I call those numbers fake because he was actively chasing it. Like one season he decided he wants to lead the league in assists - and he did it. You might think that's impressive, but I think it's just stupid (and it's not the way you are meant to play basketball) as he was often passing up open dunks just to get extra assists. Anyway, Russell was way better on defense. It's hard to grasp it, but Russell probably had more impact on defense than any other player in NBA history on offense+defense combined. This obvisouly wouldn't be possible in the modern era, but with the rules and style of play in 60s he was that dominant. Those are the best single season defensive teams in the modern era. Russell Celtics had season's with following relative defensive rating: -10.8 ('64); -9.4 ('65); -8.5 ('62); -8.5 ('63); -7.6 ('61); ... Celtics went from below average defensive to by far the best defensive team in the league after Russell joined them. On the other hand, those Celtics teams were mediocre offensively. They were even the worst offensive team in the league few times. You often hear misconception how stacked those Celtics were - they really weren't, otherwise they wouldn't have below league average offense during Russell era, it's just that his insane impact defensively almost made them unbeatable.
Yes, Russell was a very good defender (Wilt was a lot better at blocking shots, though). That doesn't detract from Wilt, though; it elevates Russell (which I'm not against). Yes, Wilt probably did stat chase (he was tired of people always downplaying him). Yet, many others have stat chased, and none of them come close to putting up numbers anything like Wilt's. For a very simple reason. None of them were CAPABLE of doing that. Which is why he is the GOAT. He did things no one has ever been able to do, or even really come close to being able to do. Pretty much the very definition of GOAT. That assist figure, which you downplay, really exemplifies this point. He was so much better than anybody else that he could just decide to do something, and then go do it. Why could he do that? Because he was the GOAT.
How do you know he was never seen as the best player in the league? Were you born when he was playing? He was a contemporary of Bill Russell and they were considered the unquestionable best players in the league. And why am I not surprised you would bring up Harden to a discussion on Wilt. LOL.
I get what your saying but technically people who feel Jordan is the goat aren’t affect by recency bias because he retired 20 years ago . But yes, nostalgia is powerful. Events we see or feel connected too become more significant.
He’s pretty much universally included as a top 10 player. That’s legendary status. I’d rather have Hakeem.
Kind of suprised a historical player debate has this many posts on clutchfans, kind of cool to see. Wilt and Russell have games online you can view for yourself. If you go by eye test strictly by watching games and compare them to centers like Hakeem, you can tell who was the more skilled and an overall better player. They were dominant for thier era and deserve respect but Wilt wasn't regarded as more impactful than Russell in his own era. Also when recency bias is brought up, many times those folks often never watched George Mikan play who was even more dominant in his era than Wilt or Russell, so that argument is flawed imo. But watching film and looking at a player holistically, I woudn't have Mikan over either. And I wouldn't have Wilt over some of the other GOAT candidates as well. Many on this forum haven't seen a fully fleshed out Wilt vs Russell debate or vs modern players. It can be enjoyable to learn who really was more impactful beyond superfical info.
Nobody (this generation) cares about the past as far as NBA history? They don't know who Hakeem is. Wilt? That era didn't have color TV or 3 point line.
honestly, pretty sure the current generation don't even know much about jordan... and he's supposed to be goat. there are plenty young rox fans who don't know much about yao and mergady.. and they only played yesterday.
we have some supposedly hardcore fans who don't even know that Les threatened to move to the team to Kentucky until @Clutch and @Jeff got the city and fans to stop that Hell, all of them can tell you Tilman has a bunch of chain restaurants but NONE of them can tell you what Les did for a living. @J.R.
These are such stupid ****ing arguments. Put Wilt with Russell's Celtics and see how many rings he wins. Put Wilt here, put Jordan there, put whoever wherever. Just dumb. They were all amazing players for their time and place.
i bet you can put jontro at the end of the rox bench in 95 and rox would still win.a i could tell stories for a living until i die
well harden is often seen as the guard version of wilt. he has had scoring months and seasons that rival any guard in league history
bill simmons has a book where he calls wilt the most overrated player of all-time, said he was selfish and only cared about his stats. Russell did whatever it took to win, wilt wanted to only win his way
Shocking that a Boston Boy would say that. Shocking, I say. Again, change their teams and teammates and then see....
