Game 7 Performances by All-Time Greats

[jlauber]

1965 EDF Gm. 7

Bill Russell: 15 pts, 29 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 blocks

Wilt Chamberlain: 30 pts, 32 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block (Took the game over late in the 3rd quarter into the 4th)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESDFppbQ2zM&t=2m31s

Chamberlain not only outshot Russell from the field in that seven game series (while outscoring him, 30.1 ppg to 15.6 ppg) .555 to .447, he outshot Russell from the LINE, as well (.583 to .472.) And, as ALWAYS, he OUTSCORED Russell from the line, as well, 49-17.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Chamberlain's TEAMs shot more FT's and MADE more FTs, in nearly EVERY one of his 35 Finals games. Why? BECAUSE of Chamberlain. I will take the time later, to break those down, but last I looked, his TEAM's shot more FTs and MADE more FTs, in 26 of those 35 games (26-6-3 to be exact), and some by HUGE margins.

Furthermore, Wilt's TEAMs either LED, or were among the very top, in FTAs in his almost every season of his career. And his '67 Sixers were LIGHT YEARS ahead of their opposition in that regard (BTW, Chamberlain shot 22-72 from the line in the '67 Finals...and his Sixers easily won the title. Oh, and BTW, he outshot Thurmond from the FLOOR in that series by a .560 to .343 margin. Think about this...in that series, Chamberlain's Sixers shot 173-282 from the line, to SF's 133-190. Even taking Wilt's FT-FTA out of the equation, his TEAM STILL outscored the Warriors.

You want a great example of Wilt's IMPACT at the line? How about this? In his 68-69 season, Wilt's Lakers LED the NBA in FTA's (and they would outscore and outshoot Boston in the Finals with a 182-286 to 159-203 margin.) In fact, they would outshoot Boston in ALL seven games in that series.

The next year, Chamberlain went down with an injury early in the season, and would only play in 12 games. Where did his Lakers finish in FTAs? TWELFTH is a 14 team league. BUT, then Chamberlain returned for the playoffs. Guess what? His Lakers shot 200 MORE FTAs than the next best team (NY), and outscored the Knicks from the line in the Finals by going 176-257 to NY's 122-176.) Once again, the outshot and OUTSCORED the Knicks from the line in EVERY game in that series.

The fact was, Chamberlain's IMPACT from the line was dramatic. His teammates BENEFITTED from getting to the line earlier, and in the bonus faster, and to the line more often, BECAUSE of Chamberlain. Not only that, but Wilt getting opposing players and entire TEAMS in foul trouble. How many easy baskets did his teammates receive because of either lax defense, or because the opposing starter was on the bench?

And Wilt OUTSCORED his opposing centers in nearly every game, as well. For instance in his '65 ECF's against Russell, he not only outshot Russell from the line by a .583 to .472 margin, he OUTSCORED Russell by a 49-17 margin.

And finally, Chamberlain was the king of "and-one's" too. Why is that significant? Because those FTAs were BONUS attempts. He not only made the FG, but he then took a FTA as well.

THAT was Wilt's true IMPACT at the line.

What? What??

Anyways, just answer this question for me: If Wilt made a couple of more FTs in these games, does his team win?

'69 Finals, Game 7: 4-13 FT...(2 point loss)
'68 Div Finals, Game 7: 6-15 FT...(4 point loss)
'65 Div Finals, Game 7: 6-13 FT...(1 point loss)

[jlauber]

He was a few bricked free throws from winning more rings.

Actually Chamberlain CARRIED inferior supporting casts, who played even worse in the post-season, to within an eye-lash of beating Russell's HOF-laden teams FOUR times. AND, when he finally had an equal supporting cast, that was healthy, and they wiped out Russell's 60-21 Celtic, 4-1 (and only a poor game four, four point loss, prevented a SWEEP), in a series in which Chamberlain just trashed Russell in EVERY facet of the game.

Sure, had he made a few more FTs, he would have won more rings. Had Bird not bricked so many FGAs in his post-season career, or had not Kareem shot so poorly from the field in so many playoff series (and outplayed in several), they too might have won more rings. In fact, Bird had some downright AWFUL shooting games in his post-season career. My god, in arguably his greatest statistical season, 87-88, he had his biggest meltdown in the playoffs (name another all-time great who shot .351 in a post-season series.) And a PRIME Kareem had two straight playoff runs of .437 and .428 shooting (as well as being outplayed by Wilt in '71 and '72; Thurmond in '72; and Moses in '81 and '83.)

BUT, Chamberlain gets ripped for taking a 40-40 team to a game seven, one point loss, against a HOF-laden 62-18 Celtic team at it's PEAK...in a series in which he outscored Russell, per game, 30.1 ppg to 15.6 ppg; outrebounded Russell, per game, 31.4 rpg to 25.2 rpg; outshot Russell from the floor by a .555 to .447 margin; and even outshot Russell from the LINE, by a .583 to .472 margin (outscoring him from the line in the process by a 49-17 margin.)

[Deuce Bigalow]

Actually Chamberlain CARRIED inferior supporting casts, who played even worse in the post-season, to within an eye-lash of beating Russell's HOF-laden teams FOUR times. AND, when he finally had an equal supporting cast, that was healthy, and they wiped out Russell's 60-21 Celtic, 4-1 (and only a poor game four, four point loss, prevented a SWEEP), in a series in which Chamberlain just trashed Russell in EVERY facet of the game.

Sure, had he made a few more FTs, he would have won more rings. Had Bird not bricked so many FGAs in his post-season career, or had not Kareem shot so poorly from the field in so many playoff series (and outplayed in several), they too might have won more rings. In fact, Bird had some downright AWFUL shooting games in his post-season career. My god, in arguably his greatest statistical season, 87-88, he had his biggest meltdown in the playoffs (name another all-time great who shot .351 in a post-season series.) And a PRIME Kareem had two straight playoff runs of .437 and .428 shooting (as well as being outplayed by Wilt in '71 and '72; Thurmond in '72; and Moses in '81 and '83.)

BUT, Chamberlain gets ripped for taking a 40-40 team to a game seven, one point loss, against a HOF-laden 62-18 Celtic team at it's PEAK...in a series in which he outscored Russell, per game, 30.1 ppg to 15.6 ppg; outrebounded Russell, per game, 31.4 rpg to 25.2 rpg; outshot Russell from the floor by a .555 to .447 margin; and even outshot Russell from the LINE, by a .583 to .472 margin (outscoring him from the line in the process by a 49-17 margin.)

1968 Divisional Finals
Another HCA series loss for Wilt. Wilt shot 6-21 from the field and missed 15 freethrows in a Game 6 loss. In Game 7, Wilt made 4 field goals and missed 9 freethrows in a 4 point loss. Wilt was the 9th leading scorer and the 5th leading scorer on his own team in that game 7 with 14 points

1962 Divisional Finals
Coming off his 50.4 ppg season, his PPG in the Playoffs dropped down by 15 points. In Game 7, Wilt was the 4th leading scorer with 22 points in a loss.

In the '69 Finals, it was Bill Russell's LAST SEASON, while Wilt had a PEAK Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Wilt's team had HCA and Wilt's teammate, who was better than wilt himself that year averaged 37.9 PPG in the Finals (2nd highest EVER) and had 42-13-12 in Game 7. Wilt still lost

[SilkkTheShocker]

In '69 Finals, it was Bill Russell's LAST SEASON, while Wilt had a PEAK Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Wilt's team had HCA and Wilt's teammate, who was better than wilt himself that year averaged 37.9 PPG in the Finals (2nd highest EVER) and had 42-13-12 in Game 7. Wilt still lost

How the **** does that even happen? Wow

[jlauber]

What? What??

Anyways, just answer this question for me: If Wilt made a couple of more FTs in these games, does his team win?

'69 Finals, Game 7: 4-13 FT...(2 point loss)
'68 Div Finals, Game 7: 6-15 FT...(4 point loss)
'65 Div Finals, Game 7: 6-13 FT...(1 point loss)

Yep. And if Bird doesn't go 7-19 from the line in the pivotal game four of the '87 Finals, including MISSING the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, then perhaps Boston goes on to win that series.

Hell, WEST, who scored 42 points in that game seven of the '69 Finals, missed FOUR FTs, including TWO in the 4th quarter. Not to mention baylor shooting 4-14 from the floor in a game three, six point loss (BTW, he AND West combined to shoot 1-14 in that 4th quarter.) Or baylor not only going 2-12 from the field in a game four, one point loss, but also shooting 1-6 from the LINE. Or Baylor shooting 8-22 from the FIELD in that game seven, two point loss, while Chamberlain went 7-8 from the floor.

Kareem taking his 60-22 Bucks down in flames against the 47-35 Warriors in the '73 playoffs, when Thurmond reduced him to a .428 shooter (and the year before Nate outscored and outshot Kareem, while holding him to .405 shooting.) Or Kareem shooting .414 from the field in the last four pivotal games of the '72 WCF's, including 16-36 in the clinching game six, 104-100 loss (and going 2-8 from the floor in the 4th period...while Chamberlain took complete control of the game.) Or Kareem being outplayed by 6-9 Dave Cowens in the game seven of the '74 Finals. Or Kareem being outplayed by Moses in both '81 (and Moses leading his 40-42 Rockets team past Kareem's 54-28 Lakers), and then abttering Kareem in the '83 Finals (in a sweeping loss.)

Hell, I guess you could blame Jordan fopr losing that OT game in the '86 playoffs against Boston, when he scored 63 points. After all, he missed two FTs in that game. Had he MADE them, they would have won the game.

That is just how RIDICULOUS these assertions are. Shaq had many post-season meltdowns from the line (36-93 in the '00 Finals), and Russell had post-seasons that were under .600...and yet, those two combined for 15 rings.

[jlauber]

How the **** does that even happen? Wow

If you would RESEARCH that series you would know. BAYLOR personally cost LA THREE games, and Chamberlain's COACH cost the Lakers game seven (as well as being horribly outcoached by Russell.)

In that game seven, two point loss, and with Chamberlain on the BENCH in the last five minutes, and with his replacement Mel Counts shooting 4-13 from the field, in a game in which Wilt shot 7-8, Chamberlain's teammates collectively shot .360 from the floor. Instead of blaming Wilt, who outscored Russell, 18-6, outrebounded Russell, 27-21, and outshot Russell from the floor by 7-8 to 2-7 margin, maybe you can now tell me who really blew that series.

[jlauber]

In the '69 Finals, it was Bill Russell's LAST SEASON, while Wilt had a PEAK Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Wilt's team had HCA and Wilt's teammate, who was better than wilt himself that year averaged 37.9 PPG in the Finals (2nd highest EVER) and had 42-13-12 in Game 7. Wilt still lost

That PEAK Baylor was in fact, a SHELL of what he had been in his prime. BTW, he also shot a team WORST .385 in the post-season, and cost his team THREE games in the Finals (shooting 4-14, 2-12, and 8-22 from the field in those three losses, as well as going 1-6 from the LINE in a one point game three loss.)

Even West MISSED FOUR FTS in that game seven (for those that want to blame Wilt's FT shooting.) And in a game three, six point loss, he and Baylor combined to shoot 1-14 from the field in the critical 4th quarter.

Of course, West would choke in game seven of the '70 Finals, when Frazier destroyed him. Then, in the '72 Finals, in a series in which Chamberlain won the FMVP with a 19-23 .600 series, West shot .325. And in his last Finals, in '73, West shot .443, including a 5-17 series clinching loss performance (while Chamberlain, in his LAST game of his career, put up a 23 point, 21 rebound, 9-16 shooting game.)

[Deuce Bigalow]

That PEAK Baylor was in fact, a SHELL of what he had been in his prime. BTW, he also shot a team WORST .385 in the post-season, and cost his team THREE games in the Finals (shooting 4-14, 2-12, and 8-22 from the field in those three losses, as well as going 1-6 from the LINE in a one point game three loss.)

Even West MISSED FOUR FTS in that game seven (for those that want to blame Wilt's FT shooting.) And in a game three, six point loss, he and Baylor combined to shoot 1-14 from the field in the critical 4th quarter.

Of course, West would choke in game seven of the '70 Finals, when Frazier destroyed him. Then, in the '72 Finals, in a series in which Chamberlain won the FMVP with a 19-23 .600 series, West shot .325. And in his last Finals, in '73, West shot .443, including a 5-17 series clinching loss performance (while Chamberlain, in his LAST game of his career, put up a 23 point, 21 rebound, 9-16 shooting game.)

WHY DO YOU BLAME EVERYBODY BUT WILT?

Ugh..

[jlauber]

In the '69 Finals, it was Bill Russell's LAST SEASON, while Wilt had a PEAK Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Wilt's team had HCA and Wilt's teammate, who was better than wilt himself that year averaged 37.9 PPG in the Finals (2nd highest EVER) and had 42-13-12 in Game 7. Wilt still lost

BTW, where was Russell's SCORING in those games?

Oh, and in the '62 post-season, Chamberlain's teammates collectively shot .354 from the field. Now, you tell me how the hell Chamberlain took that cast of clowns (the core of which was the same LAST PLACE roster that Wlt inherited in '60) to a game seven, two point loss, against a 60-20 Celtic team with SEVEN HOFers? Oh, and all Wilt did was averaged 34-26 and on .468 shooting (he held Russell to .399 shooting BTW), in a post-season NBA that shot .411 (yes, Wilt was once again WAY ahead of the league average.) Included in that post-season were games of 41 and 42 points against Russell (outscoring Russell, 42-9; outrebounding Russell, 37-20; and outshooting Russell, 16-31 to 4-14.)

[jlauber]

WHY DO YOU BLAME EVERYBODY BUT WILT?

Ugh..

Because, besides West in the '69 Finals, Chamberlain was arguably the best player on the floor in every post-season series in which he played. And he flat crushed his opposing centers in many of them.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Because, besides West in the '69 Finals, Chamberlain was arguably the best player on the floor in every post-season series in which he played. And he flat crushed his opposing centers in many of them.

Wilt never did anything wrong. Never ever.

[jlauber]

Wilt never did anything wrong. Never ever.

I challenge you to produce EVERY "must-win" and "series clinching" performance, as well as those of their OPPOSING players, that compares to this...

Ok, here are the known numbers in Wilt's "must-win" playoff games (elimination games), and clinching game performances (either deciding winning or losing games), of BOTH Chamberlain, and his starting opposing centers in those games.

1. Game three of a best-of-three series in the first round of the 59-60 playoffs against Syracuse, a 132-112 win. Wilt with 53 points, on 24-42 shooting, with 22 rebounds. His opposing center, Red Kerr, who was a multiple all-star in his career, had 7 points.

2. Game five of the 59-60 ECF's against Boston, a 128-107 win. Chamberlain had 50 points, on 22-42 shooting, with 35 rebounds. His opposing center, Russell, had 22 points and 27 rebounds.

3. Game six of the 59-60 ECF's against Boston, in a 119-117 loss. Wilt had a 26-24 game, on 8-18 shooting, while Russell had a 25-25 game, and on 11-26 shooting.

4. Game three of a best-of-five series in the first round of the 60-61 playoffs , and against Syracuse, in a 106-103 loss. Chamberlain with 33 points, while his opposing center, the 7-3 Swede Halbrook, scored 6 points.

5. Game five of a best-of-five series in the first round of the 61-62 playoffs, against Syracuse, in a 121-104 win. Chamberlain had 56 points, on 22-48 shooting, with 35 rebounds. Kerr had 20 points in the loss.

6. Game six of the 61-62 ECF's, and against Boston, in a 109-99 win. Wilt with 32 points and 21 rebounds. Russell had 19 points and 22 rebounds in the loss.

7. Game seven of the 61-62 ECF's, against Boston, in a 109-107 loss. Wilt with 22 points, on 7-15 shooting, with 21 rebounds. Russell had 19 points, on 7-14 shooting, with 22 rebounds in the win.

8. Game seven of the 63-64 WCF's, and against St. Louis, in a 105-95 win. Wilt with 39 points, 26 rebounds, and 10 blocks. His opposing center, Zelmo Beaty, who would go on to become a multiple all-star, had 10 points in the loss.

9. Game five of the 63-64 Finals, and against Boston, in a 105-99 loss. Chamberlain with 30 points and 27 rebounds, on 12-28 shooting. Russell had 14 points and 26 points, on 5-11 shooting in the win.

10. Game four of a best-of-five series in the 64-65 first round of the playoffs against Cincinnati, a 119-112 win. Chamberlain with 38 points. His opposing center, multiple all-star (and HOFer) Wayne Embry had 7 points in the loss.

11. Game six of the 64-65 ECF's, against Boston, a 112-106 win. Chamberlain with a 30-26 game, on 13-23 shooting. Russell with a 22-21 game, on 8-19 shooting, in the loss.

12. Game seven of the 64-65 ECF's, and against Boston, a 110-109 loss. Wilt with 30 points, on 12-15 shooting, with 32 rebounds. Russell had 15 points, on 7-16 shooting, with 29 rebounds in the win.

13. Game five of a best-of-seven series, in the 65-66 ECF's, and against Boston, in a 120-112 loss. Wilt had 46 points, on 19-34 shooting, with 34 rebounds. Russell had 18 points and 31 rebounds in the win.

14. Game four of a best-of-five series, in the first round of the 66-67 playoffs, and against Cincinnati, a 112-94 win. Wilt with 18 points, on 7-14 shooting, with 27 rebounds and 9 assists. His opposing center, Connie Dierking, had 8 points, on 4-14 shooting, with 4 rebounds in the loss.

15. Game five of the 66-67 ECF's, and against Boston, in a 140-116 win. Chamberlain with 29 points, on 10-16 shooting, with 36 rebounds, 13 assists, and 7 blocks. Russell had 4 points, on 2-5 shooting, with 21 rebounds, and 7 assists in the loss.

16. Game six of the 66-67 Finals, and against San Francisco, in a 125-122 win. Chamberlain with 24 points, on 8-13 shooting, with 23 rebounds. His oppsoing center, HOFer Nate Thurmond, had 12 points, on 4-13 shooting, with 22 rebounds in the loss.

17. Game six of the first round of the 67-68 playoffs, against NY, in a 113-97 win. Wilt had 25 points, and 27 rebounds. His opposing center, HOFer Walt Bellamy, had 19 points in the loss.

18. Game seven of the 67-68 ECF's, against Boston, in a 100-96 loss. Wilt with 14 points, on 4-9 shooting, with 34 rebounds. Russell had 12 points and 26 rebounds, on 4-6 shooting, in the win.

19. Game six of the first round of the 68-69 playoffs, against San Francisco, in a 118-78 win. Wilt with 11 points on 5/9 FG, 25 rebounds and 1 assist. Thurmond had 8 points in the loss.

20. Game four of the 68-69 WCF's, against Atlanta, in a 133-114 sweeping win. Chamberlain with 16 points on 5/11 FG, 29 rebounds and 10 blocks. His opposing center, Zelmo Beaty had 30 points in the loss.

21. Game seven of the 68-69 Finals, against Boston, in a 108-106 loss. Chamberlain had 18 points, on 7-8 shooting, with 27 rebounds. Russell had 6 points, on 2-7 shooting, with 21 rebounds in the win.

22. Game five of a best-of-seven series (the Lakers were down 3-1 going into the game) in the first round of the 69-70 playoffs, and against Phoenix, a 138-121 win. Wilt with 36 points on 12/20 FG 14 rebounds and 3 assists. His opposing center, Neal Walk, had 18 points in the loss.

23. Game six of the first round of the 69-70 playoffs, against Phoenix, in a 104-93 win. Wilt with 12 points on 4/11 FG, 26 rebounds, 11 assists and 12 blocks (unofficial quad). Jim Fox started that game for Phoenix, and had 13 points in the loss.

24. Game seven of the first round of the 69-70 playoffs, against Phoenix, and in a 129-94 win, which capped a 4-3 series win after falling behind 3-1 in the series. Wilt with 30 points on 11/18 FG, 27 rebounds, 6 assists and 11 blocks. Fox had 7 points in the loss.

25. Game four of the 69-70 WCF's, against Atlanta, in a 133-114 sweeping win. Wilt with 11 points on 5/10 FG, 21 rebounds and 10 blocks. Bellamy had 19 points in the loss.

26. Game six of the 69-70 Finals, against NY, in a 135-113 win. Wilt with 45 points, on 20-27 shooting, with 27 rebounds. Nate Bowman had 18 points, on 9-15 shooting, with 8 rebounds in the loss.

27. Game seven of the 69-70 Finals, against NY, in a 113-99 loss. Wilt with 21 points, on 10-16 shooting, with 24 rebounds. HOFer Willis Reed had 4 points, on 2-5 shooting, with 3 rebounds in the win.

28. Game seven of the first round of the 70-71 playoffs, against Chicago, in a 109-98 win. Wilt with 25 points on 7/12 FG,18 rebounds and 9 assists. 7-0 Tom Boerwinkle had 4 points for the Bulls in the loss.

29. Game five of the 70-71 WCF's, against Milwaukee, in a 116-94 loss. Wilt had 23 points, on 10-21 shooting, with 12 rebounds, 6 blocks (5 of them on Alcindor/Kareem.) Kareem had 20 points, on 7-23 shooting, with 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the win. Incidently, Wilt received a standing ovation when he left the game late...and the game was played in Milwaukee.

30. Game four of the 71-72 first round of the playoffs, against Chicago, in a 108-97 sweeping win. Wilt had 8 points on 4/6, 31 rebounds and 8 assists. Clifford Ray had 20 points in the loss.

31. Game six of the 71-72 WCF's, against Milwaukee, in a 104-100 win. Chamberlain with 20 points, on 8-12 shooting, with 24 rebounds, and 9 blocks (six against Kareem.) Kareem had 37 points, on 16-37 shooting, with 25 rebounds in the loss.

32. Game five of the 71-72 Finals, against NY, in a 114-100 win. Chamberlain with 24 points, on 10-14 shooting, with 29 rebounds, and 9 blocks. HOFer Jerry Lucas had 14 points, on 5-14 shooting, with 9 rebounds in the loss.

33. Game seven of the first round of the 72-73 playoffs, against Chicago, in a 95-92 win. Wilt with 21 points on 10/17 FG, 28 rebounds, 4 asissts and 8 blocks. His opposing center, Clifford Ray, had 4 points.

The article about this series sad that Wilt blocked Chicago from playoffs after blocking 49 shots in 7 games.

34. Game five of the 72-73 WCF's, and against Golden St., in a 128-118 win. Wilt with 5 points on 2/2 FG, 22 rebounds, 7 assists. Thurmond had 9 points on 2/9 FG, 18 or 15 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes in the loss.

35. Game five of the 72-73 Finals, against NY, in a 102-93 loss. Wilt with 23 points, on 9-16 shooting, with 21 rebounds. Willis Reed had 18 points, on 9-16 shooting, with 12 rebounds.

That was it. 35 "must-win" elimination and/or clinching post-season games.

[Deuce Bigalow]

updated with '60s

[fpliii]

updated with '60s

sweet repped

I'll take a look and see what I can do tomorrow, but nice research so far

I'd recommend taking it back to the 54-55 season, before then there wasn't a shot clock, so any stats are completely useless...two possible extensions are first game 5's in 5 game series, and eventually all elimination games (the latter is prolly an insane amount of work, so game 5s and 7s in the shot clock era for stars would be huge)

EDIT: "You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Deuce Bigalow again."

seems I'll have to wait on that, anyhow I'm out, peace guys

EDIT 2: jlauber - that's a substantial amount of research, maybe I'll add filling in the holes on that to my docket (complete elimination game records for all star players is prolly too much work, but for top 10 tier guys maybe it's worth a shot), good job