Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Wednesday, there are 48 days remaining.It might be the most remarkable, most unbreakable record in NBA history. And it's not his 100-point game.
It's only fitting that larger-than-life Wilt Chamberlain holds the record that never will be broken, and never will be approached.
NBA games are only 48 minutes, yet Chamberlain averaged 48.5 minutes during his remarkable 1961-62 season, a feat that goes behind Herculean, putting today's so-called Ironmen to shame.
By comparison, not a single player in the NBA last season averaged 40 minutes. Chamberlain, conversely, played every minute of every game in 1961-62, except for the one when he was ejected late. The overtime periods he played pushed his average that season above the 48-minute limit. He played in 3,882 of his team's 3,890 minutes during the 80-game season.
Chamberlain holds or shares in 72 NBA all-time records, but none as impressive as this one. Even his 100-point game and his 50.4-point average through that same 1961-62 season in Philadelphia can match the durability records he set. His numbers just don't lie
He doesn't hold just the NBA record for most minutes in a season, he has the top seven spots in that category.
It was a different era in sports then, when players were physically and mentally tougher. In baseball, good pitchers were expected to throw nine innings. Basketball stars were expected to play entire games. Chamberlain viewed sitting down as a sign of weakness, so he played through fatigue and nagging injuries and any foul trouble he might have had.
Through 14 seasons, Chamberlain never fouled out of a game, allowing him to dictate when it was time to sit – which was very infrequent. He averaged 45.8 through his career. Second best in history was rival Bill Russell (42.3 mpg).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-09-2009 @ 3:42PM
Giles said...
Typically Wilt, he was at least as good as Jordan and Russ COMBINED, but he was too tall. Folks could never say anything saner than that others were exaggerated to be ALMOST as good, and were shorter, and were, thru some perverse illogic, therefore somehow better! Doubtful Russ and Jordan combined were as good on a per inch basis, but the game isn`t handicapped by who has the most inches. Guys just play. Quickest guys often win. Wilt was one of the quickest, not just one of the tallest, and one of the best leapers. And was very intelligent. Used to be common to have 4 sport stars, before scholarships. By Wilt`s era, it was startling to be a two sport star, even as a little man. But Wilt was big, and still lettered in track and field, often against guys a foot and a half shorter! He was not the quickest in track, he was one of the strongest and better leapers in track and field. But he made the speed teams, too. He was more than a half foot taller than Jordan, but similarly athletic. Jordan was a wash out in minor league baseball. He wasn`t god, not is LeB J. And Wilt being an all star in volleyball after his basketball career proves nothing, the competition may not have been as good even as minor league baseball, but he wasn`t a wash out like Jordan was, regardless the talent level. I`m glad the bigotry wasn`t primarily racist, it was primarily anti size bigotry, but it was still purely false. He was the greatest basketball athlete so far. I wish James well, but he is a mediocre mid and long range shooter, at a position which requires great shooting. He will never come close to Wilt, probably never come close to Mike, although Mike starter as a dunker and improved his shooting, and I hope James will improve his as well. Most small forward stars, other than Havlicek, whom I list at guard, were not all D, and James DOES work at D, so I`m please with him about that. He has the chance to improve to the point he may become the best small forward ever, but he is no where near there, YET. And probably no one will EVER come near WILT, despite his stammering at the free throw line, like too many players, especially too many big men.
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9-09-2009 @ 6:47PM
mike said...
This is an arguement that will never end . I seen Wilt play growing up and the fact of the matter Wilt was the best , most dominating player ever. He would still be today. the game plan was always stop everyone else , Why? Because you couldn't stop Wilt.
What a lot of people don't realize is that Wilt was actually a mild manner man. Could you imagine if he had the attitude of say , Karl Malone? He would of killed people. They actually changed the rules and the very dimension of the game to stop him. That didn't work either.
The NY Nets offered him a contract in his 50's. I can't think of any player in any sport that made any kind of offer to some one at that age. Wilt was also a track and field star in college.
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9-11-2009 @ 7:30PM
jugl11 said...
I saw Wilt play many times, beginning when he was with the Phila. Warriors in the late 1950s. He was by far the best of all time, an almost superhuman athlete.
By the way, the picture with this article shows him wearing #16. I only remember him as #13 as a pro. Can anyone explain this?
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