OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA: SEPTEMBER 2023

Please google a picture of the centers guarding Wilt.....I dare you. It's hilarious.

 

His offspring could be a complete G-League roster FAMS!

 

The Spurs literally stopped him. Shaq required over paying big bodies with 6 fouls each to contend with. LeBron has been great but Shaq was dominant in his 3peat prime.

 

I have lost track of what we are talking about, but Lew Alcindor was a pretty decent defender even if Wilt used to claim that he was not.

 

It doesn't really matter. I've already said I'd acknowledge that given the disparity in opposing talent LeBron could arguably be ahead of Wilt.

Wilt averaged 17 rebounds per game against Kareem, and Wilt was past his prime in all of those games.

But with the above consideration in mind neither LeBron or Wilt would be in my top 3.

*Edit* But when you consider Wilt playing against Kareem, I don't think there is any way LeBron does that well. Maybe scoring wise, as LeBron has a far superior perimeter game, but everything else is all Wilt.

36 year old Wilt blocked mid 20s Kareem 17 times in a single series. Blocked Kareem 7 times in one game, including the skyhook twice. At 36 years old.

I think Wilt was a bigger force than LeBron. But LeBron does have a better perimeter game, so I get the argument that they are close.

I have Wilt up there as #2 because of his insane numbers and total dominance on a consistent basis. But take that away for arguments sake and he drops to top 5-ish on my GOAT board.

 

Yeah, Shaq and Duncan were every bit as good as LeBron. Shaq was far more dominant. Agreed.

LeBron is a better leader than Shaq was though.

I'd take Duncan over LeBron.

 

Im so glad you brought this up. Time to put the MJ vs. LeBron as GOAT argument to bed.

 

Top three are MJ, Kareem and Wilt in that order but I’m open to Wilt above Kareem.

MJ is the GOAT imo, but Im open to Wilt and Kareem arguments. LeBron is laughable to me.

 

In a total of 142 matchups vs Bill Russell (generally considered the Defensive GOAT)

Wilt (in his prime) averaged 28.7 PPG and 28.7 RPG.
Bill Russell averaged 14.5 points and 23.7 rebounds.

Of note, Bill Russell was 21-0 all time NCAA/NBA/Olympic win or go home (single elimination) games.

This is what LeBron would look like vs Bill Russell.

 

Remember LeBron wouldn't have the most points in history if they had the same rules when you could come out to be in the draft.

 

And he'd have 2,261 fewer points if he played prior to 1980 when there was no 3pt line.

 

he's played 20 seasons and has averaged 71 games a year. He averaged 29 pts, 8 rebs, and 7 asts at 38 years old. Even with the same rules I don't think many players could match that. Kareem averaged 23 & 6 at 38. Parish 14 & 9. Larry Bird had to retire because of his back at 35. Hakeem averaged 12 & 7 at 38

 

So the "Official" around the NBA thread has turned into a discussion about who is better Jordan or Lebron?
The season cannot start soon enough. I'll give you all one thing. At least you aren't talking about trades.

 

Two weeks from today they play the New Zealand Breakers!

 

Some guy named Bill Russell, the defensive GOAT springs to mind.

 

So you found ONE of the TWO! Nice work.

 

Shaw’s size actually makes what he did LESS impressive…..and I LOVE Shaq.

 

So you found ONE of the TWO…..nice work.

 

Agreed, that's why I don't have Shaq ranked higher. But it was AWESOME to watch (when he played other teams). And I love Shaq's sense of humor.

 

Dude, please.

Wilt Chamberlain averaged 22.0 rebounds, 15.7 points and 5.2 assists in 47 games versus Nate Thurmond in his career.

Nate Thurmond averaged 20.7 rebounds, 16.6 points and 3.2 assists in 47 games versus Wilt Chamberlain in his career.

I found 2 of 3, at least. You could argue that Wllis Reed was not too bad a defender against Wilt.