Brian Bahr/Allsport
Center: Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain’s video-game-like dominance over the NBA was completely comical. In 1973, the Big Dipper completed his 14-year career with an unreal 30-point/22-rebound/4-assist per game average. As an offensive force, the 7-foot-1 Chamberlain led the league in scoring during his first seven NBA seasons. Chamberlain’s multiple scoring crowns included his signature 100-point game, during which he abused the 1961-1962 New York Knicks in every way possible in Hershey, Pennsylvania. That year, Chamberlain averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds per game for the regular season. Stung by early criticism of operating as a selfish black hole in the paint, Chamberlain was to further develop his playmaking talents as he matured. Remarkably, Chamberlain actually led the NBA in assists as a 31-year-old center, with 702 total dimes.
However, some say that Chamberlain was more concerned with accumulating statistics than he was with winning titles. Many historians casually categorize Chamberlain’s body of work as the antithesis of his bitter rival Bill Russell. Through moxie, hustle, and determination, it is often noted that the selfless Russell took home 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. Chamberlain, of course, performed in Philadelphia and Los Angeles without the benefits of Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, or Sam Jones as teammates.
Chamberlain did bring home two titles for the 76ers and Lakers, in 1967 and 1972, respectively. In 1972, Chamberlain claimed Finals MVP honors as an elder statesman who proved to be the missing link for the championship dreams of Gail Goodrich and “The Logo,” Jerry West.