Kobe Bryant equals Wilt Chamberlain
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain knocked down 100 points in a single game in 1962.
The Warriors won, 169-147, setting what was then a record for the most combined points in a game by both teams. But the game is most remembered for the 100 points scored by Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain, who demolished the NBA single-game scoring record. source
How good was Wilt?
In the following night, Chamberlain got the permission to travel back to New York with three Knicks players. According to Cherry, Chamberlain drifted in and out of sleep and got a kick overhearing the NY players talk about the “S.O.B. who scored 100 points on us”.[8] Another night later, the Warriors and the Knicks squared off again in Madison Square Garden. This time, Imhoff played all 48 minutes and got a standing ovation for holding Chamberlain to “only” 54 points.
Yeah, baby, only 54 points. Way to hold ‘em.
Kobe and the 81
In 2006, Kobe put up 81 on the Toronto Raptors.
Bryant scored all but 15 of the Lakers’ 42 points in the third quarter, shooting 11-of-15 including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Six of his points came during a 12-0 run to finish the period, giving Los Angeles a 91-85 lead. source
Is it possible to compare the two games? Kelly Dwyer at Ball Don’t Lie seems to think so.
First, number of possessions.
First, the context of the era: there were, way, way, way more possessions in an NBA game back then. This was a running league, much more than any NBA-style track meet you may have seen in any of the last 30 years. Not only did Wilt’s Philadelphia Warriors score 125.4 points per game, they gave up 122.7. A team featuring Wilt Chamberlain (50.6 on field goals) shoots 43.9 percent from the floor, and scored 125.4 points per game. Think about that.
Second, Wilt’s team tried to foul to set up the record.
I didn’t, but earlier this winter I read Gary M. Pomerantz’ Wilt, 1962. It’s a compelling account of Wilt’s life, that night, but it also details the ways in which a bemused Warrior squad tried to help Wilt pad his stats in blowout win: namely, they fouled the heck out of the Knicks in the game’s final quarter in order to get the ball back in Wilt’s hands.
Third, the defense.
They didn’t, but they had less of a chance than the Knicks team Wilt scored on. Starting center Phil Jordan missed the game suffering from equal parts cocktail and legitimate flu, and rookie Darrall Imhoff was forced into action against a player that was a good half-foot taller than and three times better than most centers in the NBA; Imhoff included.
It is always hard to compare era’s in any sport, but there is no denying that both of these accomplishments are unbelievable.
NBA Basketball Fan Question Will anyone ever score over a 100 in a game?
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POSTED IN: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Basketball
3 opinions for Kobe Bryant equals Wilt Chamberlain
jason
Mar 12, 2008 at 8:17 am
I knew Chamberlain was good,but an 100 point game??? Wow, that is impressive. If anyone can probably do it, Kobe can.
james
Mar 13, 2008 at 1:36 am
One of my favorite memories, involved how big Wilt was. He backed a player down and reached backwards and dropped the ball in the hoop over the player. The player was helpless to contend with Wilt’s size.
Leonard
Jun 12, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I don’t think that anyone will ever match Wilt’s performance of 36 field goals made along with 28 free throws. Yes, the offense was much more wide open at that time. BUT!!!!!
There weren’t ANY 3-point plays. Not only was the 3-point arc not then in the NBA, but, even more importantly, at the time the game was played, if a shooter was fouled, but the basket still scored, he did NOT get a chance for a third point. Wilt did not have any 3-point opportunities because the league did not allow any 3-point scoring chances.
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