As legends of the game go, Wilt Chamberlain is one of the greatest. The player broke over 70 NBA records in his time and many give him credit for changing the game as we know it. One of his greatest records was to score 55 rebounds in a single game.
While Wilt Chamberlain is best known for scoring 100 points in a single game. This record has come under some criticism for the circumstances it was scored under. While Chamberlain had some advantages in that game (weak opposition, weak marker, and the team being a little overzealous in trying to get him the record, etc) he has set many more records when things were not on his side.
One record that Chamberlain holds is 55 rebounds in a single game. Chamberlain who was nicknamed ‘Wilt the Stilt’ and ‘The Big Dipper’ was an incredibly tall man at 2.16 meters (the same height as Shaq). His tall frame made him the ideal size for rebounds.
Chamberlain was so good at rebounds and other facets of the game that the NBA sought to change the rules to make things more difficult and keep him away from the basket a little longer. The rule changes resulted in the lane being widened to 16 feet, outlawed offensive goaltending and made it clear that a free thrower can’t cross the line until hits the rim of the basket. Chamberlain basically broke the game of basketball.
The rule changes make it difficult for others to beat his records but that should not be seen as a question of his brilliance. The man who breaks the game should be held in high esteem.
Chamberlain passed away in 1999 at the age of 63. He was named in the Hall of Fame in 1978 and named in NBA’s 50th anniversary All-Star team in 1997. The player is a true legend of the game.
