Wilt Chamberlain is a mythical name in NBA history because of how many records he set during his career. He was a dominant force because no one could stop him from scoring points and getting rebounds. Chamberlain had a vast catalog of achievements, but there was a time when he knew he had to adjust.
As he entered the league in 1959, Wilt knew that the NBA was not a joke. The Stilt had to adjust from Kansas University to the Philadelphia Warriors but quickly found his confidence and form in his rookie season, averaging 37.5 points and 27 rebounds per game en route to an MVP and Rookie of the Year award.
“ There will be a period of orientation for me like every newcomer in the NBA. But I think in the long run, I would be able to handle myself man-to-man against anyone in the league,” Wilt said in an interview before his NBA career.
Wilt delivered on his promise to become a star player
Wilt always exuded confidence, which led to his becoming a top player. He tried all kinds of moves because he knew he had the natural talent and athleticism to pull them off. At 7’1”, most people would think he was a slower player, but Chamberlain was a gifted athlete . He was quick and could out-jump everyone, a trait he built as a track-and-field athlete.
Before he became a basketball star, track and field was his sport of choice because he found basketball a sport for “sisses.” Of course, he backtracked on that opinion because he became a hoops star playing in high school, college, and the NBA.
Since he dominated at every level, people within the basketball community thought he was arrogant. That was not the case for Wilt because he only had high confidence in himself and his capability to succeed. He promised to become a star player and delivered as a superstar throughout his 15-year career.
Wilt set impossible records during his career
Wilt was the star player for multiple teams, which helped him set many records during his illustrious career. He was a phenomenal talent who could dominate every game with strength, length, and athleticism. Aside from his physical traits, he had a natural knack for scoring, as he had a soft touch around the rim, which helped him rack up plenty of points.
He is most known for his 100-point performance in 1962 , which remains the highest point total in a single game in NBA history. That feat has not been contested over the years since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006 was the closest performance to that unbreakable record.
While he had some hesitation about adjusting before he started in the NBA, Wilt maximized his potential and became the most compelling player in the league during his prime.
Related: For years Wilt Chamberlain assumed his 100-point game was the only unfinished NBA game in history
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