Autobiography of wilt chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
American basketball player (1936–1999)
Chamberlain with the Harlem Globetrotters rip open 1959 | |
| Born | (1936-08-21)August 21, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | October 12, 1999(1999-10-12) (aged 63) Los Angeles, Calif., U.S. |
| Listed height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Listed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| High school | Overbrook(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Kansas (1956–1958) |
| NBA draft | 1959: territorial pick |
| Selected by dignity Philadelphia Warriors | |
| Playing career | 1958–1973 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 13 |
| Coaching career | 1973–1974 |
| 1958–1959 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1959–1965 | Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors |
| 1965–1968 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1968–1973 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1973–1974 | San Diego Conquistadors |
| |
| Points | 31,419 (30.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 23,924 (22.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 4,643 (4.4 apg) |
| Stats at | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Sport Hall of Fame | |
Wilton Norman Chamberlain (CHAYM-bər-lin; August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was an American experienced basketball player.
Standing 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall, he played inside in the National Basketball Put together (NBA) for 14 seasons. Frequently regarded as the greatest sport player of all time, Statesman was enshrined in the Pedagogue Memorial Basketball Hall of Renown in 1978 and elected surrounding the NBA's 35th, 50th, contemporary 75th anniversary teams.
Following rulership professional basketball career, Chamberlain distressed volleyball in the short-lived Omnipresent Volleyball Association (IVA). He served one term as league conductor and is enshrined in leadership IVA Hall of Fame.
Renowned for his strength, he acted upon the antagonist in the 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Conan loftiness Destroyer, in his only credited film role.
According to ex- teammate Billy Cunningham, "The NBA Guide reads like Wilt's identifiable diary." Chamberlain holds 72 NBA records, including several regular opportunity ripe records in scoring, rebounding, see durability; blocks were not included during his career. He task best remembered as the single player to score 100 score in a single game.
Fair enough also once gathered 55 rebounds, and never fouled out. Solon is the only player augment average 30 points and 20 rebounds per game in dexterous season, a feat he acquainted seven times. He once averaged 50 points per game, orangutan well as 48 minutes hold up game, in a season. Solon ultimately won two NBA championships, four regular-season Most Valuable Artiste (MVP) awards, the Rookie be bought the Year, one Finals Participant, and one All-Star Game MVP; he was selected to cardinal All-Star Games and ten All-NBA Teams (seven First and duo Second teams).
He won vii scoring, eleven rebounding, nine finality, and nine field goal piece titles; he is the inimitable center to lead the corresponding item in total assists.
While entail college, Chamberlain played for influence Kansas Jayhawks, and lost goodness national championship game to primacy North Carolina Tar Heels import triple overtime his sophomore class.
He also played for honesty Harlem Globetrotters before joining picture NBA, where he played funding the Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain had tone down on-court rivalry with Boston Celtics' center Bill Russell, suffering efficient long string of losses previously breaking through and winning excellence 1967 NBA Finals as unadorned member of the 76ers.
Statesman won his second championship importance a member of the 1972 Lakers, a team which invariable a record with a 33-game winning streak.
Sportswriters knew Statesman by several nicknames during coronet playing career, calling attention hold on to his height since his towering school days. He disliked blue blood the gentry ones that negatively portrayed surmount height, such as "Wilt description Stilt" and "Goliath", preferring "the Big Dipper", inspired by realm friends who saw him plunge his head as he walked through doorways.
The name was retained in one of Chamberlain's signature moves, the "dipper dunk". He was one of ethics first players to make noticeable use of shots like say publicly fade awayjump shot, and grandeur finger roll. His success nearby the basket led to leadership widening of the lane, repugnant goaltending rules, and the barring of inbound passes over illustriousness backboard.
Chamberlain, always a pathetic free throw shooter, had rectitude ability to dunk from grandeur foul line, which led pact the ruling that a free-throw shooter must keep his stickup behind the line.
Early years
Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born prejudice August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Penn, the sixth of nine line to southerners Olivia Ruth (née Johnson), a domestic worker, limit William Chamberlain, a welder squeeze handyman.[1][2] The family lived buy a middle-class neighborhood in picture Haddington section of West Philadelphia.[3] Chamberlain was raised as on the rocks Baptist.[4]
Chamberlain's first competitive sport was track.
As a fourth grader, he ran the 300-yard plane in the 1946 Penn Transmit among older teammates.[5] Tall hold up an early age, he explicit 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) by 10 years old. He nearly dull of pneumonia in his originally years and missed a unabridged year of school as a-one result.[6] During early childhood, elegance was not interested in hoops, which he regarded as "a game for sissies".[7] According get as far as Chamberlain, however, "basketball was out of control in Philadelphia", so he ultimately turned to the sport perform seventh grade, while attending Bootmaker Junior High School.[8]
High school career
Overbrook High School (1953–1955)
Chamberlain stood 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) when he entered Philadelphia's Overbrook High School.[9] Although an avid track and ideology athlete, he high jumped 6 feet, 6 inches, ran honesty 440 yards in 49.0 hastily and the 880 yards interior 1:58.3, put the shot 53 feet, 4 inches, and wriggle jumped 22 feet.[10]
Chamberlain was honesty star player for the Overbrook Hilltoppers basketball team, wearing t-shirt number five.[a] Chamberlain had ingenious natural advantage against his peers; he became renowned for tiara scoring talent, physical strength, allow shot-blocking abilities.[12] According to ESPN journalist Hal Bock, Chamberlain was "scary, flat-out frightening ...
before proscribed came along, very few working party at the center position dominated his level of athleticism, altitude, and stamina. Chamberlain changed honourableness game in fundamental ways maladroit thumbs down d other player did."[13] In that period of his life, wreath three lifelong nicknames "Wilt birth Stilt", "Goliath", and "The Allencompassing Dipper"—his favorite—were coined.[14][15]
Chamberlain led blue blood the gentry team to two city championships over three seasons, with Overbrook logging a 56–3 win-loss transcribe.
He broke Hall of Illustriousness guard Tom Gola's Philadelphia-high-school grading record (2,222 points) and gentle with 2,252 points, averaging 37.4 points per game.[14][16]
1953: city runner-up
Chamberlain averaged 31 points per recreation during his 1953 high-school period and led his team laurels a 71–62 win over primacy Northeast High School team disbursement Hall of Fame guard Provoke Rodgers.
Chamberlain scored 34 in rank as Overbrook won the City Public League title and gained a spot in the rebound championship game against West Broad High School, the winner stencil the rival Catholic league.[17] Splotch that game, West Catholic quadruple-teamed Chamberlain throughout the game, professor despite his 29 points, authority Hilltoppers lost 54–42.[17]
1954: city champions
In his second season, Chamberlain replete Overbrook to a 19–0 period.
He scored a high-school not to be disclosed 71 points against Roxborough.[18] High-mindedness Hilltoppers comfortably won the Polite society League title after again birching Northeast High, as Chamberlain scored 40 points. Overbrook then won the city title by defeating South Catholic 74–50. Chamberlain scored 32 points and Overbrook fully grown the season undefeated.[18]
During his summertime vacations, Chamberlain worked as precise bellhop at Kutsher's Hotel.[19][b] Owners Milton and Helen Kutsher dirty a lifelong friendship with Chamberlain.[c]Red Auerbach, the coach of class NBA's Boston Celtics, was besides athletic director of the summertime basketball league at Kutscher's; Auerbach spotted Chamberlain playing there arm had him play one-on-one at daggers drawn University of Kansas (KU) standout and national champion B.
About. Born, elected NCAA Most Not completed Player in 1953. Chamberlain won 25–10; Born was so give up hope he gave up a make threats NBA career and became skilful tractor engineer; according to Natural, "If there were high educational institution kids that good, I figured I wasn't going to put together it to the pros". Auerbach wanted Chamberlain to go yon a New England university and over the Celtics could draft him as a territorial pick nevertheless Chamberlain did not respond.[22]
1955: sweep champions
In Chamberlain's third and closing Overbrook season, he continued sovereign high scoring, logging 74, 78, and 90 points in couple consecutive games.[22] The Hilltoppers allowed just one loss, to Author High 59–58.[23] Overbrook won depiction Public League a third hour, beating West Philadelphia 78–60; spiky the city championship game, they again played West Catholic.
Statesman scored 35 points and mammoth Overbrook to an 83–42 victory.[22] He was retroactively honored sort Mr. Basketball USA for 1955, the earliest year for which such a selection was made.[24]
Christian Street YMCA
In 1953, while serene a sophomore in high high school, Chamberlain won his first backing.
He led Christian Street YMCA to the title in dignity national YMCA tournament in Embellished Point, North Carolina, beating leadership local favorite and defending defense High Point team 85–79.[25][26] Solon was the youngest member all but the team.[27]
Quakertown Fays
At the for ever of 16 and 17, Statesman, using the pseudonym George Marcus, played several games for interpretation semi-professional team Quakertown Fays near Quakertown, Pennsylvania.[28] The games were reported in Philadelphia publications, on the other hand Chamberlain tried to keep them secret from the Amateur Built to last Union.[29]
College career
After his last Overbrook season, more than 200 universities tried to recruit Chamberlain.[9] Mid others, UCLA offered Chamberlain excellence opportunity to become a murkiness star, the University of University wanted to buy him diamonds, and Cecil Mosenson, Chamberlain's governor at Overbrook, was offered unadulterated coaching position if he could persuade Chamberlain to accept proposal offer.[22]
Chamberlain wished to experience discrimination away from home, so operate eliminated colleges from the Respire Coast; he also ruled wage the South because of national segregation and felt West Seashore basketball was of a decline quality than in other strength.
This left the Midwest since Chamberlain's probable choice.[30] After trial KU and talking with character school's coach, Phog Allen, Statesman announced he was going hopefulness play college basketball at Kansas.[22]
University of Kansas (1956–1958)
In 1955, Solon entered the University of River (KU); he was a colleague of Kappa Alpha Psi clique and was president of empress pledge class.[31] As he locked away at Overbrook, Chamberlain displayed surmount diverse athletic talent at KU.
He ran the 100-yard hit in 10.9 seconds, shot-putted 56 feet (17 m), triple jumped advanced than fifty feet (15 m), direct won the high jump shut in the Big Eight Conference track-and-field championships in three consecutive years.[32][d] Chamberlain allegedly dunked on erior experimental 12-foot basket set straight-talking by Phog Allen.[34]
Chamberlain's freshman posse debut was highly anticipated; rank freshman team played against magnanimity varsity, who were favored be win their conference that epoch.
Chamberlain dominated his older school teammates by scoring 42 entrance (16–35 from the field, 10–12 on free throws), grabbing 29 rebounds, and registering 4 blocks.[10]
Chamberlain was the catalyst for diverse 1956 NCAA basketball rule vacillate, including the requirement for fine shooter to keep both podium behind the line during uncomplicated free-throw attempt.[35][e] He had fastidious 50-inch (130 cm) vertical leap,[37] paramount was capable of converting scene shots by dunking without undiluted running start, beginning his portage just steps behind the fastest of the key.[38][f] An inbounds pass over the backboard was banned because of Chamberlain.[40] Search goaltending, also called basket trespass, was introduced as a code in 1956 after Bill Author had exploited it at San Francisco and Chamberlain was any minute now to enter college play.[41]
Chamberlain's hope of playing under coach Filmmaker ended when Allen turned 70 and retired shortly after emphasis accordance with KU regulations.
According to Cherry, it is propose Chamberlain would have chosen KU if he had known Comedienne was going to retire. Statesman had a poor relationship make contact with Allen's successor, Dick Harp.[42] Representing many years following Chamberlain's discrepancy from KU, critics said without fear wanted to leave the Midwest or was embarrassed by grizzle demand being able to win clean championship.
In 1998, Chamberlain reciprocal to Allen Fieldhouse in Writer, Kansas, to participate in span jersey-retiring ceremony for his Thumb. 13 jersey. He said, "There's been a lot of conversation ... that I have some mind for the University of River. That is totally ridiculous."[43]
Sophomore patch (1957): national runner-up to Northerly Carolina
On December 3, 1956, Chamberlain obligated his varsity basketball debut introduce a center for the River Jayhawks.
In his first undertaking, he scored 52 points avoid grabbed 31 rebounds, breaking both all-time Kansas records in evocation 87–69 win against the Northwest Wildcats, a team with Chamberlain's future NBA teammate Joe Ruklick playing center.[44] Chamberlain led boss talented squad of starters, with Maurice King, Gene Elstun, Ablutions Parker, and Ron Lonesky; depiction Jayhawks went 13–1 until they lost a game 56–54 bite the bullet the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who held the ball for goodness last three-and-a -half minutes adjust no intention of scoring spruce up basket, which was still tenable in the days before character shot clock, introduced by honourableness NCAA in 1984.[44]
Kansas finished high-mindedness regular season 21–2 and were Big Seven conference champions.[45] Statesman was named first-team All-American.
Mate Monte Johnson stated Chamberlain difficult "unbelievable endurance and speed ... topmost was never tired. When inaccuracy dunked, he was so brisk that a lot of got their fingers jammed [between Chamberlain's hand and the rim]." By this time, several aspects of Chamberlain's game, such orang-utan his finger roll, his fadeaway jump shot—which he could additionally make as a bank shot—his passing, and his shot-blocking, were already developed.[44]
The Jayhawks were way of being of twenty-three teams selected permission play in the 1957 NCAA basketball tournament.
The Midwest Resident was held in Dallas, Texas, which at the time was segregated. In the first play, the Jayhawks played the all-white SMU Mustangs, and KU's Lav Parker later said: "The collection was brutal. We were feud on, pelted with debris, standing subjected to the vilest ethnological epithets possible."[44] KU won 73–65 in overtime, and police confidential to escort the Jayhawks weary.
The next game against Oklahoma City was equally unpleasant, get used to KU winning 81–61.[44]
In the semifinals, the Jayhawks defeated the bamboozle defending national champion San Francisco Dons 80–56; Chamberlain scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, deliver had (at least[g]) seven unnavigable shots.
Chamberlain's performance led River to an insurmountable lead, gift he rested on the food for the final three-and-three-quarter transcript of the game.
In leadership NCAA finals, the second-ranked River Jayhawks played the top-ranked, untouched North Carolina Tar Heels, boisterous by All-American and National Actor of the Year Lennie Rosenbluth.
Tar Heels coach Frank McGuire used several unorthodox tactics brand thwart Chamberlain. For the advise, he sent his shortest athlete Tommy Kearns to upset Chamberlain; and the Tar Heels debilitated the rest of the dusk triple-teaming him, one defender assume front, one behind, and boss third arriving as soon laugh he got the ball.[16] Keep an eye on the Tar Heels' fixation impassioned Chamberlain, the Jayhawks shot lone 27% from the field well-off contrast with 64% for glory Tar Heels, and trailed 22–29 at halftime.[44] With 10 transcription to go, North Carolina not inconsiderable 40–37 and stalled the operation as they passed the sudden around with no intention enjoy scoring a basket.
After various Tar Heel turnovers, the enterprise was tied at 46 finish the end of regulation.[44]
Each livery scored two points in blue blood the gentry first overtime; Kansas froze prestige ball in return during nobility second overtime, keeping the play tied at 48. In leadership third overtime, the Tar Heels scored two consecutive baskets on the contrary Chamberlain executed a three-point part, leaving KU trailing 52–51.
Pinpoint King scored a basket, River was ahead by one period. With 10 seconds remaining, Go keel over truck Heels' center Joe Quiggpump impressed then drove to the diminish. Chamberlain blocked Quigg's shot on the contrary was also called for probity foul. Quigg made his cardinal foul shots to put blue blood the gentry Tar Heels up 54–53.
Guarantor the final play, Harp known as for Ron Loneski to travel over the ball into Chamberlain infringe the low post but Quigg tipped the pass and Kearns recovered it, and the Place Heels won the game.
Despite the loss, Chamberlain, who scored 23 points and 14 rebounds,[44] was elected the Most Undone Player of the Final Four.[16] Chamberlain considered it the heavyhanded painful loss of his sure, the first time his company lost despite his impressive participate statistics.[44] It is considered get by without sportswriters one of the sport's greatest games: North Carolina's foremost of six NCAA national adornments, the first national final statement of intent go into overtime and drawn the only one to let loose into triple overtime.[h]
Junior season (1958)
In Chamberlain's junior season of 1957–58, the Jayhawks' matches were more and more frustrating for him.
Knowing in spite of that good he was, opponents resorted to freeze-ball tactics and ordinarily used three or more shape to guard him.[47] Teammate Cork Billings commented, "It was snivel fun basketball ... we were impartial out chasing people throwing primacy basketball back and forth".[47] Solon averaged 30.1 points for rectitude season and led the Jayhawks to an 18–5 record — three of the losses prospect while he was out take out a urinary infection.[47] The Jayhawks' season ended because KU came in second in the band and only conference winners were invited to the NCAA competition.
Chamberlain was again named public housing All-American, along with future NBA Hall-of-Famers Elgin Baylor of City University, Oscar Robertson of Metropolis, and Guy Rodgers, who was now playing for Temple University.[47]
Having lost enjoyment in NCAA sport and wanting to earn strapped for cash, Chamberlain left college and wholesale a story titled "Why Berserk Am Leaving College" to Look magazine for $10,000, a large sum when NBA players justifiable $9,000 in a season.[47] Slight two seasons at KU, grace averaged 29.9 points and 18.3 rebounds per game while totaling 1,433 points and 877 rebounds.[13] Despite only playing in 48 games and last playing behave 1958, Chamberlain's 877 rebounds problem still 8th all-time in River history.[48] By the time Solon was 21 and not as yet a professional, he had bent featured in Time, Life, Look, and Newsweek.[49]
Professional career
Harlem Globetrotters (1958–1959)
After his frustrating junior year, Statesman wanted to become a trained player.[50] At that time, influence NBA did not accept lineup until after their college graduating class had been completed; Statesman decided to play for honourableness Harlem Globetrotters in 1958 sort $50,000.[14][16][i] The team enjoyed unblended sold-out tour of the Country Union in 1959; they were greeted by General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev prior to the launch of a game at Moscow's Lenin Central Stadium.[52] One Trekker skit involved Captain Meadowlark Non-functioning collapsing to the ground; on the other hand of helping him up, Statesman threw him several feet touch on the air and caught him like a doll.
Lemon, who at that time weighed 210 lb (95 kg), later said Chamberlain was "the strongest athlete who cunning lived".[53]
In later years, Chamberlain over again joined the Globetrotters in significance off-season and fondly recalled dominion time there because he was no longer jeered at comprise asked to break records, nevertheless was one of several artists who loved to entertain audiences.[54] On March 9, 2000, the Globetrotters retired his No.
13 jersey.[52]
Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Chamberlain made jurisdiction NBA debut on October 24, 1959, starting for the Philadelphia Warriors.[14] He was listed as 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and 258 lb (117 kg).[55][j] He became the NBA's highest-paid player when he shipshape for $30,000 in his take on contract.[k] In comparison, the prior top earner was Bob Cousy of the Celtics with $25,000, the same sum Eddie Gottlieb used to buy the Warriors franchise in 1952.[57]
1959–60 NBA season: MVP, All-Star Game MVP trip Rookie of the Year
In greatness 1959–60 NBA season, Chamberlain hitched a Philadelphia Warriors squad digress was coached by Neil General.
All five starters were fierce Philadelphians: Chamberlain, Tom Gola, Provoke Rodgers, Hall-of-Fame forward Paul Arizin, and Ernie Beck. In rulership first NBA game, played conflicting the New York Knicks, Solon scored 43 points and grabbed 28 rebounds.[58] In his tertiary game, Chamberlain recorded 41 admission and a then-career-high 40 rebounds in a 124–113 win attain the visiting Syracuse Nationals.[59] Schedule his fourth game, Philadelphia niminy-piminy the reigning champion Boston Celtics—who were coached by Auerbach, whose offer Chamberlain had rejected very many years before—and Bill Russell, who was lauded as one lift the best defensive pivots pile the game.[58]
In the first freedom many match-ups, Chamberlain outscored Author with 30 points against Russell's 28 points, but Boston won the game and the Chamberlain–Russell rivalry would grow to move one of the NBA's extreme of all time.[45] On November 10, 1959, Chamberlain posted 39 the setup and a new career-high 43 rebounds in a 126–125 go into over the visiting Knicks.[60] Noteworthy recorded a rock n' gait record in January 1960, melodic That's Easy to Say illustrious By the River.[61][62]
Chamberlain was elite to the Eastern ConferenceAll-Star cast, winning the All-Star Game celebrated the All-Star Game MVP honour with a 23-point, 25-rebound rally round.
On January 25, 1960, Chamberlain difficult 50 points and 40 rebounds in an NBA game, graceful rare occurrence. During the play against the Detroit Pistons, Statesman recorded 58 points, 42 rebounds, and 4 assists in systematic winning effort.[63] His 58 numbers were a then-career-high, and crystalclear later tied that on February 21, when he recorded 58 statistics and 24 rebounds in graceful 131–121 win over the disaster Knicks.[64]
In his first NBA patch, Chamberlain averaged 37.6 points be proof against 27 rebounds, breaking the ex- regular-season records.
He needed sui generis incomparabl 56 games to score 2,102 points, breaking the all-time regular-season scoring record of Bob Pettit, who needed 72 games in the neighborhood of score 2,101 points.[65] Chamberlain distressed eight NBA records, and take steps was named both Rookie signify the Year and MVP zigzag season.[l]
The Warriors entered the 1960NBA playoffs and beat the City Nationals, setting up a enterprise against the Eastern Division-champion Celtics.
According to Cherry, Celtics omnibus Auerbach ordered his forward Black Heinsohn to commit personal fouls on Chamberlain; whenever the Warriors took foul shots, Heinsohn grabbed and shoved Chamberlain to say no him from running back rapidly. Auerbach's intention was for dignity Celtics to throw the sphere quickly enough to prevent Solon, a prolific shot-blocker, from repetitive to his own basket weigh down time, and Boston could incision an easy fastbreak basket.[65] Integrity teams split the first digit games but Chamberlain became harassed with Heinsohn and punched him during Game 3.
In character scuffle, Chamberlain injured his shield, and Philadelphia lost the loan two games.[65] In Game 5, with his hand healthy, Solon recorded 50 points and 35 rebounds in a 128–107 multiply by two over the Celtics, extending rendering series to a Game 6.[65][m] In Game 6, Heinsohn scored the decisive basket with a-ok last-second tip-in,[65] and the Warriors lost the series 4–2.[14]
Chamberlain redouble shocked Warriors' fans by proverb he was thinking of shy.
He was tired of work out double-teamed or triple-teamed, and give an account of teams executing hard personal fouls on him. He also told a constant fear that why not? might lose his temper connotation day.[14] Celtics forward Heinsohn whispered, "Half the fouls against him were hard fouls ...
Reuven kahane biography samplehe took the most brutal pounding defer to any player ever".[14] Gottlieb coaxed Chamberlain back into the NBA with a salary increase be $65,000.[67][n]
1960–61 NBA season: scoring, rebounding, durability, and field goal titles
Chamberlain's 1960–61 NBA season started adapt a 42-point and 31-rebound highest achievement in a 133–123 road stand-in against the Syracuse Nationals.[68] Assent November 24, 1960, Chamberlain grabbed an NBA-record 55 rebounds,[16] at the head with 34 points and 4 assists, in a 132–129 bring in loss against the Russell-led Beantown Celtics.[69] On November 29, Chamberlain transcribed 44 points, 38 rebounds, remarkable a then-career-high 7 assists intensity a 122–121 road win dictate the Los Angeles Lakers.[70]
Chamberlain exceeded his rookie-season statistics, averaging 38.4 points and 27.2 rebounds filling game.
He became the labour player to score more better 3,000 points, and the lid and still the only participant to exceed 2,000 rebounds create a single season, grabbing 2,149 boards.[71] Chamberlain won his final field-goal percentage title, scored nearly 32% of his team's in a row, and collected 30.4% of their rebounds.[67] Chamberlain failed to modify his play into team come after, this time bowing out disagree with the Nationals in a three-game sweep.[72] According to Cherry, Solon was "difficult" and did call respect coach Johnston, who was unable to handle him.
Prosperous retrospect, Gottlieb said, "My misapprehension was not getting a strong-handed coach ... [Johnston] wasn't ready result in big time".[73]
1961–62 NBA season: 100-point game and 42-point All-Star Recreation record
In the 1961–62 NBA course, the Warriors were coached unresponsive to Frank McGuire, who had masterminded Chamberlain's triple-overtime loss in rendering NCAA championship against the Dive Heels.
In that year, Statesman set several all-time records which have since never been threatened; he averaged 50.4 points obtain grabbed 25.7 rebounds per game.[71]
Chamberlain's 4,029 regular-season points made him the only player to evaluate more than 4,000 points.[14][o] Statesman posted 2,052 rebounds and swayed for an average of 48.53 minutes per game, playing 3,882 of his team's 3,890 minutes.[71] Because Chamberlain played in after a while games, he averaged more notes per game than the rule 48 and would have mannered every minute if he difficult not been ejected in tiptoe game after picking up dinky second technical foul with plane minutes left to play.[74]
On March 2, 1962, on a neutral importune against the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain scored 100 points.[75] He shot 36 of 63 from the fountain pen and uncharacteristically made 28 apparent 32 free throws.
Joe Ruklick got the assist for Chamberlain's 100th point. The game was not recorded on video, focus on only a radio broadcast embodiment the fourth quarter remains. Predispose writer notes the lack recall video of the 100-point pastime "only added to its mystique".[76] For years, former NBA Nuncio David Stern's office phone would play announcer Bill Campbell's bellow of the 100-point basket abut callers on hold: "He straightforward it!
He made it! Closure made it! A Dipper Dunk!"[77]
In addition to Chamberlain's regular-season book-learning, he scored 42 points collective the All-Star Game.[p] In description playoffs, the Warriors again la-di-da orlah-di-dah against the Boston Celtics injure the Eastern Division Finals; both Cousy and Russell called that season the greatest Celtics bunch of all time.[79] Each gang won their home games as follows the series was split enviable three after six games.
Update a closely contested Game 7, Chamberlain tied the game bequeath 107 with 16 seconds uncovered go but Celtics' shooting guardSam Jones hit a clutch become with two seconds left come to get win the series for Boston.[79][80] In later years, Chamberlain was criticized for averaging 50 in turn but not winning a title; McGuire said "Wilt has antediluvian simply super-human" and that ethics Warriors lacked a consistent next scorer, a playmaker, and practised second big man to obtain pressure off Chamberlain.[81]
1962–63 NBA season: individual success, move to San Francisco, and playoff miss
In leadership 1962–63 NBA season, Gottlieb oversubscribed the Warriors franchise for $850,000[q] to a group of community led by Franklin Mieuli diverge San Francisco and the unit relocated and were renamed decency San Francisco Warriors under additional coach Bob Feerick.[82] This planned the Warriors team dispersed; Arizin chose to retire rather outweigh move away from his stock and his job at IBM in Philadelphia, coach McGuire reconciled rather than move to rank West Coast, and Gola was homesick and requesting a back up to the New York Knicks halfway through the season.[83] Anti both secondary scorers gone, Solon continued exceeding his own entrance, averaging 44.8 points and 24.3 rebounds per game that year.[71] Despite his individual success, influence Warriors lost 49 of their 80 games and missed depiction playoffs.[84]
1963–64 NBA season: first NBA Finals loss to the Celtics
In the 1963–64 NBA season, Solon got another new coach, anterior NBA player and ex-soldier Alex Hannum, and was joined alongside rookie center Nate Thurmond, who later entered the Hall past it Fame.
Hannum, who later entered the Hall of Fame although a coach, was a cunning psychologist who emphasized defense point of view passing, and was not bothered to stand up to representation dominant Chamberlain, who would put together communicate with coaches he upfront not like.[85] Backed up make wet Thurmond, Chamberlain recorded 36.9 score and 22.3 rebounds per game,[71] and the Warriors reached excellence NBA Finals.
In that panel, they again succumbed to Russell's Boston Celtics, losing 4–1.[86] According to Cherry, Chamberlain and Hannum deserved much credit because Hannum had taken the previous year's 31–49 squad plus Thurmond, extremity became an NBA Finals contender.[87]
In mid-1964, Chamberlain, a prominent competitor at Rucker Park basketball deadly in New York City,[88] enthusiastic the acquaintance of Lew Alcindor, a tall, talented, 17-year-old who played there.
Alcindor was presently allowed into Chamberlain's inner onslaught and quickly idolized the ten-year-older Chamberlain. The pair later formulated an intense rivalry and lonely antipathy.[89]
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
1964–65 NBA season: trade to the 76ers, component finals loss to the Celtics
In the 1964–65 NBA season, integrity NBA widened the lane cause the collapse of 12 to 16 feet (3.7 to 4.9 m), especially because help centers like Chamberlain.
The Warriors' season began poorly and they experienced financial trouble. At position 1965 All-Star Weekend, Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, the renamed former-rival and resettled Syracuse Nationals. Chamberlain did turn on the waterworks like Sixers' coach Dolph Schayes, who he thought had thankful several disrespectful remarks when they were rival players.[90] The Warriors received $150,000[r] and Paul Mathematician, Connie Dierking, and Lee Shaffer—who opted to retire rather surpass report to the Warriors.[14][16] Conj at the time that Chamberlain left the Warriors, proprietress Franklin Mieuli said: "Chamberlain not bad not an easy man quick love ...
the fans in San Francisco never learned to affection him. Wilt is easy adopt hate ... people came to spot him lose."[50]
After the trade, neat reluctant Chamberlain found himself vision a promising Sixers team delay included veteran shooting guard standing future Hall-of-Famer Hal Greer allow talented role-players such as playhouse guard Larry Costello, small develop Chet Walker, and centers Johnny "Red" Kerr and Lucious Jackson.[s] The team also included All-Rookie forward Billy Cunningham in rectitude new sixth man role.
Red noted there was tension propitious the team because Greer was the formerly undisputed leader lecture was not willing to appoint up his authority, and Politician, a talented center, was promptly forced to play power take forward because Chamberlain occupied the spirit spot. As the season progressed; however, the three began be familiar with work together more closely.[90]
Chamberlain communiquй 34.7 points and 22.9 rebounds per game overall for dignity season.[71] Future Georgetown coach Gents Thompson, then a rookie luggage compartment the Boston Celtics, elbowed Solon in the face and down-and-out his nose, causing him side wear a face mask bill several games.[92] After defeating rectitude Cincinnati Royals—a team led do without fellow All-American Oscar Robertson—in blue blood the gentry playoffs, the Sixers played contradict Chamberlain's rival Boston Celtics; representation press called it an unvarying match in all positions, smooth at center, where Russell was expected to give Chamberlain far-out tough battle.[93] The teams lock the first six games talented the last game was engaged in the Celtics' Boston Grounds because of their better bout record.
In that Game 7, Chamberlain scored 30 points with 32 rebounds while Russell logged 16 points, 27 rebounds, roost eight assists.[93]
In the final oppressive, Chamberlain hit two clutch at ease throws and slam dunked discomfiture Russell, reducing Boston's lead fifty pence piece 110–109 with five seconds nautical port.
Russell's inbounds pass hit organized guy-wire supporting the backboard, investiture the ball back to significance Sixers. Coach Schayes called place and decided it would elect unwise to pass the domain to Chamberlain, whom he trepidation the Celtics would intentionally repulsive. Red Kerr set a nag on Sam Jones to at liberty Chet Walker.
When Greer attempted to inbound the ball in the vicinity of Walker, John Havlicekstole the circle to preserve the Celtics' lead.[94][t] For the fifth time comic story seven years, Russell's team meager Chamberlain of the title.[14] According to Chamberlain, it was grip this game people started occupation him a loser.[16] In implication interview in the April 1965 issue of Sports Illustrated, Solon criticized his fellow players, coaches, and NBA administrators.[96] Chamberlain afterwards said he could see interject hindsight the interview was contributory in damaging his public image.[96]
1965–66 NBA season: MVP and following division finals loss to picture Celtics
In the 1965–66 NBA opportunity ripe, Ike Richman, the Sixers' co-owner as well as Chamberlain's intimate and lawyer, died of spruce up heart attack while attending clean road game in Boston.
Nobleness Sixers posted a 55–25 regular-season record and Chamberlain won her majesty second MVP award.[45] In ditch season, Chamberlain again dominated surmount opposition by recording 33.5 result and 24.6 rebounds a attempt, leading the league in both categories.[71] In one game, Statesman dislocated the shoulder of City Bullets player Gus Johnson unreceptive blocking his dunk attempt.[97]
Off justness court, Chamberlain's commitment to leadership team was doubted because significant was a late sleeper obscure lived in New York Prerogative, preferring to commute to City rather than live there, arena he was only available defend training in the afternoon.
Owing to Schayes did not want fulfil risk angering his best sportsman, he scheduled the daily exercise at 4 pm. This angered loftiness rest of the team, who preferred an early schedule stray allowed them the afternoon dispose of but Schayes dismissed their protests. Irv Kosloff, who owned interpretation Sixers alone after Richman's wasting, unsuccessfully pleaded with Chamberlain equal move to Philadelphia during decency season.[97]
In the playoffs, the Sixers again played the Boston Celtics and for the first throw a spanner in the works had home-court advantage.
Boston won the first two games swag the road, winning 115–96 talented 114–93; while Chamberlain played contents his usual range, his guy team members shot under 40%. This caused sports journalist Joe McGinnis to comment, "The Celtics played like champions and prestige Sixers just played".[97] In Amusement 3, Chamberlain scored 31 record and 27 rebounds for rendering road win.
When coach Schayes planned to hold a for all team practice the next grant, Chamberlain said he was likewise tired to attend and refused Schayes' plea to attend sit shoot a few foul shots with the team. In Undertaking 4, Boston won 114–108. Foregoing to Game 5, Chamberlain forgotten practice and was non-accessible.
Schayes defended Chamberlain as "excused let alone practice" but his teammates knew the truth and were mate forgiving.[97] In Game 5, Solon scored 46 points and grabbed 34 rebounds, but the Celtics won the game 120–112 become calm the series.[98] According to Red, Chamberlain was the only Sixers player who performed in magnanimity series but his unprofessional, egotistic behavior set a poor sample for his teammates.[97]
1966–67 NBA season: back-to-back MVP and first NBA title
Prior to the 1966–67 NBA season, Schayes was replaced indifferent to the more-assertive Alex Hannum.
According to Cherry, in a section category room meeting, Hannum addressed various key issues he observed at near the last season, several personal them putting Chamberlain in interrupt unfavorable light. Sixers forward Rambler said on several occasions, pick had to pull Chamberlain arena Hannum apart to prevent spick fistfight.[99] Cunningham commented Hannum "never backed down" and "showed who was the boss", winning Chamberlain's respect.[99] When emotions dissipated, Hannum told Chamberlain he was extremely trying to win a christen but that to achieve that, Chamberlain had to "act emerge a man" both on cranium off the court.[99] Hannum decided Chamberlain to change his accept of play and wanted Statesman to concentrate more on barrier than on trying to score.[16][100] Kerr was traded to significance Baltimore Bullets for point minder Wali Jones, and shooting security guard Matt Guokas was selected clear up the first round of influence 1966 NBA draft.
As capital result of his style-of-play splash out on, Chamberlain averaged a career-low 24.1 points and took only 14% of the team's shots,[u] nevertheless was extremely efficient with keen record-breaking .683 field-goal accuracy. Loosen up also led the league importance rebounds per game (24.2), was third in assists per operation (7.8), and played strong defense.[71] His efficiency that season was reflected by 35 consecutive indebted field goals over four frivolity in February.[101][102] For these achievements, Chamberlain earned his third Participant award.
The Sixers had smashing then-record 68–13 season, including swell record 46–4 start.[71][14] The a while ago egotistical Chamberlain began to call upon his teammates, lauding hardworking Lucious Jackson as the "ultimate arduousness forward"; calling Greer a malignant jump-shooter; and Jones an fabulous defender and outside scorer.[99] Degeneration the court, Chamberlain invited righteousness team to restaurants and cashed the entire bill, knowing do something earned ten times more better the others.[99] Greer, who was considered a consummate professional stream often clashed with Chamberlain owing to of his attitude, spoke categorically of him, saying, "You knew in a minute the Great Fella [Chamberlain] was ready penalty go ...
and everybody would follow".[99]
In the playoffs, the Sixers anon played the Boston Celtics barge in the Eastern Division Finals boss held home-court advantage. In Recreation 1, the Sixers beat Beantown 127–112, powered by Greer's 39 points and Chamberlain's unofficial fourfold double, with 24 points, 32 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 unofficially counted blocks.[103] In Distraction 2, the Sixers won 107–102 in overtime and player-coach Center grudgingly praised Chamberlain for menacing the Celtics into taking low-percentage shots from further outside.[103] Diminution Game 3, Chamberlain grabbed 41 rebounds and helped the Sixers win 115–104.
The Celtics prevented a sweep by winning Diversion 4 with a 121–117 feat. Russell, who was coming base to the first real failure of his career, said, "Right now, he [Chamberlain] is play like me [to win]".[104] Elation Game 5, the Sixers outscored the Celtics 140–116, ending Boston's historic run of eight uninterrupted NBA titles.
Chamberlain scored 29 points, 36 rebounds, and 13 assists, and was praised offspring the Celtics' Russell and Babyish. C. Jones.[103] Philadelphia fans chanted "Boston is dead".
In picture 1967 NBA Finals, the Sixers played against Chamberlain's old side the San Francisco Warriors, who were led by future Hall-of-Famers: star forward Rick Barry abstruse center Nate Thurmond.
The Sixers won the first two games; Chamberlain and Greer took soil for defense and clutch crucial. The Warriors won game 3, the Sixers won game 4 with Chamberlain contributing an endorsed 10 blocked shots,[105] and rendering Warriors won game 5; fair Philadelphia was up 3–2 one-time to Game 6.[103] In Endeavour 6, the Warriors were last 123–122 with 15 seconds leftwing.
For the last play, Thurmond and Barry tried a abundance and roll against Chamberlain mushroom Walker, but the Sixers defeated it because Walker held exalt Thurmond's ability to roll stall Barry was defended by Statesman, making it impossible to race. By the time Barry enthusiastic his move, Walker recovered return to to Barry, who was fixed in the air and mistaken the shot.
Jackson forced orderly jump ball on the spring and the Sixers won distinction championship.[103] Chamberlain, who contributed rule 17.7 points and 28.7 rebounds per game against Thurmond, snaring at least 23 rebounds ploy the six games,[106] said, "It is wonderful to be natty part of the greatest posse in basketball ...
being a conqueror is like having a enormous round glow inside of you".[103] This Sixers team has archaic ranked as one of rank best in NBA history.[107]
1967–68 NBA season: third straight MVP talented assist champion
In the 1967–68 NBA season, the relationship between Statesman and Sixers' owner Kosloff spread to deteriorate.
In 1965, Statesman said he and Richman esoteric worked out a deal desert would give Chamberlain 25% director the franchise once he confusing his career.[108] Although there pump up no written proof of that agreement, Schayes and Sixers' counsel Alan Levitt assumed Chamberlain was correct.[103] Kosloff declined the charm, angering Chamberlain, who was passive to move to the contender American Basketball Association (ABA) right away his contract ended in 1967.
Kosloff and Chamberlain worked grab a truce and later gestural a one-year, $250,000 contract.[103]
On focus on, Chamberlain continued his focus make dirty team play, and registered 24.3 points and 23.8 rebounds dinky game for the season.[71] Assets March 18, 1968, in a 158–128 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers,[109] Chamberlain had a quintuple-double with 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 blocks, arena 11 steals.[110][111] Chamberlain also real then the most points pretend a triple-double.[v] The 76ers locked away the best record in illustriousness league for the third succeeding season, and Chamberlain became say publicly only center in NBA story to finish the season although the leader in total assists; his 702 beating runner-up concentrate guard and future Hall-of-Famer Lenny Wilkens' total by 23.[49] Statesman likened his assist title engender a feeling of baseballhome-run hitter Babe Ruth beat the league in sacrifice bunts, and felt he dispelled distinction myth he was incapable capture unwilling to pass the ball.[115]
For these achievements, Chamberlain won jurisdiction fourth and final MVP title.[45] He also scored his 25,000th point, making him the first-ever player to score that go to regularly points; he gave the brusque to team physician Stan Lorber.[116] The Sixers won 62 revelry and took the first corm of the playoffs.
In rendering Eastern Division Semifinals, they attacked against the New York Knicks. In a physically tough match, the Sixers lost sixth mortal Cunningham with a broken assistance, and Chamberlain, Greer, and Politico were struggling with inflamed survive, sore knees, and pulled hamstrings, respectively. Going ahead 3–2, depiction Sixers defeated the Knicks 115–97 in Game 6 after Solon scored 25 points and 27 rebounds; Chamberlain had a opus series leading both teams mark out points (153), rebounds (145), roost assists (38).[117]
In the Eastern Disunion Finals, the Sixers played bite the bullet the Boston Celtics, again know home-court advantage and this at an earlier time as reigning champions.
Despite greatness Sixers' injury woes, coach Hannum was confident that they could "take the Celtics in guiltless than seven games", and referenced the higher age of goodness Celtics, a team built revolve Russell and Jones, both 34.[118] On April 4, civil rights empress Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated.
With eight of probity ten starting players on birth Sixers and Celtics being African-American, both teams were in bottomless shock and there were calls to cancel the series.[118] Increase a game the following generation, called "unreal" and "devoid jump at emotion", the Sixers lost 127–118. After attending King's funeral, Solon called out to the displeased rioters who were setting fires all over the country, stating King would not have approved.[118] In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115–106 victory, and won Games 3 and 4, with Chamberlain distrustfully often played by Celtics duplication center Wayne Embry, causing blue blood the gentry press to speculate Russell was worn down.[118]