Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:47 am Post subject: LBJ/Wilt Comparison When They Joined the Lakers
He joined the Lakers at the ripe age of 32 (after nearly 9 years with other teams). He averaged close to 46-47mpg during that time period. He played 5 more seasons with the Lakers until age 36. During that time, he accumulated some still-monster stats:
19.3ppg
19 rpg
44mpg
He was injured in 69-70 and only played 12 games, but the other 4 seasons: 81, 82, 82, and 82 games.
Basketball Reference unfortunately did not have the elusive WBPN stat (Women Bedded Per Night), but that probably increased when he joined the Lakers.
This brings an interesting parallel IMO to LBJ and the Lakers. I can see him being one of the few players to maintain a still-elite level from age 33-35 (years he would likely be under contract with the Lakers). With modern training and advanced science, he can stay healthier longer. Plus, he would theoretically have another max players and a core of younger players who can help carry the load.
Was just fascinating when i took a minute to look at what Wilt achieved at his later age. The sheer minutes per game and number of games played, while still putting up some crazy numbers is amazing even today. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Last edited by yinoma2001 on Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:32 am; edited 1 time in total
Why is Wilt not in the convo for GOAT again, it's always MJ or Kareem only
Probably b/c of Bill Russell. Without him, maybe Wilt has 5-6 rings and the "count the rings" analysis skews in his favor. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 29999 Location: Likely nowhere near you
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:58 am Post subject:
governator wrote:
Why is Wilt not in the convo for GOAT again, it's always MJ or Kareem only
And Magic is in there as well.
I think it is his drive, his style of play, and how driven he was. How many championships did he have to show for his immense talent? He played with the game, leading the league in assists even though it was a detriment to the team and winning. _________________ Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.'
I think the GOAT discussion in a few years will be MJ (top). Then you have KAJ/LBJ/Magic/Russell that typically round out that discussion. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
But I would venture folks probably felt a bit about the great Wilt when he was traded here at the time. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Why is Wilt not in the convo for GOAT again, it's always MJ or Kareem only
Two reasons:
(1) He only has two rings.
(2) People aren't sure how much of his superhuman stats are due to his era, so they don't know how to compare him to players from later eras.
He's a reasonable choice for GOAT. But it's fairly rare I ever hear anyone say that he's the GOAT in their eyes.
Why is Wilt not in the convo for GOAT again, it's always MJ or Kareem only
Two reasons:
(1) He only has two rings.
(2) People aren't sure how much of his superhuman stats are due to his era, so they don't know how to compare him to players from later eras.
He's a reasonable choice for GOAT. But it's fairly rare I ever hear anyone say that he's the GOAT in their eyes.
More to the point, Wilt IS in the conversation for GOAT. There are a few who argue for him as the GOAT. But he is up against stiff competition.
A couple other factors:
The consensus opinion among contemporaries was that Russell was the greater player. Whether that is accurate is up for debate, but it's hard to be viewed as the GOAT when you were not viewed as the greatest of your own era.
If you take some of the sixties zealots seriously, then the top ten players of all time include Wilt, Russell, Oscar, and maybe Elgin and Jerry. This was during a time when the NBA resembled MLS more than it does the modern NBA. There is something wrong with that picture.
What do folks think about the parallel b/w age 32-36 Wilt and possibly age 33-35 LBJ? Could LBJ still be productive?
I know Wilt slowed down towards the end, and started being more of a passer/defender as opposed to scorer, but he still played nearly 44mpg and except 1 year, nearly every game. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
I've heard some old Laker fans say they would go to the games and count his blocks at 20 (no such stat in his time).
I'm old enough to have watched Wilt - although only on TV
Wilt would often get 2 (or sometimes 3) blocks on the same possession. It happened so frequently that it was almost commonplace. _________________ LBJ + AD = More rings
Never argue with a fool - listeners can't tell you apart
Wilt's unstoppable fadeaway: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O9MgNfcGJA
NPZ's Magic Johnson mix: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Qbo0WqvOI
I've heard some old Laker fans say they would go to the games and count his blocks at 20 (no such stat in his time).
I'm old enough to have watched Wilt - although only on TV
Wilt would often get 2 (or sometimes 3) blocks on the same possession. It happened so frequently that it was almost commonplace.
waas it just Wilt or common occurances with other centers and Wilt was just the best on?
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144474 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:25 pm Post subject:
governator wrote:
P.K. wrote:
greenfrog wrote:
I've heard some old Laker fans say they would go to the games and count his blocks at 20 (no such stat in his time).
I'm old enough to have watched Wilt - although only on TV
Wilt would often get 2 (or sometimes 3) blocks on the same possession. It happened so frequently that it was almost commonplace.
waas it just Wilt or common occurances with other centers and Wilt was just the best on?
Russell was a great shot blocker too. Wilt was a great athlete and a track star. My favorite Wilt story is when the media gave him a hard time for scoring so much. He came out the next season and led the league in assists. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I've heard some old Laker fans say they would go to the games and count his blocks at 20 (no such stat in his time).
I'm old enough to have watched Wilt - although only on TV
Wilt would often get 2 (or sometimes 3) blocks on the same possession. It happened so frequently that it was almost commonplace.
waas it just Wilt or common occurances with other centers and Wilt was just the best on?
Russell was a great shot blocker too. Wilt was a great athlete and a track star. My favorite Wilt story is when the media gave him a hard time for scoring so much. He came out the next season and led the league in assists.
The reason Wilt has dropped from the GOAT discussion is because all the writers from his era are dead. The new media guys, have never seen him play. Not counting ESPN who thinks the NBA started when MJ played. _________________ Laker historian.
What do folks think about the parallel b/w age 32-36 Wilt and possibly age 33-35 LBJ? Could LBJ still be productive?
1. If Lebron stayed healthy, maybe so. But that is a huge if. Just ask Kobe.
2. As of right now, Lebron has played 1061 games and 41,272 minutes in the regular season, plus another 217 games and 9127 minutes in the playoffs. At the same age, Wilt had played about 787 games and about 36,000 minutes in the regular season, plus another 98 games and about 4600 minutes in the playoffs. While there is no proven linear relationship between games/minutes played and long-term durability, you have to wonder whether the mileage will take its toll.
What do folks think about the parallel b/w age 32-36 Wilt and possibly age 33-35 LBJ? Could LBJ still be productive?
1. If Lebron stayed healthy, maybe so. But that is a huge if. Just ask Kobe.
2. As of right now, Lebron has played 1061 games and 41,272 minutes in the regular season, plus another 217 games and 9127 minutes in the playoffs. At the same age, Wilt had played about 787 games and about 36,000 minutes in the regular season, plus another 98 games and about 4600 minutes in the playoffs. While there is no proven linear relationship between games/minutes played and long-term durability, you have to wonder whether the mileage will take its toll.
Good points. Who knows maybe modern day training and medicine can prolong his career. We didnt think Kobe would break down either and all it took was the Achilles. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
I've heard some old Laker fans say they would go to the games and count his blocks at 20 (no such stat in his time).
I'm old enough to have watched Wilt - although only on TV
Wilt would often get 2 (or sometimes 3) blocks on the same possession. It happened so frequently that it was almost commonplace.
waas it just Wilt or common occurances with other centers and Wilt was just the best on?
Russell was a great shot blocker too. Wilt was a great athlete and a track star. My favorite Wilt story is when the media gave him a hard time for scoring so much. He came out the next season and led the league in assists.
He averaged 50 for a season and scored 100 in a game.
He was so much better than the guys he was playing against that I think it would be fair to argue he didn't max his athletic advantage.
Yet average 50 in a season and then lead the league in assists in another season as mentioned above.
With today's training and the right situation? The Big Dipper was for real, I know that.
All that said, I still don't have him as #1 of All Time.
If you break it down by best Center, best Forward, best Guard of all time...then it becomes a lot more interesting to me because it is hard to compare say Wilt to Jordan just based on their positions. Like Kobe to Kareem, who is better? Hard to say as they played completely different positions. _________________ Love, Laker Lanny
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