Wilt vs. the Best Center in '71-'72

[dankok8]

These are the cumulative numbers Wilt Chamberlain and his best adversaries put up in head-to-head battles during the 71-72 regular season.


vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5 games)

Wilt: 14.0 ppg, 20.8 rpg, 4.2 apg on 53.7 %FG

Kareem: 40.2 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 5.0 apg on 50.0 %FG



vs. Elvin Hayes (6 games)

Wilt: 11.7 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 3.2 apg on 55.1 %FG

Hayes: 31.8 ppg, 18.8 rpg, 3.3 apg on 45.1 %FG



vs. Nate Thurmond (6 games)

Wilt: 6.8 ppg, 18.0 rpg, 4.3 apg on 67.9 %FG

Nate: 18.3 ppg, 16.7 rpg, 4.0 apg on 36.2 %FG



vs. Dave Cowens (5 games)

Wilt: 8.4 ppg, 21.4 rpg, 5.6 apg on 37.1 %FG

Cowens: 20.6 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 3.6 apg on 41.7 %FG



vs. Bob Lanier (5 games)

Wilt: 28.8 ppg, 19.8 rpg, 4.0 apg on 75.0 %FG

Lanier: 32.4 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 2.4 apg on 51.4 %FG



vs. Wes Unseld (3 games)

Wilt: 9.3 ppg, 17.7 rpg, 4.7 apg on 57.1 %FG

Unseld: 15.7 ppg, 16.7 rpg, 4.0 apg on 55.3 %FG



vs. Spencer Haywood (5 games)

Wilt: 13.8 ppg, 19.6 rpg, 2.4 apg on 72.5 %FG

Haywood: 27.4 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 1.8 apg on 45.2 %FG



vs. Walt Bellamy (5 games)

Wilt: 13.4 ppg, 17.6 rpg, 3.4 apg on 61.4 %FG

Bellamy: 20.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 5.0 apg on 42.4 %FG



vs. Jerry Lucas (5 games)

Wilt: 16.8 ppg, 19.8 rpg, 3.0 apg on 63.8 %FG

Lucas: 23.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 5.4 apg on 55.2 %FG



vs. Sidney Wicks (6 games)

Wilt: 17.7 ppg, 19.2 rpg, 5.5 apg on 78.9 %FG

Wicks: 23.8 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 2.7 apg on 41.9 %FG

[LAZERUSS]

Interesting stuff, although it does not take into account Chamberlain's entire defensive dominance. Nor H2H W-L records (which are often used against Wilt in the Russell-Wilt H2H's), and in which he just shelled those opposing centers (including a peak KAJ) in that regard.

BTW, Kareem's 50.0% FG% shooting was the only section of their career H2H's, in which he shot 50%. He shot horribly in their one H2H in '69 ( outshooting him .643 to .429...before Wilt's knee injury.) And in their five regular season H2H's in '71, Kareem shot .438. In their five post-season H2H's that same year, Kareem shot .481. In their six post-season H2H's in '72, Kareem shot .457 (and only .414 over the course of the last four pivotal games of that series.) And in their six regular season H2H's in Wilt's last season, Kareem shot .450 (BTW, Chamberlain averaged 11 ppg on a .737 FG% against him, including one game in which he outscored Kareem, 24-21, and outshot him, 10-14 to 10-27.) In fact, in their LAST TEN H2H games, Wilt held Kareem to a .434 FG%.

Oh, and in that '72 regular season, Kareem built up his numbers against Wilt in two blowout losses. Chamberlain's Lakers went 4-1 against Kareem in the regular season, and 4-2 against them in the playoffs (including 4-1 in the last five games of that series.)

And Chamberlain dramatically cut Lanier down in their '73 H2H's, as well, holding Lanier to 21 ppg and even games of 14 and 9 points. Oh, and in those six regular season H2H's, Chamberlain averaged 20 ppg on ...get this...an .836 FG%. In fact, in their last 11 H2H games, Chamberlain averaged 24 ppg on a .staggering .786 FG% against the 6-11 HOFer Lanier.

And we know that Chamberlain crushed Thurmond in the '73 WCF's (and the series after Nate had reduced Kareem down to a .428 shooter in a stunning series upset.) Wilt outshot Nate by a staggering .611 to .373 mark, and murdered him on the glass by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin (and kep in mind that Nate finished second to Wilt in rebounding that season.)

As for Lucas in '72... in the Finals, Lucas averaged 20.0 ppg on a .500 FG%. BUT, he went 9-11 from the field in the first half of game one (most of which were shot from the 405 freeway BTW), and the rest of the series (4 1/2 games), he shot .456. Oh, and Wilt outrebounded him by a 23.2 rpg to 9.8 rpg margin, and outshot him from them field by a .600 to .500 margin...as well as scoring 19 ppg.

And just as was the case against Kareem in the clinching game six win (in Milwaukee BTW), he badly outplayed Lucas in the clinching game five win in the Finals (outscoring Lucas, 24-14; outshooting Lucas, 10-14 to 5-14; and outrebounding Lucas, 29-9...to go along with eight blocks.)

Chamberlain was arguably the second best player in the league in his LAST season. (he finished 4th in the MVP voting.)

[fpliii]

Thanks for your research.

Would be interested in a followup for 72-73.

[ArbitraryWater]

Laz, where's all that defensive dominance when everybody is outscoring him? Was a bit dissappointed there...

Well, yeah, if OP can dig up 1973 Statistics as well, that'd be great.

[LAZERUSS]

Laz, where's all that defensive dominance when everybody is outscoring him? Was a bit dissappointed there...

Well, yeah, if OP can dig up 1973 Statistics as well, that'd be great.

We would need their FG%'s. Again, we KNOW that Chamberlain dramatically reduced Kareem in the '72 WCF's (.457, including .414 in the last four games.)

Julizaver did some research a while back, and Chamberlain, BY FAR, held Thurmond WAY below his normal FG%'s in their known H2H's...and just killed him in efficiency.

Of course, NONE of the OP takes into account a PRIME Wilt, who shelled the same centers that a peak Kareem would face a few years later, to a FAR greater extent. Not even close.

[LAZERUSS]

Concerning the Kareem-Wilt H2H's...the two met 28 times, 27 of which came after Chamberlain's knee surgery (and from ages 34 thru 36.)

In their one H2H before Wilt's injury, he brutalized Kareem in every facet of the game (yes, KAJ was a rookie, though.)

In their 28 H2H games, Kareem shot 50%, or better, in only TEN of them (and only ONE above 60%.) He had SIX games of less than .399, as well.

[dankok8]

Interesting stuff, although it does not take into account Chamberlain's entire defensive dominance. Nor H2H W-L records (which are often used against Wilt in the Russell-Wilt H2H's), and in which he just shelled those opposing centers (including a peak KAJ) in that regard.

BTW, Kareem's 50.0% FG% shooting was the only section of their career H2H's, in which he shot 50%. He shot horribly in their one H2H in '69 ( outshooting him .643 to .429...before Wilt's knee injury.) And in their five regular season H2H's in '71, Kareem shot .438. In their five post-season H2H's that same year, Kareem shot .481. In their six post-season H2H's in '72, Kareem shot .457 (and only .414 over the course of the last four pivotal games of that series.) And in their six regular season H2H's in Wilt's last season, Kareem shot .450 (BTW, Chamberlain averaged 11 ppg on a .737 FG% against him, including one game in which he outscored Kareem, 24-21, and outshot him, 10-14 to 10-27.) In fact, in their LAST TEN H2H games, Wilt held Kareem to a .434 FG%.

Oh, and in that '72 regular season, Kareem built up his numbers against Wilt in two blowout losses. Chamberlain's Lakers went 4-1 against Kareem in the regular season, and 4-2 against them in the playoffs (including 4-1 in the last five games of that series.)

And Chamberlain dramatically cut Lanier down in their '73 H2H's, as well, holding Lanier to 21 ppg and even games of 14 and 9 points. Oh, and in those six regular season H2H's, Chamberlain averaged 20 ppg on ...get this...an .836 FG%. In fact, in their last 11 H2H games, Chamberlain averaged 24 ppg on a .staggering .786 FG% against the 6-11 HOFer Lanier.

And we know that Chamberlain crushed Thurmond in the '73 WCF's (and the series after Nate had reduced Kareem down to a .428 shooter in a stunning series upset.) Wilt outshot Nate by a staggering .611 to .373 mark, and murdered him on the glass by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin (and kep in mind that Nate finished second to Wilt in rebounding that season.)

As for Lucas in '72... in the Finals, Lucas averaged 20.0 ppg on a .500 FG%. BUT, he went 9-11 from the field in the first half of game one (most of which were shot from the 405 freeway BTW), and the rest of the series (4 1/2 games), he shot .456. Oh, and Wilt outrebounded him by a 23.2 rpg to 9.8 rpg margin, and outshot him from them field by a .600 to .500 margin...as well as scoring 19 ppg.

And just as was the case against Kareem in the clinching game six win (in Milwaukee BTW), he badly outplayed Lucas in the clinching game five win in the Finals (outscoring Lucas, 24-14; outshooting Lucas, 10-14 to 5-14; and outrebounding Lucas, 29-9...to go along with eight blocks.)

Chamberlain was arguably the second best player in the league in his LAST season. (he finished 4th in the MVP voting.)

I agree that this data does not encapsulate Wilt's dominance in team defense and that the Lakers' fast-paced style fueled by Wilt's outlet passing made those teams great. And in doing that probably inflated everyone's stats including the opponents.

I will say though that most of his opponents scoring more PPG than their season averages doesn't bode well for his individual defense.

Again Wilt did NOT crush Lucas in the '72 Finals or Nate in the '73 WCF. Against Nate he took 18 shots in the series compared to 83 for Thurmond and yet you still blindly compare FG%... Does FG% even matter if you're taking 3-4 shots per game?

On the offensive end he was arguably outproduced by both.

'72 Finals

Wilt: 19.4 ppg, 23.2 rpg, 2.6 apg on 60.0 %FG/60.3 %TS in 47.1 mpg
Lucas: 20.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 6.2 apg on 50.0 %FG/52.7 %TS in 46.6 mpg

'73 WCF

Wilt: 7.0 ppg, 23.6 rpg, 3.8 apg on 61.1 %FG/67.5 %TS in 45.0 mpg
Nate: 15.8 ppg, 17.2 rpg, 4.2 apg on 37.3 %FG/42.8 %TS in 42.2 mpg


As for Kareem we know he had many games where he struggled against Wilt but also many where he absolutely plastered him. Such as the 5 games in the OP.

[Psileas]

Laz, where's all that defensive dominance when everybody is outscoring him? Was a bit dissappointed there...

Well, yeah, if OP can dig up 1973 Statistics as well, that'd be great.

How about the stats of the 1969-71 period (still not prime Wilt, but getting closer):

Wilt vs Unseld: 22.3/21.3 vs 12.4/18.1
Wilt vs Reed: 17.4/19.9 vs 21.2/9.5
Wilt vs Hayes: 22.5/18.9/around 5.5 asts vs 30.5/16.2
Wilt vs Cowens: 26.0/17.8/3.4 vs 16.2/14.2
Wilt vs Bellamy: 20.9/around 23.0 rpg/around 4.5 apg vs 18.0/around 15 rpg
Wilt vs Thurmond: 12.0/21.7/4.1 vs 18.9/20.2
Wilt vs Kareem: 22.8/17.6/2.7 vs 26.1/15.6/2.5
Wilt vs Russell: 13.8/24.5/3.8 vs 8.0/18.7/5.5

[KobesFinger]

Why such a low FG% against Dave Cowens

[ArbitraryWater]

Why such a low FG% against Dave Cowens

Because Dave Cowens

[Pointguard]

I agree that this data does not encapsulate Wilt's dominance in team defense and that the Lakers' fast-paced style fueled by Wilt's outlet passing made those teams great. And in doing that probably inflated everyone's stats including the opponents.

I will say though that most of his opponents scoring more PPG than their season averages doesn't bode well for his individual defense.

Again Wilt did NOT crush Lucas in the '72 Finals or Nate in the '73 WCF. Against Nate he took 18 shots in the series compared to 83 for Thurmond and yet you still blindly compare FG%... Does FG% even matter if you're taking 3-4 shots per game?

On the offensive end he was arguably outproduced by both.

'72 Finals

Wilt: 19.4 ppg, 23.2 rpg, 2.6 apg on 60.0 %FG/60.3 %TS in 47.1 mpg
Lucas: 20.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 6.2 apg on 50.0 %FG/52.7 %TS in 46.6 mpg

'73 WCF

Wilt: 7.0 ppg, 23.6 rpg, 3.8 apg on 61.1 %FG/67.5 %TS in 45.0 mpg
Nate: 15.8 ppg, 17.2 rpg, 4.2 apg on 37.3 %FG/42.8 %TS in 42.2 mpg


As for Kareem we know he had many games where he struggled against Wilt but also many where he absolutely plastered him. Such as the 5 games in the OP.

No player GOAT or otherwise looks great their last year. Why don't you post Kareem's last two years. It makes no sense to compare players after they realize they can't do what they once could. Its like saying I talked all night with Einstein about relativity... after the Alzheimer's was in full bloom - its kinda too late.

[Psileas]

Because Dave Cowens

More like because he had a couple of off nights.
If this matters that much, he shot 59% against Cowens in 1973.
He shot only 2 pct points below his averages against Cowens in 1971, on a much more meaningful number of FGA's than both 1971 and 1972.

[La Frescobaldi]

Why such a low FG% against Dave Cowens

Cowens was elite. One of the greatest centers to ever play in the NBA.

[ArbitraryWater]

No player GOAT or otherwise looks great their last year. Why don't you post Kareem's last two years. It makes no sense to compare players after they realize they can't do what they once could. Its like saying I talked all night with Einstein about relativity... after the Alzheimer's was in full bloom - its kinda too late.

Damn Wilt's 13th season, how unfair to show Statistics of a Player's 13TH SEASON... shouldn't even count anymore.

Imagine if people take Kareem's 1983 Season serious, or his Titles he won since 1983, or the Finals MVP in 1985....

[Marlo_Stanfield]

'Wilt is just better than Kareem at EVERYTHING.
people need to get in their freaking heads how great he was.
he blocked the skyhook twice in one game for fcks sake