Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Wilt Chamberlain | True Highlights (Offense, Defense, Missed Shots, etc) 

Alone in this game Wilt had 6 blocks and played great defense so I believe he easily had atleast one quintuple-double in his career

Wilt competing effectively against Kareem at that age tells me Prime Wilt was truly the GOAT Center

The fact that a 35 years old Wilt had that kind of mobility defensively is crazy

When anyone says that Wilt played against inferior competition and lesser athletes, I talk about Wilt, 35 years old, blocking Kareem’s skyhook. Wilt wasn’t just the greatest offensive force the league has ever known, he was the greatest defender as well. He once blocked 26 shots in a single game and had a centuple double. He pulled down 55 rebounds in a finals game against Russell and the Celtics. Probably the greatest athlete of all time.

Chamberlain vs. Jabbar, with Bill Russell as the color commentator. The three best centers in NBA history.

Incredible find. Wilt Chamberlain is so undervalued in today's world of lists. What an athlete.

It's the quickness of Chamberlain's hands at that age that get me.

Imagine if Wilt played like Shaq!!. Wilt played nice because he was afraid to hurt people.

This game was the end of the Lakers' 33 game winning streak. I remember this game. When Hairston got under Kareem on that one play, Kareem got mad and swung a punch at Hairston. That's when Wilt came running into the picture. Kareem was lucky that he didn't get ejected for that, and that Wilt wasn't a violent guy. Both great players, but it was Wilt who rewrote the record books.

Wilt Chamberlain's numbers did not decrease because he couldn't score or the competition was getting better. He became more team oriented (and also had more capable teammates and coaches) and adapted to fit into a system where he was not the sole offensive focus. He led the league in assists later in his career because he wanted to win (and did so whenever he had a good coach with a good system). Look at the way he moves even at that age. Nobody is truly shutting that down, but the whole 50 point thing isn't winning basketball. Five players are harder to stop than one.

This is Wilt at 35 playing against Kareem at 25. Wilt had recovered from knee surgery…back then…very scary deal. These two were amazing. When Kareem got it going…what a force. Wilt’s defense was fantastic. The Lakers looked tired later in this game. Missing on some easy plays. Loved hearing Bill in the booth evaluating the game. Awesome recording. Thx!

Oh my … Wilt, Jabber, Oscar, West, Bill Russell and Keith Jackson commentating in one Game. And my favorite player as a kid - Bobby Dandridge.

Some People like to say that these guys couldn't ball today because of their old school playstyles or skills, but think about this. How much better they would be with utilizing today's conditioning, equipment and training techniques.

Wilt at 35 years old had like 6-7 blocks? I saw 6 for sure. Anyone who didn't think he averaged 10 a game 10 years earlier is nuts

At age 35 Wilt still was an elite defender. At the same time, while indeed his scoring dropped under 20 pts for the first time, averaging only 15 pts, he did it on an insane .65 efficiency. Also, it wasn't due to lack of capability. In a traditional half court approach Wilt could have still been ellite on the offensive end. Instead, they chose to change his role to a defensive anker and let the rest of the team run the fast break, and by that, play one of the best seasons any NBA team ever has.

Wilt Chamberlain is very active, and he still averaged around 40 mins even into his mid 30s what a legend.

I would say Wilt did a pretty good job defensively. I have never seen Kareem miss so many sky hooks.

As a boy, I read a book called "The Big A: Lew Alcindor". He and the Bucks became my favorite team. I remember this game well.

In my opinion Wilt and Kareem were the best two centers to ever play the game!

I also remember this game. I was 13 yo at the time and I watched it on tv. It was on a Saturday and I knew the streak was going to end on that day. That Lakers team was so good and dominant. Milwaukee was really good also. Kareem/Alcindor was marvelous, but Wilt changed the game like no one else, before or after.

Wilt was a different type of human being!

Over 50 years ago, this game (on January 9th 1972) was something special. Thanks for the upload.

Chamberlain was a freaking giant up under that rim. He barely jumped and he dunked with such ease. This is very cool film of a older version of Wilt Chamberlain and young Kareem. Makes you wonder how good Wilt was in his younger day. I know he was a force to be reckoned with. Kareem was a beast too. I watched him play his last couple years in the NBA. I'm 46 and I remember him shooting that sky hook. That was his signature shot. Great video of 70s basketball. Makes me think of the TV show good times😅

So many impressive things about Wilt: the athletism at 35, the fact he had 10 blocks... however if you listen closely you'll hear that Wilt NEVER fouled out of any game he played. That's unbelievable considering his defensive activity. You're talking about maybe one of the most athletic players in the game with that kind of awareness- one of a kind.

Wilt was the first to rock the headband.

I’ve never seen Kareem miss so many Skyhooks in one game before. Wilt was THAT good.

Keith Jackson and Bill Russell calling the game!

Wilt got in foul trouble and literally stopped defending. Too proud of that record of never fouling out.

They don't have games like this anymore. I remember when I was very young seeing these teams playing on TV. These games were very exciting to see.

Ah....the days when they had to dribble as opposed to today where they 3-4-5 steps....great stuff....thanks my man...

I really love this style of play. I would love to get the foul calling and the rules back to what it was in the early 70s.

Jabber, Wilt, West, Goodrich, dandridge, Hairston! These guys would be a great team in today's NBA.

"The two giants did play against each other in one game that season. It came on October 24th, 1969 - before Wilt's injury - and showcased both players and their teams quite nicely. Chamberlain boasted a stunning (but routine for him throughout his career) 25 points and 25 rebounds, while the rookie also posted an impressive 23 points and 20 rebounds... albeit on just 9-of-21 shooting from the field, compared to the veteran's 9-14 ratio. It was a rather even bout, but the Lakers ended up taking the victory, winning by eleven points behind a better overall team effort." As for wilt blocking kareem in 1972... on the way to winning the championship..... Game 3 - Lakers win Wilt Chamberlain: (6 blocks against Jabbar) Game 5 - Lakers win Wilt Chamberlain: (4 blocks against Jabbar) Game 6 - Lakers win Wilt Chamberlain:(3 blocks and 2 steals against Jabbar) In one game, Wilt blocked Kareem's signature move the sky-hook five times.... theres some legendary nba players who didn't manage any blocks on the shy-kook ever....never mind five in a single game....

Wilt's high-level passing ability/skill was noticeable.

Wilt is the GOAT.

Kareem later perfected that sky hook. It was unstoppable with the Lakers.

Notice the dribbling. Now this is basketball dribbling with the finger tip. No carrying here. Now, this is basketball.

I'd be nice to see both of them at the same age. I've always loved Wilt. When Wilt retired (1973) he held 72 All-Time NBA Records. I think 1 game he had 4,000 rebounds. He was pretty dominant.

Kareem in his prime was a monster!

real battles in the paint without the 3pt shot. Bring that back, make bball a real man's game again

Not only two GOATs going at each other, but a GOAT commenting, Bill Russell.

And commentary by Bill Russel....Wow what a Game!

This was awesome!! Also Keith Jackson and Bill Russell on the call!! Wow!!

Damn! Wilt Chamberlain was that dominant on defense and mobile😳?!!! Plus offense?

Wilt was a crazy great all around athlete. KAJ vs WC was epic. So great to see the two maestro’s going at it. Cool to see the Big O against West too. Awesome to hear Bill Russell as the analyst. Not the greatest announcer, but Russell’s knowledge and insights deserve GOAT respect.

That behind back assist at the 14.59 mark by oscar to kareem who punched it on Wilt was sick!

That Skyhook was damn-near impossible to block.

Wilt was 2 yrs awsy from retiring, having recently come of serious injury. He was 35 and playing against a prime 25 yr old. Yet, he held his own. If Wilt was 25 and Kareem was 35 like vs Boston in the 80s, Wilt would have emvarassed him easily.

The best part of it all...NO three point line.Just basketball

These guys were the best of their era. The skill of the game has improved so much, these guys look like average Joes compared to the 80s and 90s. And the 80s and 90s guys look like average Joes compared to the players of today. It's a beautiful thing to witness progress.

Just imagine the old-time greats being allowed to dribble under today's rules

Wilt at 25 was averaging 50 PPG 😳

I dont think u realize this is 1 of the greatest basketball videos ever.

I was 15 years old and jumped center against Wilt. I was 5’9” tall. I did not leave the ground. We lost.

I watched this game as it happened, saw both Wilt and Jabbar play, in person. Jabbar when he was still with Milwaukee (1971).

"Lists are for losers. Greatness speaks for itself." - GOAT Chamberlain

GOAT - Keith Jackson. Wilt was a great player. People only remember Kareem for his Skyhook they don't remember all of his other moves, defense, and free throw shooting.

Keith Jackson: "Bill, if you were in the game, how would you have played his shot. Bill Russell: "Keith, if I was in the game, he wouldn't have taken that shot." LMAO!! #goat

Absolutely great players. Wonderful to see the game played this way.

Literally in the 1980's teams wanted Wilt to come out of retirement to play in the league....a nearly 50 year old wilt retired sportsman who regularly played in pickup games and still schooled players like Magic.... In todays game they call LeBron a legend but he's 50lbs lighter than Wilt Chamberlain and additional he was several inches smaller but he wasn't faster even with modern footwear technologies.... They recognised that Wilt Chamberlain was able to control the game aswell as Bill Russell at any age and a center who can control the game by rebounding, blocks, steals and assists wins championships....

Kareem did in the second half what Russell pointed out during the mid-time break, and you can tell how much he improved, stopped missing sky-hooks and scoring over Wilt easier

Met Wilt, in 72-3 Oakland Arena. A giant. Russell and Wilt my two goats. The biggest difference back then was they actually called the game by the rules, unlike today. No palming, hand on top of the ball. No traveliing. Offensive fouls called, and over the backs. No handchecking. List goes on. A LOT of the freedom in the players moves now is due to the lack of rule enforcement. Giannis can look really fast when he takes 3-4 giant strides, and travels. Wilt was fast, super strong, and high jumped 6'6"3/4 in college track. He also long jumped. Saying everyone is faster now, etc. is only for people who never played against such players. Secretariat still has the triple crown records from 73. Wilts' abilities as an athlete are unsurpassed. Still has 68 records. Finally the league had a concentration of players. 12 on a team 13 teams, up from 8. 156 spots, not like the 500 plus G-league players. Only the best survived, and a lot of people wanted those spots.

I saw this Laker team play the Portland trailblazers during this win streak as and 11 year old. I can still see Wilt Chamberlain in my mind I sitting on the bench/chair. I could not believe how long his legs were! That Laker team was really really good!

Kareem, Jerry West, Chamberlain, Oscar, Goodrich and Dandridge all HoF'ers. Elgin Baylor had just retired. Bill Sharman and Pat Riley also in the HoF. Bill Russell and Keith Jackson announcing. This is literally an All-Time classic.

Wow how great to see not only the 2greatest centers of that era, but to see Jerry West and Gail Goodrich play together. Both great guards but were stone cold shooting this game. Weird nowadays to see Jerry shoot 18 ft bank shots. I forgot that Lewis’s team mate at UCLA Lucius Allen was on this team. Also fantastic to hear the great Keith “Whoa Nellie” Jackson call the game. Edit: Wilt altered so many shots of the whole team, including Alcindor.

The 1972 Lakers 33 game winning streak should be on everyone's list of unbreakable records. No team will even come close.

Wilt threw Kareem a compliment. He said for the first time in his career, I am going to need help with this guy!

Im a die hard Jabbar fan still. What always jumps out at me about Wilt in videos is his leaping ability. He could get to balls before there down ward motion better than anybody. Love these old games footage.

If wilt were 25 no player in history would have a chance he averaged 50 and 25 rebounds for the entire season Shaq would get the wake up call of his life.

Chamberlain is the GOAT. It's not really debatable imo. That he went to LA past his prime and contributed mightily to a 69-13 record and a championship. Gimme a break. The man never fouled out of a game and it's not like he wasn't monstrously active on defense. Contested every shot by Jabbar in this extended clip. It's not even close. He is the GOAT by a long shot. Here is another POV. Milwaukee wins the game. Jabbar is fabulous. And the only thing one notices is Chamberlain everywhere, doing everything, and they are on a 33-game winning streak. There are people in the know who without qualification say he is quite possibly the greatest ATHLETE that has ever lived. I won't argue.

Wilt played every minute of every game he started and never fouled out

TITANS...is all I gotta say, really. A lot going on there, between them, and Kareem was so intelligent, within that, but Wilt might be the most amazing athlete we will ever see...I mean, if you watch Secretariat run the Belmont, and it gives you chills or chokes you up, that what understanding Wilt, as an athlete is, to me. God Bless You All In Jesus Name.

Out with the old and in with the new. One legend to another.

35 year old wilt blocking shots like that is impressive as hell. Guarantee prime Wilt was sending everything back 😅

Good highlights. It was also a good matchup between guards Jerry West and Oscar Robertson

Fun to watch . . . again for me . . . as I saw both play many times in my youth. I suppose my main take-away is Wilt was able to alter Kareem's fabulous sky hooks and accounted for some of his misses. In this game match-up, Kareem was dominating, certainly on offense.

Just awesome! At 63 years old, this brings back so many memories of the early days of televised nba games.

Really appreciate this footage and comments section with insights and context on this era. I did not realize this was the 33 streak end. Impressed by Wilt’s shot blocking and rebounding. But trophy to Kareem, he struggled but once he got rolling he was filling it up. Most unstoppable shot ever I guess all you do to counter is an early double disrupt his rhythm. Lots of other players in this game that were legends in their own right.

You can tell that the lakers were tired after giving max effort winning 33 in a row.

Wilt at 35, playing for years in those Chuck Taylors, and still jumping. When I was about 35, I decided to try playing in the Chucks again. My knees were killing me after 30 minutes, and Wilt probably had 100 pounds on me. I love Chucks, but they have no cushion. If he, Kareem, and many of the other older guys, played with today's sneaks, they would have lasted a lot longer, and prolly had more spectacular plays. The guy who invented the waffle iron sole, initially used by Nike I think, should be in the basketball Hall of Fame.

Thanks for sharing the video, this is legendary!

Absolutely amazing and wonderful EDITING here and a beautiful perspective of this vintage game! Thank you so much for the effort and sharing with us. Many respects always brother 🙏 BRAVO!

Everybody knows how good Wilt and Kareem were offensively. But footage like this is a reminder of a forgotten aspect of their game: they were both totally legit defenders too! Legendary rim protectors, you get Hakeem vibes when you watch them defending the rim...

This is another example of why Kareem was so special.The stink about Wemby is nothing if not Internet madness.Thanks for the upload.Good memories!

I grew up in LA and became a Lakers fan about this time. I really looked forward to the Wilt/Kareem matchups. West became and remains my favorite all-time player. Having the game called by Russell is a nice bonus.

You can tell Wilt is a step behind in certain spots but still a beast at 35 😮.

All i can see in this video is an older wilt Chamberlain been an all around better player than jabbar except for the offense, better shot blocker, better rebounder, better passer, all jabbar did was that ugly skyhook and he missed a lot , particularly in that game🤷🏾‍♂️

I love Wilt imagine if he were 25 and Jabbar was 25

This is after Wilt blew out his knee in the 69/70 season and also gained a lot of weight while out so returned with a weak knee and overweight. He wasn’t the same after that. BUT after retirement is got in amazing shape and got his hops back, he became a professional volleyball player and in the volleyball HOF. He should have come back in the 80’s, there’s a great story of him and Magic in a pickup game in the 80’s and it’s apparent that Wilt is very dominant. He should have come back into the league….a couple coaches were trying to get him back.

And Bill Russell on the mic talking about them. Legends All three. Four counting Jerry West. My fave. I wore 44 on all my bball jerseys because of West.

jabbar missed a lot of sky hooks in a row

wilt had taken a back seat in scoring that year, just 14.8, 4th on the team, he'd only play one more year, elgin baylor's last year, jerry west retiring with wilt... kareem in his prime, you could tell he was rushing his shot in the first half, he'd get better rhythm in the 2nd half.. wilt still getting great block coverage with his athleticism and wingspan.

I felt like I was watching a "red zone" style of broadcast....I love it, not sure why more don't this style. Very intense. Good job!

Two absolute legends. Love it!

Without the 3-point line, we'd go back to centers dominating again. It's a different game now, and none other than Kareem has admitted as much by giving almost total kudos to Steph Curry--his amazing 3-point abilities (all abilities yes), have turned the game into an outside shooting gallery.

There was once in the post where Wilt decided to go to the basket right through Kareem, Kareem looked like a rag dole.

Compared to today's centers, Wilt played like a gentleman. He had the strenght to break the basket but he smashed delicately. Adapted to today's game, he would have played much more aggressive.

Wow great find and a classic moment. The game that broke L.A.'s 33-game streak. But that season of 1971-72 belonged ENTIRELY to the Lakers. Went 69-13 en route to an NBA title. Guards Goodrich and West EACH averaged over 25 ppg. Wilt the stilt averaging nearly 15 and 20 for the year at the twighlight of his career.

That looked like a playoff game. Both teams not giving in to the other. It's a shame Jabbar opted out of Milwaukee. The group they had would have competed for several NBA titles.

Wilt did a decent job against Kareem but Wilt would have destroyed him if Wilt was 25 and Kareem 35