Wilt Chamberlain - the center who debuted with monstrous numbers

Wilt Chamberlain – the center who debuted with monstrous numbers

A first season that everyone can only dream of

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the NBA's legendary basketball players. The 2-meter, 16-centimeter center has left a lasting mark on the teams of Philadelphia and the LA Lakers. And in the 1960s and early 1970s, she was one of the leading figures in the world of sports. However, in this article we will recall his debut. A debut that will go down in history, if not as the best, then at least as one of the best.

On October 24, 1959 The Philadelphia Warriors take on the New York Knicks and everyone will remember the name Wilt Chamberlain. The center finished with 43 points, 28 rebounds and 1 assist in a game that Philly won largely thanks to him. Chamberlain shot 17-of-27 from the field and 9-of-15 from the free throw line, which really looks impressive. He also set the record for both points and rebounds in an NBA debut. Chamberlain leaves behind both Maurice Stokes and John Drew, who each scored 32 points in their first games - 11 less than Wilt - and Ball Walton, who impressed with his 24 rebounds. However, they are a full 4 short of the new record set by the Warriors center.

However, this is only the beginning of a memorable season. Already in his third game, Chamberlain scored 41 points and grabbed a career-high 40 rebounds. Philadelphia beat the Syracuse Nationals 124-113, meaning Wilt scored a third of his team's points.

Chamberlain's fourth match saw him face Bill Russell for the first time. However, Boston won, but Philly's center scored more points - 30 to Russell's 28. The two subsequently become one of the biggest opponents on the field, but outside the hall they are friends. Something that repeats itself in history in the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

On November 10 of the same year, Chamberlain scored another impressive double-double - 39 points and a new record in rebounds - 43 in the Warriors' 126-125 victory over the Knicks.

January 25, 1960 is the date in which Chamberlain impressed with indicators of 50 points and 40 rebounds. Until the end of the season, he played two more games, in which he managed to realize 58 points, and in one of them he also had 42 controlled rebounds

The regular season for him ends with averages of 37.6 points and 27 rebounds per game. That's breaking records for those metrics by an NBA rookie. Also, Chamberlain needed just 56 games to score 2,102 points, breaking Bob Pettitte's record for most points in a single season of 2,101 in 72 games.

The records that the center improves are a total of 8 records. Chamberlain won the regular season MVP award as well as the Rookie of the Year award. Wilt also won the All-Star Game, where he was named Most Valuable Player with his 23 points and 25 rebounds for the East team.

In the playoffs, Philadelphia takes on Syracuse and the next opponent is Boston. In Game 5 against the Celtics, Chamberlain scored 50 points and had 35 rebounds to lead Philly to just their second win of the series. Wilt became the only player with 50 points and 35 rebounds in a playoff game and held that record until 2019. However, the series ends 4:2 for Boston and the Warriors end the season with disappointment.

At the end of the campaign, Chamberlain shocked the fans as he shared that he was thinking of quitting because of the fouls that caused him to lose some of his love for the game. It never happens for basketball fans to enjoy a great career.

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