Kareem Abdul Jabbar vs Wilt Chamberlain

[PTB Fan]

Interesting debate. Who was better in your opinion?

[Odinn]

I'd rather Kareem. It's too close but.

[millwad]

Kareem, no doubt. Kareem is the greatest center EVER!

Kareem won more MVP's, 6 to 4.
Kareem won more titles, 6 to 2.
Kareem made more all-star teams, 19 to 13.
Kareem made more ALL-NBA first teams, 10 to 7.
Kareem made more ALL-NBA second teams, 5 to 2.
Kareem was on the TOP 10 MVP list 17 times compared to Wilt's 11.

[PHILA]

^Now that is his signature dunk.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRmCBYymM0#t=5m38s

[SuperPippen]

Wilt was the more effective scorer during the regular season, mostly dues to the fact that he was a stronger finisher inside. However, he wasn't quite as good offensively as his numbers might lead you to believe, IMO. Kareem was more skilled on the offensive end and had a significantly wider variety of moves on that end of the floor. Kareem's numbers generally went up in the playoffs, and he remained a very serviceable scorer well into his 40's, as well. I'd give the edge to Kareem as a scorer.

As rebounders, Wilt has the distinct edge over Kareem. Kareem, although he was always a good, and sometimes very good rebounder, was never truly as great as guys like Russell, Wilt, or even Moses or Rodman. Wilt can be considered the greatest rebounder ever, including the playoffs, and he would definitely hold the record for career offensive rebounds if that was a statistic that was officially recorded throughout his career. Kareem was just never that good of a rebounder, perhaps due to the fact that he wasn't as physically strong.

Defensively, it's close, but I'd give a slight edge to Wilt. He was always a devastating shotblocker, but later in his career he reinvented himself a true defensive anchor and one of the best overall defensive centers in NBA history. Kareem was also a great shotblocker, but his defensive prowess never quite equaled that of Wilt, especially when Wilt was on the Lakers.

All in all, though, I'd give the edge to Kareem, simply because he was so consistent for such an astoundingly long period of time.

[alwaysunny]

I think head-to-head Wilt was superior, but Kareem seemed more versatile in different eras due to his skill set. "who was better" seems pretty vague as a lot of these threads don't usually get anywhere.

[millwad]

^Now that is his signature dunk.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRmCBYymM0#t=5m38s

Great video, Phila! Thanks!

[SuperPippen]

No harm in trying to have a respectful, insightful discussion every once in a while.

[Flagrant 2]

No harm in trying to have a respectful, insightful discussion every once in a while.

You're on the wrong Message Board for that.

[jlauber]

I wonder how many rings Wilt would have won had he had the game's two greatest point guards for 14 seasons?

[RRR3]

Hmm...this is a hard one. Great thread, however! I honestly could go either way here. Kareem and Wilt are the top two candidates for the best center ever IMO, and I also believe they are the two players with the best case(s) to be ranked over MJ as the GOAT (although I personally have MJ as the GOAT). I really can't choose one, though, the two are very close in my book. Both top 3 all-time IMO

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

If I were a GM, I'd go with Cap. Without hesitation either.

Wilt was very overrated (and protected by the refs). Good player, but a pansy who didnt play physical. Here's a foul comparison between John Stockton and Wilt...

Wilts averaged 2075 fouls in 47,859 minutes
Stockton averaged 3942 fouls in 47,764 minutes

John Stockton was called for almost double the amount of fouls Wilt was called for, and Stockton played in fewer minutes. Look at a contemporary like Hakeem; 4383 fouls in 44,222 minutes. As much flack Dwight Howard receives, even he would shut Chamberlain down. Remember, Wilt failed in scoring titles yrs....his scoring is irrelevant.

[RRR3]

If I were a GM, I'd go with Cap. Without hesitation either.

Wilt was very overrated (and protected by the refs). Good player, but a pansy who didnt play physical. Here's a foul comparison between John Stockton and Wilt...

Wilts averaged 2075 fouls in 47,859 minutes
Stockton averaged 3942 fouls in 47,764 minutes

John Stockton was called for almost double the amount of fouls Wilt was called for, and Stockton played in fewer minutes. Look at a contemporary like Hakeem; 4383 fouls in 44,222 minutes. As much flack Dwight Howard receives, even he would shut Chamberlain down. Remember, Wilt failed in scoring titles yrs....his scoring is irrelevant.

I HIGHLY doubt you would call Wilt Chamberlain a pansy to his face.

[jlauber]

If I were a GM, I'd go with Cap. Without hesitation either.

Wilt was very overrated (and protected by the refs). Good player, but a pansy who didnt play physical. Here's a foul comparison between John Stockton and Wilt...

Wilts averaged 2075 fouls in 47,859 minutes
Stockton averaged 3942 fouls in 47,764 minutes

John Stockton was called for almost double the amount of fouls Wilt was called for, and Stockton played in fewer minutes. Look at a contemporary like Hakeem; 4383 fouls in 44,222 minutes. As much flack Dwight Howard receives, even he would shut Chamberlain down. Remember, Wilt failed in scoring titles yrs....his scoring is irrelevant.

I have read some interesting statistical comparisons before, but never one quite like this.

A truly convincing argument. You have converted me.

Wilt....the biggest pansie of all-time.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

I HIGHLY doubt you would call Wilt Chamberlain a pansy to his face.

I don't doubt, I'd throw you through 10 walls.