If Chamberlain played in the modern era would he be considered the GOAT

[TheHartBreakKid]

I mean, I would comfortably bet that he wouldn't average numbers like what he actually averaged. He wouldn't even be close.

So yeah while he would probably still be an MVP caliber and put up all nba level numbers, his numbers certainly won't be better. It's nearly impossible. So the only way he could be "considered GOAT", is if he really dominates his peers, demonstrating that dominance with team success, since the stats are unlikely to be there.

So will he dominate to the level that he would achieve significantly more team-success wise? In the last 10+ seasons, we haven't had a traditional big lead his team to a championship. Hypothetical Modern Wilt will probably be less interior- focused and he certainly had the tools to fit in very well in this era....but he would still be someone who is a liability in terms of offensive spacing, and in versatile switch heavy defensive schemes. So no, I don't see Wilt having a significant jump in team success in this scenario.

I think Wilt in the modern era would go down lower in most all time lists than actual Wilt. The cards aren't in his favor to have a better career in this scenario compared to his actual career. He might be good enough to still be considered a top 5-10 player, as he is now, but I don't see him being in the GOAT conversation.


Honestly its really hard to predict Wilt/Russell in the modern game. Extreme takes in both sides crack me up because there are so many unknowns. But based on all the tape I've seen of Wilt, that's my take. He would be in the convo with Embiid and Jokic as best center in the league, and he might lead that race in most years, which is damn impressive. But I can't see a scenario where he would be a legitimate GOAT Contender.

[Rastas]

Of course he would - there will never be another close to Wilt.

[hauntedcomputer]

Quite simply, they'd still be changing rules because of him.

[CreekShow]

Nah, he'd put up bigger stats nowadays.

No way you can watch those old videos and see what the overwhelming majority used to look/play and think he would improve ANY numbers in todays game. Sure Wilt was different back then, but the overall skill of the league was trash compared to what it is now. Most those guys back then wouldnt even sniff the G League in todays league.

Do you even know most of "those guys"? If not, then how can you say that?

I mean I wasnt alive then so Im going purely based off videos/eye test. But just watch the video of Wilt/Russell h2h. Guys are shooting open shots and barely drawing iron on some. Obviously we all have our own opinions, but just watching the flow of the game I feel like more than half these dudes would get cooked today.

This isnt taking anything away from Wilts talent. Im saying as the overall skill of the league increaes, its not strange to believe he wouldnt average the same numbers today.

[70sFan]

No way you can watch those old videos and see what the overwhelming majority used to look/play and think he would improve ANY numbers in todays game. Sure Wilt was different back then, but the overall skill of the league was trash compared to what it is now. Most those guys back then wouldnt even sniff the G League in todays league.

Do you even know most of "those guys"? If not, then how can you say that?

I mean I wasnt alive then so Im going purely based off videos/eye test. But just watch the video of Wilt/Russell h2h. Guys are shooting open shots and barely drawing iron on some. Obviously we all have our own opinions, but just watching the flow of the game I feel like more than half these dudes would get cooked today.

This isnt taking anything away from Wilts talent. Im saying as the overall skill of the league increaes, its not strange to believe he wouldnt average the same numbers today.

You have to watch full games, not highlights to draw a clear conclusion of how the game was played back then. You have to also understand massive rules difference between 1960s and 2020s. Once you do that, you'll realize that players were still incredibly skilled back then, even if not as much as now.

[CreekShow]

Do you even know most of "those guys"? If not, then how can you say that?

I mean I wasnt alive then so Im going purely based off videos/eye test. But just watch the video of Wilt/Russell h2h. Guys are shooting open shots and barely drawing iron on some. Obviously we all have our own opinions, but just watching the flow of the game I feel like more than half these dudes would get cooked today.

This isnt taking anything away from Wilts talent. Im saying as the overall skill of the league increaes, its not strange to believe he wouldnt average the same numbers today.

You have to watch full games, not highlights to draw a clear conclusion of how the game was played back then. You have to also understand massive rules difference between 1960s and 2020s. Once you do that, you'll realize that players were still incredibly skilled back then, even if not as much as now.

I dont doubt that I might gain a new appreciation for the era but I still dont buy it. Luckily thats okay and we agree to disagree on things!

[SeattleJazzFan]

no, he'd be gobert with less defense.

[70sFan]

no, he'd be gobert with less defense.

Just looking at both on offensive and makes your take completely clueless. Wilt was much more coordinated and far more skilled offensive player than Gobert and he had better physical gifts along with more impressive athleticism to back his defense up.

[70sFan]

I mean I wasnt alive then so Im going purely based off videos/eye test. But just watch the video of Wilt/Russell h2h. Guys are shooting open shots and barely drawing iron on some. Obviously we all have our own opinions, but just watching the flow of the game I feel like more than half these dudes would get cooked today.

This isnt taking anything away from Wilts talent. Im saying as the overall skill of the league increaes, its not strange to believe he wouldnt average the same numbers today.

You have to watch full games, not highlights to draw a clear conclusion of how the game was played back then. You have to also understand massive rules difference between 1960s and 2020s. Once you do that, you'll realize that players were still incredibly skilled back then, even if not as much as now.

I dont doubt that I might gain a new appreciation for the era but I still dont buy it. Luckily thats okay and we agree to disagree on things!

Yeah, it's fine as long as you at least try to understand it. Without this process, I don't think you can have a good grasp on how good or bad players were back then.

[maxpower8888]

He wouldn't have any seasons where he'd average even close to 50, but he would still be dominant. I'd say he would be a 30p/15r/3b player.

[SeattleJazzFan]

no, he'd be gobert with less defense.

Just looking at both on offensive and makes your take completely clueless. Wilt was much more coordinated and far more skilled offensive player than Gobert and he had better physical gifts along with more impressive athleticism to back his defense up.

every seven footer looks skilled and athletic when he's playing against a bunch of 6'8" dudes.

[dhsilv2]

no, he'd be gobert with less defense.

Just looking at both on offensive and makes your take completely clueless. Wilt was much more coordinated and far more skilled offensive player than Gobert and he had better physical gifts along with more impressive athleticism to back his defense up.

every seven footer looks skilled and athletic when he's playing against a bunch of 6'8" dudes.

Wilt was playing against 7 footers more than than guys do now. The difference in today and then is much more due to more athletic wings and points. Not bigs. It didn't take long to figure out tall guys who could handle a ball where going to excel at basketball.

[Ballerhogger]

He would be close or not it . The center and how much power offensive player have has greatly changed.

[RoyceDa59]

Wilt entering the league today with the right coaching, guidance & development could absolutely challenge for goat status.

[Ruzious]

no, he'd be gobert with less defense.

Just looking at both on offensive and makes your take completely clueless. Wilt was much more coordinated and far more skilled offensive player than Gobert and he had better physical gifts along with more impressive athleticism to back his defense up.

every seven footer looks skilled and athletic when he's playing against a bunch of 6'8" dudes.

That's just not true. There were a lot of really good big men back then, and there were much fewer teams, so there wasn't a dilution of talent. There's never been a player as freakishly dominant as Wilt.

[migya]

He wouldn't have any seasons where he'd average even close to 50, but he would still be dominant. I'd say he would be a 30p/15r/3b player.

That seems about right. Chamberlain would be better than Shaq and his defense would be top 5 alltime as well. They looks a case for GOAT. Shaq is top 10.

[Harry Garris]

If he was putting up the same numbers yes

Nah he sabotaged multiple teams that were good enough to compete for the title with his poor attitude. Was constantly demanding to be traded the second things got tough. Gave poor effort when he wasn't the feature player on an offensive set.

Wilt was the Russell Westbrook of his era. There was tremendous talent but there were a lot of winning qualities that were missing. That's the reason why everyone who was into the NBA back then considers Bill Russell to be the greater player. Yes Bill Russell won a lot more titles but a big part of the reason why he did is because his focus was winning and Wilt's focus was himself and his stats.

[dhsilv2]

Just looking at both on offensive and makes your take completely clueless. Wilt was much more coordinated and far more skilled offensive player than Gobert and he had better physical gifts along with more impressive athleticism to back his defense up.

every seven footer looks skilled and athletic when he's playing against a bunch of 6'8" dudes.

That's just not true. There were a lot of really good big men back then, and there were much fewer teams, so there wasn't a dilution of talent. There's never been a player as freakishly dominant as Wilt.

I mean our WOWY data would indicate Bill not Wilt was the most dominate player ever in the league. So I'd hold up on the idea that Wilt was the most dominate player ever. And while talent WAS not a deep as it is today, despite less teams and the idea these guys were playing against "short" guys is wrong...the number of high end talent today is simply better and it is harder today to stand out against the other great players. Heck you can even make a case for guys like Oscar and West being among the best dominate guys to ever play the game which all goes back to...the gap in a star and a starter was just larger then and created a lot of really exceptional stand out guys, who while they'd be great in any era, clearly looked better due to competition.

Wilt's still today if nothing else likely the best defender or at least the best version of Rudy there could be. His offense translating is where things get more "iffy" to me.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

What is there to address? Neither KD or LeBron were playing center on their AAU teams. Wilt would be a center on any AAU team, he'd be the tallest kid on his team and the guards would dominate the ball, because that's what happens in AAU basketball and why American big men lag behind foreign bigs.

"Wilt would tell his parents to move to Europe, because at 13 he'd have the foresight to know American skill development is lacking, by 16 he'd be better than Jokic and Embiid too" - You

Who played center for Durant's AAU teams?

That question went unanswered although you are still participating in the thread.

Am I supposed to know who his random teammate number 34 was from almost 20 years ago? It wasn't Durant, he was a G/F coming out of HS.

[jcsunsfan]

Shooting is better today because of the three point line. Players have worked more on that part of the game league wide. Wilt was not a good shooter because two points at the rim were so easy for him that it would be stupid to shoot it from 20 feet for the same two points. Wilt was a competitor and highly skilled as demonstrated by his hook shot and short jumper. I have no doubt he would have successfully added longer range shooting if he played in todays league. That is speculation on my part, but it is for anyone else as well. I think if you asked the people that knew him best, they would agree with me.