Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain I recently presented a persausive speech in my Speech 3 class on why "Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest NBA player in history". I know its hard to compare players from different eras but I did it anyways for the sake of argument. Here are his amazing accomplishments. 100-POINT GAME - March 2, 1962, vs. New York at Hershey, Pa. 100 - holds single-game records for most points 59 - most points in one half 36 - most field goals made 22 - most field goals made in one half 63 - most field goals attempted 37 - most field goals attempted in one half 21 - most field goals attempted in one quarter 28 - shares single-game record for most free throws made NBA REGULAR-SEASON RECORDS Career 118 - most games with 50 or more points 9 - most seasons leading league in field goal percentage 23,924 - most rebounds 22.9 - highest rebounds-per-game average (minimum 400 games) 7 - shares career record for most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (1959-60 through 1965-66) Single-Season 45 - holds single-season records for most games with 50 or more points (1962) 3,882 - most minutes played (1962) 4,029 - most points (1962) 50.4 - highest points-per-game average (1962) 2,707 - most points by a rookie (1960) 1,597 - most field goals made (1962) 35 - most consecutive field goals made (February 17 through February 28, 1967) 3,159 - most field goals attempted (1962) .727 - highest field goal percentage (1973) 1,363 - most free throws attempted (1962) 2,149 - most rebounds (1961) 1,941 - most rebounds by a rookie (1960) 27.2 - highest rebounds-per-game average (1961) Single Game * record set on March 2, 1962, vs. New York at Hershey, Pa. *100 - most points *59 - most points in one half *36 - most field goals made *22 - most field goals made in one half *63 - most field goals attempted *37 - most field goals attempted in one half *21 - most field goals attempted in one quarter<> 58 - most points by a rookie (January 25, 1960, vs. Detroit) 1.000 - highest field goal percentage (minimum 15 made) (15-for-15, January 20, 1967, vs. Los Angeles; 18-for-18, February 24, 1967, vs. Baltimore; and 16-for-16, March 19, 1967, vs. Baltimore) 55 - most rebounds (November 24, 1960, vs. Boston) 45 - most rebounds by a rookie (February 6, 1960, vs. Syracuse) *28 - shares single-game record for most free throws made (March 2, 1962, vs. New York at Hershey, Pa.) Points * record set on March 2, 1962, vs. New York at Hershey, Pa. 118 - holds career records for most games with 50 or more points 7 - shares career records for most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (1959-60 through 1965-66) 45 - most games with 50 or more points (1962) 4,029 - most points, single season (1962) 50.4 - highest points-per-game average (1962) 2,707 - most points by a rookie (1960) *100 - most points, game *59 - most points in one half *36 - most field goals made *22 - most field goals made in one half *63 - most field goals attempted *37 - most field goals attempted in one half *21 - most field goals attempted in one quarter 58 - most points by a rookie (January 25, 1960, vs. Detroit) Rebounds 23,924 - most rebounds, career 22.9 - highest rebounds-per-game average (minimum 400 games) 2,149 - most rebounds—2,149 (1961) 1,941 - most rebounds by a rookie (1960) 27.2 - highest rebounds-per-game average (1961) 55 - most rebounds (November 24, 1960, vs. Boston) 45 - most rebounds by a rookie (February 6, 1960, vs. Syracuse)
HONORS NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) NBA Rookie of the Year (1960) All-NBA first team (1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968) All-NBA second team (1963, 1965, 1972) NBA All-Defensive first team (1972, 1973) NBA PLAYOFF RECORD NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (1972) 26 - most rebounds in one half (April 16, 1967, vs. San Francisco) 32.0 - holds single-series playoff record for highest rebounds-per-game average (1967) 41 - holds single-game playoff records for most rebounds (April 5, 1967, vs. Boston) 26 - most rebounds in one half (April 16, 1967, vs. San Francisco) 53 - most points by a rookie (March 14, 1960, vs. Syracuse) 24 - shares single-game playoff records for most field goals made (March 14, 1960, vs. Syracuse) 48 - most field goals attempted (March 22, 1962, vs. Syracuse) 25 - most field goals attempted in one half (March 22, 1962, vs. Syracuse) NBA ALL-STAR GAME RECORD NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1960) 197 - holds career record for most rebounds 42 - holds single-game records for most points (1962) 16 - most free throws attempted (1962) 10 - most field goals made in one half (1962) 17 - shares single-game records for most field goals made (1962) 16 - most rebounds in one half (1960) Link
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">All of that, and only 2 rings.</div>Are you implying that rings make a player? Some of the best players never won one ring much less two.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">All of that, and only 2 rings.</div>Yes, that is amazing. But he was a one man team for most of his career. He matched up against Bill Russel's Celtics which featured 7 Hall-Of-Famers at one point. Thats a big reason why Russel won 11 NBA Championships in 13 seasons.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you implying that rings make a player? Some of the best players never won one ring much less two.</div>Exactly. If we rate a player on Championships alone, than Malone and Stockton are two of the worse players in NBA history.
Of course, but things like those always go both ways, I justw anted to hear the other side defended, thats all, you know I am better than that. Still don't understand how the Baylor/West/Chamberlain Lakers could not win a ring, no matter what the other team had, those Celts were getting very old and beat at that time, still got it done.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets not forget he also said he slept with over 2,000 women.He has my respect for that alone Even though he retired nearly 3 decades Wilt holds more regular season scoring and rebounding records than every other player in NBA history combined. No other player before or since has even come close to the all around domination that Wilt put on the NBA. Period.
Not as hard when you are the first freak of nature to come along. Think how Shaq would do if he had a bunch of Danny Ferry's around him, it would be sick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Not as hard when you are the first freak of nature to come along. Think how Shaq would do if he had a bunch of Danny Ferry's around him, it would be sick.</div> Wilt's competition: Wilt played against a very large number of great and dominant centers in his 14 year career, here is the list: Bill Russel Kareem Abdul Jabbar Willis Reed Wes Unseld Elvin Hayes Dolph Schayes Nate Thurmond Bob Lanier Any one of the above centers in their prime would at WORST be the second best center in today's NBA. All of them except Bob Lanier (20ppg, 9rpg career) appeared on the 50 greatest players list put out by the NBA in 1996. It is interesting to note that except for Russel & Schayes all of the above players were young or in their prime during the 1971-72 season when Wilt's Lakers won 33 consecutive games, went 69-13 & won the NBA Championship. Also, Wilt wasn't the first 7 footer in the NBA.
You are doing very well, passing all of the common question tests. And you told me you did not know much about the history. Any word on a grade yet?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">You are doing very well, passing all of the common question tests. And you told me you did not know much about the history. </div>I'm trying to work on it. History of the NBA is fascinating. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Any word on a grade yet?</div>I got an A.
I really miss Wilt, I remember being at work when I heard about his death, it was terrible. I could listen to him talk hoops all day, much like Bill Russell. I remember the NBA @ 50, they were walking around Cleveland here when the All-Star game was in town. They were in Tower City (a mall type place here) Could you imagine being at the mall and seeing Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, I would like pass out.
Here are some amazing facts about Chamberlain that a lot of people don't know: -Wilt can reach 9 feet, 6 inches in the air standing flatfooted. -Wilt was offered a contract to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. -In Wilt's FIRST varsity game at KU, the Jayhawks beat Northwestern 87-69. Wilt scored 52 points, which is STILL a school record, and grabbed 31 rebounds, which no other player in KU history has ever topped (and is 2nd, only to his 36 rebound game, he had 2 years later). -Wilt, not Bill Willoughby, was the first player drafted by the NBA out of high school. However, he was required to wait 4 years until he could join the NBA. -In Wilt's first NBA game, he scored 43 points on 17-of-20 shooting, grabbed 28 rebounds, and blocked 17 shots. -In his 143 games against Bill Russell, Wilt averaged 28.7 ppg and 28.7 rpg. -8 times in NBA history, a player scored 70 or more points. Wilt did it 6 of those times. -Wilt never fouled out of a game. -In 1962, Wilt played all but 6 minutes for the entire season.
I remember freshman year I wrote a 3-4 page on Wilt Chamberlain. He's my favorite player of all-time actually.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sunsfan1357:</div><div class="quote_post">I remember freshman year I wrote a 3-4 page on Wilt Chamberlain. He's my favorite player of all-time actually.</div>Yes, its amazing what this guy was able to accomplish in his 14 year career. I had no idea before I began my research on Wilt. Out of 26 total scoring records, Wilt holds 17 of them. Out of 13 total rebounding records, Wilt holds 9 of them.
Also, just a little FYI about the thread title...Wilt hated being called "The Stilt," he preferred "The Big Dipper."
