The Best Debate in NBA History: Bill or Wilt the Stilt?
The first thing I want to say about this article is that, for those of you who do not think that this is the most competitive and talked-about debate in NBA history, Wikipedia even has a page dedicated to the rivalry between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, the two greatest centers to have ever played the position. Regardless of how you choose to compare the two, both players have accomplished enough in their careers to be considered the greatest centers to have ever played the position.
Whether it was Wilt, the unstoppable scorer who could easily score sixty or more points.
Alternatively, there was Russell—the rebounding magnet and ideal colleague. Oh, and throughout his 13-year career, he also won 11 NBA Championships.
Although there have been a lot of articles comparing the two on this page, I hope that this one will help you see the argument of who was the greater player from a different angle.
Before we compare, here is a brief bio that does not include any statistics that contrasts the two different kinds of players we are discussing.
Having played with and against the two, Wilt was and still is the more talented of the two. Russell consistently offered his Celtics the finest opportunity to be champions.
Russell excelled in the postseason, while Wilt was the superior player during the regular season.
Wilt was non-existent in clutch or important situations, whereas Russell flourished in the stressful scenarios.
During the 1961–62 season, when Wilt averaged 50 points per game, Russell won the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
Wilt only cared about his numbers, how many points or rebounds he could muster. All Russell cared about was winning, and winning titles.
