Bill russell, wilt chamberlain, and the golden age of. During his 196162 season he became the first player to score more than 4,000 points in a. The best basketball books to get you through the offseason. Taylors depiction of one of the most celebrated shots in nba history, don. He clinched the mark in the final minute as oklahoma. Chamberlain also marked himself in the history books forever on feb. Lebron james passes dirk nowitzki for 6th on nbas all. Wilt chamberlain died in his home in bel air, california of congestive heart failure, on october 12, 1999. Wilt chamberlain biography childhood, children, story.
Wilt chamberlain was one of the strongest men and greatest scorers to ever play the game of basketball. Theres no other way to start this list than with wilt. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest players. He was one of 11 children of olivia and william chamberlain. Wilt chamberlain is an american basketball player who played as a center and is considered one of the greatest players in history. His name overwhelms the pro basketball record book the way his presence on the court overwhelmed everyone else on it. At seven feet, one inch tall, he was a towering figure, nicknamed wilt the stilt a moniker he is said to have despised. The nbas weirdest triple doubles include some of the nbas signature names, including wilt chamberlain and jason kidd. Russell westbrook joins wilt chamberlain in the nba history.
As the book moves through the 80s, i could visualize each year and the outcomes. He is the author of four books, including, most recently, the count and the. Wilt chamberlain set the singlegame scoring record in the national basketball association nba by scoring 100 points for the philadelphia warriors in a 169147 win over the new york knicks on march 2, 1962, at hershey sports arena in hershey, pennsylvania. Why isnt wilt chamberlain considered the greatest of all. Kobe bryants 4game 50point streak was a decade ago this. He also became the first player in nba history to record a fieldgoal percentage above. His philadelphia 76ers had failed to defend their 1967 nba title, becoming the first team in league history to blow a 31 lea. He was the only nba player to score 4,000 points in a season. The 10 most unbreakable records in nba history nbc sports. The lakers had a great team with jerry west and wilt chamberlain. Wilt chamberlain presaged this remarkable nba summer, 51. He set nba singlegame records for most points 100, most consecutive field goals 18 and most rebounds 55. In the entire history of the league, only one player has ever scored 100 points, and that player is wilt chamberlain. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest players, youll learn the incredible story of one of basketballs greatest centers, wilt chamberlain.
Just like any other 7 foot black millionaire who lives next door by wilt chamberlain and david shaw. Lebron james passes wilt chamberlain for fifth place on nbas. The lakers set another record in 1972 by winning 69 games. His extraordinary feats in the 1962 season were later subject of the book wilt, 1962 by gary m. Bill russell regularly feared being embarrassed by chamberlain, walt frazier called his dominance on the court comical, and when 6ft 11in, 250pound in his early years halloffame center bob lanier was asked about the most memorable moment of his career, lanier answered. Asked to name the greatest players ever to play basketball, most fans and aficionados would put wilt chamberlain at or near the top of the list. Led by wilt chamberlain and jerry west the 197172 lakers won an nba record 33consecutive games and went to win the nba championship, the second in chamberlains career. List of the last five seasons completed by the lakers. Its hard to believe that there will ever be another player who can dominate as many statistical categories as the big dipper did.
The 10 most unbreakable records in nba history nbc. Highlights from wilt chamberlains days with the philadelphia 76ers. The late wilt chamberlain became a new breed of sports champion when he took the sport of basketball by storm in the 1960s. List of career achievements by wilt chamberlain wikipedia. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest players basketball biography books geoffreys, clayton on.
Wilt chamberlain, professional basketball player, considered to be one of the greatest offensive players in the history of the game. This framed original page from the april 24, 1972 sports illustrated shows an outstretched wilt chamberlain soaring to block the young kareem abduljabbar whod changed his name from lew alcindor just one year prior, after converting to islam and his otherwise unblockable sky hook in a lakersbucks conference finals. Considering that wilt chamberlain was one of the most unique and outsized personalities. Nov 15, 2018 lebron james added to the history books today, passing wilt chamberlain for fifth place on the nbas alltime scoring list james entered thursdays game against the portland trail blazers needing 39 points to pass chamberlain and in the fourth quarter of their 126117 win, the king got the and1 bucket to go with 3. Weve seen streaks in recent memory that have challenged this record see. It is a pure biography that goes up to the his final season in the nba. Even though the lakers fell to the phoenix suns, 110109. Mar 09, 2016 wilt chamberlain s unparalleled skill and talent made incredible defensive plays look easy. Wilt chamberlain born 1936 is considered one of the worlds alltime greatest professional basketball players.
In the infancy of the latest chapter of his career, lebron james added another piece to his legacy by passing dirk nowitzki for sixth on the nbas alltime scoring list. Wilt chamberlain the incredible defensive force shot. Wilt chamberlain was born on august 21, 1936, in philadelphia, pennsylvania. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest players basketball biography books clayton geoffreys on. Wilt chamberlain career stats, game logs, biographical info, awards, and achievements for the nba and ncaa. Wilt chamberlain was the first nba player to score more than 30,000 cumulative points over his career, and the first and only player to score 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain posted the most famous stat line in nba history on march 2, 1962, scoring 100 points for the philadelphia.
Feb 28, 2020 wilt chamberlain was the first nba player to score more than 30,000 cumulative points over his career, and the first and only player to score 100 points in a single game. Check out all his known nba shot blocking numbers in the link bel. On march 2, 1962, philadelphia warriors center wilt chamberlain scores 100 points against the new york knicks. Even though the lakers fell to the phoenix suns, 110109, chamberlain became the first player in nba history to score. Wilt chamberlain memorabilia, autographed wilt chamberlain. Unusually tall for his age, chamberlain was constantly teased about his height. Westbrook joins chamberlain in the nba history books in. The record books are indeed heavy with chamberlain s accomplishments.
The lakers have won 16 nba titles and have appeared in the nba finals 15 other times. When wilt chamberlain lifted me up and moved me like a coffee cup. Wilt chamberlain was inducted into the hall of fame in 1979. Wilton norman chamberlain was an american basketball player who played as a center and is. After 14 seasons in the nba, chamberlain was the all time leader in points scored 31,419, rebounds 23,924, and held more than 40 league records. Lebron james passes wilt chamberlain for fifth place on.
A book written by the greatest athlete in american history, and the greatest. Kobe bryants 4game 50point streak was a decade ago this week. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest players basketball biography books. One of the most successful and popular professional franchises in all american sports, the lakers have won a combined 16 basketball association of. One of the most successful and popular professional franchises in all american sports, the lakers have won a combined 16 basketball association of america and nba titles. This is the story of this kansas native who scored well in every aspect of his lifeeven after he retired and. These appearances include eight nba finals appearances in the 1980s. Bill russell, wilt chamberlain, and the golden age of basketball paperback. Highlights from wilt chamberlain s days with the philadelphia 76ers. Feb 07, 2017 the nbas weirdest triple doubles include some of the nbas signature names, including wilt chamberlain and jason kidd. It is widely considered one of the greatest records in basketball. Lebron james added to the history books today, passing wilt chamberlain for fifth place on the nbas alltime scoring list james entered thursdays game against the portland trail blazers needing 39 points to pass chamberlain and in the fourth quarter of their 126117 win, the king got the and1 bucket to go with 3. Wilt chamberlain, in full wilton norman chamberlain, bynames wilt the stilt and the big dipper, born august 21, 1936, philadelphia, pennsylvania, u.
This book brought back all the heartache of all the loses to celtics, to the first championship in the 72 season. With 72 records 68 of which he holds by himself, wilt chamberlain dominates the nba record book. Wilt chamberlain had a special place in basketball history and he will be missed. It is also a behindthescenes journal of the 200910 lakers season, a year in. In a 14year professional career studded with superlatives, wilt chamberlain established the centrality of court dominance in basketball, and thus changed the game forever. Wilton norman chamberlain wilt the stilt, the big dipper, dippy, dip, the load, big musty, the record book. The 33 wins in a row will most likely never be beat. Mar 23, 2017 kobe bryants 4game 50point streak was a decade ago this week. Chamberlain led the nba in field goal percentage and rebounding, and west led the nba in assists. It was the first time that a professional basketball player had scored 100 points in. Lebron james passes dirk nowitzki for 6th on nbas alltime. Oct 06, 2018 now, for those of you who dont know i have a second page where i put opinion videos and where i debate michael jordan fans.
This book covers the magical 196667 sixers, one of the greatest teams in history. Wilt chamberlain is considered one of the worlds alltime greatest professional basketball players. Wilt chamberlain was born in philadelphia and was one of nine children. Chamberlain is the only player in nba history to average at least 30 points and 20 rebounds per game in a.
The record books are indeed heavy with chamberlains accomplishments. The late wilt chamberlain, who orchestrated a move from the sixers to the lakers over a halfcentury ago, surely would have appreciated this summers many moves on the part of nba players. Led by wilt chamberlain and jerry west, the lakers won 33 games in a row in 197172 on the path to winning the nba championship. That 197172 lakers squad led by wilt also posted the longest winning streak in nba history that year, winning 33 games in a. Wilt chamberlain scoring stats belong to a oneman category and have no comparison with any other player in nba history. The best record posted by the team was 69, in 1972. Nov 16, 2009 on march 2, 1962, philadelphia warriors center wilt chamberlain scores 100 points against the new york knicks. In the the story the rivalry written by john taylor the main person is wilt. Wilt chamberlain american basketball player britannica. Nba finals 1987 the 1987 nba finals was the championship round of the 1986 1987 nba season. Phil jackson asked to pick between shaq and wilt youtube. His father lived in a raciallymixed middle class neighborhood, and chamberlain had a relatively pleasant childhood. Wilt chamberlain is one of the most fascinating and intriguing players in nba history he put up statistics that no one else has ever come close to matching and dominated.
It was the first time that a professional basketball player had. The inspiring story of one of basketballs greatest. The book of basketball by bill simmons the breaks of the game by david. There just wasnt as much competitionlets take a look at the competition wilt played against, compared to the competition faced by shaq, a player with equally. Chamberlain was a dominant force beginning the moment he stepped on the court as a rookie and went on to complete a hall of fame career. Only wilt chamberlain has posted as many points in at least. Among others, he is the only player in nba history to average 40 and 50.
This article concerns the career achievements of basketball halloffamer wilt chamberlain, who holds numerous nba records in scoring, rebounding and durability. Russell westbrook became the second player in nba history to achieve the feat he clinched the mark in. Bill russell, wilt chamberlain, and the golden age of basketball. Wilt chamberlain educational videos for students black. Wilt chamberlains unparalleled skill and talent made incredible defensive plays look easy. Wilt chamberlain, playing in his final season, led the league in rebounding for the 11th time in his career. Wilt chamberlain he was basketballs unstoppable force, the most awesome offensive force the game has ever seen.
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