Debunking 5 Myths About Wilt Chamberlain and 60s Basketball
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2018
- Wilt Chamberlain's era (the 60s) is full of myths that hold little to no truth. In this video i will debunk 5 of these myths. 60s are the most disrespected era in NBA history and the superstars such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, and many others of the time share in that disrespect. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are two greats that deserve to be honored but many fans simply turn a blind eye to their accomplishments. I hope to shed light on why these accomplishments are just as impressive as current day superstar accomplishments if not more so. I hope you enjoy.
Many of the clips i use are from the channel Wilt Chamberlain Archive. It's a really great channel and if you want to learn more about 60's basketball i suggest heading over there.
/ @wiltchamberlainarchive - Sport
I'm old enough to have seen Wilt vs Russell a few times. Wilt dominated Russell in the 1 on 1 match ups. The Celtic's were just the better team.
John Derfler no Wilt also has a great teammates..But Wilt never had a great PG that can pass except for Jerry West
@@themaster4578 Yes, Wilt too played with great players. I will say Russell had a decided advantage for the first 5 yrs or so. After that, no.
Bear Stein
Yah and MJ is a ball hog the only reason he won is bc he played in a weak era can’t even beat the bad boys.. And Wilt was fighting against 5-6 HoF and MJ can’t even defeat the bad boys with Scottie
Edit: Compared to Wilts era MJ (90s) era is just a rookie and compared to MJ era LEBRON’S era is just a joke a fucking joke..
in my opinion, you need a "big three"...kind of like Jordan Pippen Rodman. Then get any other competent players.
Alan Martinez jordan is a loser
Russell's observation that each contest with Chamberlain was different because you couldn't play him the same way twice is about the highest praise a player can give to an opponent.
true and he played him different every time. Which speaks to his brilliance
@@davidmccarthy3327 Russell's words for sure from an interview along with Wilt from Ahmad Rashad from about 1996. Great interview with Ahmad Rashad and then Bob Costas also. Pace.
It speaks volumes to Wilt's versatility. Both you and Russell are correct imo.
This is the greatest acc to you not everyone kiddo
They do so to make themselves more popular
He played 14 years.He averaged 46 minutes a game for 14 years. Now players sit out games because they don't want to get hurt. The GOAT The Big Dipper
@Sludge chill dude, there's a way to get your point across without sounding offended or being an unnecessary asshole.
@@sludge4125 ok show me one player who can say they say out only 2 minutes of every game for their entire career, he played over 1100 games. One year he averaged 48.5 minutes,he played every minute of the entire season and averaged 50 points a game. He was never in foul trouble because he blocked almost every shot that went up. Nobody has ever been as good as Wilt.
Wilt would be the number 1 pick every year since 1960, without question. No other player comes close.
Britt Courville, he NEVER FOULED OUT because he could just go straight up and with his outstretched arms and jumping ability that was enough. His high school coach told him, “you can’t help your team if you are on the bench”, so he never fouled out in high school and college either.
@@clu4u I saw him play, the only player I've ever seen to play at the top of the backboard. Saw him snatch 20 foot jump shots out of mid air with one hand. Great player.
Wilt's athleticism is insane.
It is almost super human no one comes close to his strength, speed, and jumping ability. He could have easily also played professional football too. Can you imagine him as a defensive end or tight end?
@@davejohnson9422 The stories are legendary Dave. I love the one when he was visiting the Knicks front office and he picked up the 600 pound dolly from the elevator and lifted it 4 inches onto the floor that the two deliverymen couldn't lift. I also loved his statement when someone commented to him about Michael Jordan. He said "when I played they changed the rules to stop me from scoring". He was right. He is easily the greatest individual physical talent that ever played. His biggest problem was he played in an era when the greatest winner in team sports history who was also an amazing and intelligent guy was playing and that guy had a better coach.
@@adiracquetball I had an older friend tell me once he was at a basketball camp near Hershey PA and Wilt squatted under a horse with his back against it's stomach and lifted it off the ground.
@@davejohnson9422 that's insane
not to mention he was the conference high jump champ in college
I am 68 years old watched them play on ABC Sunday mornings .......thats when I saw Wilt ....GOAT
The old players if given the pay, the workout facilities, the diets, they would do just as well.
This is a tough issue for people to process, but I am going to try to help. First of all, I am 72 and have followed the NBA since the mid 50's. I agree that fixating on athleticism or size is a dead end. Many of the old timers maxed out athletic potential - Wilt for sure, Dr J, and MJ more recently. The world record for the mile has been frozen for 21 years. Here's an interesting observation, there were 7 American born white players in the 1968 NBA all star game, and tomorrow night's NBA all star game will have none. There hasn't been an American born white all star since Gordon Hayward 3 years ago. Why? Simply put, the game is international and while there are three white all stars currently, they are all from Eastern Europe. Some people will argue that Luka Doncic is the best 20 yr old player in NBA history, and it isn't preposterous to argue that he will be MVP this year. One has to conclude that European players are better trained than American players. Arguably, Giannis, Luka and Jokic are the most dominating players in their -particular niches - all European. A funny thing about human beings is that they experiment, innovate and accumulate knowledge and skills over time. Thus, even if players maxed out regarding size and athletic gifts a few generations ago, they have continued to evolve more sophisticated arrays of skills. If you watch a game from the 60's you will immediately notice that most players could barely dribble with their off hand. Now, a player who can't handle with both hands will have no chance of playing even in the G League. It is nonsense to attribute the virtuosic handling of Harden, Steph and Kyrie to rule changes allowing "carrying." Cousy dribbled behind his back all the time and was not called for palming even though one absolutely has to get ones hand under the ball to dribble behind the back (try it). 2 points 1) tens of millions of p[eople around the globe now play in places where the game was not played in Wilt's day. 2) New techniques have been perfected over time - Euro step, step back, cross over etc. So players today are more skilled, and, while players are not much bigger, bigger players are more skilled. It took a half century to go from Wilt to KD, even though Wilt is stronger, faster and more indestructible. No reasonable coach would trade KD for Wilt, anymore than you'd trade your Smart Phone for a dime to put in the pay phone.
@@philwilson609 carrying the ball tends to be a call of convenience these days. I remember the NBA didn't really bat an eye at crossovers too much because guys like Magic Johnson used it, but when Iverson damn near started killing everyone with it all of a sudden the league was ready to ban the move all together. People also forget when the NBA banned dunking, they felt like guys like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had way too much of an advantage in that category.
@@mjareacts2731 Dunking was never banned in the NBA but it was briefly banned in college during Kareem's time. Iverson is a case to illustrate my point - he elevated the crossover to weapon status that is now a mundane part of the game. The rules follow the game's innovations, not vice versa. You sometimes hear geezers argue that rule changes allow Kyrie and Steph to do things that West and Robertson couldn't get away with. I believe that this is nonsense, and that West and Robertson had not yet conceived of the crossover. Neither had much ability with their left hands, and would not have been able to cross over no matter what the rules allowed. Ambidextrous handles are a prerequisite for the crossover. This is no knock on the old timers. Nobody transcends the piecemeal progress of the human imagination. It takes time for innovations to accumulate. Tim Hardaway was another early master of the crossover. Once these guys figured out new techniques, the rules would never impede progress.
They were the elite of THEIR time.
The best available players at the highest level.
It wasn't like there was a Jordan or Lebron
hiding in a cave in 1966 avoiding the NBA Draft.
Or that the gene pool somehow
improved in the last 40 years.
So, yeah, I think having the advantages
the players today have in accumulation of techniques,
conditioning, nutrition, and changes in gameplay
would update their game and enable them to pace the players of today.
@@philwilson609 you may not have seen those things in the NBA during those days, but crossovers and many other ball maneuvers were definitely happening within the inner city street ball scene.
Do people see how swole Russell and Wilt was in the 60's? Imagine how they would look now or 90's? Crazy.
i saw Wilt play in Boston Garden in '60-61. he scored 47 and the Warriors won the game. Wilt was drilling 15-17 foot fadeaway bank shots from the left side. there was no doubt who was the best player on the court.
For all the people out there who know who Wilt Chamberlain is, I would guess less than 5% know he had one of the deadliest fadeaways ever. People think he was a dunk or a finger roll but that couldn't be further from the truth
@@chrisstoecker7476 indeed 60 percent of his shots were fadeaways. maybe even a hair over that. not to mentoin Tommy heineson statd he once saw wilt make 20 out of 25 baskets from half court in practice. and also a video showing wilt making 4 straight baskets from the corner of the court on a 5 dollar bet. he woul dhave been easily been able to make three pointers.
Chamberlain and Russell would still dominate today.
They would both be great today, for sure. Wilt would be unstoppable given there's no hand checking. He scored at will when the defense could maul him.
Bill Russell at 6’9 and 220 pounds wouldn’t do shit lol
Wouldn’t even been consider a center or a power forward...players are faster and more athletic and weight more than these 1960s players
Saldana you don't know anything
Chris Warrick I’ve seen enough videos of the 1960s basketball players too come too a conclusion that, the 1960s is lame 😂😂😂
Of they would, there hasn't been a great center in years. Probably the main reason that the position has become more or less obsolete.
I appreciate this. There are so many lazy analysts out here who perpetuate these myths and tons more who simply regurgitate the nonsense they spew. It's refreshing to see someone do their own research on something.
What I like is people who say russell was the greatest ever.
Wilt outplayed russell head to head almost every time. So how can russell be better than Wilt? Because russell had better coaches and teammates?
THANK YOU!! These sports talk tv and radio analysts are the absolute worst. They perpetuate these false myths about previous eras in all these sports, and the mindless sports fans of today simply regurgitate the BS spewed at them every day on ESPN and FS1
Wilt was the greatest player in the game. Russell was great as well, but as individuals, Wilt was the better player. Either of them could play, and play very well, against any centers who have ever played. Both Wilt and Russell were outstanding athletes outside of basketball.
Spot on. Is mind blowing to me that CZcams videos have more in depth intelligent analysis then million dollar networks .
@@sludge4125 You are right, Wilt did beat Russell on an individual basis most every time but, an NBA coach recently said "you play the game to win". Today, most fans base their opinions on who the GOAT is, on stats alone. But what it comes down to is, is who is the greatest winner...that will always be Russell. Wilt is still my personal favorite and always will be, but you have to give it to Russell because of his rings. Pace.
If I’m being honest, I was probably ready to disagree with your argument before I even hit play on the video, but you did a great job at really making a solid case, and you changed my mind. That was well put together, and worth the watch
And don't forget the production
m.czcams.com/video/zMiRjpmP2KU/video.html
When your number six man is in the Hall of Frame, That's a great team and that was Boston. If Wilt Played for the Celtics, He would have won at the least Ten Championships. He is the greatest Big men in NBA history. Like at all the rule changes that were made because of him.
Wilt HIMSELF has stated he would not have won as many championships as Bill, had Wilt been on the Celtics instead of Bill.
czcams.com/video/46RutBTe-as/video.html
And do pay attention to when Wilt explains WHY he would not have been as effective as Bill.
Not saying Wilt was not an all time great - but he was NOT as good a TEAM player as Bill in a TEAM sport, 'til VERY late in Wilt's career.
dam this vid deserves more views
Especially from these young cats wit their "latest is greatest" attitude.
Wilt was AMAZING. Doesn't get enough love in the "greatest players of all time" discussion.
This is the best basketball video I’ve ever watched. This is severely needed. Wilt, not MJ, is the 🐐
Either Wilt or Bill. Not MJ. Want dominance? Wilt. Want a winner at all times? Bill
Yep
m.czcams.com/video/zMiRjpmP2KU/video.html
2:18 THANK YOU for breaking that myth down! My friends never give Wilt credit for saying he played against short buls
Agreed, same here.
Excellent video. I saw West and Robertson play in the mid-60's and believe me they could play today. Not just play, but excel. Great is great.
Wilt is definitely a player who had that natural athleticism where he would've been able to adapt to ANY era of bball and dominate.
And it was good to finally hear somebody bring up the fact about how DIFFERENT the league was back then vs. today or even the 90's/00's. EVERYBODY thinks or says "you can send an average player from today" back in time and they'd dominate...no. No they would not. It was a different game. You did a good enough example in the vid, I don't need to list it all again.
because there are 30 teams today verse 8-12 in Wilt's era the talent pool is diluted. I like the point about playing against only the absolute BEST players every night. The best players of today are playing against guys of which about 70% or so would not be good enough to make a roster if there were only 8 teams . Can you imagine if there had been an ESPN when Wilt was getting 50 a night? or 60 or 70 he would be hailed as a god. This is the primary reason I believe that people say Michael is the undisputed greatest ever. because when he played he was the face of the league. He was on the highlight reel every night. The public was being "brainwashed" to believe nobody could ever be as good as Mike He was awarded many "shadow" fouls and advantages. No disrespect to MJ but there is no "undisputed" GOAT. I think you can make a legitimate case for 8 or 10 of which Jordan is one. But, to quote hall of HOF Rick Barry, "to say that Michael Jordan is a better basketball player than Wilt Chamberlain is ludicrous"
@@jamesbridgewater9195 You make so many great points, concerning eras, number of teams, players, the media, etc. It is also unimaginable how today's social media would treat Wilt, Russell, Jordan and many other all - time greats of the past. Pace.
Wilt averaged 18 PPG for his finals career how can he be top 10 when he barley won 2 titles and had just as many all star selections from his teammates with 26 total while playing with wilt,Russ had 28 when wilt left the 76ers in 1968 they went from 62 wins to 55 wins despite not getting back much for wilt the Celtics missed the playoffs after Russ retired
16-2 in elimination games
10-0 in game 7s
@@jamesbridgewater9195 except for the fact that Wilt didnt show up when it mattered most... even tho scoring was down during MJs era compared to Wilts MJ produced twice as many 50+pt playoff performances and more than twice as many 40+pt playoff performances as Wilt produced, and the fact that Wilt averaged 8fewer PPG in the playoffs than Wilt averaged during the reg season while MJ averaged significantly more PPG in playoffs than he averaged in reg season also proves that Wilt was likely the anticlutch.
@@dp233332 wilt chamberlain stopped shooting as much to prove he could do other things you could argue that but I can tell exactly what yr he started shooting less. It was 66-67 look it up. He stopped shooting on purpose.
His bench PR was 500lbs when he was in his 40s, while filming Conan the destroyer with Arnold. Arnold said he “couldn’t keep up with wilt”. Wilt chamberlain had a sub 11 second 100 yard dash, teammates of wilt have said he used to pick up pennies off of the top of the backboard. I’m convinced he’s the greatest athlete ever. Period. Doctors have also stated that there is no evidence he ever used steroids. Blows my mind
I genuinely don't believe how amazing he is, and how quick he is for someone so tall. He's a freak, screw giannis, he's the real freak.
@Ryder it takes 10 seconds to look it up dude😂literally look up wilt 500 pound press. Bleacher Report did an article about it
@@ModernScop3z he never lifted 500 lbs
@@rishbahpandey8697 Arnold has stated "465" about Wilt during Conan the Destroyer, on video of an interview.
That "500" figure WILT stated when he was promoting his biography.
It it was an exaggeration, it was a SMALL one - unlike a few of his others he claimed during that book promotion.
Wilt said he slept with 20,000 women ...it must be true.
Wilt Chamberlain: Aye I'm feeling a little better after my Injury. Can I go back in?
Coach: Nah, the team is obviously doing better without you.
*Loses*
Ironically, some 20 years later when Van BredaKolff passed away, his obituary read: "He benched Wilt".
He was fired after that series. As a Laker owner or GM, I would have asked coach what was he smoking. Not a good coaching move at all.
You say Willis read is 6’9.5 but the sheet you show IN THE VIDEO says he’s 6’8
There’s 6 centers on the list in the video that are 6’5 to 6’8 and 6/7 more guys who’s heights aren’t listed at all. He played against lesser competition. What a weird argument to make in this video. He faced less talent, shorter players, etc. your own homework shows it in the video. He’s still an all time great but the data you show contradicts what you use it to argue.
@@MaxBSolo The fuck are you talking about?
Wilt, Thurmond and Russell would kick ass now.
umm nope
9 points over 4 games something so small that has such a big affect in nba history 🤯
Skip’s whole mentality stems from it. He hates how passive wilt was late in games but loves mj and bird’s gtfo of the way mentality that won them chips
@@majormarketing6552 the irony is that wilt scored 5 in a row to tie up up the 1962 series (and hit the clutch freethrow) and scored 10 in a row to make it a 1 point game in 65 (or 64)... then he makes bill russell choke the inbounds pass by pressuring him... and then havlicek steals the ball.... in 1969 finals wilt went at russell as soon as bill picked up his 5th foul and played aggressive defense even though he had five fouls himself... but then he got hurt and his coach didnt sub him back in. in my opinion, the only time wilt was actually passive was in 1970 game 7, but everyone forgets how wilt was far from his best that year and everyone ESPECIALLY forgets how Walt Frazier absolutely destroyed Jerry West with 36 points on 70% shooting with COUNTLESS steals. Wilt still had a ton of blocks that game 7 and Knicks had to win by shooting from outside... and they were hot the whole game.
@Alvin Joe 50% because Wilt didn't try to get deep post position and 50% because Willis kept making Wilt post up a bit further out than usual.
@Alvin Joe I'm not sure if the injury Willis had actually hampered his ability to push people out of the paint.
averaged 18 PPG for his finals career how can he be top 10 when he barley won 2 titles and had just as many all star selections from his teammates with 26 total while playing with wilt,Russ had 28 when wilt left the 76ers in 1968 they went from 62 wins to 55 wins despite not getting back much for wilt the Celtics missed the playoffs after Russ retired
16-2 in elimination games
10-0 in game 7s
Russell won 5 mvps ( 3 straight ) and Celtics missed the playoffs 2 years straight after Russ retired despite not losing anyone other Sam Jones and he was replaced by HOF jojo white
I've been watching professional basketball live since the 50s and saw Wilt play numerous times in person at the Garden in the 60s. He was an absolutely awesome athlete and would be the best center in the league today. I saw him literally lift Willis Reed off the floor and dunk the ball. It is hard to actually describe, but Wilt was holding the ball down low near the basket. Willis had his arm extended over one of Wilt's arms, and Wilt lifted the ball (and Willis) up and dunked it. I can still see it!
Oh my god that's marvelous. I'm way too young to have seen it all live but just from the film we have I've seen endless displays of athleticism that are hard to wrap your head around, e.g. Wilt flying up to catch a shot at the highest point in its arc right up around the top of the backboard, then running the length of the court as fast as an all-star point guard for a transition play. Some of it looks like a tall tale come to life.
But the most frustrating thing is that there are way more stories from fellas your age and they all sound really wild like him picking people up, etc. None of us will ever understand what a prime Wilt could do because we have so little that we can watch and most of it is a much older Wilt who was still doing things so picturesque you could just sit down and paint it.
m.czcams.com/video/zMiRjpmP2KU/video.html
Ive heard this story before from players, but never from a spectator. Wow! What a memory to have.
Im a big Wilt fan since I was a kid and used to watch him play . I never knew he could bench over 400 lbs .and I never knew he lad the NBA in assists .Just amazing thank you
Love wilt too got a couple of his books 📚
We need more-a lot more--intelligent and informative--videos like this and less partisan b.s.
Amen to that. People that think logically like the gentleman who made this video are few and far between unfortunately
PREACH!! People like Michael Rapaport are complete dumbasses. Enduring those 13 seconds at the start of this video were 13 too many. He regularly talks out of his . . . I can’t pick which of Miss Raffertys euphemisms to use . . . prune shoot, mud gun, stainer, tooter, log maker, gassy hole, tush, choco, stink rocket, keister, scuzzy, gravy funnel, cheese trumpet, bean burrito.
Chamberlain is the best player i have ever seen. I started to watch around 1966. The best leader, and defensive player was Russell.....The best team was the Celtics who won 11 out of 13 years, and 8 in a row!
So old
Wilt was a better defender than Russell. Wilt is also the best shot blocker of all time.
@@allesineen1793 so foolishly young! LOL
@ihategooglespooks I agree!
@ihategooglespooks Okay, but who was the best pound per pound player, and also who was the best pound per pound athlete, in NBA history? Stockton, Iverson, Bogues... ? There are many others. It's always amazing when a short guy becomes a great player.
WILT CHAMBERLAIN'S PLAYERS THAT HE FACED THAT WAS 6'11 OR TALLER FROM 1960-1972
Kareem Abdul Jabbar: 7'2" HOF
Dennis Awtrey: 6'11"
Walt Bellamy: 6'11" HOF
Tom Boerwinkle: 7'0"
Nate Bowmen: 6'11"
Mel Counts: 7'0"
Walter Dukes: 7'0"
Jim Eakins: 6'11"
Ray Felix: 6'11"
Hank Finkel: 7'0"
Artis Gilmore: 7'2" HOF
Swede Halbrook: 7'3"
Reggie Harding: 7'0"
Bob Lanier: 6'11" HOF
Jim McDaniels: 6'11"
Otto Moore: 6'11"
Dave Newmark: 7'0"
Rich Niemann: 7'0"
Billy Paultz: 6'11"
Craig Raymond: 6'11"
Elmore Smith: 7'0"
Chuck Share: 6'11"
Ronald Taylor: 7'1"
Nate Thurmond: 6'11" HOF
Walt Wesley: 6'11"
Did you notice that the better ones on your list came in the mid to late 60s when wilt wasnt as dominating. Do you think that is a coincidence?
@@daneosborn3476 DID YOU KNOW THAT WILT TOOK LESS SHOTS FOR THE BETTER OF HIS TEAM IN THE MID 60'S DID YOU THINK THAT WAS A COINCIDENCE.....HEY ALSO DID YOU KNOW THE OTHER HALF OF WILTS CAREER HE STILL AVERAGED 26PPG 21RPG TAKING A COUPLE OF STEPS BACK....SIR WAS THAT A COINCIDENCE.....SO EVEN PULLING BACK FROM BEING A LESS DOMINANT SCORER HES STILL WAS VERY DOMINANT.
@@Solanegore i know if you think he averaged 26 the 2nd half that your in la la land
@@daneosborn3476 LOL LIAR.....YOU CANT NAME ANY CENTER TODAY THATS WOULD COMPETE WITH HIM....NO EVIDENCE WHATS SO EVER WHOS GONE GAURD HIM TODAY.....? 🤔
@@Solanegore who you calling liar dumbass? Educate yourself dumbass its simple math that proved you wrong dumbfuck
Wilt outplayed a young kaj in 71 and 72 playoffs....the guy was a 20th century legend, RIP to the real goat....of course I have to mention Russell too, Celtic fan
Leo Derosia No he didn’t! Kareem scored a steady 30 pts plus against Wilt in those years
@@JMC786 Wilt held kaj to 42 pct shooting in last 4 games of 72 playoffs which basically decided the nba championship and in 1971 playoffs their stats were basically even and in both series old Wilt outrebounded Kareem and held him way under his regular season shooting pct. You can see the stats on pro basketball reference ...Kareem was 13 for 33 in decisive gm 6 of 1972 wcf. Young Wilt would've shredded a old Kareem....I saw all their head to head stats and they were fairly even except that kaj shot around 3 times as much
As great as Kareem was Old Man Wilt way more than held his own and it's certainly no reach to say Wilt at least held him in check if not downright was the reason the Lakers beat the Bucks. I couldn't imagine what 25 year old Wilt would do to a 25 year old Kareem
@@JMC786very old wilt with knee surgery outscore jabber in the playoffs
1:56 - this photo is so crisp and beautiful.
Anyone disregarding Chamberlain and Russell is a fool... Two of the all time greats! Heck, Wilt was the most physically gifted athlete to ever pick up a basketball. FACTS. Great Post, Man!
The most underrated era in basketball history.
12:13 look how he handle the ball u know he trash
@@SwarleyPlease when u realize Larry Bird was a white guy. Also whats wrong with being white u little racist
What you said about having to play so many games against HOFers is what a friend used to tell me, they all knew each other so well that Wilt HAD to switch up his game to have success vs Russell, Thurmond, Reed et al.
His fadeaway was effective even at 17ft.
He was a center and did not need alot of range. But he had the range of a PF when he needed it.
Love the video. Wilt deserves more respect. I just subscribed fam💯🔔
A sixth argument was the amount of intentional rough contact in the game back then. Most teams had "enforcers", whose job was to play few minutes, but use them primarily to lay hard fouls on the opponent's best players. Those guys might foul out in 5-10 minutes of court time and be cheered for their contributions. Wilt was one of the most obvious targets - especially since he sucked at free throws.
The "Short White Guys" argument is so bias and racist. There were lots of talented White Americans in 1960's NBA...
Jerry West - 6'3
John Havlicek - 6'5
Tom Heinsohn - 6'7
Bill Sharman - 6'1
Don Nelson - 6'6
Bob Cousy - 6'1
Frank Ramsey - 6'5
Larry Siegfried - 6'3
Rudy LaRusso - 6'7
Bob Pettit - 6'9
Rick Barry - 6'7
Jerry Lucas - 6'8
Dave DeBusschere - 6'8
Billy Cunningham - 6'6
Dolph Schayes - 6'8
Bailey Howell - 6'7
Jack Twyman - 6'6
Paul Arizin - 6'4
Cliff Hagan - 6'4
Clyde Lovelette - 6'9
Gail Goodrich - 6'1
Tom Gola - 6'6
Bill Bradley - 6'5
That's just a short list. There were just no White players (Centers especially) 6'10+ who stood out and on off equal caliber to Wilt Chamberlian, Bill Russell, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed and Wes Unseld. It wasn't until the 1970's and 1980's when tall and talented (6'6+) white guys like Bill Walton, Dave Cowens, Dan Issel, Rudy Tomjanovich, Billy Paultz, Mark Eaton, Alvan Adams, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Jack Sikma, Bill Laimbeer, Jeff Ruland, Kiki Vandweghe, Kelly Tripucka, Mike Gminski, Bobby Jones, Tom Chambers, Chris Mullin, Dan Majerle, Craig Ehlo, etc... showed up.
The Argument that many Black players weren't given a fair chance in the 1960's, may also apply in reverse (current NBA) that many more White players aren't given a fair chance. Most White NBA players today come from Europe, with the White American player getting fewer and fewer. Even though there are still lots of White Americans excelling in College Basketball. Many of them just go undrafted or get benched for very obvious reasons.
That’s why I use the short white guy comparison. There wasn’t any GOOD centers. They were all black and elite like the guys mentioned. And this was also a time where if you were tall and athletic it was an easy 20 20 night. Many of those elite centers averaged about 20 points and 15 rebounds. All of the good white guys were guards/forwards so they weren’t guarding Wilt. There was only 2 dominant centers in Russell and Wilt and even then neither could really stop each other. So I believe that’s why many would use the small white guy argument. Because the tall ones weren’t good at all and the good white guys were the guards.
very true assesment
European white players are more skilled than American white players.
Also I believe that American White men are more interested in analyzing the sport, then playing the sport. More athletic American white men are playing Football, Baseball and hockey then basketball, because of lack of interest in playing basketball over the decades.
What does being white have to do with anything???
Yeah but tbh, the players are pretty terrible compared to players of today. They dribble like amateurs, brick shots constantly, miss easy layups, and the majority of them couldn't even dunk. They're no where near as athletic as the players today.
Just imagine if Wilt (51%) or even Shaq (52%) made 70-75% of their free throws (ala Olajuwan, Abdul-Jabbar, Robinson or Ewing)... the GOAT conversation would be slightly different I'm thinking!! Great video BTW
8:30 I love how you froze the shot to show how wilt would literally extend and at the peak his hand is almost at the top of the back board. It's literally like trying to shoot the ball over a skyscraper
yes. and if anyone takes time to notice. wilt was almost touching the top of the backarod, or about even with it. maybe 1 inche lower. that is 41 inches based on his reach. but A. he was on chuck tayloers and B. he literally was jumping from standing position. no running start. when they meausre a player's vertical, they measure it when they run at full speed and and leap, you are going to get several more inches on that
When you talk about centers from back then you can not leave out Wes Unseld. Plus he was only 6 foot 8 and battled with the best.
Excellent video and narrative. Thku for everything put into this. Thoroughly enjoyable.
You’re very articulate and did a good job debunking these myths. You did your homework. Youngsters can say what they will about him, but no athlete ever dominated his individual sport the way Wilt Chamberlain did. And contrary to some who dismiss his achievements to his height, he was, in fact, an extraordinary athlete as well. I was glad to see you took the time to include this in the video.
sure because he played in different era
Basketball is not an "individual" sport - which is why I can count Wilt as probably the best individual player of it but NOT the GREATEST of all time or even in the Top 5 GOAT candidates.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 I addressed his teamwork in another comment. Still, you have a right to your opinion.
This video should have way more views! Very well made!
The whiny crybaby children would not dare listen to truth, it is beyond their intellect level.
Very well put together. Many spot on points that far too many people either ignore or just don't know what they're talking about. One thing that drives me crazy is when people don't acknowledge if players from the 60s were playing the past 20-30 yrs they would benefit from advancements in medicine, training, travel etc....and on the flip side if the modern day players went back in a time machine they wouldn't have those benefits they are blessed with. Thank you for pointing out the importance of being able to watch the players from the past on film/video...it is so priceless and yet people look past it as if it's no big deal. Excellent video man. Extremely well done
Wilt was awesome! I once saw him catch a ball in the high post with one hand and then throw a perfect pass to his teammate. Another time he blocked a shot sending it down court to a streaking Gale Goodrich for an easy layup. He is so underrated. When he played there were great centers on nearly ever team. You forgot to mention Wes Unseld who was undersized but unbelievably talented. The centers of today couldn’t hold a candle to Wilt.
True. Brother Robert
Wilt wasn't as good or consistent at that "block to a teammate" trick as Bill Russell, but does seem to have worked on it after losing so often to Bill's Celtics - among other TEAM related skills he got much much better at in his time on the Lakers and PARTICULARLY in his time with Bill Sharman as coach (though Alex Hannum had significant input when Wilt played under Alex on the 76ers).
“It’s best not to compare eras, as a fan it’s natural that we do it though.” Well put.
It really IS impossible to honestly know how different players would compete in other eras. Far too many factors to consider, including did they travel through time, or are we assuming they were born in that new era.
BTW - watching WC playing vball (11:50)was AWESOME! 🥰🥰🥰
(as was watching the T&F clips, my 2nd love)
Wilt is the undisputed Greatest Of All Time. I really enjoyed your video, but you left out Hall Of Fame Centers Wes Unseld, Jerry Lucas, Elvin Hayes, that Wilt competed against. And, he was a national triple jump champion and a pro volleyball champion after his career!
Wilt is in the Volleyball Hall of Fame more as a contributor (he helped start one Pro Volleyball league and was a team OWNER when he played for that team) than as a player.
The book on him was "devastating spike, fair-to-good but not outstanding otherwise".
This was a great video! I love NBA history videos, and you did a fantastic breakdown. I feel like I’m forever smarter on this matchup now.
Awesome analysis, fantastic video. Thanks for pulling together all this great film of Wilt in action.
Imagine those players back then on the modern weight training and performance supplements players are all jacked up on today
those players were in outstanding condition...the supposed new age weight training and diet is highly overrated and exaggerated..i don't see how its possible to be in better condition than Russel, West, Chamberlain, Baylor, Havlicek...Wilt and Russel averaged 48 & 44 minutes per game respectively. Russel averaged 19 rebounds per 36 min. of play..I don't see that kind of stamina anymore..Havileck was a non stop worling durbish all over the court..Jumping Joe Caldwell, Bill Bridges, Jumping Johnny Green, Gus Johnson, Tommy Hawkins, Rick Barry, Zelmo Beaty were in superb conditions..Actually the NBA has seriously devolved since the 60s-70s..Plus there is no more class..........Willie
Bottom line respect history... great video, i love history's greats in all sports, and arguments belittling the accomplishments of the past are so annoying and often disrespectful... opinions that today is better than yesterday are fine (and fun very debatable) BUT projecting that onto individual accomplishments is too far... The legends in all sports are legends for a reason they dominated their time even if you are of the opinion they would struggle today that doesnt make what they accomplished in their times any less special
Benjamin Christiansen 100% agree
Thanks for the video. I watched the games from Wilt's era when I was young and I've always been a fan of his. It's so difficult to compare over time but if I was going to start a team I'd choose Wilt as my center.
Great Vid and perspective, young man. Just came across your channel today (Mar '24) see you haven't posted in a few years, hope youre doing well. This is one of the best vids of its type (and Ive seen most of them) A voice like yours is needed in these youtube streets
Being old enough to have seen all these guys in real time, I very much appreciate this well-researched piece. Elgin Baylor and Jerry West are two other guys who could have been stars in any era.
Doctor J has STATED that he patterned his game after Elgin's.
Finally some one with some sense---Great information! You can't compare the old with the new. They are all great during their time!!!!!
This was an amazing video to watch! Very informative. Well done.
Great video, excellent analysis & presentation. As a basketball fan I was there, MSG, Wilt doing his thing against Bellamy, Reed, DeBushere. I watched all those games against Russell too. He couldn't stop Wilt either. I was an NBA fan throughout the 60s, 70s, ... always, ... & that's continued until today. Wilt is the GOAT. Another phenomenal player who Wilt went against regularly was Bob Lanier. The big man for the Pistons back then, Lanier was a beast, one of the best, but Wilt dominated those contests too. As a young player Chamberlain ran a 4.59 in the 40. At age 42 in a scrimmage against Magic - Johnson was so frustrated by Wilt that he quit, walking off the court. Later, retired from the NBA & having evolved into one the best volleyball players anywhere, Wilt could bench 600 lbs. That's not a typo, he could lift 600!
"Nuff said"
Thanks for making this video I been saying this for years great facts
To me Walt's most amazing stat is that he never fouled out his whole career! Unbelievable!
I think the one above all could be the 48.5 minutes per game for a whole season
Yeah and by all accounts it really screwed his team a lot because he was so obsessed with the record that he’d give up easy baskets in key late situations to keep it going. His big assist season was similar in that he got way too obsessed with the numbers, to the point that it was easily the most important thing to him.
Thanksgiving McDaniels ok
@@thanksgivingmcdaniels3335 And that's why when he attempted team basketball rather than going for more 50 point seasons, he finally won a couple rings.
And he had sex with uncountable amounts of women but has no children. Incredible
Well done video my friend! I loved Wilt. Read his biography numerous times growing up...and to me...as far as centers go...he truly was the GOAT! Thank you for doing this!!
Excellent video. Thanks for posting it! PS I ust want to point out that that is Bill Sharman at about the 11:00 minute mark when the discussion of how Wilt was treated by his coach in Game 7 of the Lakers-Celtics championship series. It was of course Butch van Breda Kolff.
Good work
Allen Iverson was “extremely athletic” ..... I did enjoy the video , thanks.
THANK YOU for the point about being able to study players from the past. I've thought about that over and over again and no one ever brings it up. Put any legend from the past in today's game and they would be able to watch all of the highlights of past players which would improve their game a lot. Likewise, take today's players and put them in the older era's and they would not be able to study the players they've studied which would detract from their game.
It drives me crazy when people don't grasp that. Jordan wouldn't be Jordan had he not been able to watch Dr J growing up. LeBron wouldn't be LeBron without having the benefit of watching MJ. Kids today with a click or 2 can watch film of anyone they want and if people don't understand how huge that is in a players ability to develop then it's pointless to even have a conversation with those people. All the technology over the yrs is a benefit the generations before them didn't have & is a huge part of the overall growth in any sport. Imagine the Big O with the knowledge of weight training, ability to access video instantly etc on top of having that carrot of making 40 million dollars a year hanging out there
Great job, my man! You really know your stuff and put it all together. Wilt is my favorite player of all time!
For all you guys knocking the 50s and 60s saying they played against plumbers and such remember Jordan was a shoe salesman 😁
IS, not just WAS.
9-)
I really appreciate this. Good job. Cogent analysis. For me, it's very important to take in all the facts and come to an eductated opinion -- which is what you have done here.
Wilt, in my educated opinion is underappeciated and almost forgotten. But, in my estimation either him or Larry Bird is the GOAT. Wilt was sent from the heavens. He lost a ton by the narrowest of margins against a HOF stacked Celtics team. As Wilt stated, "I wasn't just competing against Russell, I was competing against the Celtics team -- all five." Russell had it relatively easy. All he had to do is focus on Wilt... Play some defense... Get some boards... Wilt had to do everything for crying out loud! Score! Rebound! Defense! Assist! What's amazing is how close Wilt made it. He should be praised, not criticized. Love and respect for Russell, but Wilt is head and shoulders better. Not even close.
Not even Larry Bird would make that claim. He called MJ "God disguised as Michael Jordan" after he dropped 63 on them in the playoffs.
There are only 3 true GOAT candidates. Bird isn't one of them.
@@robjames4160 Bird IS a legitimate GOAT candidate - considering he was a BETTER BY FAR rebounder and a BETTER assists and TEAM player than MJ.
MJ was more athletic and spectacular, but nowhere near as good as a TEAM player and leader as Larry Legend - which is why MJ made that widely-known "I'm glad you're retiring" message to Bird along with some of the OTHER comments in it.
When Bird retired, he was well within the Top 50 all time for Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, and Rebounds Per Game - and NOBODY ELSE WAS EVEN CLOSE IN ALL 3.
His rebounding rank has slipped a little in the 30 years since - but he's STILL Top 55 there, and easily still Top 50 in the other 3 - AND NOBODY ELSE IS EVEN CLOSE ON ALL 3.
Hands down most "all around" player to ever play the game.
Also note that Basketball is a TEAM sport - and that while MJ put up that 63, HIS TEAM LOST THAT GAME because the Celtics were a better team that PLAYED AS A TEAM.
Jordan was also NOT playing tough defense that game.
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29067991/a-closer-look-michael-jordan-63-point-playoff-game for a more in depth analysis of why that "63" game was somewhat overrated (still great, but not AS great as the 63 indicates).
@@bricefleckenstein9666 Sorry, but no. Larry Bird is absolutely a Rushmore candidate, but he's really not a GOAT candidate by any stretch of the imagination. There are SEVERAL players ahead of him in that conversation, but if you want to compare him and MJ in regards to stats and team-play, you'll need to start by having a look at the positions they played and the teams they played for. Larry was a small/power forward. He's SUPPOSED to get rebounds. MJ was a shooting guard - his function is in the name. It's not an apt comparison to view two completely different positions from the same perspective. Go and look at where MJ ranks relative to other shooting guards in those same statistics. When held up to Larry's ranks among other small/power forwards, it's not exactly close. MJ also averaged 8.0 APG one season - higher than any of Larry's seasons. When moved to the point guard position, he put up 30-point triple doubles with assist numbers that dwarfed Larry's best games by a significant margin. Larry played with 3 or sometimes 4 other HOFers, and was the leading member of one of the greatest teams of all time. MJ at most had 2 other HOFers, was the leading member of the GREATEST team of all time (with the arguable exception of Bill's Celtics), and controlled the league for a solid decade. He became the defacto leader of an Olympic team with both Larry AND Magic on it, and lead his team to 6 titles. You don't do that without being an all-time great team leader. MJ accomplished more as both an individual AND as a team leader than Larry Bird did.
Also, note - of COURSE the Celtics were a better team that played as a team. The Bulls team that MJ was on when he dropped that playoff-record 63 points on them only had a player crack the top 10 of twelve statistical categories in the NBA that season. On the other hand, those Celtics were an ALL-TIME great team, had a player in the top 10 of THIRTY-NINE separate statistical categories (and 14 instances where 2 or more players appeared in the top 10), as welle as a starting lineup almost entirely comprised of HOFers, and the fact remains that MJ very nearly almost SINGLE-HANDEDLY beat them. So while the game may be "overrated" for whatever reason, it is still the 7th-greatest playoff game ever played by any player, and up until last year, was 5th. Larry Legend's greatest playoff performance comes in at number... 77. MJ has 9 better playoff performances, and 11 in the top 100 to Larry's lone entry.
Regardless of how you want to slice it, MJ's teams ended up winning more then Bird's, when MJ and Bird were on the same floor, MJ was a dominant force unlike anything Bird had seen (remember, "GOD in disguise"), and when MJ and Bird were on the same team, it was MJ's team, by Bird and Magic's own admission. Sounds like a pretty strong leader to me... and sure, basketball is a team game, but only one player can score at a time. MJ did that better than anyone in modern history, including Larry. Don't get me wrong - Larry is an all-time great, but assists and rebounds are incidental. Only points count when it comes to winning championships, and it doesn't matter who scores them.
@@robjames4160 Theres' no question that Jordan's teams were weaker - but still, SWEPT IN THE PLAYOFFS repeatedly by the Bird-era Celtics, and didn't win a playoffs 'til a rule change started to limit the "abuse" defensive players were allowed to dish out isn't all that good a sign.
Jordan AVERAGED significantly fewer APG than Bird for their careers - and those 2 seasons playing with the Wizards did NOT drag that average down noticeably. I do grant his peak was higher - but guards are SUPPOSED to have a lot of assists (even SHOOTING guards to a degree), forwards are NOT.
I grant that forwards are supposed to average more rebounds - but Larry does NOT average low for that position, there are more centers ahead of him on the "career RPG" list than there are forwards.
MJ did not become the leader of the Dream Team - though that was at least in part due to his respect for "the giants that came before him" he was playing on.
Defacto, more so - but he specifically PASSED on being the team captain in favor of Bird + Magic as co-captains.
Not saying he couldn't have had the position had he wanted it though, MJ WAS one of the three "untouchable" choices for that team, along with Larry and Magic.
What Bird (and to a lesser degree Magic, eventually) conceded was that MJ was the "new sheriff" in town", not the team leader, for the LEAGUE.
MJ did NOT "almost single-handedly beat" the Celtics in that series - he kept the Bulls very very close in ONE GAME, but they lost THE SERIES 0-3.
MJ's performance in that game WAS inpressive - but look at his DEFENSE in that game, it was badly lacking and that's PART of the reason they got SWEPT in that series - and his WEAK defense even in that 63 point game allowed the Celtics a LOT of "unguarded wide open" points to help counter HIS scoring.
GREAT playoff performances happen on BOTH ends of the court, not just on offence.
Jordan's teams with MJ and Larry on the teams went 11-17. That is NOT "winning more than Bird's", that's LOSING more - and most of the wins were during the Regular Season when it COUNTED for less. Jordan's Bulls NEVER WON A PLAYOFF GAME - *ZERO* - against Bird's Celtics.
There is no question that MJ could score - only Wilt was BETTER at that - but there IS more to the game than scoring.
Rebounds are NOT minor, as the Celtics showed for many decades they often could lead to easy fast-break points, and otherwise to MORE scoring chances when you outrebound the other team.
Assists DIRECTLY lead to points scored - BY DEFINITION. Again, not minor.
DEFENSE is important to winnning championships - or Wilt would have at least *5 more rings* - keep in mind in his highest-SCORING seasons, HE DID NOT WIN ANY RINGS AT ALL. Also look into why Don Nelson has NO rings as a coach, despite coaching teams that often LED THE LEAGUE IN SCORING (they played pretty close to ZERO defense under "Nellyball" and were commonly OUTSCORED by teams that didn't usually score so high).
www.landofbasketball.com/statistics/highest_scoring_teams_rs.htm
Of the 50 highest scoring teams for a season in NBA history, *ONLY 8* won championships - and half of THOSE were Russell-era Celtic teams that were also known for their GREAT DEFENSE.
The time machine argument is the most annoying. And you nailed it with your debunking. Excellent vid!
Love this. Good to find a good, young, true basketball historian. I can confirm everything you say because I watched NBA in the 60's and 70's. (As much as was possible in the days before big network contracts.) This is a classy video, and I'd love to see more like it. Pistol Pete, Oscar, West, Russell, Havlicek, Cowens, Unseld, The Big E, Bobby Dandridge, Calvin Murphy Dr. J, Mel Daniels, Iceman, McGinnis, and David Thompson to name a few. It would be enlightening for your young folks in your audience.
Many young hockey fans proclaim that Wayne Gretzky couldn't play in today's NHL. Think about how absurd that is. So, same thing holds true with young NBA fans. One day, NBA fans will tell us that Larry Bird couldn't play in their future Era. Oh, the ignorance of young people.
Good job on the myth debunking. Wilt was the best all around athlete of all time - strong, fast, agile, and durable.
nop
@@polpol1005 yep
@@ChristReignsSupremacy nope, he was overrated af
@@polpol1005 nope you're just ignorant
@@polpol1005 and a blatant hater.
This was very well done.
I believe that your evaluation is right on.
I game is evolving all the time.
I believe Wilt would be just as dominant of center in today's game as well as he was in his day.
Thank you.
Keep up the good work.
STAY SAFE.
👍✌🏀🙋♂️
YOU BROKE THIS COMPARISON DOWN BEAUTIFULLY N PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE N PUT SOME RESPECT ON MR WILT CHAMBERLAINS NAME N GREATNESS IMO GREATEST TALENT THAT EVER WALKED THE EARTH 🌎
12:22 You can see a dude catching the ball and just running away xD
Thanks for the good info man!
😆 ion blame em’ . I’d sell that ball for a fortune 🔮
@@Reggie2kj that man would go on to invent ebay so he could sell that ball
Dude got one of the best memorabilia pieces all time.... 😂😂😂
He also got the wind knocked out of him running off the court. Dude got folded in half
Very good comments on the differences between the past and present. A well thought out evaluation and comparison to the different eras.
Great video. You have actually kind of changed my mind here
Great video the fact that there were 8 teams compared to 30 shows how watered down the talent pool is now. Half of today's starters would not even be a bench player back then.
The reverse is actually closer to reality. Athletes are more specialized respective to their sports now. Most of the players from the '50s and '60s would get blown off the floor by the sheer speed, length, athleticism, and skill-sets of today's players. It's hilarious that anyone would think otherwise. Today's players have the benefits of elite training programs, superior nutrition and technology, and extreme amounts of high-level competition at every level of development. Plus, they benefit from the cumulative knowledge of the history of the game since its inception. l
@@robjames4160 you realize walking palming and offensive fouls were actually called back then. Jordan and Shaq would foul out halfway through the first quarter. If the modern player had to play in canvas basketball shoes they wouldn't run as fast and jump as high either.
7:40 Wilt made a bet with his teammates he could sink 4 threes with a sky hook. He did.
There were no 3s back then, but yeah, he was awesome.
Liar, no 3 point line existed back then. Dumb ass
@@shaneburton2455 the clip is actually in this video but the guy's voice is over it. Wilt shoots from the edge of out of bounds 3 times then his team mate bets him 5 bucks he cant do it. Wilt says he made the last three, what gonna change? His team mate says he's talking about this attempt. Wilt proceeds to sky hook a 4th shot from 3 distance, thus winning the bet and shooting 4 threes in a row with a hook shot. Thank you and have a good day :)
@@shaneburton2455 there is a video
@@shaneburton2455 True the NBA didn't have a 3 point line back then, but the concept was known since some minor leagues as well as the ABA ad one during the 60s.
Spot on, man! I love it. Great video. Thank you.
Great video! But there was another aspect of Wilt’s career that should be addressed - his minutes played per game. There were seasons when he got almost no in-game rest time. That is completely unheard of in today’s game. He had one season when he played every second of every game, except for about eight minutes - for the entire season. As great an athlete as he was in terms of condition and stamina, no one could play those kinds of minutes during an 82-game regular season and still have something in the tank for an effective post-season run. I think those insane minutes played contributed to the fact that he only won two championships. I would gladly take Wilt as the starting center on my all-time NBA starting five.
That's an excellent point, Wilt himself even said in his words after his retirement quote "Looking back in retrospect I played over 48 minutes a game for a whole season, and averaged almost 46 minutes a game for a career, Jesus what were they doing to me? I couldn't have gotten a little rest?" and quote. People try saying he only played 14 seasons, and not 19 or 20 seasons like some of the other greats, but those other greats like Shaq and Kareem, were not playing 46 minutes a game for a whole career lol. I just decided to crunch the numbers for the heck of it today, and I figured out that Shaq who played 19 seasons in the NBA, (5 more seasons than Wilt) played a grand total of 41,882 minutes for his entire 19 year career...Wilt on the other hand who played 5 less seasons than Shaq....played a whopping 47,861 minutes in his 14 year career......Wilt played almost 6,000 more minutes than Shaq for his career...in 5 less years...that's insane.
You lost me when you said Iverson wasn't particularly athletic. He was Gatorade NPOY in two sports as a Junior. He's the best athlete ever out of Virginia.
This was a great video bro
Thanks man!
New sub here...Your breakdown is spot on, well done my friend. I was a young kid when Wilt played for the Lakers and listened to every game on the radio or watch when on tv in the 71-72 season and I remember Chick Hearn calling the games. I remember him calling Chamberlains blocks sometimes at least ten times a game during the 33 game when streak. The NBA block records are a JOKE, I'll bet Chamberlain had 600-700 blocks in a season at least 5 times. I would guess he had nearly 7000 in his career. This man was every bit the quick second and third jumper that Rodman was but was the biggest and strongest man the NBA has ever seen and never came off the floor, a true one off.
Fascinating & insightful. Thanks for the history lesson. It was dope! Peace. 🕊
Wilt might have been the most athletic big man the NBA has had. The guy competed in NCAA track, too. Per Wikipedia: "He ran the 100-yard dash in 10.9 seconds, shot-putted 56 feet, triple jumped more than 50 feet, and won the high jump in the Big Eight track and field championships three straight years."
That SOUNDS fast, but it's not. 100-yards is just over 90m. The 100-meter dash is what gets run now, and with a 10.9 100-yd time, his 100m time would be in the 12-second range.
He high-jumped pre Fosbury-Flop, so his height was of particular advantage in that style. He was also considerably lighter in college. Regardless, his jump of 6'6" was mediocre at best. Middle of the road high-school high-jumpers can jump that with ease. I was one of them. Ran a 10.7 in the 100m too. Wilt's athleticism is over-estimated. His one true athletic gift was his sheer strength. He was one of the biggest dudes on the planet for a long time and had favorable proportions for musculature. He could've been inhumanly strong, but fast? No.
@@robjames4160 When Wilt ran it in 1955, it was pretty fast. The 1956 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winning 100 yd dash was 10.6 sec. The the 1955 winner was 9.4. Wilt could've probably medaled some meets, but he wouldn't have been league champ.
@@jerrybobteasdale All that means is that the competition in 1955 and 1956 was slow relative to today. "Pretty fast" back then would get annihilated by 15-yr-olds today. Actually, it would even be slow relative to 20 years ago. in 1994 I ran an electronically timed indoor 10.7 in the 100m and LOST. Sorry, but a 12-second 100m is not fast. For lumbering giants, maybe.
@@robjames4160 Comparing track performance to others of his time period makes sense. Comparing the performances of 1955 to the marks being made 60 years later is interesting, but a lot things change in a sport over 60 years. He was a 7'2" guy running respectably fast with other 100 yd dash sprinters of his time. That's one fast, big dude.
@@jerrybobteasdale Sure. As an athletic guy, I would expect someone with his leg length and athleticism to run "respectably" fast.
Here's some perspective for you though - no white dudes ran the 100m in under 10 seconds until 2010. Black dudes were doing it in '68. The NBA and NCAA athletics were primarily white-dominated in the '50s and '60s. Wilt wasn't competing against even remotely elite competition.
Moreover, I could consistently beat Wilt's high-jump mark when I was a junior in high school and could've outrun him in the 100m as a 15-year-old.
Honestly - 10.9 in the 100-yd dash is just not that fast. It's a 12-second 100m time. There are 11-year-old girls that have run it faster.
Wilt is The GOAT
There should be ABSOLUTELY no shame for Bill Russell in knowing that he played respectfully against an amazingly talented specimen like Wilt. So what if Russell was not the best in the world? Being better at basketball than 99.99% of the American population should be something to be proud of.
The Celtics regularly had 4 to 6 Hall-Of-Famers around Russell - Wilt was lucky if he had 2 or 3.
Watch Russell's interviews tell the story. He was more humble & very respectful to Wilt when being interviewed side-by-side compared to when Russell was interviewed solo. Russell knew who was better!
I try to imagine how Wilt would be remembered if he was consistently good at the free throw line - WOW!!!
The talent in the NBA didn't just miraculously improve overnight at some point - it's been a very slow, subtle process over the decades.
This was an excellent video - much of it I knew thru watching many, many hours of the NBA on CZcams over the last 5 years or so. It was very informative. I agree w/ just about everything you stated.
Great vid man, keep posting.
1:22
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
“Corn beef king”
“Pediatrics”
Love 1960s nba basketball,
Good topic. Well done. Definitely needed some debunking.
GREAT VIDEO, GREAT INFORMATION & PERSPECTIVE!!!!!!!!!! Keep it up
I've been watching NBA games since the '60s. The rules are called so differently now.
In today's game the guards "carry" the ball, which wasn't allowed. Today, "illegal" screens are set almost every play.
Bill Russell was on an historic team before free agency. He didn't have to do as much on the floor - mainly play defense, rebound and outlet pass. Wilt had to do everything, and had to work twice as hard. His teams were always inferrior.
Same with the Lakers. The Celtics had too many Hall of Famers who weren't allowed to leave (pre- free agency).
ESPN-folk who call Bill Russell the greatest player of all time just don't know the pre-1980's game.
greate video post more content
I appreciate it man, I been working on some more NBA content
@@BigStallProductions
Wilt ChamberLIEn -THE MOST OVERRATED PLAYER EVER
Everybody speaking about 100 points... 55 rebounds...Wilt's strenght,jumping,stamina..."Wilt- GOAT"..."Wilt- most athletic player" etc.
Everybody speaking BULLSHITS.
I knowed that is all LIE.
I knowed that is all myth.
And this are PROOFS:
1959/60.
Number NBA teams:8
Number teams in Playoff: 6
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia Warriors defeated by Boston Celtics (2:4)
Celtics had 3 All-Star Players
Warriors had 3 All-Star Players
1960/61
Number NBA teams:8
Number teams in Playoff: 6
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia Warriors defeated by Syracuse Nationals (0:3)
Nationals had 3 All-Star Players
Warriors had 3 All-Star Players
1961/62.
Number NBA teams:9
Number teams in Playoff: 6
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia Warriors defeated by Boston Celtics (3:4)
Celtics had 4 All-Star Players
Warriors had 3 All-Star Players
-----------------------------------------------------------
Then Warriors moved to San Francisco (far away by east coast and Boston Celtics -division enemies).
-----------------------------------------------------------
1962/63
Number NBA teams:9
Number teams in Playoff: 6
Wilt with S.Francisco Warriors WITHOUT NBA Playoffs
Warriors had 3 All-Star Players
1963/64
Number NBA teams:9
Number teams in Playoff: 6
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with San Francisco Warriors defeated by Boston Celtics in yours first NBA finals (1:4)
Celtics had 3 All-Star Players
Warriors had 2 All-Star Players
1964/65
Number NBA teams:9
Number teams in Playoff: 6
First part of season 1964/65 Wilt played with SF Warriors then he gone in Philadelphia 76ers.
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia 76ers defeated by Boston Celtics (3:4)
Celtics had 3 All-Star Players
76ers had 4 All-Star Players
1965/66
Number NBA teams:9
Number teams in Playoff: 6
Philadelphia 76ers (East-1st)
Boston Celtics (East-2nd)
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia 76ers defeated by Boston Celtics (1:4)
Celtics had 3 All-Star Players
76ers had 3 All-Star Players
1966/67
Number NBA teams:10
Number teams in Playoff: 8
PLAYOFFS:Philadelphia 76ers VS San Francisco Warriors in NBA finals (4:2).
Philadelphia 76ers NBA Champion
76ers had 3 All-Star Players
S.F.Warriors had 3 All-Star Players
76ers- Playoffs per Game (1967.)
*Hal Greer 27.7 Pts Per Game
*Wilt Chamberlain 21.7 PPG
*Chet Walker 21.7 PPG
*Wali Jones 17.5 PPG
*Billy Cunningham 15.0 PPG
1967/68
Number NBA teams:12
Number teams in Playoff: 8
Philadelphia 76ers (East-1st)
Boston Celtics (East-2nd)
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Philadelphia 76ers defeated by Boston Celtics (3:4)
76ers had 2 All-Star Players
Celtics had 3 All-Star Players
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Wilt gone in Los Angeles Lakers
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1968/69
Number NBA teams:14
Number teams in Playoff: 8
Los Angeles Lakers (West-1st)
Boston Celtics (East-4th)
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Los Angeles Lakers defeated by Boston Celtics (3:4) in NBA finals
Lakers had 3 All-Star Players
Celtics had 2 All-Star Players
1969/70
Number NBA teams:14
Number teams in Playoff: 8
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Los Angeles Lakers defeated by New York Knicks (3:4) in NBA finals
Lakers had 2 All-Star Players+Wilt (not All-Star Player)
New York Knicks had 3 All-Star Players
1970/71
Number NBA teams:17
Number teams in Playoff: 8
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Los Angeles Lakers defeated by Milwaukee Bucks (1:4)
Lakers had 2 All-Star Players
Bucks had 2 All-Star Players
1971/72
Number NBA teams:17
Number teams in Playoff: 8
PLAYOFFS:Los Angeles Lakers VS New York Knicks in NBA finals (4:1).
Los Angeles Lakers- NBA Champion
Lakers had 3 All-Star Players
New York Knicks had 2 All-Star Players
Lakers- Playoffs per Game (1972.)
*Gail Goodrich 23.8 PPG
*Jerry West 22.9 PPG
*Jim McMillian 19.1 PPG
*Wilt Chamberlain 14.7 PPG
*Happy Hairston 13.5 PPG
1972/73
Number NBA teams:17
Number teams in Playoff: 8
PLAYOFFS:Wilt with Los Angeles Lakers defeated by New York Knicks(1:4) in NBA finals
Lakers had 3 All-Star Players
New York Knicks had 3 All-Star Players
@@BigStallProductions
He won 2 rings(1967,1972) but he never been point leader of NBA champion team:
76ers- Playoffs per Game (1967.)
*Hal Greer 27.7 Pts Per Game
*Wilt Chamberlain 21.7 PPG
*Chet Walker 21.7 PPG
*Wali Jones 17.5 PPG
*Billy Cunningham 15.0 PPG
Lakers- Playoffs per Game (1972.)
*Gail Goodrich 23.8 PPG
*Jerry West 22.9 PPG
*Jim McMillian 19.1 PPG
*Wilt Chamberlain 14.7 PPG
*Happy Hairston 13.5 PPG
That mean-HE CAN'T BE GOAT.
@@ineversawrealfightinnbaonl4007 this was waaay to much nonsense which does not change a thing. What I know for sure is just, that you sir are a sucker
Buddy pipen ain’t a fucking top 15 player in his air
All praise to Big Stall. Can't believe I stumbled into this. You are right on the money with every word out of your mouth. You want to know what viewers want? Whatever you put together at this level my friend. I don't have any right to make suggestions to you. Nuff said.
Wilt Chamberlain would be a BEAST today or in any era.... He was an extraordinary athlete.
I believe Wilt Chamberlain is the GOAT. I’ve always believed this. I think Jordan is amazing but if you had to choose one player for your team. You would have to choose Wilt even over Jordan.
I agree...MJ is prolly the best one on one player the game has ever seen. He was just so fast & coodinated. Wilt is the GOAT tho..no one comes close to what Wilt did in his career!
Wilt NEVER fouled out of a game!
He got tossed once late in a game, tho.
An absolutely incredible feat in a career of absolutely incredible feats
Great video, Sir. I subscribed. These old teams (and that look of crappy B/W TV from the 60's) is why I still have NBA 2k12 installed on my computer.
Fantastic analysis. I lived through those years, and I concur with your assessment.
Big Stall do you have any more video of Wilt as a Globetrotter?
Michael Riley Sorry I’m just now getting to this comment. I do not but most of my Wilt footage in this video is from a channel called “Wilt Chamberlain Archive” you can go there and you should be able to find some Wilt Globetrotter footage of it exists. That guy does a great job of finding archived footage of Wilt.
@Wilt Chamberlain GOD of NBA Iove big wilt too, got a few of his books,