Wilt Chamberlain locker room interview after Game 6 of the 1970 NBA Finals:

[coastalmarker99]

https://twitter.com/WiltStats/status/1433057875459338240

Probably worth noting:

This is the game Wilt dropped 45 points and 27 rebounds on 20-27 FG's

[coastalmarker99]

Wilt was thoughtful years ahead of his time.

Listen to this and tell me how similar it is to exactly what we go through today with teams and players.

[coastalmarker99]

Here are some of Wilt's quotes about winning.

This is a team game and one man doesn't win and one man doesn't lose. In the end, the best team usually wins.

We make too much of winning. The mere fact of winning doesn't make you great.

''I look back at my career...and there were five 7th games in playoff series.

Five times I lost and four of them by a total of nine points.

Now think about that.

Nine points going the other way, and I might have had four or five more championship rings.

So I sometimes get a little frustrated when I hear people talk about,

"Yeah, well you only won two rings Wilt." I could have won seven rings but I would have been the same player.

[SouBeachTalents]

Here are some of Wilt's quotes about winning.

This is a team game and one man doesn't win and one man doesn't lose. In the end, the best team usually wins.

We make too much of winning. The mere fact of winning doesn't make you great.

''I look back at my career...and there were five 7th games in playoff series.

Five times I lost and four of them by a total of nine points.

Now think about that.

Nine points going the other way, and I might have had four or five more championship rings.

So I sometimes get a little frustrated when I hear people talk about,

"Yeah, well you only won two rings Wilt." I could have won seven rings but I would have been the same player.
I agree with everything Wilt said except for the final line. I feel like Wilt's weaknesses prevented him from winning more titles, esp through the stretch of the '68-'70 seasons. If he wasn't passive to the detriment of his team in critical games and not such a horrific FT shooter, his teams could have easily won the title every season during that span.

[coastalmarker99]

I agree with everything Wilt said except for the final line. I feel like Wilt's weaknesses prevented him from winning more titles, esp through the stretch of the '68-'70 seasons. If he wasn't passive to the detriment of his team in critical games and not such a horrific FT shooter, his teams could have easily won the title every season during that span.


Many point out the losses in 1968, 69, and 70 as being the biggest black mark on Wilt's legacy.


While it is true Chamberlain could have done more and should have at least gotten one title during those 3 seasons especially in 1969.


It is uncertain how much more another player would have done in his place in 1968 and 1970.


Chamberlain was nursing an assortment of injuries to his right leg in the 1968 East Finals that he "couldn't turn around to shoot" according to team statistician Harvey Pollack.


In 1970 he went against doctor's orders after major knee surgery and returned early in time for the postseason, even though another break may have ended his career.

[coastalmarker99]

I agree with everything Wilt said except for the final line. I feel like Wilt's weaknesses prevented him from winning more titles, esp through the stretch of the '68-'70 seasons. If he wasn't passive to the detriment of his team in critical games and not such a horrific FT shooter, his teams could have easily won the title every season during that span.



In a universe in which Wilt 4-peated from 1967 to 1970 with two different teams (two with Sixers, two with LA) and still wins his ring and FMVP in 1972


I do think he would be the only other player in history besides Lebron that people would put on the same tier as Jordan.



As that's enough for most people to vault him past Kareem and into Jordan and Lebron territory.

[SouBeachTalents]

Many point out the losses in 1968, 69, and 70 as being the biggest black mark on Wilt's legacy.


While it is true Chamberlain could have done more and should have at least gotten one title during those 3 seasons especially in 1969.


It is uncertain how much more another player would have done in his place in 1968 and 1970.


Chamberlain was nursing an assortment of injuries to his right leg in the 1968 East Finals that he "couldn't turn around to shoot" according to team statistician Harvey Pollack.


In 1970 he went against doctor's orders after major knee surgery and returned early in time for the postseason, even though another break may have ended his career.
What kills me about Wilt in those 3 years

1968: Not attempting a single shot in the 2nd half of Game 7, it's legitimately inexcusable. In a game where like you said, his teammates were shooting extremely inefficiently to boot. I just don't understand how a player of Wilt's caliber finds it acceptable, in a game of that magnitude, with his teammates struggling, not to take a single shot in the entire 2nd half of what was an extremely competitive game. It's honestly mind boggling to me

1969: The whole series in general :lol Definitely the worst of his career

1970: Two things really. In the 2nd half of Game 5 with Reed out, Wilt takes just 3 shots the entire 2nd half as the Lakers blow a 13 point lead. Against competition he would go on to drop 45 points against the following game. Then going up against a gimpy Reed, with all the marbles of a Finals Game 7, Wilt doesn't even seem to try to duplicate his successful Game 6 strategy and is content to take 11 less shots and fail to score even half the number of points

Wilt seemed trapped in a 2011 LeBron funk for the duration of those years, which is honestly weird for a player in his 30's with a title under his belt to do repeatedly at that age. And the FT shooting was an absolute killer to the team

1968 ECF Game 7: 6/15 in a 4 point loss
1969 Finals Game 4: 2/11 in a 1 point loss
1969 Finals Game 7: 4/13 in a 2 point loss
1970 Finals Game 7: 1/11 albeit in a game they got routed

[coastalmarker99]

What kills me about Wilt in those 3 years

1968: Not attempting a single shot in the 2nd half of Game 7. It's legitimately inexcusable. In a game where like you said, his teammates were shooting extremely inefficiently to boot. I just don't understand how a player of Wilt's caliber finds it acceptable, in a game of that magnitude, with his teammates struggling, not to take a single shot in the entire 2nd half of what was an extremely competitive game. It's honestly mind boggling to me

1969: The whole series in general :lol Definitely the worst of his career

1970: Two things really. When the Lakers had a 13 point lead in the 2nd half of Game 5 with Reed out, Wilt takes just 3 shots the entire 2nd half as the Lakers blow the lead. Against competition he would go on to drop 45 points against the following game. Then going up against a gimpy Reed, with all the marbles of a Finals Game 7, Wilt doesn't even seem to try to duplicate his successful Game 6 strategy and is content to take 11 less shots and fail to score even half the number of points

Wilt seemed trapped in a 2011 LeBron funk for the duration of those years, which is honestly weird for a player in his 30's with a title under his belt to do repeatedly at that age. And the FT shooting was an absolute killer to the team

1968 ECF Game 7: 6/15 in a 4 point loss
1969 Finals Game 4: 2/11 in a 1 point loss
1969 Finals Game 7: 4/13 in a 2 point loss
1970 Finals Game 7: 1/11 albeit in a game they got routed


On average in 1968 Wilt would get 15 post touches a quarter or 60 per game.


In the 2nd half of that game 7 in 1968 Wilt got only 7 touches total, and 2 in the 4th quarter.

They lost that series for the same reason they lost in 1966.

Boston's defence collapsed on Wilt, denying him the ball while the perimeter guys kept missing.


It should also be noted how the Celtics pressed full court to keep the ball out of Wilt's hands as much as possible.

And at the 17:25 mark off the opening jump ball how the entire defence was shifted to Wilt's preferred (left) side of the floor before he even set up, leaving Wali unguarded for a shot.


Also, a blatant illegal defence by KC Jones (25) before the ball is even thrown in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngg3owcJl1g&t=3m1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Vtw7fbktc&t=7m55s

[coastalmarker99]

What kills me about Wilt in those 3 years

1968: Not attempting a single shot in the 2nd half of Game 7, it's legitimately inexcusable. In a game where like you said, his teammates were shooting extremely inefficiently to boot. I just don't understand how a player of Wilt's caliber finds it acceptable, in a game of that magnitude, with his teammates struggling, not to take a single shot in the entire 2nd half of what was an extremely competitive game. It's honestly mind boggling to me

1969: The whole series in general :lol Definitely the worst of his career

1970: Two things really. In the 2nd half of Game 5 with Reed out, Wilt takes just 3 shots the entire 2nd half as the Lakers blow a 13 point lead. Against competition he would go on to drop 45 points against the following game. Then going up against a gimpy Reed, with all the marbles of a Finals Game 7, Wilt doesn't even seem to try to duplicate his successful Game 6 strategy and is content to take 11 less shots and fail to score even half the number of points

Wilt seemed trapped in a 2011 LeBron funk for the duration of those years, which is honestly weird for a player in his 30's with a title under his belt to do repeatedly at that age. And the FT shooting was an absolute killer to the team

1968 ECF Game 7: 6/15 in a 4 point loss
1969 Finals Game 4: 2/11 in a 1 point loss
1969 Finals Game 7: 4/13 in a 2 point loss
1970 Finals Game 7: 1/11 albeit in a game they got routed




The worst loss of my career was in 1968 when I was playing with the 76ers and we lost to the Celtics in the famous 7th game and they blamed me for not shooting the ball because I only took two shots in the second half.



Well, during those years, I was passing off a lot. I won the assist title.

The Celtics were smart, they put all four guys on me and let the rest of the guys shoot. Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer, Chet Walker and Wali Jones -- all fantastic shots -- had a bad, bad day. 8-for-24, 8-for-25 and 8-for-22 and I am giving them the ball.


So when the game is over people say, "Why didn't you shoot, Wilt?"

Well, I got four guys on me and here are four of the best shooters in NBA history -- we had just won 62 games that year -- but they were missing that night.

I was accused of not doing my job, not putting the ball in the basket, even though I had 34 rebounds 10 blocked shots to go along with 14 points and 5 assists for the game.

[Axe]

Yet another heartbreaking finals loss for wilt, despite not having to face his kryptonite that year anymore.

[coastalmarker99]

What kills me about Wilt in those 3 years

1968: Not attempting a single shot in the 2nd half of Game 7, it's legitimately inexcusable. In a game where like you said, his teammates were shooting extremely inefficiently to boot. I just don't understand how a player of Wilt's caliber finds it acceptable, in a game of that magnitude, with his teammates struggling, not to take a single shot in the entire 2nd half of what was an extremely competitive game. It's honestly mind boggling to me

1969: The whole series in general :lol Definitely the worst of his career

1970: Two things really. In the 2nd half of Game 5 with Reed out, Wilt takes just 3 shots the entire 2nd half as the Lakers blow a 13 point lead. Against competition he would go on to drop 45 points against the following game. Then going up against a gimpy Reed, with all the marbles of a Finals Game 7, Wilt doesn't even seem to try to duplicate his successful Game 6 strategy and is content to take 11 less shots and fail to score even half the number of points

Wilt seemed trapped in a 2011 LeBron funk for the duration of those years, which is honestly weird for a player in his 30's with a title under his belt to do repeatedly at that age. And the FT shooting was an absolute killer to the team

1968 ECF Game 7: 6/15 in a 4 point loss
1969 Finals Game 4: 2/11 in a 1 point loss
1969 Finals Game 7: 4/13 in a 2 point loss
1970 Finals Game 7: 1/11 albeit in a game they got routed

I saw a lot of the Lebron-Wade (Bosh) chemistry issues in that first year in LA with West-Wilt (Baylor.)

Lebron was tentative because he just didn't know what his real role was in his first year in Miami.


Same with Chamberlain in 1969.


Chamberlain was asked to play the high post in the 69 Finals on offence more.

So Baylor could attempt more shots from the baseline, which took him farther from the basket.

He only got to average 8 shots in the 1969 Finals compared to 14 in the regular season.



Watch this video of Baylor down below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8DOIbbOcwk


At the 1 minute 11 second part of the video, you will see Wilt playing the high post in the 1969 finals so that Baylor could use the baseline to score.

Baylor in the 1969 finals had four games of 4-18, 2-14 (and 1-5 from the line...in a one-point loss), 4-13, and then a game seven of 8-22 from the field.

In those four games, three of them losses, Baylor shot a combined 18-67, or .26.9 percent!

For the entire series, Baylor shot .39.7 percent.


Wilt showed his anger at VBK's game plan in the 1969 finals with this quote.


“He’d say, ‘Elgin drives to the basket, so Wilt get out of the middle.’ What’s the difference between who puts the ball in the basket?

If I’m putting the ball in the basket at a higher percentage than anyone in the game, I belong in the middle, not Elgin.

[coastalmarker99]

What kills me about Wilt in those 3 years

1968: Not attempting a single shot in the 2nd half of Game 7, it's legitimately inexcusable. In a game where like you said, his teammates were shooting extremely inefficiently to boot. I just don't understand how a player of Wilt's caliber finds it acceptable, in a game of that magnitude, with his teammates struggling, not to take a single shot in the entire 2nd half of what was an extremely competitive game. It's honestly mind boggling to me

1969: The whole series in general :lol Definitely the worst of his career

1970: Two things really. In the 2nd half of Game 5 with Reed out, Wilt takes just 3 shots the entire 2nd half as the Lakers blow a 13 point lead. Against competition he would go on to drop 45 points against the following game. Then going up against a gimpy Reed, with all the marbles of a Finals Game 7, Wilt doesn't even seem to try to duplicate his successful Game 6 strategy and is content to take 11 less shots and fail to score even half the number of points

Wilt seemed trapped in a 2011 LeBron funk for the duration of those years, which is honestly weird for a player in his 30's with a title under his belt to do repeatedly at that age. And the FT shooting was an absolute killer to the team

1968 ECF Game 7: 6/15 in a 4 point loss
1969 Finals Game 4: 2/11 in a 1 point loss
1969 Finals Game 7: 4/13 in a 2 point loss
1970 Finals Game 7: 1/11 albeit in a game they got routed



Wali Jones talks about the 1968 ECF game seven.


The fact that Wilt was our centrepiece and not to get the ball into him was an error.


You can't blame a ballplayer that only touches the ball seven times in a half as you can't perform without the ball.





Gettysburg Times - May 9, 1968

According to Vince Miller after the game Chamberlain got five touches in the fourth.


Whether it was two touches or five in the final period, all accounts agree that he got 7 touches in the 2nd half.


This was after 23 touches in the 1st half.


"What would I have looked like if I had said, 'Hey, we lost because my teammates didn't get the ball into me?


If Alex Hannum didn't have guts enough to lay it on the line and accept a certain amount of responsibility for the loss and name the reasons why, then I've lost a lot of respect for him, which I have and I will tell him that when I see him.



You can't shoot the ball if you don't have the ball. But you know something, after the game, not one writer came up to me and said 'Hey, how come the ball didn't come into you?' Not one. But all of them did ask me, 'How come you didn't shoot more?'"

[Manny98]

1/11 from the line in game 7

Only 21 points after dropping 45 in game 6

Typical Chokerlain

[RRR3]

1/11 from the line in game 7

Only 21 points after dropping 45 in game 6

Typical Chokerlain
Durant pooped his pants after Kyrie got injured. helpless without Papa Curry.

[Jasper]

OP - Wilts interview was defending players that play but don't win ...

hint hint (he was talking about himself in the 60's)
He was a charismatic individual and that is why ladies opened their legs for his pipe.