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Reading: Wilt Chamberlain Said Shaquille O’Neal Couldn’t Play In The ’60s Against Him And Other Centers
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Wilt Chamberlain Said Shaquille O’Neal Couldn’t Play In The ’60s Against Him And Other Centers

Wilt Chamberlain Said Shaquille O’Neal Couldn’t Play In The ’60s Against Him And Other Centers

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Aug 4, 2022
2 Min Read
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Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain are dominating centers from different eras. Wilt set the benchmark for statistical dominance through his 14-year career, where he became the only man in history to score 100 points in an NBA game. Shaq was almost awarded the first-ever unanimous MVP in 2000 and completed a three-peat with the Lakers from 2000 to 2002, alongside Kobe Bryant.

People have often wondered how Shaq would do against Wilt if they both played in the same era. Wilt had the strength, athleticism, and skill to play in the ’80s and ’90s but did Shaq have the ability to play in the game the way they played it in the ’60s?

Chamberlain was once asked about comparisons between him and a young Shaq who was in the league at the time but hadn’t made a championship breakthrough yet. Wilt complemented Shaq’s strength and acknowledged that O’Neal’s style of play differed from his. However, he went on to say that Shaq would struggle with the physicality of the ’60s centers.   

Wilt Chamberlain vs Shaquille O'Neal in their primes would be an absolute treat to watch pic.twitter.com/wHoN8GZnSL

— Ishaan Bhattacharya (@IshaanBhatta) August 4, 2022

“He plays an entirely different type of basketball game. He uses his physicality, he is a big strong young man. That works well in today’s game. If he was facing me and other guys of my time? Not so good. I was bench pressing about 600-700 pounds.” 

The ’60s had some incredible centers playing the sport. That era was led by Bill Russell, whose Boston Celtics dominated with him both as a player and a coach. Outside Bill, there were the likes of Walt Bellamy and Nate Thurmond. 

Knowing what Shaq achieved after he chose to get heavier instead of staying lean, it’s plausible to say that he would have dominated no matter what era he played. The NBA changed multiple rules because of the athletic force Shaq was. Athleticism is the one thing that translates well through every era, as there really is no substitute for natural ability. 

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TAGGED:Shaquille O'NealWilt Chamberlain
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
Previous Article Wilt Chamberlain Disrespectfully Shuts Down The Comparison With Shaquille O’Neal: “It’s Like Comparing Me With Clark Gable, In This Case, I’m Clark Gable And He Is Me.”
Next Article LeBron James Wasn’t Having It When Maverick Carter Called Him Too Old For Needing 10-15 Games To Get Into Game Shape: “Sh*t. You Got Me F****d Up. I’m In My Prime.”
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