain.
It would be a spectacle to see him arguing and debating with the greats of today’s NBA. Everyone wants to break records, but the blistering first nine seasons of his career averaging over 30 points and 22 rebounds per game seem non-replicable.
Chamberlain truly is as one of the greatest basketball players the NBA has ever seen. A player that dominates in today’s NBA with zero doubt.
