LeBron James flattered by comparisons to MJ
rbdjr1
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MIAMI -- Scottie Pippen said LeBron James may be basketball's greatest player ever.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Among those who disagree: LeBron James.
LeBron James flattered by comparisons!
The Miami Heat forward provided his reaction to Pippen's comparison
between James and Michael Jordan on Saturday,
essentially saying he was flattered by the sentiment but simply does
not believe he's done enough to merit mention among the game's highest echelon.
"I'm not better than Jordan," James said.
Pippen -- who won six championships alongside Jordan in Chicago
during the Bulls' epic run in the 1990s -- told ESPN Radio on Friday that while
Jordan is "probably the greatest scorer to play the game,
" James "may be the greatest player to ever play the game."
Pippen even backed up the comments later on Twitter,
hours after his words sparked a bit of a firestorm,
though tried to clarify a bit by saying that while he thinks Jordan "is the greatest,
" James "could" reach that pinnacle in time.
James seemed mildly uncomfortable by the discussion.
"Michael's an unbelievable player," James said Saturday.
"I've got a long way -- long way -- to be mentioned as far as
one of the all-time greats. Not even just Jordan.
There's a lot of great players who have played in this league.
Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, all these guys
who are floating around with multiple rings, Bill Russell,
all these guys who have pioneered this game.
"I'm gracious. Humbled by Scottie's comments,
especially with him being a teammate of his and seeing
Michael on a day-to-day basis. But as far as me,
I'm not going to sit here and say I'm better than Jordan.
I'm not better than Jordan."
James is four wins away from his first NBA championship.
The Heat host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA finals on Tuesday night.
rd
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Comments
If the Heat win this and James gets the confidence to deliver multiple championships then maybe. Pippen is better than James until there's several parades, don't vault him over Jordan or Magic or Kareem or Bird just yet now.
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Ralph
I wonder if he would pass a polygraph test with these comments? LOL
<< <i>I think LeBron is almost always humble in his statements, if not in his actions. However, I'm sure it's an act. But then again, it is for virtually most great athletes. Not everyone can be as honest as Rickey Henderson. >>
Oh yea...that nationally televised charade regarding his "announcement" of what team he was going to play for, which basically hissed off and humiliated the fans of Cleveland...that was LeBron being real humble. LOL
<< <i>Those would be his actions. >>
Yea, that was one fairly big action. LOL
For me, "the Decision" was an unsightly way to cap off the greatest con job in sports since Lance Armstrong.
<< <i>
<< <i>there are plenty of ways to raise $2m without the self-promotion of "the Decision". Hell, he could cut a $2m check himself without blinking, and probably would have looked a lot better in the process.
For me, "the Decision" was an unsightly way to cap off the greatest con job in sports since Lance Armstrong. >>
First off, I don't see the "con" aspect of what he did. As for the notion that he just cut a check himself, $2 million is a ton of money no matter how you look at it and he probably gives enough enough of his money away as it is. It's ridiculous, IMO, to think that it was motivated by "self-promotion". As if LeBron needs any self-promotion. This is a guy that was being followed 24/7 during free agency regardless of what he did anyhow. He's on 100 foot billboards, commercials across the world, etc. He doesn't need self-promotion. >>
Call it whatever ya want, but "the decision" was tawdry and unpleasant to almost everyone, and although in my opinion the main reason for it was probably LeBron's desire and intention to stick it up the arse of the Cavaliers owner, it had the "repercussion" of ticking off the fans as well, which LeBron had to have realized would happen, but he didn't give a dam. That doesn't seem to me like anyone humble.
Again, call LeBron whatever ya want, but "humble"...come on now...that's just plain silly. I'm not sure he has a humble bone in his body. And I agree with jdip9 about the 2 million...I'm not knocking the result, but then again I've got an infinite more amount of personal respect to say a middle class person working hard for a living who donates say 10% of their earnings to their religious group or charity, than I do for LeBron.
I'm referring to the plan that those 3 guys hatched 2 years ago to play together when their deals were up....and then go through the charade of pretending to be interested in Chicago, New York, and others while all along knowing that they would all end up in Miami. Oh yeah, and Riley must have been in on it, too, so that the requisite cap space could be cleared.
BTW. $2m for LeBron is like $1,100 for someone making $100,000, and that is just as a percentage of the $186m he has made in NBA contracts, and doesn't take into account the endorsement money. I'm in no way hating on him for the money he makes, I think it is fantastic that he is able to earn whatever he can, but the fact is $2m to him is chump change. He could make that donation simply by taking the money that he is saving on state income tax alone by living in FL now.
Regardless, you are missing my point. The fact that $2m was donated to charity does not lessen the self-promoting nature of "the Decision". If anything, it was a poor attempt to try to slant the public's perception of the whole event. When he signed on for it with ESPN, what percent of his willingness to do so was driven by raising money for his charity? I bet it factored into less than 10% of the decision-making process. Do you think he would refuse to do the 1-hour special if a donation of any kind couldn't be lined up? Of course not.
BTW, why wouldn't the Cavs and Raptors do the sign and trade deals? They could either let those guys walk for nothing, or they could get something in return. You think that potential roadblock wasn't thought of by Riley in advance? He knew those owners would be crucified for not doing everything they could to help build their team.
<< <i>stevek,
I never said that LeBron was humble. Only that his statements [in his interviews] are. I even further went onto state that I think it's probably disingenuous on his part. What part of all that did you not get? I don't think for one second that LeBron is a humble guy. >>
Okay, I think I saw your first sentence in that post and just focused on that - my apologies for the mistake.
<< <i> in my opinion the main reason for it was probably LeBron's desire and intention to stick it up the arse of the Cavaliers owner, it had the "repercussion" of ticking off the fans as well, which LeBron had to have realized would happen, but he didn't give a dam. . >>
SteveK......He sure didn't give a crap at all.......much like when he QUIT during the series against Boston last year.
he's a world class turd and lowlife.
If he would have quietly signed the deal without all of the attention whoring LOOK AT ME!.....the fans would have been upset and even angry but would have gotten over it. As it is, he'll always be a villain.
<< <i>
<< <i> in my opinion the main reason for it was probably LeBron's desire and intention to stick it up the arse of the Cavaliers owner, it had the "repercussion" of ticking off the fans as well, which LeBron had to have realized would happen, but he didn't give a dam. . >>
SteveK......He sure didn't give a crap at all.......much like when he QUIT during the series against Boston last year.
he's a world class turd and lowlife.
If he would have quietly signed the deal without all of the attention whoring LOOK AT ME!.....the fans would have been upset and even angry but would have gotten over it. As it is, he'll always be a villain. >>
Goose - You're exactly right. In this day and age, it is actually unusual for a player to spend his whole career with one team, and the fans understand that, and accept that...but to stick it to Cleveland like that, especially considering his background...if I was a Cleveland fan I would boo the yell out of him every chance I got.
Which is one reason why I encourage kids to enjoy and appreciate athletes for what they do when playing the game, as entertainment for the fans...but off the field please do not look to most professional star athletes as role models, because too many of them once achieving stardom, they also become obnoxious, narcissistic jerks...that is not a role model.
IMO the kind of player that only comes around once a year, if that.
Everyone wanted to be like Mike. He should possess 8 rings, if it weren't for
his stint in baseball.
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<< <i>SteveK......He sure didn't give a crap at all.......much like when he QUIT during the series against Boston last year.
he's a world class turd and lowlife.
If he would have quietly signed the deal without all of the attention whoring LOOK AT ME!.....the fans would have been upset and even angry but would have gotten over it. As it is, he'll always be a villain. >>
+1
If Kobe never won a title beyond the first 3 he won on Shaq's team, his legacy would be nowhere near where it is today. We would think of him like Scottie Pippen - one of the Top 50 of all-time, but someone that couldn't lead a team to a title. Certainly not one of the Top 10 of all-time that we think of him now.
He might be more dominant, but I don't know if I'm convinced that LeBron is more talented than Wade, if that makes any sense. Just like Shaq was nowhere near as talented as Olajuwon or Ewing, but most would consider Shaq more dominant. With the exception of his passing (which is without peer in the NBA) LeBron's dominance stems more from his physical gifts than skill.
<< <i>I disagree on Kobe. Obviously it helps that he won more titles but he was most widely heralded as the best player in the game through most of the time even prior to winning his next title. LeBron is a two time MVP and probably will have more going forward. Wade has never won an MVP and never will IMO. Take Wade out of this team and you still have a team that could be playing in the finals. Take LeBron out and the Heat are lucky to make it past the first round. >>
And I respectfully disagree with your analysis.
Wade already won a championship,
it seemed almost "single-handedly-like" in 2006,
without Lebron, he did it with an aging Shaq & company
beating the same team, Dallas.
And Wade's stats in the 2006 & 2011 playoffs,
are some of the best stats of all-time (like Jordan, Kobe, etc stats!!!)...
And if somehow, the heat win the next two games,
Wade will have "imprinted himself" as one of the best "2-guard" to ever play the game.
And he just may have won an MVP without James,
and it is not out of the question that he may win one with LeBron.
The NBA history books are being updated,
...and we shall see just how Lebron, Wade, Bosh chapter is written?
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What a choke artist.
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Ralph
I think it is great to give a player credit for being a champion and a winner. But, I don't think we can just use championships as the bar. I doubt anyone would trade Hank Aaron for Hank Bauer, or Willie Mays for Willie Randolph, but if we are going to go by titles, then that's what we are saying. And if someone's team falls short, then they are part of a legacy of greats that have also never tasted champagne (Rod Carew, Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton, Deacon Jones, etc...).
<< <i>I can't stand LeBron, and his play during the Finals this year was nothing short of weak, but what does the amount of championships do with how great the player is? Oscar Robertson won one at the tail end of his career when joined up with Lew Alcindor and the Bucks. But, what if he hadn't been traded? Is Oscar less of an all-time great? Is it his fault that he played on a bunch of Cincinnati Royals teams that basically sucked? Is it Wilt Chamberlain or Jerry West or Elgin Baylor's fault that they kept getting beaten by the Celtics who had at some points an entire starting five of HOFers and more HOFers on the bench? Is Karl Malone not an all-time great because he couldn't win a title with guys like Mark Eaton and Greg Oostertag as his centers? Is Charles Barkley not in the discussion?
I think it is great to give a player credit for being a champion and a winner. But, I don't think we can just use championships as the bar. I doubt anyone would trade Hank Aaron for Hank Bauer, or Willie Mays for Willie Randolph, but if we are going to go by titles, then that's what we are saying. And if someone's team falls short, then they are part of a legacy of greats that have also never tasted champagne (Rod Carew, Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton, Deacon Jones, etc...). >>
All solid points. To illustrate one difference though I think with a Chamberlain and LeBron comparison is Chamberlain's Philly teams were likely heavy underdogs to those superb Celtics teams. But the Heat this series was a heavy favorite over the Mavs, The Heat was expected to win, they were heavy favorites to win, and they didn't...and LeBron seemed to try to "make things happen" perhaps around 25% of the time...the rest of the time he seemed content to pass the ball and let others make things happen...that's not what a so-called superstar is supposed to do.
Of course, LeBron's career is far from over, this was only one season as a losing heavy favorite, and he may come back next season or sometime in the future with a chip on his shoulder and perform remarkably like a championship winning superstar should, and go on to win several titles before his career is over. We shall see, and situations like this is what makes sports interesting and entertaining.
Let's face it, LeBron does not have the makeup to be the leader on a championship team. Period. Holding staged pre-game pep talks in the tunnel doesn't count. Anyone that watched these finals can see clearly that he does not want any part of the BIGGEST moments. He may do OK in BIG moments (a meaningful regular season game, or a clinching game of a series that his team is in control of - like the Game 5s of the Bulls and Celtics series). When there is TRUE pressure, LeBron shrinks. That is a fact.
And yes, in basketball, titles DO matter, because one guy can dominate the game, unlike every other sport, other than maybe a starting pitcher in baseball. But even then, he's likely only to pitch in 2 of 7 games.
He's going to put up otherworldly stats, he's going to fill the highlight reel, win two handfuls of regular season MVPs, and maybe even a Finals MVP or two. But unless something changes, and he suddenly trumps Wade to be the alpha dog in the 4th quarter, he's not in the discussion with the other legends in the game.
Perhaps a little, but to be clear, I'm not questioning his talent. There's no doubt he's the most dominant player in the NBA. I'm questioning his ability to LEAD, and his desire to do the things necessary to win a title. He plays small forward in a power forward's body, yet doesn't have a low-post game after 8 seasons. This entire series, he played hot potato with the ball in the 4th quarter, passing it almost as soon as he got it, not even looking to make an offensive move.
The fact that he deferred to Wade this series proves the point most of his detractors are trying to make - as someone who wants to be a "global icon" and have 1-hour specials about himself, you can't be deferring to ANYBODY down the stretch. Don't you think there were times when Pippen had the easier matchup than Jordan during a key possession??? One might say "Paxson and Kerr hit series clinching shots, not Jordan" Very true, but Jordan was the one drawing the double team to allow the shooter to be open. If LeBron had the ball in his hands and was creating, that would be one thing. To be invisible is something totally different.
<< <i>
LeBron will probably end his career with 35,000+ points and that's conservative if he stays healthy. He has a legitimate, if not likely, shot at 10,000+ rebounds and 10,000+ assists. I don't believe there's anyone with even 20k, 10k ,10k career or really anything all that close so we're talking some very special territory here. I'm not sure how you can honestly think Wade will have more stature when it's all said and done.
<< <i>
i do not think with wade and bosh on his team that he will end up with these numbers...
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Ralph
Perfectly fair question. Certainly open to debate, but only if you bring Russell to the table.
I think Bill Simmons sums up my feelings towards LeBron perfectly in today's retro diar, especially the part about robbing NBA fans of seeing the greatest of all-time......
Link
<< <i>I agree with baseball. Btw, not to stir up anything else, but since when did we all agree that Michael Jordan was the greatest player in NBA history? >>
<<< greatest player in NBA history? >>>
The correct answer is Wilt Chamberlain. Case closed.
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List of records and feats:
Chamberlain is holder of 72 NBA all-time records, 63 of which he holds by himself.[19] Among his records are several which are regarded as virtually unbreakable, such as averaging 22.9 rebounds for a career or 50.4 points in a regular season, scoring 100 points or 55 rebounds in a single game, scoring 65 points or more fifteen times, 50 or more points 118 times.[15][6] During Chamberlain's time, defensive statistics like blocks and steals had not been recorded yet. However, according to Jack Ramsay, "Harvey (Pollack) said he used to tell one of his statisticians to keep track of Wilt's blocks in big games... One night, they got up to 25".[20]
[edit] NBA scoring recordsSee also: List of National Basketball Association top individual scoring season averages
See also: List of National Basketball Association top rookie scoring averages
See also: List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game
See also: List of individual National Basketball Association scoring leaders by season
NBA Record - Most Points Per Game in a season (50.4 in the 1961-62)
Chamberlain also holds the next two highest with 44.8 in 1962-63 and 38.4 in 1960-61.
NBA Record - Most Points in a season (4,029 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the next highest with 3,586 in 1960-61
NBA Record - Most Points Scored in a Game (100 vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
NBA Record - Most Points Scored in a Half (59 in the 2nd half vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
NBA Record - Most 50 Point Games in a season (45 times in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the next most with 30 in 1962-63. No other player has had more than 10.
NBA Record - Most 40 Point Games in a season (63 times in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the next most with 52 in 1962-63. Michael Jordan holds third with 37 in 1986-87.
NBA Record - Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League in Points Per Game (7)
Record shared with Michael Jordan.
NBA Record - Most Career Regular Season 60 Point Games (32 times)
Kobe Bryant is in second place with 5.
NBA Record - Most Career Regular Season 50 Point Games (118 times)
Michael Jordan is in second place with 31.
NBA Record - Most Career Regular Season 40 Point Games (271 times)[21]
Michael Jordan is in second place with 173.
NBA Record - Most Consecutive 50 Point Games (7 times from December 16, 1961-December 29, 1961)
Chamberlain also holds the next three longest with 6 in 1962, 5 in 1961, and 5 in 1962
NBA Record - Most Consecutive 40 Point Games (14 times from December 8, 1961-December 30, 1961 and also 14 times from January 11, 1962-February 1, 1962)
Chamberlain also has the next most with 10 from November 9, 1962 through November 25, 1962
NBA Record - Most Consecutive 30 Point Games (65 from November 4, 1961-February 22, 1962)
Chamberlain holds the next two longest streaks with 31 in 1962 and 25 in 1960.
NBA Record - Most Consecutive 20 Point Games (126 from October 19, 1961-January 19, 1963)
Chamberlain holds the next most with 92 from February 26, 1963 through March 18, 1964.
NBA Record - Most points per game by a rookie (37.6 in 1959-60)
NBA Record - Most points by a rookie (2,707 in 1959-60)
NBA Record - Most points by a rookie in a game (58 on January 25, 1960 and 58 on February 21, 1960)
NBA Record - Fewest Games Played to Reach 20,000 Points (499 achieved in 1966)
Michael Jordan, at 620 games, took the second fewest games.
NBA Record - Fewest Games Played to Reach 25,000 Points (691, achieved on February 23, 1968 against the Detroit Pistons)
Michael Jordan, at 782 games, took the second fewest games.
NBA Record - Fewest Games Played to Reach 30,000 Points (941, achieved on February 16, 1972 against the Phoenix Suns).
NBA Record - Most consecutive seasons leading the league in field goals made (7 from 1959-60 through 1965-66)
Shared with Michael Jordan
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Made in a season (1,597 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the next three spots with 1,463 in 1962-63, 1,251 in 1960-61, and 1,204 in 1963-64
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Attempted in a season (3,159 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the next four highest with 2,770, 2,457, 2,311, and 2,298.
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Made in a Game (36 vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
Chamberlain holds the next highest with 31, and is tied (with Rick Barry) at third with 30
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Attempted in a Game (63 vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
Chamberlain holds the next two most with 62 and 60.
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Made in a Half (22 in the 2nd half vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Attempted in a Half (37 vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962 (2nd half)
NBA Record - Most Field Goals Attempted in a Quarter (21 in the 4th quarter vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
NBA Record - Most Free Throws Made in a Game (28 vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962)
Record shared with Adrian Dantley
NBA Record - Most seasons leading the NBA in free throw attempts (9)
NBA Record - Most consecutive seasons leading the NBA in free throw attempts (6 from 1959-60 through 1964-65)
NBA Record - Most Free Throws Attempted in a season (1,363 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain also holds the next four spots with 1,113, 1,054, 1,016, and 991.
NBA Record - Most Free Throws Attempted in a Game (34 vs. the St. Louis Hawks on February 22, 1962)
Chamberlain also holds second place with 32 on March 2, 1962.
NBA Playoff Record - Most points by a rookie in a game (53 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on March 14, 1960)
Pulled down a rookie playoff record 35 rebounds in the same game.
Chamberlain also scored 50 as a rookie against the Boston Celtics on March 22, 1960.
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goals in a seven game series (113 vs. the St. Louis Hawks in 1964)
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goals in a game (24 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on March 14, 1960)
Record shared with John Havlicek and Michael Jordan
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goal attempts in a game (48 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on March 22, 1962)
Record shared with Rick Barry
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goal attempts in a half (25 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on March 22, 1962)
Record shared with Elgin Baylor and Michael Jordan
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goal attempts in a three game series (104 vs. the Syracuse Nationals in 1960)
NBA Playoff Record - Most field goal attempts in a five game series (159 vs. the Syracuse Nationals in 1962)
NBA All-Star Game Record - Points in a game (42 in 1962)
NBA All-Star Game Record - Field goals in a game (17 in 1962)
Record shared with Michael Jordan and Kevin Garnett
NBA All-Star Game Record - Field goals in a half (10 in 1962)
NBA All-Star Game Record - Free throw attempts in a game (16 in 1962)
Chamberlain also holds the second most attempts in an All-Star Game with 15 in 1960.
[edit] Other selected scoring facts2nd highest career scoring average (30.06) — [record held by Michael Jordan]
2nd most free throws made in a season (835 in 1961-62) — [record held by Jerry West]
2nd most points in an NBA All-Star Game half (23 in 1962) — [record held by Glen Rice; 2nd place shared with Tom Chambers]
[edit] NBA rebounding recordsSee also: List of National Basketball Association top individual rebounding season averages
See also: List of National Basketball Association top rookie rebounding averages
See also: List of National Basketball Association players with most rebounds in a game
NBA Record - Career Total Rebounds (23,924)
NBA Record - Career Rebounds Per Game (22.9)
NBA Record - Most seasons leading the league in rebounds (11)
NBA Record - Most seasons with 1,000 or more rebounds (13)
NBA Record - Rebounds Per Game in a season (27.2)
Chamberlain also holds the next two highest averages with 27.0 in 1959-60 and 25.7 in 1961-62)
NBA Record - Total Rebounds in a season (2,149 in 1960-1961)
Chamberlain also holds the next six highest totals.
NBA Record - Rebounds in a game (55, Philadelphia Warriors vs. Boston Celtics, November 24, 1960)
NBA Record - Most rebounds per game by a rookie in a season (27.0)
NBA Record - Most rebounds by a rookie in a season (1941)
NBA Record - Most rebounds by a rookie in a game (45 on February 6, 1960)
Chamberlain, as a rookie, also grabbed 43 rebounds in one game, 42 in two others, and 40 in another.
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds in a playoff game (41 against the Boston Celtics, on April 5, 1967).
Game 3 victory in the Eastern Division finals.
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds in a half (26 against the San Francisco Warriors on April 16, 1967)
Also an NBA Finals record.
NBA Playoff Record - Highest rebounding average in a playoff series (32.0 in a five game series against the Boston Celtics in 1967).
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds in a 5-game playoff series (160 against the Boston Celtics in 1967).
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds in a 6-game playoff series (171 against the San Francisco Warriors in 1967).
Also an NBA Finals record for a 6-game series.
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds in a 7-game playoff series (220 against the Boston Celtics in 1965).
NBA Playoff Record - Most rebounds by a rookie in a game (35 against the Boston Celtics on March 22, 1960)
Scored a then-playoff record 53 points (still a rookie record) in the same game (a game 5 victory).
NBA All-Star Game Record - Most career rebounds in the NBA All-Star game (197).
NBA All-Star Game Record - Most rebounds in a half (16 in 1960).
Record shared with Bob Pettit
[edit] Other selected rebound facts2nd most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ rebounds (10) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a half (31 vs. the Boston Celtics on November 24, 1960) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a quarter (17 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on February 5, 1960) — [record held by Nate Thurmond, 2nd place is shared with three performances by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a 3-game NBA Playoff series (69 vs. the Syracuse Nationals in 1961) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a 4-game NBA Playoff series (106 vs. the Cincinnati Royals in 1967) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most consecutive games 20+ rebounds in the NBA Finals (12 over a series of games in the 1964, 1967, and 1969 finals) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most consecutive games 30+ rebounds in the NBA Finals (2 in 1967 finals, 2 in 1969 finals) — [record held by Bill Russell; 2nd place is also shared by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a 5-game NBA Finals (vs. Boston Celtics in 1967) — [record held by Bill Russell]
2nd most rebounds in a 7-game NBA Finals (vs. Boston Celtics in 1969) — [record held by Bill Russell]
3rd highest rebounding average in an NBA Finals series (28.5 in 1967) — [first two spots held by Bill Russell]
Chamberlain is the only player to grab more than 2,000 rebounds in a single season: 2,149 rebounds in the 1960-61 season and 2,052 in 1961-62.
Chamberlain's 1961-62 season stat line: 4,029 points (50.4 ppg) and 2,052 rebounds (25.7 rpg).
[edit] NBA versatility recordNBA Record - Most consecutive triple-doubles (9) (March 8-20, 1968)
[edit] Other selected versatility factsOnly player in NBA history to record a double-triple-double (20+ points, 20+ rebounds, 20+ assists in a game)
On February 2, 1968 against the Detroit Pistons, he logged 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists.[22]
Only player in NBA history to record a quadruple double-double (meaning two of either 40 points, 40 rebounds, or 40 assists in a single game) (A feat he performed 5 times).
On November 4, 1959, Chamberlain, in his third game in the NBA, scored 41 points and grabbed a then-rookie record 40 rebounds against the Syracuse Nationals.
On January 15, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored 44 points and grabbed 42 rebounds against the Boston Celtics.
On January 25, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored an NBA rookie record 58 points and grabbed 42 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
On February 6, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored 44 points and grabbed an NBA rookie record 45 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
On December 8, 1961, Chamberlain scored a then-record 78 points and collected 43 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.
After critics called him a one-dimensional (or even selfish) player, Chamberlain led the league in total assists the next season, 1967–68, with 702 assists (he did not lead the league in assists per game).
[edit] NBA durability recordsNBA Record - Most seasons leading NBA in minutes played (8)
NBA Record - Most consecutive seasons leading NBA in minutes played (5, from 1959-60 through 1963-64)
NBA Record - Most career minutes played per game (45.8)
Bill Russell is second at 42.3
NBA Record - Most minutes played in a season (3,882 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain also holds the next four most with 3,836 in 1967-68, 3,806 in 1962-63, 3,773 in 1960-61, and 3,737 in 1965-66
NBA Record - Most minutes played per game for a season (48.5 in 1961-62)
Chamberlain holds the top 7 spots in this category
Chamberlain's 3,882 minutes played out of the team's possible 3,890 left an average of six seconds rest per game.
NBA Record - Most complete games in a season (79 out of 80 games in 1961-62)
NBA Record - Most consecutive complete games in a season (47 in 1961-62)
NBA Playoff Record - Highest average minutes per game in a playoff series (49.33 (296/6) against the New York Knicks in 1968)
NBA Playoff Record - Most minutes played in a three game series (144 against the Syracuse Nationals in 1961)
NBA Playoff Record - Most minutes played in a four game series (195 against the Cincinnati Royals in 1965 and 195 against the Atlanta Hawks in 1970)
Record shared with Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson.
NBA Playoff Record - Most minutes played in a six game series (296 against the New York Knicks in 1968)
NBA Finals Record - Most minutes played in a five game series (240 against the New York Knicks in 1973)
Chamberlain never fouled out of a regular season or playoff game in his 14 years in the NBA.[1]
[edit] NBA accuracy recordsSee also: List of National Basketball Association top individual field goal percentage seasons
NBA Record - Most consecutive seasons leading NBA in field goal percentage (5, from 1964-65 through 1968-69)
Tied with Shaquille O'Neal
NBA Record - Highest Field Goal Percentage in a season (72.7% in 1972-73)
Chamberlain also holds the second highest percentage with 68.3% in 1966-67
NBA Record - Most consecutive field goals (35 from February 17, 1967 through February 28, 1967)
NBA Record - Most field goals in a game without a miss (18-18, Philadelphia 76ers vs. the Baltimore Bullets on February 24, 1967)
Chamberlain also holds the next two most with 16-16 (March 19, 1967) and 15-15 (January 20, 1967)
NBA Record - most free-throws missed in a single season (578 in the 1967–68 season)[23]
Chamberlain also missed the second most free throws in a single season at 528 in the 1961–62 season.
NBA Record - Most free throws missed in a game (22, vs. Seattle SuperSonics, 01967-12-01 December 1, 1967)
NBA Record - Most free throws missed in a half (12, vs. Syracuse Nationals, 01960-11-17 November 17, 1960
NBA Playoff Record - Most free throws missed in a game (17, vs. Boston Celtics, 01966-04-12 April 12, 1966)
NBA Playoff Record - Most free throws missed in a half (12, vs. Boston Celtics, 01966-04-12 April 12, 1966
[edit] Other selected accuracy facts2nd most seasons leading NBA in field goal percentage (9) [record held by Shaquille O'Neal (10)]
2nd most free throws attempted in a game with none made (10 vs. the Detroit Pistons on 11/04/1960) — [record held by Shaquille O'Neal (11) (12/08/2000)]
3rd most free throws attempted in a game with none made (9 at the St. Louis Hawks on 01967-02-19 February 19, 1967)
3rd lowest career free throw percentage in NBA history (minimum 1200 attempts) [record held by Ben Wallace]
<< <i>Again Steve, this is why I don't just hand the crown to MJ. Wilt has a great record. And your argument is well supported. I never saw him play except during his last season, so I can't say much about him. But with numbers like that he certainly has to be in the top handful. >>
Date of birth August 21, 1936
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
Date of death October 12, 1999(1999-10-12) (aged 63)
Place of death Bel Air, California
High school Overbrook HS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Listed height 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight 275 lb (125 kg
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My Dad attended Overbrook High School when Chamberlain played there, and he saw him play many times. My Dad said that Chamberlain was lightening quick, and not just for a big guy, for anybody.
The only reason, and in my opinion the ONLY reason Jordan gets the media accolades as being the best is because he is a living athlete and marketable, and money can be made off him by the media and others. And of course I'm taking nothing away from Jordan, that would be silly, but Chamberlain was just one of those once every 100 years freak athletes, and it's doubtful anyone in basketball will ever be better.
A side note that may not even be in Google, I didn't Google it, but back when Ali was heavyweight boxing champ, and in my opinion Ali was the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time, there was serious talk about Chamberlain fighting Ali for the title. I don't think Chamberlain would have beaten Ali because it's a different skill, but just the fact that the discussion was taken seriously, shows what type of athlete Chamberlain was - truly remarkable.
Bird and Magic were supreme players, but to put them ahead of Jordan is very questionable.
Even if Bird and Magic were considered equal to Jordan offensively, neither of them even came close to Jordan defensively.
Leadership and all those other intangibles, I don't see how any of them are different from each other either...all three were supreme in that area.
When looking at Magic Johnson, he played in the run and gun open west(and his division was awful for many of his good years), so he certainly was able to pad his numbers a bit.
Bird would be closer to Jordan than Magic, simply because a guy that could shoot like that is a golden commodity to a basketball team, especially when he could do everything else too.
Chamberlain played in a much different era, so it is much more difficult to put a fair evaluation between him and Jordan.
Jordan
Bird
Magic
is the appropriate order.
<< <i>IMO, the pool of the best ever would include the following players (in no particular order than a general sense of who came first which may not be exact)
Russell
Chamberlain
Robertson
Jabbar
Magic
Bird
Jordan
O'Neal
There are also a group that falls just below, some of whom people might argue should displace some of the names above:
Baylor
West
Erving
K. Malone
Olajuwon
Ewing
Barkley
Duncan
Bryant
I may have overlooked someone but that is the list as I see it. >>
Just for the record, Bill Russell has stated a number of times that Wilt Chamberlain was better than he was, and I've seen Russell state that on TV...and you would have had to have heard the voice inflection, but the tone clearly indicated that it shouldn't even be a debatable point about Chamberlain being better than Russell. So that case is closed.
<< <i>Baseball,
Bird and Magic were supreme players, but to put them ahead of Jordan is very questionable.
Even if Bird and Magic were considered equal to Jordan offensively, neither of them even came close to Jordan defensively.
Leadership and all those other intangibles, I don't see how any of them are different from each other either...all three were supreme in that area.
When looking at Magic Johnson, he played in the run and gun open west(and his division was awful for many of his good years), so he certainly was able to pad his numbers a bit.
Bird would be closer to Jordan than Magic, simply because a guy that could shoot like that is a golden commodity to a basketball team, especially when he could do everything else too.
Chamberlain played in a much different era, so it is much more difficult to put a fair evaluation between him and Jordan.
Jordan
Bird
Magic
is the appropriate order. >>
<<< Chamberlain played in a much different era, so it is much more difficult to put a fair evaluation between him and Jordan. >>>
Yes, today's basketball players are better than when Chamberlain played, but I wouldn't call that a "different era" - the ball is the same, the court is the same, the hoop is the same, etc, and Chamberlain retired from the NBA after the 72-73 season - that's not exactly ancient history.
I think the "difficult to put a fair evaluation" is based on their position, not the era. Jordan played guard and forward versus Chamberlain who was strictly a center.
I don't think 1972 is much of a different era....but the early years where Wilt was putting up those insane numers was a different era. Just the most basic thing such as the size of the players he played against at the center position and power forward position. Also, there were more white stiffs too where his athleticisim really stood out...compared to later times where that large athleticisim was more common.
<< <i>Steve,
I don't think 1972 is much of a different era....but the early years where Wilt was putting up those insane numers was a different era. Just the most basic thing such as the size of the players he played against at the center position and power forward position. Also, there were more white stiffs too where his athleticisim really stood out...compared to later times where that large athleticisim was more common. >>
Point understood...but please understand that those "insane numbers" were still huge, HUGE numbers, and nobody else was doing it. Yes, Chamberlain would not have quite put up those same huge numbers in today's game, but there is no doubt at all he was the best center of all time, and I have little doubt if he was playing today in his prime, he would still be the best center, and still put up impressive numbers. Again, I'm going by what my Dad stated and I've chatted over the years with a number of others from the Philly area who say the same thing who watched him play in his prime, that his quickness and strength was just simply amazing...and my Dad and these others are big basketball fans, so they should know.
I never met Wilt, but I know someone who did a lot of business with him and knew him very well, and spoke with Chamberlain often about business and about basketball...and the interesting thing, and perhaps the only knock on Chamberlain, is that he was so extraordinarily good, that he sometimes or often only played in second gear. If he would have played like Jordan played, basically in full gear much of the time, the numbers would have even been bigger...and that is a scary thought - LOL
I suspect that many white NBA players [those who play today and those who played long ago] would be very offended by the use of this term.
The thing is that every single person who has ever played NBA basketball has truly amazing physical gifts and talents. Speed, strength, explosiveness, quickness, etc. far beyond those of your average guy [and far beyond those of your average high school and college basketball player].
I played high school and small college hoops in the 70's. I also played recreationally into the early 90's. I was never a superstar, but I could run, jump, dunk, shoot at a level that made most of my friends that I played with think I had mad skills. I played pickup games against NBA players, including "white stiffs". I looked like a fool in cement shoes. I should not have been on the same court with them.
The "white stiffs" look slow and clumsy only when they play against guys Kobe, MJ, Derrick Rose, etc.
<< <i>
<< <i>Steve,
I don't think 1972 is much of a different era....but the early years where Wilt was putting up those insane numers was a different era. Just the most basic thing such as the size of the players he played against at the center position and power forward position. Also, there were more white stiffs too where his athleticisim really stood out...compared to later times where that large athleticisim was more common. >>
Point understood...but please understand that those "insane numbers" were still huge, HUGE numbers, and nobody else was doing it. Yes, Chamberlain would not have quite put up those same huge numbers in today's game, but there is no doubt at all he was the best center of all time, and I have little doubt if he was playing today in his prime, he would still be the best center, and still put up impressive numbers. Again, I'm going by what my Dad stated and I've chatted over the years with a number of others from the Philly area who say the same thing who watched him play in his prime, that his quickness and strength was just simply amazing...and my Dad and these others are big basketball fans, so they should know.
I never met Wilt, but I know someone who did a lot of business with him and knew him very well, and spoke with Chamberlain often about business and about basketball...and the interesting thing, and perhaps the only knock on Chamberlain, is that he was so extraordinarily good, that he sometimes or often only played in second gear. If he would have played like Jordan played, basically in full gear much of the time, the numbers would have even been bigger...and that is a scary thought - LOL >>
No doubt that Wilt was a true human specimen, and athlete, and even though he did take advantage of having some 'less athletic tall white guys'
SteveK,
I don't think a young Wilt would have had any trouble going against an Olajuwon or David Robinson. He was as big and quick as both of them...and he was also probably MUCH stronger than those guys(and he was stronger without the advantage of better training opportunities, which is scary).
It would have been cool to see him make that rumored comeback in the 80's.
I just wanted to point out the difficulty in comparing him to Jordan based on the era's(and position too as you mentioned). I wish it were easy to make the comparison, but that wouldn't be as much fun either.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Steve,
I don't think 1972 is much of a different era....but the early years where Wilt was putting up those insane numers was a different era. Just the most basic thing such as the size of the players he played against at the center position and power forward position. Also, there were more white stiffs too where his athleticisim really stood out...compared to later times where that large athleticisim was more common. >>
Point understood...but please understand that those "insane numbers" were still huge, HUGE numbers, and nobody else was doing it. Yes, Chamberlain would not have quite put up those same huge numbers in today's game, but there is no doubt at all he was the best center of all time, and I have little doubt if he was playing today in his prime, he would still be the best center, and still put up impressive numbers. Again, I'm going by what my Dad stated and I've chatted over the years with a number of others from the Philly area who say the same thing who watched him play in his prime, that his quickness and strength was just simply amazing...and my Dad and these others are big basketball fans, so they should know.
I never met Wilt, but I know someone who did a lot of business with him and knew him very well, and spoke with Chamberlain often about business and about basketball...and the interesting thing, and perhaps the only knock on Chamberlain, is that he was so extraordinarily good, that he sometimes or often only played in second gear. If he would have played like Jordan played, basically in full gear much of the time, the numbers would have even been bigger...and that is a scary thought - LOL >>
No doubt that Wilt was a true human specimen, and athlete, and even though he did take advantage of having some 'less athletic tall white guys'
SteveK,
I don't think a young Wilt would have had any trouble going against an Olajuwon or David Robinson. He was as big and quick as both of them...and he was also probably MUCH stronger than those guys(and he was stronger without the advantage of better training opportunities, which is scary).
It would have been cool to see him make that rumored comeback in the 80's.
I just wanted to point out the difficulty in comparing him to Jordan based on the era's(and position too as you mentioned). I wish it were easy to make the comparison, but that wouldn't be as much fun either. >>
That is an interesting thought about the "training opportunities" - now it's becoming quite scary.
Yes, it's always fun to debate the players from different times. Some of the things you mentioned about Chamberlain, could also be said about Babe Ruth. Take a guy like Steve Van Buren, who I knew personally and chatted with him many times...just a hunch that he probably would not make any NFL roster today, although I would never tell him that - LOL
Of course ya never know for sure with some comparisons...perhaps with many Triple A type pitchers that make it to the bigs these days, maybe the Babe would have hit 80 home runs against these guys.