Just how big was Wilt Chamberlin?

[sugarwood]

That might not be a 9' full sized table.
19 vs 22 balls is 82%

[speeder]

I knew Wilt, he was huge for sure. When I first moved to Los Angeles in 1982, I was working @ Gladstone's restaurant on PCH and Sunset on the beach. There was a guy named Gene Selznick who owned the parking concessions just south of Gladstone's, this made him a very rich man, though I think that he started out on 3rd base on account of being related to David O. Selznick. David produced small films like, "Gone With the Wind."

Anyways, Gene and Wilt were best friends and basically lived at Gladstone's. We all knew them well, saw them almost everyday. The interesting trivia is that supposedly the two of them really started the whole beach volleyball craze, of which the epicenter in those days was Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica, (right where his beach parking lots were).

It's possible that Wilt was involved in the parking concessions with him, that I don't know. I always assumed that they were just buddies who enjoyed playing beach volleyball, (can you freaking imagine playing against Wilt?), and drinking fruity drinks while chasing girls. They did not actually have to chase, it was more like "chase them until they catch you". Lol

Those were the days.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by speeder

.... I always assumed that they were just buddies who enjoyed playing beach volleyball, (can you freaking imagine playing against Wilt?),...

I was thinking about that earlier in this thread. Used to play a lot of beach volleyball when I lived in Fl back in the 80s...before trashing my knee a couple if times on the b-ball court. I think I'll sit that one out....unless Wilt was on my side .

He didn't like "Wilt the stilt" either...according to Bill Russel...bet no one called him that in his presence....more than once that is.

[KFC911]

Another memory from hs....and how big & strong elite athletes are. A charity game in our hs gym with players from Carolina (UNC)...don't recall the big fellow's name, but on one dunk, he shattered the freakin' backboard....tiny pieces all over the floor, wholey carp....game over

[GH85Carrera]

Somewhere out there is the clip of Wilt and Sammy Davis Jr. "boxing" and it is hysterical to see the size difference.

[dw1]

It wasn't just Wilt's height that made him so dominant in the NBA, he was also quite muscular.

Remember that he was in one of the Conan movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[Tobra]

Big and strong enough, how is that?

He looks a bit taller than Andre the Giant, who was 7'4"

[MRM]

Originally Posted by KC911

I was thinking about that earlier in this thread. Used to play a lot of beach volleyball when I lived in Fl back in the 80s...before trashing my knee a couple if times on the b-ball court. I think I'll sit that one out....unless Wilt was on my side .

He didn't like "Wilt the stilt" either...according to Bill Russel...bet no one called him that in his presence....more than once that is.

If I remember correctly, the only nickname he liked was "Dipper" or "Big Dipper".

[URY914]

Over 10,000?

[rattlsnak]

Shaq appears way bigger.. About the same height, but outweighed Wilt by @75 lbs in his prime.. Just a massive guy.

Just found this..
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fzb1IgIWsmU/VmqTsIud3CI/AAAAAAAAHYM/0eEmh0deP3g/s1280-Ic42/WiltShaq.jpg

[Tobra]

From the above link.

Wilt ran a 4.6 40 yard dash in 1966.

That is astounding to me, a guy that size that could move like that. Both at their peak, Wilt would beat Shaq like a rented goalie. Shaq is a great big guy. Wilt was a great big athlete.