WITNESS

It's really impossible to say what a play from a totally different era would be able to do today. The trend is toward bigger, stronger, faster, but that doesn't mean there weren't great athletes in the past.

Anyway, the statement wasn't that Lebron is the most athletic player of all time, it was that he's the most skilled based on the numbers he's been putting up the past five seasons. But that ignores the kind of numbers Oscar was putting up his entire career from his rookie season onward. It also ignores that Wilt's numbers massively trump Lebron's in three categories.

Also, do you really believe if you put Roy Hibbert in a time machine that he could have a season averaging 50.4 and 25.7? Do you think Roy could lead the league in assists (8.6)? Do you think he would match Wilt's career averages of 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rbg, 4.4 apg and .540 from the field?

Let's see Lebron get a quadruple double some day, say in a playoff game. Wilt's line from 1967 game 1 playoff against the Celtics: 24 pts, 32 rebounds, 13 assits and 12 blocks (unofficially counted).

I don't know. Check out Oscar Robertson's stats:

Averaged 30+ a game six out his first seven seasons. First to ever average 10 assists per game (stricter standard for assists back then), had 3 seasons of 10 rebounds a game (only NBA guard to ever do this). His career average was 25.7 ppg, 9.5 apg, 7.5 rbg. He averaged a tripple double for his first 5 seasons. Nobody has come close to his 181 tripple doubles. Also consider that there was no 3 pt line back then. He led the league in scoring and assists one season.

Lebron has been putting up great numbers, but sorry, Oscar has him beat stat wise. Different era of course. Still, going on what Oscar accomplished, Lebron is not the most skilled player ever. He is at least second to Oscar.

this article says everything you need to know. the pace of the game was totally different. and the reason for the inflated stats.


http://www.basketball-reference.com
/blog/?p=1423

this article says everything you need to know. the pace of the game was totally different. and the reason for the inflated stats.

Fine, has Lebron ever led the league in scoring and assists? Has Lebron changed the way the game is played? Oscar is credited with being the first premier big guard, the head fake, and the fadeaway.

Fine, has Lebron ever led the league in scoring and assists? Has Lebron changed the way the game is played? Oscar is credited with being the first premier big guard, the head fake, and the fadeaway. 

In your opinion would the Big O have the same inpact in todays game?  Would he be better or less effective?

In your opinion would the Big O have the same inpact in todays game?  Would he be better or less effective?

No and less effective. I have no idea how good he would be. I assume he could still be a very good player if raised in this era. I assume Wilt would still be great, but of course nobody is going to put up those kind of numbers again. Someone said 30 and 15. That sounds about right. A combination of Shaq and Olajuwan.

So let's assume Wilt in his prime could go 30 ppg 15 rbp 3 apg 3 bpg and .530 fg pct in today's league (with today's training, dieting, drugs).  That would compare well to what Lebron is doing. But it's an assumption.

So let's assume Wilt in his prime could go 30 ppg 15 rbp 3 apg 3 bpg and .530 fg pct in today's league (with today's training, dieting, drugs).  That would compare well to what Lebron is doing. But it's an assumption.

Would he be able to lead and finish on a fast break?

Would he be able to lead and finish on a fast break?

Wilt wouldn't be able to do everything Lebron does, but he would be more dominant in some areas. Wilt is what Shaq should have been.

Wilt wouldn't be able to do everything Lebron does, but he would be more dominant in some areas. Wilt is what Shaq should have been.

I hate I never got to see him play.  I know he was one of the top athletes of all time.  Its hard to wrap you mind around something you did not personally witness.

Its hard to wrap you mind around something you did not personally witness.

That's true. I grew up watching Bird, Magic and Jordan. For the longest time, I was biased toward guys from that era being the best. But then I heard some strong arguments for Wilt and Russell (and Kareem). They were hard to refute.

Imagine what he would have done in today's society where kids are working out with personal trainers in middle school? Some people win the genetic lottery and Wilt was one of them. He wasn't just some tall guy. He was one of the top 5 athletes the world has seen to date in my opinion

Put all the greats in the same era, and Wilt is the one player you pick before Jordan.

"Wilt in the past is equal to Roy Hibbert in todays NBA... Oscar Robinson in the past is equal to Jameer Nelson in todays NBA.. JUST THE FACTS.. "

That might be the most retarded thing said on these posts...and that is an accomplishment. You put Wilt's athleticism in today's training and he dominates in this era as well.