Wilt Chamberlain at 36

[Lebron23]

13.2 ppg on 73 FG%, 18.6 rpg, 4.5 apg Wilt was playing 43 mpg. He was pretty much done as a top 10 NBA Player while Kareem was winning Finals MVP at 38.

Nobody in their right mind would rank Wilt over Kareem.

[Big164]

Wilt has more records than Kareem, Michael and Lebron combined. More 70 point games than everyone else in nba history combined. Wilt is certified legend.

[Kblaze8855]

He was 4th in mvp voting that very year. Kareem was second while in his prime.

[Full Court]

Because for Bronie fluffers, longevity is the only thing that matters and nothing else.


:biggums:

[Lebron23]

Because for Bronie fluffers, longevity is the only thing that matters and nothing else.


:biggums:

You keep on hating on LeBron. I doubt Luka, Tatum are going to be the same player in their mid 30's

[Full Court]

You keep on hating on LeBron. I doubt Luka, Tatum are going to be the same player in their mid 30's

And if Tatum and Luka decline in their mid-30s and dumb fanbois still try to say they're top 5 players, I'll make fun of those fanbois too.

[1987_Lakers]

He was still leading the league in rebounding & was probably the best defensive player in the NBA at that age.

Comparing Wilt & Kareem as they aged is interesting to see. Kareem as he aged was still very effective as a scorer, but his rebounding & defense took a big hit. Wilt as he aged arguably got better as a defender & his rebounding was still strong, but his scoring suffered.

[coastalmarker99]

Wilt's job at that stage in his career was not to score but had he wanted to he was easily capable of still averaging 18 to 20 PPG.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2TlZ0Ew6wo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiMlxa8ex1g&t=5s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpTNSLJqaAE&t=82s


That video of that clutch block was in game 7 of the '73 playoffs.


Wilt was 36 years old and He scored 21 points and grabbed 28 rebounds plus had 8 blocks.

[coastalmarker99]

He was still leading the league in rebounding & was probably the best defensive player in the NBA at that age.

Comparing Wilt & Kareem as they aged is interesting to see. Kareem as he aged was still very effective as a scorer, but his rebounding & defense took a big hit. Wilt as he aged arguably got better as a defender & his rebounding was still strong, but his scoring suffered.


Wilt would have still been an elite scorer late in his career had he not suffered that massive knee injury in 1969 at 32 years old.


As when you watch his Lakers footage pre- and post-injury, it's clear that he lost a lot of quickness.

Wilt and Kareem’s first matchup.

(Oct 24, 1969)



After this game, these were their averages:

Wilt:
30.6 PPG
21.4 RPG
3.4 APG
56.4 FG%
(20.2 FGA)

Jabbar:
26.8 PPG
15.5 RPG
4.0 APG
51.1 FG%
(22.0 FGA)


It is a flat-out shame that Wilt’s knee injury robbed us of Jabbar vs Wilt matchups.

where Wilt actually tries to score, instead of just playing defence.


As those battles between the two would have been even more awesome than they already were.

[coastalmarker99]

And for the record Wilt was a better player than Kareem.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un7DaNr3Zq4&t=8s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM7baVV3CbQ&t=250s


In the 1972 WCF Wilt just locked him up,




As in the 71-72 WCF's Wilt held Kareem, who had shot .57.4 against the NBA during the regular season, to a .45.7 FG%.


Furthermore, over the course of the last four pivotal games of that series, he had reduced Kareem to a .41.4 FG% and he was 35 with bad knees think about that.


An old 35-year-old Wilt was shutting down Kareem and just dominating him.

Wilt Chamberlain to Close Out The 72 Bucks:

2 GP (2 Wins)
46.5 MPG
16.0 PPG
25.0 RPG
4.0 APG
66.7 FG% (7.5 FGA)
80.0 FT% (7.5 FTA)
74.1 TS%
10 BLKs in Game 6 and game 5





The two also battled in the 70-71 WCF's, and here again, a prime Kareem, and a 34-year-old Wilt, only a year removed from major knee surgery, were a statistical wash.

[John8204]

Fun fact only one man has averaged 18 RPG for a season since 1974...prime Dennis Rodman. Wilt might be the greatest athlete of all-time he should never be disrespected

[HoopologyPhD]

At 36 (if he avoids diabetes) OP will be a 300 lb stat watching blimp lamenting about his hero's lack of relevance.

[dankok8]

Wilt was a fantastic defender and rebounder at that age but him shutting down or outplaying Kareem in the 1972 WCF has to be one of the biggest myths in NBA history. I've touched on it many times.

Anyways Wilt is arguably the 2nd best defender ever after Russell. Wilt's box score numbers consistently hid the fact that he had solid offensive impact and great defensive impact instead of the other way around.

[90sgoat]

Both had great careers and Wilt seems to have found a Duncan role later in his career.

Kareem was an unstoppable offensive weapon into his 40s, which is also why he's on Mount Rushmore.

[SouBeachTalents]

Both had great careers and Wilt seems to have found a Duncan role later in his career.

Kareem was an unstoppable offensive weapon into his 40s, which is also why he's on Mount Rushmore.
No he was not

[GrayGoat]

No he was not

Kareem was bird fed like Anthony Davis

[Yeezy]

13.2 ppg on 73 FG%, 18.6 rpg, 4.5 apg Wilt was playing 43 mpg. He was pretty much done as a top 10 NBA Player while Kareem was winning Finals MVP at 38.

Nobody in their right mind would rank Wilt over Kareem.

isn't it funny how wilt is mocked for reducing himself to being what bill russell was his entire career ( except with way better efficiency )

[GrayGoat]

isn't it funny how wilt is mocked for reducing himself to being what bill russell was his entire career ( except with way better efficiency )

And way less winning.

[Yeezy]

And way less winning.

they made the finals that year. bill russell didn't even play at age 36

[coastalmarker99]

isn't it funny how wilt is mocked for reducing himself to being what bill russell was his entire career ( except with way better efficiency )

When Wilt went into Russell's role late into his career.

He basically doubled Russell's career shooting percentage as he averaged over 65 and 70 percent from the floor in the last seasons of his career.

Also, it should be noted that none other than Russell himself said that Wilt was playing his role better than he ever did with the Celtics.

Wilt is playing better than I used to –passing off, coming out to set up screens, picking up guys outside, and sacrificing himself for team play.’’ –Bill Russell, great moments in pro basketball, (by Sam Goldaper)p.24


I have always believed that Wilt was far more of a better basketball player than Russell, and that would irritate Russell and his fans.


If you ask yourself, “Imagine Wilt with Russell’s Celtics teams, then how much would they have won?”

Or more revealing, “Put Russell on Wilt’s teams, how many titles would they have won?”

The reason Wilt’s teams were taking Russell’s teams to seventh games in the playoffs was because of Wilt and his incredible ability as the difference in terms of the teammates they played with was massive.


One of Wilt’s teammates made the All-NBA First team; Russell, eight teammates

Five of Wilt’s teammates made the All-NBA Second team; Russell, fourteen teammates

[coastalmarker99]

Wilt was a fantastic defender and rebounder at that age but him shutting down or outplaying Kareem in the 1972 WCF has to be one of the biggest myths in NBA history. I've touched on it many times.

Anyways Wilt is arguably the 2nd best defender ever after Russell. Wilt's box score numbers consistently hid the fact that he had solid offensive impact and great defensive impact instead of the other way around.

Wilt Chamberlain to Close Out The 72 Bucks:

2 GP (2 Wins)
46.5 MPG
16.0 PPG
25.0 RPG
4.0 APG
66.7 FG% (7.5 FGA)
80.0 FT% (7.5 FTA)
74.1 TS%
10 blocks in Game 6 and game 5.

Held Kareem to more FGA than PTS;
32.5 PPG
41.4 FG% (35.0 FGA)
100.0 FT% (3.5 FTA)
44.5 TS% (-5.3 rTS%)

Do you really believe that to be a myth?


As It's a fact that in the last four games of that series besides game 4 that Wilt utterly locked up Kareem.


Game 3 Kareem shot 4 - 12 when guarded by Wilt, making 1 hook from 6 hook shots (1-6). The Lakers won the close game.

In game 4 Kareem shot 7 - 16 when guarded by Wilt, making 2 hook shots from 9 attempts (2-9) Bucks blowout win.


In Game 6 Kareem shot 5 - 16 when guarded by Wilt, making 3 hook shots from 12 (3-12) attempts. The Lakers won the series.


The total is Kareem shot 16 from 44 vs Wilt ( 36,4 % ) and 6 from 27 (22, 2 %) from hook shots.

[dankok8]

Wilt Chamberlain to Close Out The 72 Bucks:

2 GP (2 Wins)
46.5 MPG
16.0 PPG
25.0 RPG
4.0 APG
66.7 FG% (7.5 FGA)
80.0 FT% (7.5 FTA)
74.1 TS%
10 blocks in Game 6 and game 5.

Held Kareem to more FGA than PTS;
32.5 PPG
41.4 FG% (35.0 FGA)
100.0 FT% (3.5 FTA)
44.5 TS% (-5.3 rTS%)

Do you really believe that to be a myth?


As It's a fact that in the last four games of that series besides game 4 that Wilt utterly locked up Kareem.


Game 3 Kareem shot 4 - 12 when guarded by Wilt, making 1 hook from 6 hook shots (1-6). The Lakers won the close game.

In game 4 Kareem shot 7 - 16 when guarded by Wilt, making 2 hook shots from 9 attempts (2-9) Bucks blowout win.


In Game 6 Kareem shot 5 - 16 when guarded by Wilt, making 3 hook shots from 12 (3-12) attempts. The Lakers won the series.


The total is Kareem shot 16 from 44 vs Wilt ( 36,4 % ) and 6 from 27 (22, 2 %) from hook shots.

Yes but the series wasn't four games. It was six games and the first two games Kareem lit him up like a Christmas tree!

And even the aggregate numbers for the whole series show that Kareem didn't have terrible efficiency. He actually shot above the Lakers' defensive TS. Kareem in that series averaged 33.7 ppg, 17.5 rpg, 4.8 apg on 48.2 %TS (+0.9 rTS) while also playing very good defense himself. Game 1 -- 7 blocks, Game 3 -- 3 blocks, Game 4 -- 7 blocks, Game 6 -- 10 blocks.

[coastalmarker99]

Yes but the series wasn't four games. It was six games and the first two games Kareem lit him up like a Christmas tree!

And even the aggregate numbers for the whole series show that Kareem didn't have terrible efficiency. He actually shot above the Lakers' defensive TS. Kareem in that series averaged 33.7 ppg, 17.5 rpg, 4.8 apg on 48.2 %TS (+0.9 rTS) while also playing very good defense himself. Game 1 -- 7 blocks, Game 3 -- 3 blocks, Game 4 -- 7 blocks, Game 6 -- 10 blocks.


Kareem to his credit did play very well in games 1 and 2.


That series was like Russell vs Wilt with Wilt playing the role of Russell and Kareem playing the role of Wilt in having to do everything on both sides of the court.


I will give the edge to Kareem in games 1 2 4.

but for the rest of the games in that series, I give the edge to Wilt.


Furthermore, I am of the belief that the only center you can seriously argue being a better basketball player than Wilt is Kareem.

As In published lists (primarily books and mags but I've included Rosen's, ESPN's composite rankings and the AP Player of the Century poll) it goes 12-7 in favour of Chamberlain in terms of who is ranked higher between him and Russell.

Remove the aforementioned internet/AP rankings and it's 10-6.


I always have believed that Wilt and Kareem were far better at basketball than Russell, and that would irritate Russell and the Boston media.



If you ask yourself, “Imagine Wilt with Russell’s Celtics teams, then how much would they have won?”

Or more revealing, “Put Russell on Wilt’s teams, how many titles would they have won?”


Russell himself said in an interview in the 1960s, "Wilt can do my job better than I can do Wilt's."

And that's a fact.

[dankok8]

Game 6 cannot be edge Wilt. Kareem had 38 points, 25 rebounds, 8 assists and 10 blocks. Albeit on 47.2 %TS but that isn't a bad percentage at all against one of the GOAT teams for that era. The footage for parts of this game is out and I watched it not long ago. Kareem quite frankly looked unstoppable but had very little help with Oscar out and Wali Jones also injured.

[hiphopanonymous]

Wilt at 36 was playing a Dennis Rodman like role in a 7-2 310lb frame. Still set a scoring record that stands to this day (accuracy). Made another repeat NBA Finals run fresh off his FMVP run and 2nd championship ring the year prior under the same "do everything to help the team but score" role. 36 year old role player so good at the role that he finished 4th in MVP votes. Blocked 4.6 shots per game that season as well according to an unofficial Lakers block total tracked that year. Amazing for a 36 year old to have that kind of impact. He was in all likelihood the best defensive player in the league that year and the year prior in a league with guys like Nate Thurmond in it.

He wasn't quite on Kareem's level as a whole by that time no, but that was prime Kareem who was offensively unstoppable and doing the far more obvious work that shows up on stat sheets. He only finished 2 slots ahead of Wilt in MVP votes and didn't make it to the Finals past Wilt. Kareem was a scorer those years that was also dominant in defense but still wasn't the defensive or rebounding presence Wilt was which was enough to keep Wilt in the category of a premier center at that time despite the fact that offensively all he would do is stroll up the court to the offensive side every once in a while to make sure it was going smooth, expecting almost no touches unless it was a desperation play or post mismatch - and still finishes 4th in MVP... it's pretty remarkable. He took the same number of shots as prime Dennis Rodman. He also still exceeded any of Rodman's best scoring years, thanks to his all-time NBA record accuracy.