Wilt was definitely one of the all-time greats, but his stats are greatly exaggerated by the competition he faced on a nightly basis.
The people that voted for Tracy should be admitted to a psychiatric ward. This IS an Insult to Hakeem. Tracy can't even hang on Hakeem's left nut!
Maybe, so but I don't think it is hard to believe he couldn't average 30 ppg in today's NBA, maybe even in 80s or 90s.... I don't think he would score 100 or average 50 ppg, but he could definitely get 13 to 16 rebounds and average 28 to 37 ppg. Physically, the only players that were close to Wilt's size over the last 30 or so years are Shaq and Yao. Even Russell says Wilt's weight was around 285 - 300 (7,3) and remember he is not stocky like Shaq.Not nearly as husky as Shaq, not nearly as skinny as Yao.... Also, he was in track and field in high school and held many state records.... Also even during his retirement in his 40s, there are even accounts that he gave a young Magic Johnson trouble in a Lakers' scrimmage. But, I could definitely see him taking any team in the league right now to a championship, I don't see any opposing centers right now that could really give him any trouble...maybe Yao, Dwight, and Shaq on good day and that's about it. Could actually see Camby, Gasol, Okur, Obracio, Perkins, and few others slowing Wilt down for whole game (or keeping him under 25)? They would utterly get destroyed, especially when most of them are not even better than average defender. He would only see players like Yao and Dwight 4 to 6 times a year, those are the only guys I could see right now who give him few fits. Also, you couldn't front Wilt, like you can someone like Yao, because he was too quick and athletic for simple fronting. He could do just like SHaq and catch the ball over your head. It would take someone like Tim Duncan, Dream, and or even Mutombo to somewhat slow him down, because he was so good on offense scoring and passing. Hard to believe, you can look at old NBA films, statistics, and tell Wilt was much superior player, even compared to the average starting center (and some All-star centers of today). The guy was easily 285, and one of the greatest athletes of all time....he could do anything ....he even averaged 4.4 assists for a career that's almost as much as Kobe, MJ, Wilkins, and many other SG, SF, and PF. People say that he only averaged alot of assist, because he was only doing for show....but you have to realize a center getting 5.2, 7.8, and 8.6 is remarkable for center. I don't think any other centers in the league could've ever lead or come close to leading in assist, except Adams and Russell. Statistically, he was the greatest passing center of all time, ironically he is greatest scorer in NBA history. He was still one of the best players on defense when they started recognizing All-NBA defensive teams....and past his prime. Maybe in 80s or 90s, but consider this also, he was probably the toughest matchup for Kareem, even as he was much past his prime and Kareem was only about in his 1st or 2nd year. He was always Russell's toughest matchup, as well as Thurmond and Petite. His endurance was incredible, the lowest he ever played in the season 42.1 mpg and the reason he got so many rebounds and points is becaue he stayed the game so long and rarely got injured. He never broke down like Mourning, Ewing, Robinson, Shaq, and Walton....he was rock solid until he retired and only had one season where he was seriously injured. I mean could any you imagine Amare, Yao, or Dwight taking more than 26 shot attempts per game for entire 82. Never. Also, remember, teams were averaging in mid 110s to 120s and ran at hectic pace.....you don't think he could keep up with stiffs out there today. And this was at a time that actually fouled players and Wilt got hacked all of the time. This is the reason why I can't quite just say the best player in NBA history is Michael Jordan or Magic, if you have someone like Wilt sitting out there. He is far greater player than Kobe (82 is not better than 100), Shaq, and almost every big man out there not named Kareem or Bill Russell. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambwi01.html/
The only reason Hakeem's team won championships is b/c of the role players. When it came to crunch time, Pete Chilcutt and Tim Breaux stepped up their play. They fist pumped and high five with passion and heart. Who does Mcgrady have? Oh yea, a past his prime cheerleader Steve Francis. If T-mac had those role players, we would have won 5 championships and definitely wouldn't have gotten swept by Seattle. god, that was pathetic.
Creating a thread involving Tmac is like walking into a prison and yelling racist obscenities towards both whites and blacks. The Nation of Islam and the skin-heads just come in droves to defend their beliefs. I like how macalu just keeps egging everyone on.
I can't say I disagree with a single thing you've written here. Your analysis of Wilt is spot on. Again though, I am not arguing that Wilt wasn't one of the all-time greats, but you're probably right, Hakeem wouldn't have had an easy a time with him as I made it out to be earlier, but it irritates me that Hakeem is so often an afterthought these days as one of the league's great big men. Let me put it this way, if Wilt was drafted in the 1980s, I don't think he would have had a significantly greater career than Dream. Fair?
That is what Im trying to say Hakeem might rank on par with Wilt, Kareem and Russel. Its hard to tell. Even Shaq may put in his argument given the way he dominated the game. But to say his the best player on both ends of the floor. Thats just making large statements with no facts to back it up. Truth of the matter is noone knows if Hakeem could have banged it with these guys
Seeing as how Hakeem dominated the greatest era of centers the nba has ever seen, its a pretty safe bet he could've "banged" with wilt and russell
They lives in different times,and nowadays in NBA matches's intensity is so strong that it's not easy to get achievement like Tracy,in addition Tracy's helpers are less.So I vote Tracy!
I know, but he was not nearly as dominant in the 80's like he was in the 70's. By having Magic to facilitate the offense it enabled him to play longer and pad those stats a little.
Think of Bill Russell with offense... Oh wait if you did not see Hakeem then you definitely did not see Russell. In any case it might help you to understand that Hakeem out performed players like - Kareem Abdul Jabar - Patrick Ewing - David Robinson - Shaquil Oneal He completely outperformed all of those guys in the play offs when it mattered most. His domination of Robinson in the play offs is the stuff legends are made of. Hakeem was the best center in the game during the golden era of centers in the NBA. Other centers during Hakeems time on the court...Jack Sickma, Artis Gilmore, Bill Walton, Moses Malone, Brad Dougherty, Alonzo Mourning to name a few.
the dream. that a easy one. (MVP,FINALS MVP,DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR,2 TIME NBA CHAMP, HALL OF FAMER)
Yeah anyone who puts mac in their name is obviously one of those Tmac only Fans... wait a second...doh! I seriously regret making my moniker pmac. I wish there was a way to change it.
