Could Wilt Chamberlain have guarded Shaquille O’Neal?

[Buckandadime]

IMO its Chamberlain without a doubt over everyone else to ever play..
That includes Bill Russell who played H2H against Chamberlain for years and while he didn't put up the scoring #'s Wilt did, the teams win % was higher..
My top 6, for what its worth..
Wilt
Bill
Shaq
Willis Reed
Kareem
Hakeem

Honorable mention ..
#34 Embiid

[Chi_archie]

I don't think that was "PRIME" shaq

that was his rookie year

[Chi_archie]

IMO its Chamberlain without a doubt over everyone else to ever play..
That includes Bill Russell who played H2H against Chamberlain for years and while he didn't put up the scoring #'s Wilt did, the teams win % was higher..
My top 6, for what its worth..
Wilt
Bill
Shaq
Willis Reed
Kareem
Hakeem

Honorable mention ..
#34 Embiid

add 3 time MVP Moses Malone and David Robinson for a top 8 there

[Eddy Munny]

Could Wilt really bench 550lbs though? That's obscene. I'd have to see it to believe. I'm sure he was hella strong in his prime but 550 sounds more like an urban legend, one that added a few pounds onto it as the years passed.

If you put five plates on each side of an Olympic bar, that's 495lbs... The bar is already bowing at that point and you're still 55lbs short of his alleged max. Plus if anyone knows anything about the bench press, it's that guys with long arms are at a disadvantage because to complete the movement requires a greater range of motion. That's why many of the bench press freaks have shorter arms and barrel chests. Wilt had the limbs of a praying mantis.

[stevenash]

IMO its Chamberlain without a doubt over everyone else to ever play..
That includes Bill Russell who played H2H against Chamberlain for years and while he didn't put up the scoring #'s Wilt did, the teams win % was higher..
My top 6, for what its worth..
Wilt
Bill
Shaq
Willis Reed
Kareem
Hakeem

Honorable mention ..
#34 Embiid

I see what you did there.

[jackpot269]

Not sure if Wilt could have guarded Shaq or not Wilt was before my time!! Im a big Shaq fan always have been. That being said in his prime I believe 95 somewhere around then, when playing against Houston he could not guard Hakeem Olajuwan very well and didnt push him around at all I lost money on this series because I thought he would push him up and down and all over the court like he did everyone else all year!! I look back at the stats and they do the game no justice Hakeem made him look silly!!

[JIBBBY]

I don't think that was "PRIME" shaq

that was his rookie year

Shaq was very athletic when young.. I think he could match Wilt in that department. People forget how dominate Shaq could be. Wilt was playing against midgets in his day and age also.

[Chi_archie]

the point being, that Shaq must have gained about 50-70 lbs from his rookie year

[Chi_archie]

the point being, that Shaq must have gained about 50-70 lbs from his rookie year

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/05/13/shaquille-oneal-says-he-weighed-395-pounds-when-winning-third-lakers-title/

Shaq revealed his weight while winning his four championships and present day:

• 2000 Lakers: 345 pounds
• 2001 Lakers: 365 pounds
• 2002 Lakers: 395 pounds
• 2005 Heat: 325 pounds
• Current: 375 pounds

O’Neal was listed at 315 pounds for all three Los Angeles title seasons but 335 pounds then 340 pounds the following two years. He was listed at 325 pounds throughout his tenure with Miami.

maybe closer to 90 lbs

listed as 294 at LSU and 301 the next year as a rookie in Orlando

[stevenash]

^
Shaq thinks Krispy Kreme is a major food group.

[edawg]

Could Wilt really bench 550lbs though? That's obscene. I'd have to see it to believe. I'm sure he was hella strong in his prime but 550 sounds more like an urban legend, one that added a few pounds onto it as the years passed.

If you put five plates on each side of an Olympic bar, that's 495lbs... The bar is already bowing at that point and you're still 55lbs short of his alleged max. Plus if anyone knows anything about the bench press, it's that guys with long arms are at a disadvantage because to complete the movement requires a greater range of motion. That's why many of the bench press freaks have shorter arms and barrel chests. Wilt had the limbs of a praying mantis.

Complete BS doubt he could do 405. At his height he would need to be over 400lbs in bodyweight minimum to be an effective bencher. He is a big strong guy and a great athlete and really don't understand his need to lie but it is what it is which is complete BS.

[pavyracer]

Here is my response: If Wilt had the same trainers and equipment Shaq had at his prime with Lakers he could have guarded him.

You can't compare someone from an era where they didn't have trainers or equipment to train with.

This is the same reason Usain Bolt is faster than Jesse Owens. They trained with different trainers or had different equipment. Even the shoes and turf can't be compared.

No one knows if Usain Bolt could beat Jesse Owens if he wore the same shoes and run on the same turf like he Owens did.

[Doublethink]

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/amazing-wilt-chamberlain-story-what-a-beast/

[Doublethink]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBiXYlv76u4

[JIBBBY]

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/05/13...-lakers-title/

Shaq revealed his weight while winning his four championships and present day:

• 2000 Lakers: 345 pounds
• 2001 Lakers: 365 pounds
• 2002 Lakers: 395 pounds
• 2005 Heat: 325 pounds
• Current: 375 pounds

O’Neal was listed at 315 pounds for all three Los Angeles title seasons but 335 pounds then 340 pounds the following two years. He was listed at 325 pounds throughout his tenure with Miami.

maybe closer to 90 lbs

listed as 294 at LSU and 301 the next year as a rookie in Orlando

Shaq got hungry and content after winning championships and liked that fried chicken and all you can eat buffets. Shit happens.

Look and Lamar Odom in a different view as he was hooked on candy every day and his diet was horrific and he was thin his entire NBA career. If he didn't smoke crack every day after practice and after games he would have gained weight also.

[Brandt Moat]

Glad to see Malone in the conversation! He was Great. Period

add 3 time MVP Moses Malone and David Robinson for a top 8 there

[stevenash]

Glad to see Malone in the conversation! He was Great. Period

Moses Malone was a top ten all time center.

[Chi_archie]

[eidolon]

Shot Gun nose Ewing has no business in the picture! That guy cost me $660. It was my last chance to put some furniture in my new apartment. My girlfriend at the time(future wife), stayed with me for 20+ years of gambling,drinking and partying. We started calling him Shot Gun nose that game sitting on milk crates.lol

Wilt was a better basketball player. Wilt laid down more Pipe then Shaq. He fooked about every ho around the towns he was in. Dude is a azz getn legend. Just way better then Shaq at creating a way to make a basket. Shaq had no real shooting ability. He had that lil bunny hook from 2 feet. Shaq was stronger! You can tell me how much somebody benches til the cows come home. You utilize the bench strength in sports when you are getting some one off of you, because they put you on your back. It is and never will be a good measuring stick for the power you bring to your sport. I have competed against big men my whole life. Not at Bball. Power comes from your core. Shaq's leg strength and core would move a house. If Shaq wanted the rebound it was his. If Shaq wanted to stuff the ball, your head or anything, it was through the hoop. Down low I would take Shaq. Every where else, I would take Wilt. Wilt was a better athlete and kept his stamina up with more minutes and fookn. How can't ya like the guy!

Fked a lot of dudes to

[eidolon]

Wilt couldn't even ragdoll Russell. And people are out here saying he would toss Shaq around? get real.

[Brandt Moat]

That's a busy dude.

[eidolon]

Complete BS doubt he could do 405. At his height he would need to be over 400lbs in bodyweight minimum to be an effective bencher. He is a big strong guy and a great athlete and really don't understand his need to lie but it is what it is which is complete BS.

Everything that ever came out of Wilt's mouth was a lie

[thomorino]

IMO its Chamberlain without a doubt over everyone else to ever play..
That includes Bill Russell who played H2H against Chamberlain for years and while he didn't put up the scoring #'s Wilt did, the teams win % was higher..
My top 6, for what its worth..
Wilt
Bill
Shaq
Willis Reed
Kareem
Hakeem

Honorable mention ..
#34 Embiid

Willis Reed is not a top 10 center you moron

[JIBBBY]

Hakeem the Dream was legit. Little undersized but man he had the footwork and moves down low. A great shot and fade away. He schooled Shaq and made him cry in the playoffs.

[eidolon]

Hakeem the Dream was legit. Little undersized but man he had the footwork and moves down low. A great shot and fade away. He schooled Shaq and made him cry in the playoffs.

Agree.
Wilt is the most dominate player to play the game, but if I was going to start a team and needed a center, I would go with Hakeem Olajuwon. The guy was great at EVERYTHING.

[shadymcgrady]

Complete BS doubt he could do 405. At his height he would need to be over 400lbs in bodyweight minimum to be an effective bencher. He is a big strong guy and a great athlete and really don't understand his need to lie but it is what it is which is complete BS.

It's not impossible just highly unlikely. 405 is 4 plates and yes it bends the bar but a person could retain the strength while shedding the bulk that comes with that strength.

I kept both muscle and fat off when I played regularly at least 3 times a week but gained most of the bulk from weights after I cutback on ball. Same strength and weight lifting program all throughout, it probably also helped that I was an undergrad when I had the time to play often but wilt was a pro athlete

[Wrongside]

My Mom could gave guarded Shaq.

[marcoloco]

[johnnyvegas13]

Never watched wilt and really just watched shaq as a kid

[Eddy Munny]

Never watched wilt and really just watched shaq as a kid

Johnny how much you bench?

[johnnyvegas13]

Johnny how much you bench?

Not a lot eddy

but I can kayak a long distance

[DrunkHorseplayer]

If you believe Wilt benched 550, then you believe he banged 20,000 chicks; complete BS.

[Eddy Munny]

Not a lot eddy

but I can kayak a long distance

Yeah you showed us the clip once.

[Eddy Munny]

If you believe Wilt benched 550, then you believe he banged 20,000 chicks; complete BS.

Only Brasky can bench 550 and bang 20K... Simultaneously in some cases.

[JIBBBY]

If you believe Wilt benched 550, then you believe he banged 20,000 chicks; complete BS.

Not a chance Wilt benched over 275 pounds ever in his life with those long arms if I had to guess.

Banging and or raping white chicks I don't know how many he did but probably alot. Now that I can believe.