More impressive: Lebron, Dantley or Hakeem (2014,1983,1994)

[pauk]

Dantley used to take as many perimeter shots as Hakeem maybe even less, midrange/just outside the paint was as far back as they would shoot, Lebrons points with that efficiency is therefore much more impressive especially when considering he also does that with 5-6 less min. & shots a game... so i dont think Dantleys statline was more impressive, but Hakeem with his rebs/asts/stls/blks has a strong case.

[Marchesk]

His English wasn't that great though.

A funny Lebron stan. Who would have thought.

[LAZERUSS]

24pts on 68% 24reb and 8 assists with probably 5+ blocks a game >>>

NBAStats.net has Wilt's block totals from the actual recorded games, as well as estimates, for almost every game he played in 66-67. I suspect that his bpg was well over 8 bpg, and likely over 10.

And, thanks to ThaRegul8r, we now know that Chamberlain averaged 5.42 bpg in his very last season (72-73)...which would only trail Eaton's 5.56 in 84-85. This, from a Wilt who was well past his prime. BTW, Harvey Pollack alos estimated that Wilt had seasons of 10+.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

24pts on 68% 24reb and 8 assists with probably 5+ blocks a game >>>

He wouldn't get 24 rebounds or as many blocks as he did today. Especially with the 3 pt line.

[Bandito]

Why Wilt retired if he was that good?

[LAZERUSS]

Why Wilt retired if he was that good?

In Chamberlain's last season, he came in 4th in MVP balloting; led his team to a 60-22 record, and his 4th trip to the Finals in his five seasons as a Laker; led the league in rebounding (and Nate Thurmond was nearly two rpg behind...more on that in a moment); was voted first-team all-defense (over guys like Lanier, Cowens, Hayes, Kareem, and Nate); blocked 5.42 shots per game; and set an NBA record mark of a .727 FG%.

Then, in the playoffs, while Thurmond led the 47-35 Warriors to a shocking win over KAJ's 60-22 Bucks (in a series in which KAJ shot .428 from the floor), Chamberlain just crushed Nate. He outrebounded by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin; and outshot him by a .550 to .398 margin from the field. Overall, in Wilt's 17 post-season games, he played 47.1 mpg, and averaged 22.5 rpg... in a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg team. BTW, the next best mark since? KAJ's 17.3 rpg in 11 playoff games in the 76-77 post-season. Oh, and in his very last game, he scored 23 points, on 9-16 shooting, with 21 rebounds.

He never actually retired. He jumped to ABA, but he was still under contract with the Lakers, so he could not play. Instead, he coached SD for one season. He decided to hang it up after that. Still, he was receiving legitimate offers to play even into his 40's...and yes, even at age 50.

[Marchesk]

He wouldn't get 24 rebounds or as many blocks as he did today. Especially with the 3 pt line.

But he might get 16. Does something along the lines of 16/16/8/5 on 70% shooting compare with the other three (just guessing that pace adjustment and minutes per game reduces scoring and rebounding by 1/3 and blocked shots in half).

[CavaliersFTW]

Why Wilt retired if he was that good?

Lawsuit after jumping to the ABA to be player coach which forced him to sit out a season - when he sat out he decided to move on in life and not to return to the game. He continued to receive offers to play from there on out until he was 54 years old. At 36 his final NBA season he set the still standing record in accuracy, played in Finals, finished 4th in MVP voting, lead the league in rebounding, probably lead the league in blocked shots, was 1st team all defense and would have been the front runner for DPOY. He definitely retired way earlier than he needed to with a lot more left in the tank. He didn't retire because he wasn't any good anymore, he just decided to stop playing.

[Bandito]

Lawsuit after jumping to the ABA to be player coach which forced him to sit out a season - when he sat out he decided to move on in life and not to return to the game. He continued to receive offers to play from there on out until he was 54 years old. At 36 his final NBA season he set the still standing record in accuracy, played in Finals, finished 4th in MVP voting, lead the league in rebounding, probably lead the league in blocked shots, was 1st team all defense and would have been the front runner for DPOY. He definitely retired way earlier than he needed to with a lot more left in the tank. He didn't retire because he wasn't any good anymore, he just decided to stop playing.

Ah so he was probably like fvck it then. Man I don't care what kids say about his generation but that guy was a beast.

[Dr.J4ever]

NBAStats.net has Wilt's block totals from the actual recorded games, as well as estimates, for almost every game he played in 66-67. I suspect that his bpg was well over 8 bpg, and likely over 10.

And, thanks to ThaRegul8r, we now know that Chamberlain averaged 5.42 bpg in his very last season (72-73)...which would only trail Eaton's 5.56 in 84-85. This, from a Wilt who was well past his prime. BTW, Harvey Pollack alos estimated that Wilt had seasons of 10+.

Wilt must have been a veritable force of nature with that 5.42bpg in what would be considered his down years. That stat is a legit stat that flies in the face of those who believe the best players are all playing in this era.

I mean a block is a block. It takes timing, and Wilt had timing well into his latter years.

Wow!

[K Xerxes]

Quite a random collection of seasons, but clearly Hakeem's. Those blocks and steals stats... just wow.

[dankok8]

In Chamberlain's last season, he came in 4th in MVP balloting; led his team to a 60-22 record, and his 4th trip to the Finals in his five seasons as a Laker; led the league in rebounding (and Nate Thurmond was nearly two rpg behind...more on that in a moment); was voted first-team all-defense (over guys like Lanier, Cowens, Hayes, Kareem, and Nate); blocked 5.42 shots per game; and set an NBA record mark of a .727 FG%.

Then, in the playoffs, while Thurmond led the 47-35 Warriors to a shocking win over KAJ's 60-22 Bucks (in a series in which KAJ shot .428 from the floor), Chamberlain just crushed Nate. He outrebounded by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin; and outshot him by a .550 to .398 margin from the field. Overall, in Wilt's 17 post-season games, he played 47.1 mpg, and averaged 22.5 rpg... in a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg team. BTW, the next best mark since? KAJ's 17.3 rpg in 11 playoff games in the 76-77 post-season. Oh, and in his very last game, he scored 23 points, on 9-16 shooting, with 21 rebounds.

He never actually retired. He jumped to ABA, but he was still under contract with the Lakers, so he could not play. Instead, he coached SD for one season. He decided to hang it up after that. Still, he was receiving legitimate offers to play even into his 40's...and yes, even at age 50.

Wilt wasn't as dominant rebounding in his last season as his overall stats might suggest. Thurmond outrebounded him in all 7 H2H's, Kareem outrebounded him in 5 out of 6, and Cowens outrebounded him in 3 out 4.

Guys were also dropping some huge offensive numbers on 72-73 Wilt. His defensive impact was nowhere near the seasons before despite the nice looking numbers.

As for OP's question it's almost a dead tie between Hakeem and LBJ.

[LAZERUSS]

Wilt wasn't as dominant rebounding in his last season as his overall stats might suggest. Thurmond outrebounded him in all 7 H2H's, Kareem outrebounded him in 5 out of 6, and Cowens outrebounded him in 3 out 4.

Guys were also dropping some huge offensive numbers on 72-73 Wilt. His defensive impact was nowhere near the seasons before despite the nice looking numbers.

As for OP's question it's almost a dead tie between Hakeem and LBJ.

In the WCF's, Chamberlain just crushed Nate on the glass. And once again, no one, not KAJ, Thurmond, Cowens, or anyone else, ever averaged 22.5 rpg in the post-season after those playoffs. In fact, the highest mark since was Kareem's 17.3 rpg in the '77 playoffs (and in six games less overall.)

Wilt was by-far-and-away, the best rebounder of his era,...even into his last season.

As for his defensive impact, in their six regular season H2H's, Wilt held KAJ to a .450 FG%, with only game above 50%. He even outscored Kareem in one game (24-21, on 10-14 shooting to KAJ's 10-27), and overall, outshot Kareem by a .737 to that .450 margin.

In the playoffs, he held Thurmond to a .398 FG%, while shooting .550 himself, and once again, just annihilated him on the glass.

And Lanier slightly outscored Wilt in their six H2H games that year, 127-119, but I do know that Wilt shot...get this... .836 from the field against him.

True, Cowens outplayed Chamberlain that year. But, he also went on to win the MVP, so he had his share against everyone in the league that year.

And once more time, Wilt blocked a known 5.42 bpg in his last season. The league did not officially start recording that stat until the very next year, but think about this: In that 73-74 season, KAJ averaged 3.5 bpg, and Nate was at 2.9 bpg.

[dankok8]

In the WCF's, Chamberlain just crushed Nate on the glass. And once again, no one, not KAJ, Thurmond, Cowens, or anyone else, ever averaged 22.5 rpg in the post-season after those playoffs. In fact, the highest mark since was Kareem's 17.3 rpg in the '77 playoffs (and in six games less overall.)

Wilt was by-far-and-away, the best rebounder of his era,...even into his last season.

As for his defensive impact, in their six regular season H2H's, Wilt held KAJ to a .450 FG%, with only game above 50%. He even outscored Kareem in one game (24-21, on 10-14 shooting to KAJ's 10-27), and overall, outshot Kareem by a .737 to that .450 margin.

In the playoffs, he held Thurmond to a .398 FG%, while shooting .550 himself, and once again, just annihilated him on the glass.

And Lanier slightly outscored Wilt in their six H2H games that year, 127-119, but I do know that Wilt shot...get this... .836 from the field against him.

True, Cowens outplayed Chamberlain that year. But, he also went on to win the MVP, so he had his share against everyone in the league that year.

And once more time, Wilt blocked a known 5.42 bpg in his last season. The league did not officially start recording that stat until the very next year, but think about this: In that 73-74 season, KAJ averaged 3.5 bpg, and Nate was at 2.9 bpg.

Wilt always killed Lanier... no argument there. Wilt was beastly shotblocker although blocks do not always equal defensive impact. Is Ibaka a better defender than prime Garnett?

However in 72-73 Kareem outplayed Wilt pretty badly... look at all the games not just that one game.

Regular season – 1972-73

23.Date: Tue 11/14/72
- Chamberlain 16 pts, 15 rebs, 1 as, * blocks, 8-12 FG/FGA, 0-2 FT/FTA W
-Abdul-Jabbar 37 pts, 16 rebs, 6 as, 7 blocks, 17-32 FG/FGA, 3-4 FT/FTA L

24.Date: Tue 12/05/72
- Chamberlain 9 pts, 15 rebs, 7 as, * blocks, 4-4 FG/FGA, 1-2 FT/FTA W
-Abdul-Jabbar 29 pts, 17 rebs, 6 as, * blocks, 11-30 FG/FGA, 7-7 FT/FTA L

25.Date: Sun 01/07/73
- Chamberlain 9 pts, 18 rebs, 2 as, * blocks, 3-5 FG/FGA, 3-6 FT/FTA L
-Abdul-Jabbar 37 pts, 12 rebs, 7 as, * blocks, 17-36 FG/FGA, 3-4 FT/FTA W

26.Date: Fri 02/09/73
- Chamberlain 8 pts, 14 rebs, 4 as, * blocks, 3-3 FG/FGA, 2-2 FT/FTA L
-Abdul-Jabbar 29 pts, 24 rebs, 2 as, * blocks, 14-24 FG/FGA, 1-2 FT/FTA W

27.Date: Sun 02/25/73
- Chamberlain 24 pts, 20 rebs, 4 as, * blocks, 10-14 FG/FGA, 4-5 FT/FTA W
-Abdul-Jabbar 21 pts, 21 rebs, 6 as, * blocks, 10-27 FG/FGA, 1-2 FT/FTA L

28.Date: Tue 03/27/73
- Chamberlain 0 pts, 14 rebs, 4 as, * blocks, 0-0 FG/FGA, 0-0 FT/FTA L
-Abdul-Jabbar 24 pts, 17 rebs, 1 as, * blocks, 12-31 FG/FGA, 0-1 FT/FTA W

Chamberlain: 11.0 ppg, 16.0 rpg, 3.7 apg on 73.7 %FG/58.8 %FT/72.6 %TS
Abdul-Jabbar: 29.5 ppg, 17.8 rpg, 4.7 apg on 45.0 %FG/75.0 %FT/46.7 %TS

It's not a knock on Wilt. He was a declining 36-year old but he was no match for Kareem. Again vs. Thurmond you can't compare FG% without comparing PPG. Wilt took 18 shots in the whole series and Nate took 83 shots.

1973 WCF

Chamberlain: 7.0 ppg, 23.6 rpg, 3.8 apg on 61.1 %FG
Thurmond: 15.8 rpg, 17.2 rpg, 4.2 apg on 39.8 %FG

Looking at individual games Nate still won two rebounding battles in that series 26-25 and 18-16. Wilt won the other three by large margins. Overall it's pretty much a wash between them. LA just outclassed GS as a team.

[LAZERUSS]

Wilt always killed Lanier... no argument there. Wilt was beastly shotblocker although blocks do not always equal defensive impact. Is Ibaka a better defender than prime Garnett?

However in 72-73 Kareem outplayed Wilt pretty badly... look at all the games not just that one game.



It's not a knock on Wilt. He was a declining 36-year old but he was no match for Kareem. Again vs. Thurmond you can't compare FG% without comparing PPG. Wilt took 18 shots in the whole series and Nate took 83 shots.



Looking at individual games Nate still won two rebounding battles in that series 26-25 and 18-16. Wilt won the other three by large margins. Overall it's pretty much a wash between them. LA just outclassed GS as a team.

Good points, and excellent research.



Incidently, Lanier had his share of big games against Wilt, including one with 42 points. Still, in the course of 11 straight games, Chamberlain averaged 23.9 ppg on a staggering .784 FG%.

And speaking of Lanier, Thurmond easily outplayed him until late in his career. He had two 40+ point games against Lanier.

And I agree with a prime KAJ outplaying Wilt in Chamberlain's last season. Still, it was quite a testament Chamberlain's defense to hold a prime KAJ, who would shoot .554 in that season, to a .450 FG% (all while averaging 11 ppg on a .737 FG% himself.)

Once again, it was too bad that we never got to see a prime Chamberlain go H2H with a prime KAJ. I am convinced that he would have outplayed him. A mid-60's Wilt, with great athleticism and quickness, to go along with his massive strength, would have crushed KAJ on the glass, and no doubt would have been scoring on him. And given that an old Wilt held KAJ to a .464 FG% in their 28 career H2H's, I suspect that a motivated Wilt would have dramatically reduced KAJ's efficiency (just like he did to virtually every center he faced in his career.)