Please don't say Shaq as while he is a great player, he is not up to these two giants of the NBA. When Wilt and Bill tangled it was truly a battle.
2007-01-25 18:09:53 · 24 answers · asked by ndcowboy 3 in Sports ➔ Basketball
It's a close call but i have to go with Chamberlain.
The main argument for Russell was his 11 rings. Yes, he's a true winner and a fierce competitor. But Wilt was a fierce competitor too and he could do whatever Russell could, even better. Russell's play emphasized rebounding and defense. But the stats show that Wilt has better career rebounding average than Bill, and as far as blocked shots are concerned, they're about even. On the other hand, Wilt was all about offensive dominance inside the paint. He scored 100 points in a game and is second to MJ in career scoring average. And Russell? He's way down the ladder as far as scoring is concerned. Of course, he could score, but not at will as Wilt did. His all star teammates did that for him so he could concentrate on defense. Wilt didn't have much of a competent back-up so he singlehandedly led his team most of the time, especially during the Philly years.
I think that a great center dominates the paint, both offensively and defensively, and Wilt did just that. Russ was kinda one-dimensional. That makes Shaq and Kareem even better than him. Yes, he won all those titles, but wouldn't have achieved all these without Cousy, Hondo, Nelson, Sam & KC Jones, etc.
2007-01-25 21:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by bundini 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
1) Wilt Chamberlain 2) Bill Russel 3) Shaquille O'Neal 4) Hakeem Olajuwon 5) Kareem Abdul Jabbar 6) Moses Malone 7) Willis Reed 8) Robert Parish 9) Wes Unseld 10) David Robinson
2016-05-24 00:57:46 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you said don't say shaq but I have to........ sorry he is without a doubt the most Dominant center in League history not to sell those other two short but C'mon if shaq played back in their era he would've destroyed everything in his path and their would have been no one to stop him if you look at what he did against a more stronger, competitive era he still dominated, so what do you think he would do against a more smaller weaker less competitive era, plus shaq is bigger stronger and quicker than both of those guys, he was the youngest player to be named one of the 50 greatest players of all time and he isn't even retired yet, I think right now he ranks #9 all time so that pretty much says how much Shaq is the true greatest center of all time I think alot of people have to agree.
2007-01-26 01:34:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chamberlain was probably the most dominant player in the league in the era both of them played, but Russell was the best player on the greatest team in NBA history. Chamberlain was much taller and wider than Russell and had a better overall offensive game. Russell revolutionized the block shot. Many times he would block it to an area where he or one of his teamates could get their hands on it. He was also one of the best rebounders the NBA has ever seen. At 6'9" he wasn't the prototype nba center, but he used is great athleticism two get his hands on every rebound that he was close to. Overall Russell might be the greatest winner in the history of the game, and Chamberlain the most dominant player of his era.
2007-01-25 18:28:29 · answer #4 · answered by Coach Cool 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Bill Russell, though not blessed with Wilt's talent, changed the game with his defense.He was about as athletic as Wilt was, and was very analytical about how the game should be played.Most of all, he had killer instinct, which ultimately hurt Wilt down the line. 11 championships in 13 seasons, definitely Bill Russell.
2007-01-26 05:18:14 · answer #5 · answered by zebbie g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would pick Russell from these two, but these guys are right about Shaq and Olajuwon. If you watch games from the 50's and 60's, the level of talent and athleticism are nowhere near what they are today. I would pick Hakeem, Shaq, and Jabbar as my top three. Russell and Wilt were dominant in their day, but put them in todays game and their stats wouldn't even be close to what they were. People who pick Oscar over Magic are nuts, too. Not even close.
2007-01-26 02:53:38 · answer #6 · answered by mmilner_24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chamberlain, just look at what he accomplish by himself and become a legend but Russell, he's a team player and what he get is more championship than Wilt.
2007-01-25 22:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by Booooo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to say SHAQ, if he played in russell's or chamberlain's time, he would have been scoring bout 70+ points a game easy. Though wilt and bill were more versitile, shaqs power would have been too much for them little guys back in the day. I'm sorry but i have to go with Shaq.
2007-01-25 20:30:41 · answer #8 · answered by khjunior1980 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Chamberlain was the better athlete, but Russell changed the game. He was the best defensive player in the middle, and quite possibly the greatest defender ever. He gave up some of his stats so his team would be better, thus making them the most prolific dynasty in the history of the NBA.
2007-01-25 18:20:40 · answer #9 · answered by dsmithfsu 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
russell was a better leader and defender, but wilt, in terms of size, strength, offensive dominance, rebounding, and sheer ability to take over a game was unmatched. he was 7'1" 275, and he could run the floor, then beat you into submission on both ends. russell played on much better teams overall (11 titles in 13 years), but wilt was the single best player in nba history other than jordan. when those two went at each other it was always a great game, wilt usually played better then russell, but the celtics usually won. you can't really go wrong with either of them, but i'd pick wilt by a hair
2007-01-25 18:35:38 · answer #10 · answered by C_Millionaire 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋