WiltStats

A classic Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain story told by John Havlicek. “Wilt came steaming like a run-away engine and went up with both hands to take the shot. Russell took one look at him and said, 'Go ahead, baby. If you make it you deserve it!'" (Feb. 14, 1969)

Bill Russell on Boston Celtics teammate John Havlicek: “He wasn’t the best forward I ever saw. He wasn’t the best guard either. He wasn’t the best scorer and he wasn’t the best rebounder and he wasn’t the best ballhandler. But he was the best player I ever saw!” (Apr. 11, 1978)

Youth coach Jimmy Usilton’s defensive strategy against a 15-year-old Wilt Chamberlain. “It was a 4-on-1 defense with four West Catholic players collapsing on Chamberlain every time the Overbrook guards tried to get the ball to the young giant under the basket.” (Jul. 5, 1981)

Wilt Chamberlain’s Overbrook High teammate Vince Miller on Wilt tipping shots: “Jim Saddler, he used to get mad as hell at Wilt. A shot could be almost in the rim, but the last guy to touch it would get the credit. Jim would shoot, Wilt would tip it on its way down.” (1991)

Lou Hudson on Jerry West’s defense in the 1970 NBA Western Conference Finals: “It’s the best defensive job done on me this year—or any year for that matter.” Hudson’s regular season average: • 25.4 PPG on 53% FG Western Conference Finals average: • 16.3 PPG on 29% FG

Wilt Chamberlain vs. Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 1967 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. • 29 PTS • 36 REB • 13 AST • 7 BLK The Philadelphia 76ers, led by Wilt, defeated the Boston Celtics, ending their 8-year championship reign.

Wayne Embry on guarding Wilt Chamberlain: “You have to lean on him and block him off. Boy, that wears you down.” (Dec. 15, 1967)

FOUR OTHER SPORTS WILT FLIRTED WITH: 1. Track and field: Won the Big Eight Conference high-jump championship with a leap of 6 feet, 6 3/4 inches in 1956. 2. Soccer: Was offered $100,000 to play goal for the New York entry in a professional soccer league in 1964. 3. Football: 4. Boxing: (Mar. 18, 1991)

@_Misael5 @arhooptalk That’s the issue with the modern NBA. The chaotic style of play with the loosened rules have caused a massive spike in soft-tissue injuries. It's pure chaos out there, which also makes consistent officiating an impossible task.

Wilt Chamberlain vs. Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the 1967 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. • 24 PTS • 32 REB • 13 AST • 12 BLK Bill Russell on Wilt’s performance: “Wilt broke it open. He was their whole defense, giving up only one shot when he wasn’t blocking out shots.”

Nate Thurmond’s Legendary Defensive Performance vs. Kareem and the Bucks in Deciding Game 6 of 1973 WCS.

Detroit Pistons GM Jack McCloskey on Wilt Chamberlain: “I was coaching Portland, he was playing with the Lakers. We had LaRue Martin, a kid who wanted to dunk on Wilt. I said, ‘Be careful, don’t embarrass him.’ “But the kid dunked on Wilt. “After that, Wilt almost annihilated him.” (1991)

@arhooptalk You can see how much his underdeveloped post game is limiting his options.

I think Wemby is setting too many high screens rather than just setting up lower

@vivalaraza71990 Yes! This is the only photo I have from that game.

@WiltStats Is this the article you were talking about of Chamberlain’s first NBA game that you were going to post?

Wilt Chamberlain scores over Bob Pettit in his first-ever NBA game during the 1959-60 preseason. (Oct. 1, 1959)

FOUR AMAZING WILT FEATS AT OVERBROOK HIGH: 1. Scored 71 points in 24 minutes against Roxborough as a freshman. 2. Scored 90 points, including 60 in one 10-minute span, against Roxborough as a senior. (Mar. 18, 1991)

Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo on Wilt Chamberlain: “I’ve always shied away from saying any player was the best, but how could any player have had more impact? He changed the rules, changed how the game was played, how it was perceived.” (Nov. 5, 1999)

Charles Barkley on Wilt Chamberlain: “Anybody with any sense knows he’s the greatest player ever to touch a basketball. Any time I’m around him, I’m like a kid in a candy store.” (Mar. 18, 1991)