Would we look at Wilt differently if he was lucky enough to play in a weak conference as Lebron did from 2011 to 2018

[coastalmarker99]

It is interesting that in the one year that a prime Wilt played in the weaker conference in 1964 and got to avoid facing Boston earlier that he made the finals.

While averaging over 38 PPG in the WCF vs the Hawks.

I can imagine Wilt just putting up monster numbers in the Western playoffs every year

As Wilt' averaged staggering numbers against the Lakers in the decade of the 60's.

As overall, in those 86 games he played against them in that decade here were his numbers.

40 Point Games: 42

50 Point Games: 19

60 Point Games: 7

70 Point Games: 2

High game of 78 points.



Wilt to me was very unfortunate in that he had to see Russell and his Celtics dynasty every damn year.


And that ton of the matchups were second-round matchups so Wilt hardly had any time to beat up on soft teams.

As Lebron did from 2011 to 2018.



Imagine if Lebron had to face prime Tim Duncan and the Spurs for most of his career in the second round.


With only one round beforehand to beat up on a scrub team such as the 2009 Hawks or the 2014 hornets.. his playoff numbers would nosedive simply based on that context.


As in 2013 at the peak of his powers, he was getting locked down throughout the first five games of those finals before Ray Allen bailed him out and then he played fantastic in game seven.


Here are Lebron's numbers from the first five-game of those finals.

21.6 PPG on 42.9 FG% that is a huge drop off from his regular-season averages.

[coastalmarker99]

I will say that while Lebron played awesome from 2011 to 2018 the fact that he only faced one single All-NBA first-team player in the East in Rose during those eight years is pathetic.

As the lack of high-level talent during those years in the eastern conferences was insane.

Between 2012-17 among the 60 all NBA first and second-team selections.

48 were from the western conference, 6 were LeBron himself and 6 were from the other eastern conference teams.

[ty 4191]

I will say that while Lebron played awesome from 2011 to 2018 the fact that he only faced one single All-NBA first-team player in the East in Rose during those eight years is pathetic.

As the lack of high-level talent during those years in the eastern conferences was insane.

Between 2012-17 among the 60 all NBA first and second-team selections.

48 were from the western conference, 6 were LeBron himself and 6 were from the other eastern conference teams.

How about 2004-2018 as a whole?

The Eastern Conference had a .432 winning percentage against the Western Conference during Lebron's 15 years there. Total joke.

[Max123]

It is interesting that in the one year that a prime Wilt played in the weaker conference in 1964 and got to avoid facing Boston earlier that he made the finals.

While averaging over 38 PPG in the WCF vs the Hawks.

I can imagine Wilt just putting up monster numbers in the Western playoffs every year

As Wilt' averaged staggering numbers against the Lakers in the decade of the 60's.

As overall, in those 86 games he played against them in that decade here were his numbers.

40 Point Games: 42

50 Point Games: 19

60 Point Games: 7

70 Point Games: 2

High game of 78 points.



Wilt to me was very unfortunate in that he had to see Russell and his Celtics dynasty every damn year.


And that ton of the matchups were second-round matchups so Wilt hardly had any time to beat up on soft teams.

As Lebron did from 2011 to 2018.



Imagine if Lebron had to face prime Tim Duncan and the Spurs for most of his career in the second round.


With only one round beforehand to beat up on a scrub team such as the 2009 Hawks or the 2014 hornets.. his playoff numbers would nosedive simply based on that context.


As in 2013 at the peak of his powers, he was getting locked down throughout the first five games of those finals before Ray Allen bailed him out and then he played fantastic in game seven.


Here are Lebron's numbers from the first five-game of those finals.

21.6 PPG on 42.9 FG% that is a huge drop off from his regular-season averages.

I admire your total dedication to bolstering Wilt's standing all time as I don't think I've ever seen a single post from you without the stated intention. Once again, as is usually the case, given your hypothetical scenario, Wilt's standing among the greats would probably be improved in the minds of your average fans who don't really bother to make detailed analyses regarding how good players were.

[falcolombardi]

if he kept facing and losing to russel celtics it probably wouldnt make as much of a difference, just like it didnt for jerry west to make so many finals only to lpse to the celtics in the finals instead of conference finals

if given enough tries he actually took 1 or 2 rings of tje celtics in addition to the 67 and 72 rings? NOW we are talking here

that would do wondets for wilt status

[migya]

He'd have won much more, ofcourse he'd be rated much more highly.

[dribble1614]

lebron has indisputably played some of the worst and weakest competition out of anybody in the top 10 all-time list. outside of a historically stacked golden state team in the finals, there weren't any all-time great teams he played. he did play some very good but not all-time great teams in the finals.

but the 8 straight trips to the finals and total # finals appearances is in large part due to playing in a historically bad eastern conference without a legitimate conference contender from 2011-2018.

[ty 4191]

lebron has indisputably played some of the worst and weakest competition out of anybody in the top 10 all-time list. outside of a historically stacked golden state team in the finals, there weren't any all-time great teams he played. he did play some very good but not all-time great teams in the finals.

but the 8 straight trips to the finals and total # finals appearances is in large part due to playing in a historically bad eastern conference without a legitimate conference contender from 2011-2018.

This, exactly. Everyone that ranks Lebron as GOAT or even Top 3 really needs to process this.