#5 NBA Player Of All-Time According to InsideHoops

[Deuce Bigalow]

Guy, I was talking about rebounding opportunities; not who faced more competition offensively (and even then, to suggest Wilt went up against better players at his position is a joke).

He along with the "others" believe the eras are the same in terms of competition. They may even actually think that Wilt's era was better.

[jlauber]

Guy, I was talking about rebounding opportunities; not who faced superior competition offensively (to even suggest Wilt went up against better players at his position is a joke).

Chamberlain had three games in the '67 ECF's, and against 6-10 world-class high-jumper Bill Russell, of...

32 rebounds out of a total of 120 (and Russell had 15.)
36 rebounds out of a total of 128 (and Russell had 21.)
41 rebounds out of a total of 134 (and Russell had 29.)

He also outrebounded Russell in one game by a 55-19 margin, in a game that had 149 total rebounds.

In his '72 Finals, a 35 year old Wilt had one game in which he grabbed 29 rebounds (out of a total of 106...and in game in which the entire Knick team had 39.)

In his LAST post-season, and covering 17 games, Wilt averaged 22.5 rpg in a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg. Included was a series in which Wilt outrebounded the 6-11 Thurmond (who had a longer wingspan than Chamberlain, and who have been listed at over 7-0 in today's NBA) by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin (and Thurmond was the NBA's second best rebounder that season.) BTW, that 22.5 rpg average would be the LAST time a player ever averaged as much as 17.3 rpg in the post-season (Kareem in '77, and in 11 games.)

[Legends66NBA7]

Wilt Chamberlain - Arguably the greatest do or die game performer in NBA history.

It's true.

[jlauber]

He along with the "others" believe the eras are the same in terms of competition. They may even actually think that Wilt's era was better.

Chamberlain's early 70's NBA had centers like Bellamy, Reed, Cowens, Unseld, Hayes, Lanier, McAdoo, Thurmond, and Kareem. And the ABA boasted Gilmore.

And you want to compare those guys with the CLOWNS who man the pivot today?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

ROFL it's like I'm talking to a robot on autopilot. Forget it Jlauber. Do your thing man.

[jlauber]

It's true.

100% agreed.

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, while Russell had a 25-25 game.

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. Russell had 14 points and 26 points 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. Russell with a 22-21 game 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 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.

I challene anyone here to put up anyone else, and include ALL of their "must-win" and "series clinching" game performances. Oh, and please list how their opposing players did in those games, as well.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Chamberlain had three games in the '67 ECF's, and against 6-10 world-class high-jumper Bill Russell, of...

32 rebounds out of a total of 120 (and Russell had 15.)
36 rebounds out of a total of 128 (and Russell had 21.)
41 rebounds out of a total of 134 (and Russell had 29.)

He also outrebounded Russell in one game by a 55-19 margin, in a game that had 149 total rebounds.

In his '72 Finals, a 35 year old Wilt had one game in which he grabbed 29 rebounds (out of a total of 106...and in game in which the entire Knick team had 39.)

In his LAST post-season, and covering 17 games, Wilt averaged 22.5 rpg in a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg. Included was a series in which Wilt outrebounded the 6-11 Thurmond (who had a longer wingspan than Chamberlain, and who have been listed at over 7-0 in today's NBA) by a 23.6 rpg to 17.2 rpg margin (and Thurmond was the NBA's second best rebounder that season.) BTW, that 22.5 rpg average would be the LAST time a player ever averaged as much as 17.3 rpg in the post-season (Kareem in '77, and in 11 games.)

jlauber can you give me the total of all the total rebounds there was in every game Wilt played in the '67 Playoffs?

Wilt had 437 rebounds. I want to know the rest of the rebounds so I can compare it to guys like Kareem.

[Legends66NBA7]

I challene anyone here to put up anyone else, and include ALL of their "must-win" and "series clinching" game performances. Oh, and please list how their opposing players did in those games, as well.

I believe LeBron James is the only one who challenges Wilt in elimination games.

If I get a chance, J, I'll post them here.

[Freedom Kid7]

. The voting is done guys. There's no need to argue

[jlauber]

jlauber can you give me the total of all the total rebounds there was in every game Wilt played in the '67 Playoffs?

Wilt had 437 rebounds. I want to know the rest of the rebounds so I can compare it to guys like Kareem.

I'll save myself the trouble of looking them up. First of all, Wilt outrebounded Russell, who was the game's second greatest rebounder, by a 32.0 rpg to 23.4 rpg margin in that series.

As for Kareem...

how about their 72-73 post-seasons?

In a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg, a 26 year old Kareem played 46 mpg and averaged 16.2 rpg. In that same post-season, a 36 year old Wilt, playing 47 mpg, averaged 22.5 rpg.

[Deuce Bigalow]

I'll save myself the trouble of looking them up. First of all, Wilt outrebounded Russell, who was the game's second greatest rebounder, by a 32.0 rpg to 23.4 rpg margin in that series.

As for Kareem...

how about their 72-73 post-seasons?

In a post-season NBA that averaged 50.6 rpg, a 26 year old Kareem played 46 mpg and averaged 16.2 rpg. In that same post-season, a 36 year old Wilt, playing 47 mpg, averaged 22.5 rpg.

It doesn't have rebounds on the box scores. Where can I get the full stats?

[jlauber]

I believe LeBron James is the only one who challenges Wilt in elimination games.

If I get a chance, J, I'll post them here.

Don't forget to post his "series clinchers" as well.

[jlauber]

It doesn't have rebounds on the box scores. Where can I get the full stats?

Probably have to use google news archives.

In any case, an OLD Chamberlain was MILES ahead of a PRIME Kareem in that post-season. The numbers don't lie.

NO ONE outrebounded Wilt in his 29 post-season series, including Reed in four; Thurmond in three; Bellamy in two; Kareem in two; Lucas in four; and Russell in eight.

[Legends66NBA7]

Don't forget to post his "series clinchers" as well.

Okay, sure.

[jlauber]

jlauber can you give me the total of all the total rebounds there was in every game Wilt played in the '67 Playoffs?

Wilt had 437 rebounds. I want to know the rest of the rebounds so I can compare it to guys like Kareem.

How about these facts...

In the 72-73 playoffs against Thurmond, covering six games, Kareem averaged 16.2 rpg. In the very next series, and in five games, Chamberlain crushed Thurmond with a 23.6 rpg average.

Kareem the rebounder that Wilt was?

Are you kidding me?

Chamberlain easily outrebounded Kareem H2H in their 28 H2H games, and some by huge margins (25-8 in one.)

In their four seasons in the league together, Wilt was the leading rebounder in the league (well, he would have been in '70 had he not been hurt.)

Kareem was outrebounded by the 6-7 Unseld in the '71 Finals, 19.5 rpg to 18.5 rpg.

In Unseld's MVP season of 68-69, Chamberlain averaged 22.5 rpg against him, including one game in which he outrebounded him by a 38-9 margin. (He also hung a 38 point, 22 rebound game on him early in the 69-70 season, and before he shredded his knee.)