Wilt's 100 point game vs Ohtani's 3 HR, 10 K, 0 runs allowed game

[Wolveswin]

Sorry, but there is just no logical argument for voting for Wilt. And I loved Wilt, even saw him play live. It's not just that Ohtani did something no one has done before, it's that he did something that should not be possible. I'm hoping to see it again in the WS (and I won't be that surprised if it happens.)

I think they're similar athletes in this regard. The 100 point game is just the start of it. Putting up 50/25 in a year when the next best scorer was around 30 was pretty wild. 40/40 games. 55 rebounds. Ohtani's got his 50/50 season. Just otherworldly stuff where they're just performing at a completely different level than their competition.

That last word is where Wilt’s accomplishments break down quickly.

[jokeboy86]

It's Ohtani. It's not hyperbole to say that Ohtani has been the best athlete in American sports since 2021. This is the most impressive thing to me since Bo Jackson in 89

[Fencer reregistered]

I'd have to look it up, but there can't have been very many pitchers that won the game by themselves basically.

There was this though: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196607030.shtml
The pitcher had 9 RBIs, two grand slams, while pitching a complete game.

Interesting tidbit about that game, two of the Alou brothers were batting leadoff (on opposing teams of course) that game. Another thing that can't have happened very often.

Without clicking on that link, I presume it's the Tony Cloninger game.

I can think of nothing else to approach that, but I did once attend a 1-0 Dodger win in which Don Drysdale batted in the only run.

He may have done that more than once.

But it would have been via an ordinary base hit, not a homer.

[Devin 1L]

As someone who doesn't watch nor care about baseball, for those of you fluent in both baseball and basketball, forget all the Wilt talk for a minute -- what would be a modern NBA equivalent of this?

Like, it's NBA playoffs today, and someone puts up XYZ in ABC manner... what would that look like? Feel free to use a real person example, or just hypothetical player.

[Rust_Cohle]

The better comp is LBJ game 6

Nahhhhh, there is no comparison. Last night was the most historic player performance in baseball history.

Seriously, comparing Game 6 to Ohtani is beyond ridiculous.

[xdrta+]

Sorry, but there is just no logical argument for voting for Wilt. And I loved Wilt, even saw him play live. It's not just that Ohtani did something no one has done before, it's that he did something that should not be possible. I'm hoping to see it again in the WS (and I won't be that surprised if it happens.)

I think they're similar athletes in this regard. The 100 point game is just the start of it. Putting up 50/25 in a year when the next best scorer was around 30 was pretty wild. 40/40 games. 55 rebounds. Ohtani's got his 50/50 season. Just otherworldly stuff where they're just performing at a completely different level than their competition.

I already said I'm a big fan of Wilt. But this question was about one specific stat, not their entire careers.

[Optms]

Bruh.

This man is doing stuff that should not be possible. Its like he was dropped from a different era entirely and no one else can even replicate it due to it simply not being possible. Kind of like someone averaging 55 ppg in this era.

Yep. On one hand, you would think that Ohtani reshaping whats possible, would inspire more prospects to try being 2-way players. But so far nobody has been able to do it at the pro level to even being mediocre, let alone a star in both aspects.

Pitchers aren't even allowed to pitch deep into games anymore, forget about them hitting. Its what makes it even crazier that he's doing it in the modern era that discourages pitchers doing anything more than pitching 5 to 6 innings.

A player like this could only have been developed in Japan. Where they don't care about preserving players like they do in the US.

[Jasen777]

As someone who doesn't watch nor care about baseball, for those of you fluent in both baseball and basketball, forget all the Wilt talk for a minute -- what would be a modern NBA equivalent of this?

Like, it's NBA playoffs today, and someone puts up XYZ in ABC manner... what would that look like? Feel free to use a real person example, or just hypothetical player.

It's not really possible against anything like comparable talent in basketball, pitcher is too important on defense. 10 k's means he got 10 outs without any help, that's like a defender solo pressing and getting a steal on 37% of opponent possessions (a majority of the batters he faced himself). Also got 8 other batters out, many of which would have required only routine fielding plays by his teammates. Then of course his homers tripled the other teams score.

[Iwasawitness]

Those voting for Wilt are curmudgeon old farts.

Wilt played against plumbers and auto mechanics. We all know that wasn’t true - but what it represents is sure true. Professional basketball wasn’t a worldly game, didn’t attract the very best of the best as it does today.

MLB today is worldly and attracts the best of the best. A 3HR game many would say one of the best playoff games ever. Judge would be talked about for months having 3HR (for example - you know the American League MVP).

A pitcher striking out 10 in 6 scoreless would be on sports center for days discussing such a performance by a dedicated pitcher only.

One human being did both today. Against the best competition in the world.

Dumbest post of the century. Congratz.

Huh? Everything he said was correct.

[LakersLegacy]

3 home runs
10 strikeouts
3 hits allowed
0 runs allowed

Watch on YouTube

I can’t find the video for Wilt 100

[Lalouie]

many posters are missing the point. OHTANI DID/IS DOING TWO VASTLY DIFFERENT THINGS at an elite level in the same game

lay aside the impact of the moment and the elite level of performance. this was just the one game at an important moment.

ohtani is on the playing field doing TWO different things, and going forward he will be doing this often thru any given season, prolly 20-40 games a season. and this ain't no one-off

[druggas]

Those voting for Wilt are curmudgeon old farts.

Wilt played against plumbers and auto mechanics. We all know that wasn’t true - but what it represents is sure true. Professional basketball wasn’t a worldly game, didn’t attract the very best of the best as it does today.

MLB today is worldly and attracts the best of the best. A 3HR game many would say one of the best playoff games ever. Judge would be talked about for months having 3HR (for example - you know the American League MVP).

A pitcher striking out 10 in 6 scoreless would be on sports center for days discussing such a performance by a dedicated pitcher only.

One human being did both today. Against the best competition in the world.

Dumbest post of the century. Congratz.

Huh? Everything he said was correct.

Another dumb post.

[Wolveswin]

Dumbest post of the century. Congratz.

Huh? Everything he said was correct.

Another dumb post.

But yet you are the one not saying why. You can’t even answer my question.

Maybe you need to find another hobby.

[runtmc]

First, it's selling short what Wilt did by reducing it to just "100 points".

It was 100 points, 25 rebounds, played all 48 minutes, shot 28/32 from FT, 36/63 from the field, and destroyed the opposing center, who only put up 7pts and 6reb on 3/7 FG before fouling out. He nearly fouled out the entire team in fact -- 5 players on the Knicks had 5 or more fouls. It was an utterly dominant performance all around -- again, while playing all 48 minutes.

When comparing Ohtani and Wilt, the thing is you are comparing two completely different things. Ohtani wasnt displaying utter dominance the way Wilt was, Ohtani was displaying versatility at a level never before seen. We've seen 3HR games before, and there have been much more dominant hitting performances. We've seen 6IP 10K 0run games before, and there's been much more dominant pitching performances. We've never seen both from the same player -- that's what is interesting about Ohtani. He's not the best hitter in the game, he's not the best pitcher in the game, but he's doing both at an elite level in a way that's never been done before.

An apples to apples comparison would be something like a 5-6HR game, or a 12-14RBI game, or a 21-24K game, something like that -- where its singular dominance at a level that is above and beyond any other game in that category.

In other words, would you rather have elite pitching and elite hitting combined with singularly unique versatility, vs elite defense, elite rebounding, elite stamina/longevity, combined with singularly unique dominance in scoring?

Effectively, if Wilt's 100 point, 25reb game, where he destroys the person he's playing against and plays all 48 minutes and carries his team to a victory isnt a good enough performance to say it tops Ohtani's -- what would a basketball player have to do to top Ohtani's performance? Im not sure a basketball player could possibly display the same versatility Ohtani showed, so is it even really a fair question/comparison?

For my money, I dont think Wilt's game can ever be topped by a basketball player. Other than Wilt, there have only been 9 players in NBA history with even a 70 point game, and 1 with an 80 point game. Kobe's 81 is celebrated, but its nuts to think okay, but now you need to do 25% more than what Kobe did to *tie* Wilt. And then throw in 25 rebounds, destroy your personal matchup, and play all 48 minutes on top of it. Its an insane performance that shows utter domination.

I do think its possible for someone to replicate Ohtani's performance some day. Get another two-way guy, and have them have a great day pitching and hitting. I dont think its possible to replicate Wilt's.

And again, I would ask, if not Wilt's game, then what would a basketball player have to do to top Ohtani? I just dont think its possible for a basketball player to have that same sort of versatility/overall athleticism to make an apples to apples comparison.

My two cents.

[Wolveswin]

First, it's selling short what Wilt did by reducing it to just "100 points".

It was 100 points, 25 rebounds, played all 48 minutes, shot 28/32 from FT, 36/63 from the field, and destroyed the opposing center, who only put up 7pts and 6reb on 3/7 FG before fouling out. He nearly fouled out the entire team in fact -- 5 players on the Knicks had 5 or more fouls. It was an utterly dominant performance all around -- again, while playing all 48 minutes.

When comparing Ohtani and Wilt, the thing is you are comparing two completely different things. Ohtani wasnt displaying utter dominance the way Wilt was, Ohtani was displaying versatility at a level never before seen. We've seen 3HR games before, and there have been much more dominant hitting performances. We've seen 6IP 10K 0run games before, and there's been much more dominant pitching performances. We've never seen both from the same player -- that's what is interesting about Ohtani. He's not the best hitter in the game, he's not the best pitcher in the game, but he's doing both at an elite level in a way that's never been done before.

An apples to apples comparison would be something like a 5-6HR game, or a 12-14RBI game, or a 21-24K game, something like that -- where its singular dominance at a level that is above and beyond any other game in that category.

In other words, would you rather have elite pitching and elite hitting combined with singularly unique versatility, vs elite defense, elite rebounding, elite stamina/longevity, combined with singularly unique dominance in scoring?

Effectively, if Wilt's 100 point, 25reb game, where he destroys the person he's playing against and plays all 48 minutes and carries his team to a victory isnt a good enough performance to say it tops Ohtani's -- what would a basketball player have to do to top Ohtani's performance? Im not sure a basketball player could possibly display the same versatility Ohtani showed, so is it even really a fair question/comparison?

For my money, I dont think Wilt's game can ever be topped by a basketball player. Other than Wilt, there have only been 9 players in NBA history with even a 70 point game, and 1 with an 80 point game. Kobe's 81 is celebrated, but its nuts to think okay, but now you need to do 25% more than what Kobe did to *tie* Wilt. And then throw in 25 rebounds, destroy your personal matchup, and play all 48 minutes on top of it. Its an insane performance that shows utter domination.

I do think its possible for someone to replicate Ohtani's performance some day. Get another two-way guy, and have them have a great day pitching and hitting. I dont think its possible to replicate Wilt's.

And again, I would ask, if not Wilt's game, then what would a basketball player have to do to top Ohtani? I just dont think its possible for a basketball player to have that same sort of versatility/overall athleticism to make an apples to apples comparison.

My two cents.

You seem like maybe you can have a level Headed conversation about Wilt.

How do you explain Wilts lack of competition? See my post above - summarized - even if we make the big leap that Wilts American born player talent level is same as today’s American born player talent level - today’s NBA (and MLB) has 125+ foreign players which increases the talent pool tremendously. The game today is worldly, stocked full of talent that really diminishes Wilt’s (and Babe Ruth too in MLB) production during his time.

[druggas]

Huh? Everything he said was correct.

Another dumb post.

But yet you are the one not saying why. You can’t even answer my question.

Maybe you need to find another hobby.

It's not my job to educate you. You obviously have access to the internet, do some research before you make an ignorant post.

[runtmc]

You seem like maybe you can have a level Headed conversation about Wilt.

How do you explain Wilts lack of competition? See my post above - summarized - even if we make the big leap that Wilts American born player talent level is same as today’s American born player talent level - today’s NBA (and MLB) has 125+ foreign players which increases the talent pool tremendously. The game today is worldly, stocked full of talent that really diminishes Wilt’s (and Babe Ruth too in MLB) production during his time.

I mean, at the end of the day, you can only play against the people/teams that you play against. Wilt doesnt have control over that. Its like saying a team should have an asterisk on their ring if the other team had injuries during their run or something. You can only play the players/teams put in front of you.

Beyond that, people like to make a big deal about the small size of the league/talent pool, but realize that goes both ways. Yes, there werent as many teams. And yes, some of the guys on the bottom rungs wouldnt play in today's NBA. On the other hand, because of the small size of the league, you ended up playing the elite guys *way* more often too. Wilt played Russell 12 times in the regular season in 61-62 for example -- thats 1 in every 6.5 games basically.

An abbreviated list of some of the big men Wilt played vs: Russell, Walt Bellamy, Bob Pettit, Red Kerr, Dolph Schayes, Jerry Lucas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Connie Hawkins, Kareem, Dave Cowens, Willis Reed, Spencer Haywood, Elvin Hayes, and more. And those are just the HOFers.

Like say you graded every player 1-10. Wilt might play some of his games against guys that are 5's, whereas a modern player plays all of his games against a 7-8 or better. But Wilt also played more games against guys that were 10s than a modern player has to. And just as an example, the modern height of today's NBA is about the same as it was when Wilt played -- it was about 6'6 when he played, it's 6'7 today. Average height of a center was 6'10 when he played, today it's 6'11. He wasnt playing against 6'4 centers or something, and its not remotely comparable to Babe Ruth, who was playing in a genuinely different game against guys that werent modern athletes. Nobody threw 90 in Ruths day, let alone 100.

Also, people like to say Wilt's numbers were padded because of era, or pace of play, or lack of competition, and wouldnt have translated. His rebounding is the thing most often cited for this, because he simply owns all the records for rebounding. Whereas other than 62/63, his scoring isnt quite *so* out-of-reach or insane seeming. We've had ~35ppg scoring seasons from guys like Jordan, Kobe, etc. We've never really seen anyone else come close to touching Wilt's rebounding, other than Russell.

But take Kareem for example, generally considered one of the GOAT candidates, played against Magic/Bird, Jordan, etc -- well into the "modern" NBA. Kareem never once had a season with a higher rebounding average than Wilt. Wilt, at 36, was still out-rebounding an in his prime 25 year old Kareem. And Wilt finished 4th in MVP voting that year while playing 43mpg at 36 years old -- while they were in the league together at the same time. By the time Kareem was 36, he was playing 32mpg and averaging 7rpg. Wilt averaged 43mpg and 18rpg at 36.

If Kareem played against the modern NBA and is considered a GOAT candidate, and a washed up 36 year old Wilt was still outrebounding him, still playing more minutes -- can you really say Wilt's rebounding stats were padded, or just a result of lack of competition, or pace of play?

I think people get way too caught up in trying to discredit Wilt's competition, personally. Its not like he played in the 40s or 50s when the game was unrecognizable, by the 60s/70s, it was more or less the modern game, along with modern-level athletes. Not quite the same depth, but the elite guys were every bit as good as the elite guys today.

Also, while people love to take away or discredit Wilt for things he had no control over, they dont give him nearly enough credit for putting up with stuff he had to put up with that no modern player would ever dream of having to go through. Playing as many minutes as he did, playing every game and basically never being injured at his size, or the type of hurdles he had to overcome.

When Wilt played, he was playing in Converse, and there was no such thing as personal chefs, or private planes, personal trainers.. even weight training wasnt really a thing. They rode on buses to their games. Wilt famously loved to eat and drink all sorts of crazy stuff -- tons of beer and fried chicken. Yet somehow, despite being 7'1, was basically only injured once in his career but otherwise played basically every game and had otherworldly stamina. His minutes played records will *never* be broken.

Beyond that though, remember that Wilt literally wasnt allowed to eat at some restaurants or stay at some hotels when he came into the league. Segregation was still legal. Can you imagine the pressure on Wilt, being the most famous black athlete in the world? While constantly being compared to the "perfect" black player/teammate in Russell? What that had to do to him mentally? No matter how much he tried, or what he did, it was always something he was doing wasnt good enough. Even though he won 2 rings and 4 MVPs, its yeah, but he didnt win more, so he's a "loser". Probably no player in history is as unfairly viewed as Wilt.

[Wolveswin]

Another dumb post.

But yet you are the one not saying why. You can’t even answer my question.

Maybe you need to find another hobby.

It's not my job to educate you. You obviously have access to the internet, do some research before you make an ignorant post.

Research on what? I provided you research and you can’t even respond. I educated you - but you are still ignorant.

[Wolveswin]

You seem like maybe you can have a level Headed conversation about Wilt.

How do you explain Wilts lack of competition? See my post above - summarized - even if we make the big leap that Wilts American born player talent level is same as today’s American born player talent level - today’s NBA (and MLB) has 125+ foreign players which increases the talent pool tremendously. The game today is worldly, stocked full of talent that really diminishes Wilt’s (and Babe Ruth too in MLB) production during his time.

I mean, at the end of the day, you can only play against the people/teams that you play against. Wilt doesnt have control over that. Its like saying a team should have an asterisk on their ring if the other team had injuries during their run or something. You can only play the players/teams put in front of you.

Beyond that, people like to make a big deal about the small size of the league/talent pool, but realize that goes both ways. Yes, there werent as many teams. And yes, some of the guys on the bottom rungs wouldnt play in today's NBA. On the other hand, because of the small size of the league, you ended up playing the elite guys *way* more often too. Wilt played Russell 12 times in the regular season in 61-62 for example -- thats 1 in every 6.5 games basically.

An abbreviated list of some of the big men Wilt played vs: Russell, Walt Bellamy, Bob Pettit, Red Kerr, Dolph Schayes, Jerry Lucas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Connie Hawkins, Kareem, Dave Cowens, Willis Reed, Spencer Haywood, Elvin Hayes, and more. And those are just the HOFers.

Like say you graded every player 1-10. Wilt might play some of his games against guys that are 5's, whereas a modern player plays all of his games against a 7-8 or better. But Wilt also played more games against guys that were 10s than a modern player has to. And just as an example, the modern height of today's NBA is about the same as it was when Wilt played -- it was about 6'6 when he played, it's 6'7 today. Average height of a center was 6'10 when he played, today it's 6'11. He wasnt playing against 6'4 centers or something, and its not remotely comparable to Babe Ruth, who was playing in a genuinely different game against guys that werent modern athletes. Nobody threw 90 in Ruths day, let alone 100.

Also, people like to say Wilt's numbers were padded because of era, or pace of play, or lack of competition, and wouldnt have translated. His rebounding is the thing most often cited for this, because he simply owns all the records for rebounding. Whereas other than 62/63, his scoring isnt quite *so* out-of-reach or insane seeming. We've had ~35ppg scoring seasons from guys like Jordan, Kobe, etc. We've never really seen anyone else come close to touching Wilt's rebounding, other than Russell.

But take Kareem for example, generally considered one of the GOAT candidates, played against Magic/Bird, Jordan, etc -- well into the "modern" NBA. Kareem never once had a season with a higher rebounding average than Wilt. Wilt, at 36, was still out-rebounding an in his prime 25 year old Kareem. And Wilt finished 4th in MVP voting that year while playing 43mpg at 36 years old -- while they were in the league together at the same time. By the time Kareem was 36, he was playing 32mpg and averaging 7rpg. Wilt averaged 43mpg and 18rpg at 36.

If Kareem played against the modern NBA and is considered a GOAT candidate, and a washed up 36 year old Wilt was still outrebounding him, still playing more minutes -- can you really say Wilt's rebounding stats were padded, or just a result of lack of competition, or pace of play?

I think people get way too caught up in trying to discredit Wilt's competition, personally. Its not like he played in the 40s or 50s when the game was unrecognizable, by the 60s/70s, it was more or less the modern game, along with modern-level athletes. Not quite the same depth, but the elite guys were every bit as good as the elite guys today.

Also, while people love to take away or discredit Wilt for things he had no control over, they dont give him nearly enough credit for putting up with stuff he had to put up with that no modern player would ever dream of having to go through. Playing as many minutes as he did, playing every game and basically never being injured at his size, or the type of hurdles he had to overcome.

When Wilt played, he was playing in Converse, and there was no such thing as personal chefs, or private planes, personal trainers.. even weight training wasnt really a thing. They rode on buses to their games. Wilt famously loved to eat and drink all sorts of crazy stuff -- tons of beer and fried chicken. Yet somehow, despite being 7'1, was basically only injured once in his career but otherwise played basically every game and had otherworldly stamina. His minutes played records will *never* be broken.

Beyond that though, remember that Wilt literally wasnt allowed to eat at some restaurants or stay at some hotels when he came into the league. Segregation was still legal. Can you imagine the pressure on Wilt, being the most famous black athlete in the world? While constantly being compared to the "perfect" black player/teammate in Russell? What that had to do to him mentally? No matter how much he tried, or what he did, it was always something he was doing wasnt good enough. Even though he won 2 rings and 4 MVPs, its yeah, but he didnt win more, so he's a "loser". Probably no player in history is as unfairly viewed as Wilt.

Thank you for the level headed response.

I think the top end of Wilts era was amazing. Just as much wow and pure athleticism as today. Including Wilt.

But Wilt’s numbers are highly inflated due to lack of competition.

[druggas]

You seem like maybe you can have a level Headed conversation about Wilt.

How do you explain Wilts lack of competition? See my post above - summarized - even if we make the big leap that Wilts American born player talent level is same as today’s American born player talent level - today’s NBA (and MLB) has 125+ foreign players which increases the talent pool tremendously. The game today is worldly, stocked full of talent that really diminishes Wilt’s (and Babe Ruth too in MLB) production during his time.

I mean, at the end of the day, you can only play against the people/teams that you play against. Wilt doesnt have control over that. Its like saying a team should have an asterisk on their ring if the other team had injuries during their run or something. You can only play the players/teams put in front of you.

Beyond that, people like to make a big deal about the small size of the league/talent pool, but realize that goes both ways. Yes, there werent as many teams. And yes, some of the guys on the bottom rungs wouldnt play in today's NBA. On the other hand, because of the small size of the league, you ended up playing the elite guys *way* more often too. Wilt played Russell 12 times in the regular season in 61-62 for example -- thats 1 in every 6.5 games basically.

An abbreviated list of some of the big men Wilt played vs: Russell, Walt Bellamy, Bob Pettit, Red Kerr, Dolph Schayes, Jerry Lucas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Connie Hawkins, Kareem, Dave Cowens, Willis Reed, Spencer Haywood, Elvin Hayes, and more. And those are just the HOFers.

Like say you graded every player 1-10. Wilt might play some of his games against guys that are 5's, whereas a modern player plays all of his games against a 7-8 or better. But Wilt also played more games against guys that were 10s than a modern player has to. And just as an example, the modern height of today's NBA is about the same as it was when Wilt played -- it was about 6'6 when he played, it's 6'7 today. Average height of a center was 6'10 when he played, today it's 6'11. He wasnt playing against 6'4 centers or something, and its not remotely comparable to Babe Ruth, who was playing in a genuinely different game against guys that werent modern athletes. Nobody threw 90 in Ruths day, let alone 100.

Also, people like to say Wilt's numbers were padded because of era, or pace of play, or lack of competition, and wouldnt have translated. His rebounding is the thing most often cited for this, because he simply owns all the records for rebounding. Whereas other than 62/63, his scoring isnt quite *so* out-of-reach or insane seeming. We've had ~35ppg scoring seasons from guys like Jordan, Kobe, etc. We've never really seen anyone else come close to touching Wilt's rebounding, other than Russell.

But take Kareem for example, generally considered one of the GOAT candidates, played against Magic/Bird, Jordan, etc -- well into the "modern" NBA. Kareem never once had a season with a higher rebounding average than Wilt. Wilt, at 36, was still out-rebounding an in his prime 25 year old Kareem. And Wilt finished 4th in MVP voting that year while playing 43mpg at 36 years old -- while they were in the league together at the same time. By the time Kareem was 36, he was playing 32mpg and averaging 7rpg. Wilt averaged 43mpg and 18rpg at 36.

If Kareem played against the modern NBA and is considered a GOAT candidate, and a washed up 36 year old Wilt was still outrebounding him, still playing more minutes -- can you really say Wilt's rebounding stats were padded, or just a result of lack of competition, or pace of play?

I think people get way too caught up in trying to discredit Wilt's competition, personally. Its not like he played in the 40s or 50s when the game was unrecognizable, by the 60s/70s, it was more or less the modern game, along with modern-level athletes. Not quite the same depth, but the elite guys were every bit as good as the elite guys today.

Also, while people love to take away or discredit Wilt for things he had no control over, they dont give him nearly enough credit for putting up with stuff he had to put up with that no modern player would ever dream of having to go through. Playing as many minutes as he did, playing every game and basically never being injured at his size, or the type of hurdles he had to overcome.

When Wilt played, he was playing in Converse, and there was no such thing as personal chefs, or private planes, personal trainers.. even weight training wasnt really a thing. They rode on buses to their games. Wilt famously loved to eat and drink all sorts of crazy stuff -- tons of beer and fried chicken. Yet somehow, despite being 7'1, was basically only injured once in his career but otherwise played basically every game and had otherworldly stamina. His minutes played records will *never* be broken.

Beyond that though, remember that Wilt literally wasnt allowed to eat at some restaurants or stay at some hotels when he came into the league. Segregation was still legal. Can you imagine the pressure on Wilt, being the most famous black athlete in the world? While constantly being compared to the "perfect" black player/teammate in Russell? What that had to do to him mentally? No matter how much he tried, or what he did, it was always something he was doing wasnt good enough. Even though he won 2 rings and 4 MVPs, its yeah, but he didnt win more, so he's a "loser". Probably no player in history is as unfairly viewed as Wilt.

Thank you for the level headed response.

I think the top end of Wilts era was amazing. Just as much wow and pure athleticism as today. Including Wilt.

But Wilt’s numbers are highly inflated due to lack of competition.

Another gem. I thought you did some research.