When you consider pace and minutes played, I don't think 6-8 is at all ridiculous. If anything, it's deceptive. Ethier way, the numbers don't really matter. What matters is whether or not he could block a lot of shots.
when you consider pace how feasable is it for wilt to get in position to block so many shots especially in his earlier days of putting up such great offensive numbers.
Out of curiosity, if Olajuwon played in the 60's, how many blocks do you think he'd average per game?
When you take into account that he also averaged 27 rebounds, 6-8 blocks is not a stretch. More shots were taken so more shots were available to block. One game he blocked Walt Bellamy's first 9 shots. A motivated Wilt was just incredible.
I don't understand the question. Are you asking if he could get back on defense before the other team took a shot? Here's the thing, I take the evolution of the game out of my brain when comparing players across different eras. The only thing I consider is production against his own era. So, if Hakeem blocked a ton of shots and was a great defensive center in his era, he would be the same in Wilt's. You're not going to hear me say that Hakeem would block twice as many shots as Wilt because playing in the 80s made him twice the player. If anyone believed that, why wouldn't they also believe that Tree Rollins was as good as Wilt for the same reason? Take the evolution of cars, is the 2010 Camaro better than the 1969 Camaro? YES! A LOT BETTER! It's faster, safer, more durable, uses less gas, it's more comfortable, etc. But that's unfair for a variety of reasons, isn't it? I think the same of basketball players. I can't blame Jerry West for not having a strong left-handed dribble if no one else had it back when he played. I won't say that he wasn't a great defensive player just because he didn't have to guard a Jordan fadeaway or an Iverson crossover. I won't say that Manu Ginobili is a better basketball player than West because he was born in the 70s. So, I can't give a number to your question because I'm not a statistician. I can say that in the 60s Hakeem would block shots at a rate that's up there with Russell and slightly higher than Wilt, but he wouldn't block as many because he wouldn't play as many minutes as either of them. In other words, I'm not giving Hakeem an advantage on just the mere coincidence that he played in the 80s and 90s.
I personally think if Wilt was born in this generation he would still be prime Shaq level dominant. Skinnier but come on 7'2" and could jump out of the gym. Was also really fit looking especially for that era. He would have difficulty against more physical centers like Ewing, Robinson, Dwight, Shaq I think since Wilt can't bully them.
The point of this simulation is to compare players across eras against each other. As a result, to be as accurate as possible, you have to factor in the evolution of the game.
Yeah, I get that. That's why I think guidelines should have been set before the draft. Find out if everyone participating can respect the accomplishments of old school players. If someone believes that a player like Wilt can't be a scoring champ, rebounding champ, and multiple MVP in any era, then he and players from his era should be excluded. Cause if Shaq played in a league with Dream and Dream played in a league with Kareem and Kareem played in a league with Wilt why can't Wilt compete against Shaq? Much less Alonzo Mourning.
i think that the participants did respect all players equally even though they are from different eras. I mean there were players drafted before 3pt scoring and blocks were calculated and alot of us (participants) believe that they can play in this era like they did in their era, hence why we chose them. Most people here haven't heard of some of these players chosen so they disregard them and vote on a team with players they know.
I think the so-called "evolution of the game" is overblown. Everyone wants to think that their own generation is superior to what has come before them, but I don't buy it. When you come down to it, you still have five guys on the court duking it out with each other. Talent is talent, and I believe that any NBA legend would do very well in today's NBA.
Look at this photo of Oscar. Can anyone tell me this guy would not be a great player in any era? Put some good shoes on him, supply him with better training and nutrition, and he probably plays at a higher level longer than he did. Same with Wilt... and many more. You cannot look at the game as it was played and dismiss the athleticism of great players just because today's game is different.
I'm not denying that Wilt/Oscar/etc... wouldn't be great today. But some of these people are using their stats from the 60's to make their argument. And those stats came against inferior competition. In your opinion, what do you think Wilt's averages (points & rebounds) would've been had he played in the mid-90's?
I agree. I think he'd be somewhere around Robinson or Ewing. But then there are people who think this:
And I agree with those people you quoted. I think Wilt would dominate those three. He's more skilled than Ewing and Mourning, bigger then Mourning and Nowitzki (and probably Ewing), stronger than all three, is a much better rebounder and passer than any of those guys and ultimately more athletic. He would eat Mourning and Nowitzki alive in the post. If Wilt wanted to, I think he could lead the NBA in rebounding or scoring in any year in any era. If only he could shoot free throws.
People seriously need to take into consideration that all of these players are in their prime. I voted for thething making it 74-73 for the following reasons... Dirk - great player and future HOF, but his prime consisted of missed key moments and not being clutch. This year is the first year, he has been truly consistent and clutch when needed. Garnett in his prime was a 20+/12+ machine that was a huge defensive asset. Garnett is easily better. Vince Carter- This guy in his prime dropped 24+/5/4/1 consistently for over 10 years. I'm not saying MJ isn't great, but he is only doing damage on the defensive end because MJ's offense <<< Carter AND Kobe combined offense. MJ can't shut both guys down. Artest will have his hands busy and can't handle either. Payton - great player known for defense, but Paul is also crafty and good on the defensive end. Slight advantage. I don't think its a huge gap.
Prime Dirk took his team to the finals and was robbed of the title. DPOY Artest can't handle either Kobe or Vince Carter?
