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Wow, an amazing mix of athleticism and size.

I think it is safe to say college Wilt would hold his own against prime Shaq.

Must suck to get in the post and to have so many of your shots blocked. Wonder if they were paying Wilt for each block that night.

Nice, does anyone know when was this game happened?

Jiminy Glick wrote:I think it is safe to say college Wilt would hold his own against prime Shaq.

Hard time matching prime shaq strength. Even for Wilt.

Pg81 wrote:Nice, does anyone know when was this game happened?

1957

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:I think it is safe to say college Wilt would hold his own against prime Shaq.

Hard time matching prime shaq strength. Even for Wilt.

I don't think he would have a problem with it, same for college Shaq going up against prime Shaq.

Jiminy Glick wrote:

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:I think it is safe to say college Wilt would hold his own against prime Shaq.

Hard time matching prime shaq strength. Even for Wilt.

I don't think he would have a problem with it, same for college Shaq going up against prime Shaq.

Wouldn't have a problem with a 80 to 90 pound weight difference? That's a lot of force to go against for anybody.

This was really cool. I just find it unfortunate that he never got to really display his athleticism. I haven't seen a video of him turn the corner, and get his head to rim level, cock-back a tomahawk and absolutely crown a player like Shawk Kemp, Dominique or Blake Griffin did routinely. Even though I'm sure Wilt can jump MUCH higher, was MUCH faster, and MUCH stronger than Blake, Dominique, Dwight Howard or Shawn Kemp. They mainly seem to be super fundamental quick catches under the rim for a super quick dunk. You don't see him ever do a complete gather and try to get as high up as possible.

I've seen guys like Gobert and Ibaka complete dunks like this, and even more flashy, while getting much higher.



You just never see him get up like this, even though he was much taller than Blake and reportedly had a much bigger vertical.



or simply display his athleticism with shots like these -

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:Hard time matching prime shaq strength. Even for Wilt.

I don't think he would have a problem with it, same for college Shaq going up against prime Shaq.

Wouldn't have a problem with a 80 to 90 pound weight difference? That's a lot of force to go against for anybody.

Basketball is not completely about weight. And it is not something similar to football. Jordan could very outplay LeBron when matched up against him. A young Rodman could defend LeBron well at his peak weight. In a lot of ways Wilt in college here plays bigger than prime Shaq. He is taller and has a bigger wingspan and I think bigger reach and he jumps higher, and is faster, quicker, and more explosive. Wilt is a better rebounder and defender also. Duncan used to play well against prime Shaq when matched up against him.

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:I think it is safe to say college Wilt would hold his own against prime Shaq.

Hard time matching prime shaq strength. Even for Wilt.

Wilt was one of the strongest guys to ever play. He had a ridiculous bench press. Over 500lbs. He even benched 465lbs at 59 years old. Not to mention, he ran track and field (100M). He was a mutant.

aura wrote:This was really cool. I just find it unfortunate that he never got to really display his athleticism. I haven't seen a video of him turn the corner, and get his head to rim level, cock-back a tomahawk and absolutely crown a player like Shawk Kemp, Dominique or Blake Griffin did routinely. Even though I'm sure Wilt can jump MUCH higher, was MUCH faster, and MUCH stronger than Blake, Dominique, Dwight Howard or Shawn Kemp. They mainly seem to be super fundamental quick catches under the rim for a super quick dunk. You don't see him ever do a complete gather and try to get as high up as possible.

I've seen guys like Gobert and Ibaka complete dunks like this, and even more flashy, while getting much higher.

Watch on YouTube

You just never see him get up like this, even though he was much taller than Blake and reportedly had a much bigger vertical.



or simply display his athleticism with shots like these -

Remember that going full out puts a lot more strain on large people with a lot of mass especially on the knees. There are some jaw dropping blocks out though on WiltChamberlainArchive YT channel, you should check them out if you have not done so already. Furthermore Wilt was a bit too self-conscious about his rather freakish athleticism and size and decided early that he wanted to dominate more with skill than physically. Wilt was also a great track and field athlete who won a competition despite never really committing to the sport. Lastly the league did everything in its power to limit Wilt's dominance as opposed to Shaq who, as Wilt put it, got away with murder during his peak years.

Jiminy Glick wrote:

Pg81 wrote:Nice, does anyone know when was this game happened?

1957

Thank you.

Wilt didn't grow up watching people throwing down tomahawks and mean mugging, nor was that kind of thing encouraged. It's kinda too bad, because that would've been fun to watch.

He always wanted to be seen as a finesse guy despite his size and strength.

Jiminy Glick wrote:

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:
I don't think he would have a problem with it, same for college Shaq going up against prime Shaq.

Wouldn't have a problem with a 80 to 90 pound weight difference? That's a lot of force to go against for anybody.

Basketball is not completely about weight. And it is not something similar to football. Jordan could very outplay LeBron when matched up against him. A young Rodman could defend LeBron well at his peak weight. In a lot of ways Wilt in college here plays bigger than prime Shaq. He is taller and has a bigger wingspan and I think bigger reach and he jumps higher, and is faster, quicker, and more explosive. Wilt is a better rebounder and defender also. Duncan used to play well against prime Shaq when matched up against him.

Duncan was full-grown man though. Wilt wasn't there yet physically but also in terms of basketball skills to match up against someone as good as peak Shaq. Young athletes are often quicker and more nimble, but they lack strength of older ones. Wilt wouldn't be too small for Shaq (he was already 7'1 and 240 lbs, same as Mutombo) but he wouldn't fare well because he didn't have strength and experience.

Put Warriors Wilt against Shaq and he would fare very well.

70sFan wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:Wouldn't have a problem with a 80 to 90 pound weight difference? That's a lot of force to go against for anybody.

Basketball is not completely about weight. And it is not something similar to football. Jordan could very outplay LeBron when matched up against him. A young Rodman could defend LeBron well at his peak weight. In a lot of ways Wilt in college here plays bigger than prime Shaq. He is taller and has a bigger wingspan and I think bigger reach and he jumps higher, and is faster, quicker, and more explosive. Wilt is a better rebounder and defender also. Duncan used to play well against prime Shaq when matched up against him.

Duncan was full-grown man though. Wilt wasn't there yet physically but also in terms of basketball skills to match up against someone as good as peak Shaq. Young athletes are often quicker and more nimble, but they lack strength of older ones. Wilt wouldn't be too small for Shaq (he was already 7'1 and 240 lbs, same as Mutombo) but he wouldn't fare well because he didn't have strength and experience.

Put Warriors Wilt against Shaq and he would fare very well.

He was way more athletic than Mutombo though. I think if Olajuwon could hold his own against Shaq in 1995 then this Wilt could hold his own against prime Shaq. Some prefer Orlando Shaq over Lakers Shaq anyway. This Wilt was much bigger than Olajuwon and is bigger than Duncan. You can tell Wilt was naturally strong here even though he was skinny. People think Kareem could play well against prime Shaq and Wilt is stronger.

Jiminy Glick wrote:

70sFan wrote:

Jiminy Glick wrote:
Basketball is not completely about weight. And it is not something similar to football. Jordan could very outplay LeBron when matched up against him. A young Rodman could defend LeBron well at his peak weight. In a lot of ways Wilt in college here plays bigger than prime Shaq. He is taller and has a bigger wingspan and I think bigger reach and he jumps higher, and is faster, quicker, and more explosive. Wilt is a better rebounder and defender also. Duncan used to play well against prime Shaq when matched up against him.

Duncan was full-grown man though. Wilt wasn't there yet physically but also in terms of basketball skills to match up against someone as good as peak Shaq. Young athletes are often quicker and more nimble, but they lack strength of older ones. Wilt wouldn't be too small for Shaq (he was already 7'1 and 240 lbs, same as Mutombo) but he wouldn't fare well because he didn't have strength and experience.

Put Warriors Wilt against Shaq and he would fare very well.

He was way more athletic than Mutombo though. If an older Olajuwon could hold his own against Shaq in 1995 then a younger Wilt could hold his own against prime Shaq. Some prefer Orlando Shaq over Lakers Shaq anyway. This Wilt was much bigger than Olajuwon and is bigger than Duncan. You can tell Wilt was naturally strong here even though he was skinny.

Olajuwon was tough, experienced veteran. He knew so many little tricks and moves, Wilt didn't have that in college. He didn't have the experience of facing someone so big and so imposing. Of course, he wouldn't be the worst option ever but NBA Wilt would do much better job.

Also, college Wilt actually weighed a bit less than prime Hakeem and Duncan (both in 250 lbs range). Of course, Wilt was longer and more athletic but without experience he wouldn't do notable job.

Defense isn't only about athleticism, it's actually not that important compared to mindset and experience. Even rookie Wilt would fare much better because already gained experience of playing against grown men (he's also physically bigger which helps).

aura wrote:This was really cool. I just find it unfortunate that he never got to really display his athleticism. I haven't seen a video of him turn the corner, and get his head to rim level, cock-back a tomahawk and absolutely crown a player like Shawk Kemp, Dominique or Blake Griffin did routinely. Even though I'm sure Wilt can jump MUCH higher, was MUCH faster, and MUCH stronger than Blake, Dominique, Dwight Howard or Shawn Kemp. They mainly seem to be super fundamental quick catches under the rim for a super quick dunk. You don't see him ever do a complete gather and try to get as high up as possible.

I've seen guys like Gobert and Ibaka complete dunks like this, and even more flashy, while getting much higher.

Watch on YouTube

You just never see him get up like this, even though he was much taller than Blake and reportedly had a much bigger vertical.



or simply display his athleticism with shots like these -

Oh no?

Sark wrote:

Oh no?

[/quote]

I mean, if a picture citing vertical taken from an ankle below people's knees, you probably have a problem.

Sark wrote:


Oh no?

I mean, if a picture citing vertical taken from an ankle below people's knees, you probably have a problem. Caruso's dunk attempt on Gobert recently would easily put him at rim height if taken from that angle. Just watch both videos that give a better perspective of how high off the floor Wilt is getting. My whole point was, he can GET much higher, but he's routinely dunking off of post moves that don't allow him to get that aggressive gather that Blake Griffin does. It probably has to do with that style of play not being invented in the 50s and 60s, and not a sleight on Wilt at all. More on the era.

Pg81 wrote:Remember that going full out puts a lot more strain on large people with a lot of mass especially on the knees. There are some jaw dropping blocks out though on WiltChamberlainArchive YT channel, you should check them out if you have not done so already. Furthermore Wilt was a bit too self-conscious about his rather freakish athleticism and size and decided early that he wanted to dominate more with skill than physically. Wilt was also a great track and field athlete who won a competition despite never really committing to the sport. Lastly the league did everything in its power to limit Wilt's dominance as opposed to Shaq who, as Wilt put it, got away with murder during his peak years.

Wilt's high jump record in track and field events was 6 foot 1 inches. The world record is 8 foot 1/4 inches. His historically mind boggling track and field is highly exaggerated. There are high school athletes 12 inches shorter than Wilt that clear high jumps higher than his records. The high school high jump record is 7 foot 7 inches, to put into perspective.

Evidence: https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/9akkos/debunking_most_every_wilt_chamberlain_track_field/