Chamberlain Loved to Talk, but His Stats Spoke Volumes

One measure of Wilt Chamberlain’s true greatness: He’s the only athlete (besides perhaps Wayne Gretzky) about whom you can play the game, “What’s Your Favorite Wilt Stat?” 100 points in a game? 50 points per game for a season? 23 rebounds a game for a career? Once led the league in assists? Once averaged 48.5 minutes per game for an entire year?! Never fouled out? Ever? No way. Not possible. That was Wilt the Stilt.

On my 1972 Wilt Chamberlain basketball card, he’s wearing his No. 13 Laker jersey backward. Not inside out. Backward, so it says Chamberlain across his chest, like a superhero. The Big Dipper. He was that good.

JIM MALLON

San Luis Obispo

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Upon hearing the news of Wilt’s death, I was overcome with a sense of the symbolism of the moment. The coinciding of the cancellation of the Lakers’ exhibition in Arkansas and Wilt’s death was as if God was saying, “Guys, I don’t want you to play today. I’m going to call back one of your best and I want you to reflect and focus on him and his tradition of excellence.”

I implore the Lakers to dedicate the season to Wilt, to wear the little black band on their jerseys, not in mourning, but in respect and gratitude and motivation and a sense of continuity. All endings herald new beginnings. Seize this as a passing of the torch of Laker history and the greatness that goes with it.

RODGER BUMPASS

Burbank

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In 1955, I was athletic officer at a military base in Italy. I went to a basketball coaches’ conference near Munich that was conducted by Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and Bob Cousy, then star of the Celtics. One day we asked Red who the best basketball player in the world was. His answer: “Of course I have to give a nod to Bob Cousy, who is here, but other than him there is a high school kid in Philadelphia named Wilt Chamberlain who I think may be the best.”

The man knew his basketball.

MICHAEL W. LODATO

Westlake Village

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Wilt Chamberlain should also be remembered as a pioneering volleyball player in Southern California, an athlete who brought towering fame and amazing ability to many local high school and college gyms, where team volleyball flourished in the 1970s. His love of that game surely helped it to new levels and paved the way for guys like Karch Kiraly and Sinjin Smith to cash in. Today, Wilt’s “Little Dippers” are the stuff of Valhalla-sized legends.

RHYS THOMAS

Van Nuys

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In Santa Monica, Wilt practiced tennis at Ocean View and he always gave me the exact fee for a reservation on city courts.

Early on, I critiqued his backhand and he said his usual “uh huh.” A year later when he was about to leave for New York to get his book published, he said, “Lou, my backhand is better than my forehand,” a kind acknowledgment of that little tip.

I warned people who wanted to approach him not to ask for an autograph, as he disliked hero worship of athletes.

Two years ago, he was hitting with a friend at Lincoln Park and saw me wave. He stopped playing and came over to chat through the fence and apologized for not coming around much.

Wilt was a classy gentleman who enjoyed life to its utmost. I treasure our talks about teamwork and team chemistry and life.

LOUIS BOCK

Santa Monica

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Maybe now Wilt will get the respect he so richly deserves.

Wilt has never been considered a winner because he won only two titles. Wilt’s stature seems to be decreased by the career of Bill Russell. I’m guessing that Hakeem Olajuwon will end his career with two championships--and no one will say he was overshadowed by his contemporary, Michael Jordan. Please don’t apply this double standard to Wilt.

Ted Williams was a great baseball player with amazing talent, but no one suggests he is selfish or “not a real winner” because Yogi Berra won more World Series. People continue to do just that to Wilt.

Wilt was great. Period.

D. BRIAN STERN

Westwood

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I was saddened to hear of the death of Wilt Chamberlain. Along with Bill Russell, he will always be the gold standard for NBA centers. His epic battles with the likes of Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond and Russell will never be forgotten by this now-lapsed Laker fan. He had a presence and class for which there is no equal in today’s gangster punk pro basketball scene, populated by brats not even qualified to be Wilt’s towel boy. A giant has indeed been felled.

GARY GARLAND

Yorba Linda

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Wilt the Stilt should be remembered and honored as one of the greatest all-time NBA players. However, just because he died doesn’t make him a great human being. Wilt was no role model. Sleeping with 20,000 woman (he claimed) only proves what an egomaniac he was. Stilted ability, Wilted morals.

ERIC SCHEFFER

Adelanto