“Legends Never Die: How Wilt Chamberlain is Making Waves in Today’s Game!”
Wilt Chamberlain’s block of Gus Johnson’s slam is the stuff of legends, even though there is no visual proof.
Although the moment is not captured on camera or in a picture, it undoubtedly exists.
The day after the dramatic blow, Nov. 26, 1966, in Baltimore, when Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers defeated Johnson’s Baltimore Bullets 129-115, the Baltimore Sun reported on it. The publication said that Johnson’s shoulder was “wrenched” as a result of Chamberlain’s massive hit.
Wilt Chamberlain “dislocated the shoulder of the big Gus Johnson as he blocked one of Gus’ dunks,” according to the Los Angeles Times on February 26, 1981.
Billy Cunningham gave the Philadelphia Inquirer the following information on October 26, 1986, after he saw it happen: “Gus stood up to Wilt,” Cunningham remarked. “Gus tried to dunk, but Wilt grabbed the ball, threw him to the ground, and they had to help him off the floor because his shoulder was dislocated.”
Billy Cunningham gave the Philadelphia Inquirer the following information on October 26, 1986, after he saw it happen: “Gus stood up to Wilt,” Cunningham remarked. “Gus tried to dunk, but Wilt grabbed the ball, threw him to the ground, and they had to help him off the floor because his shoulder was dislocated.”
What a crippling block this would be if it existed in the YouTube era. We would never forget it since it would be ingrained in our digital minds. Rather, it happened during a time when players were thought to be clumsy, plodding, slow, or a mix of all three. And you were unfairly exploiting the physically unlucky if you were athletic in any way. The footage that dispels these widespread beliefs is rare.
