This comparison is a battle between the Top 2 Centers of All-Time. Both of these men are the first dominant 7-footers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain are two of the most dominant forces among big men that the NBA has ever seen. Both men's careers overlapped, which makes them natural rivals. They have had classic head to head battles in the early '70s. Kareem was in the early part of his prime, while Wilt was in the twilight of his career. Prime vs. Prime would have been an even more fantastic match up. Here, I will go into a very deep, detailed comparison about each men's career, side by side. If I were to create an NBA Mt. Rushmore, these two titans would be there, next to Michael and Magic. This is the battle of an insane peak run vs. incredible consistency and longevity. I was not alive when these men dominated the league. However, I am a very passionate student/historian of the game of basketball, and I enjoy the game's great history. Kareem & Wilt were two very large Centerpieces (no pun intended) to the game. Now, it is time for the main event. Let's get ready to rumble!!!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
vs.
Wilt Chamberlain:
Rookie of the Year:
Kareem: Yes
Wilt: Yes
All-Rookie 1st Team:
Kareem: Yes
Wilt: Yes
MVP Awards:
Kareem: 6
Wilt:4
All-NBA 1st Team Selections:
Kareem: 10
Wilt: 7
All-Defensive 1st Team Selections:
Kareem: 5
Wilt: 4
Finals MVP's:
Kareem: 2
Wilt: 1
All-Star Selections:
Kareem: 19
Wilt: 13
Scoring Titles:
Kareem: 2
Wilt: 7
Rebounding Titles:
Kareem: 1
Wilt: 11
Seasons with 50+ ppg:
Kareem: 0
Wilt: 1
Seasons with 40+ ppg:
Kareem: 0
Wilt: 2
Seasons with 30+ ppg:
Kareem: 4
Wilt: 7
Career PPG: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 24.6
Wilt: 30.1
Career FG %: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 56%
Wilt: 54%
Career Points: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 38,387
Wilt: 31,419
Career Rebounds: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 17,440
Wilt: 23,924
Career RPG: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 11.2
Wilt: 22.9
Career Win Shares: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 273.4
Wilt: 247.3
Offensive Win Shares: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 178.9
Wilt: 153.3
Defensive Win Shares: (Regular Season)
Kareem: 94.5
Wilt: 93.9
Win Shares Per 48 Minutes: (Regular Season)
Kareem: .228
Wilt: .248
Most Consecutive 60 Point Games: Wilt- 4
Most Consecutive 50 Point Games: Wilt- 7
Most Consecutive 45 Point Games: Wilt- 7
Most Consecutive 40 Point Games: Wilt- 14
Most Consecutive 30 Point Games: Wilt- 65
Most Consecutive 20 Point Games: Wilt- 126
Most PPG by a Rookie: Wilt (37.6 in 1959-60)
Most Points by a Rookie: Wilt (2,707 in 1959-60)
Most Points in a game by a Rookie: Wilt (58, 1/25/1960 & 2/21/1960)
Wilt Chamberlain was the first player in NBA history to win both Rookie of the Year, and MVP in the same season.
Fewest Games to Reach 20,000 Points: Wilt (499, 1966)
Fewest Games to Reach 25,000 Points: Wilt (691, 1968)
Fewest Games to Reach 30,000 Points: Wilt (941, 1972)
Career 60-point games:
Kareem: 0
Wilt: 32
Career 50-point games:
Kareem: 10
Wilt: 118
Career 40-point games:
Kareem: 70
Wilt: 271
Wilt's numbers were astronomical. Those behind him are not even within striking distance.
Seasons Leading the League in PER:
Kareem: 9
Wilt: 8
Career PER (Player Efficiency Rating):
Kareem: 24.58
Wilt: 26.13
Kareem was slightly a more efficient player, when you look at their first 10-15 years, as a result of his higher FG %. However, his decline hurt his Efficiency.
Now, lets compare their best individual seasons:
1962 Wilt:
vs.
1972 Kareem:
Career-High PPG: (Single Season)
Kareem: 34.8 (1972)
Wilt: 50.4 (1962)
Career-High Total Points: (Single Season)
Kareem: 2,822
Wilt: 4,029
Field-Goal Percentage:
Kareem: 57.4%
Wilt: 50.6%
Total Rebounds : (Single Season)
Kareem: 1,346
Wilt: 2,052
Rebounds Per Game: (Single Season)
Kareem: 16.6
Wilt: 25.7
Now, lets turn things up even more. Wilt had monstrous regular season numbers, but the tables turn once the playoffs come around. Kareem raised his game to a higher level than Wilt during the postseason. KAJ shot a higher FG % than Chamberlain. Even in their best individual seasons, Kareem shot a higher percentage than Wilt as well. Here are the stats to prove it:
Playoffs (Career):
Total Points:
Kareem: 5,762
Wilt: 3,607
PPG:
Kareem: 24.3
Wilt: 22.5
Field Goal Percentage:
Kareem: 53.3%
Wilt: 52.2%
Career-high PPG (Playoffs):
Kareem: 35.2
Wilt: 37.0
Total Rebounds:
Kareem: 2,481
Wilt: 3,913
RPG:
Kareem: 10.5
Wilt: 24.5
Career Win Shares: (Playoffs)
Kareem: 35.6
Wilt: 31.5
Offensive Win Shares: (Playoffs)
Kareem: 21.8
Wilt: 15.7
Defensive Win Shares: (Playoffs)
Kareem: 13.7
Wilt: 15.8
Win Shares Per 48 Minutes: (Playoffs)
Kareem: .193
Wilt: .200
Although Wilt had phenomenal peak numbers that are out of this world, Kareem wins the edge, as a result of postseason play, individual awards, team awards, and consistent longevity.
Winner: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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