Nowadays, more than ever, we hear the NBA G.O.A.T. talk. Michael Jordan is said to be the greatest to touch the court for numerous years. But, as LeBron James’ career is dwindling, we are starting to hear his name come up more. Especially after he recently eclipsed the NBA’s all-time points.
Who is the G.O.A.T?
Wilt Chamberlain’s name isn’t spoken about enough. Wilt isn’t just the most notorious player to stand on the court, but to even touch the ball. In many ways, Wilt didn’t just dominate the game of basketball but modernized it. If there is one thing for sure, Dr. James Naismith couldn’t have ever anticipated that the precious game he invented had flaws. Let alone be exposed by one man.
Could He Be Immortal?
Wilton Norman Chamberlain isn’t just an anomaly but a mythological character. Wilt stood at 7’1, nowadays an average height for a center, but his athleticism and strength are untouchable. Wilt’s vertical has been registered around 50 inches, higher than Michael Jordan’s. Chamberlain’s bench press has been said to have been around 600 lbs, more than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s. And he is said to have beat legendary running back Jim Brown in the 40-yard dash twice.
The game of basketball wasn’t prepared for a man of Wilt’s stature to take the court, but once he did, the game never looked back. Wilt’s dominance led to the NBA widening the lane from 6 to 12 feet. Making it difficult to assert authority in the paint. The NBA had to initiate goaltending because shots taken near Wilt rarely went in. The NBA even had to revise how to shoot free throws because Wilt could leap from behind the line and lay it in the hoop.
Can’t Argue with the FACTS!
Forgetting the fact that Wilt averaged 50 ppg a season and scored a miraculous 100-point game. Fans only considered him a “Scorer,” which ticked him off. After he led the league in scoring, he became the first center in league history to lead the league in assists. That accolade wasn’t seen again until this year with Nikola Jokic.
Wilt still has more than 70 N.B.A. records and did this all before blocks and steals were counted, two categories which he dominated. One of his most impressive features is averaging 48.5 minutes per game in a 48-minute game. During those minutes, Chamberlain managed to never foul out of a game while sustaining heavy minutes averaging just under 46 min per game for his career.
Although, he’s continuously ridiculed for only winning two championships, which is fair. Let’s be honest, Wilt’s ego was just as impressive as his talent, which inevitably held him back from winning more.
The Truth Hurts…
To talk about the G.O.A.T. without mentioning Wilt’s name is disgraceful and shows no respect for greatness. If there is one thing for sure, Wilt is irreplaceable on basketball’s Mount Rushmore.
And, as Wilt once said to Jordan, “The difference between you and me is that they had to change the rules so I couldn’t dominate. They changed the rules so that you could dominate.”
