« I’m ashamed to have scored so many points »

In a league as focused on the individual as the NBA, making cards in scoring is one of the most rewarding sensations. However, one of the most memorable performances in the field left a bitter taste, and even embarrassment in the mouth of its author!

A few days ago, the NBA and its fans celebrated the 16th anniversary of the illustrious performance of Kobe Bryant against the Raptors. On January 22, 2006, the legend of the Lakers thus planted 81 points on the head of a powerless Toronto team, and entered through the front door in the history of the league. To date, this mark remains the 2nd highest scoring outburst signed by a player in the league.

The first, owned by Wilt Chamberlain, will probably never be dislodged. One evening in March 1962, the mythical pivot reached the symbolic bar of 100 points, in one of the most incredible individual performances of all time, in all sports. This is still considered his greatest feat on the court, and as the culmination of the immense career he was able to sign.

Wilt Chamberlain’s regrets on his legendary 100 points

Even today, this mad prowess of Chamberlain comes up regularly in the news, with ever more cult anecdotes about her. At the time of granting him the 6th place of his Top 75 all-time, not surprising that The Athletic did the same. The famous US media obviously mentioned this famous match against the Knicks, recalling via a statement from the Stilt… that he took no pride in it!

The 100 point game will never be as important to me as it is to other people. Because I’m ashamed of it. After I hit 80, I did everything I could to get to 100, and it destroyed the game because I was taking shots that I don’t normally take. I was not very fluid. Like, seriously, 63 shots? When you take that many shots on the playground, nobody wants to be on your team after that.

Admittedly, this total of 63 shots may seem immense to observers, and slightly attenuate Wilt’s feat. It also serves as a record in NBA history. However, the Big Dipper’s percentage is no less honorable, with 36 of these 63 attempts converted (57.1%). What does it matter to the main interested party, who believes he has distorted the game for his own interests.

This kind of reproach has also been leveled at Chamberlain throughout his career. Unlike a less scoring Bill Russell, but much more often crowned champion, he piled up the offensive cards, without necessarily filling his collective record. A fact that was also taken into account The Athleticwhich places the Celtics icon ahead of his great rival in his ranking!

Today known worldwide for his famous 100-point match, Wilt Chamberlain nevertheless admitted that he was not proud of this copy. Enough to prove his love for the game, which he claims to have distorted that day!