51 years ago, Wilt Chamberlain predicted this extraordinary NBA summer.

51 years ago, Wilt Chamberlain predicted this extraordinary NBA summer.

When it comes to NBA queries, Wilt usually seems to be the answer – no last name required.

Reminiscences of Wilton Norman Chamberlain were stirred even this season, twenty years after his passing at the age of sixty-three and forty-six years after his playing career ended. After setting one triple-double record, does Russell Westbrook then tie another one? Each Wiltian mark. 32 games in a row where James Harden scores 30 points or more? became the second-longest streak in league history, surpassing Wilt. (You guessed it—the record-holder, with 65 consecutive In the playoffs, Draymond Green records three straight triple-doubles? Wilt and Westbrook were matched.

In summary, Wilt had an incredible year.

However, whether you’re talking about his 100-point game, his durability (he averaged over 48 minutes per night in 1961–1962, a staggering 45.8 for his 14-year career), the fact that he never fouled out of a game, or the fact that he led the league in assists one year, just to show he could, the Philadelphia native was always an enormous presence. He started his career with the Philadelphia Warriors and later spent more than three years with the Sixers. (Over the years, his extracurricular activities have also come under examination.)

And in this summer where players have been given more power than ever before, that presence is still felt. We have seen Kawhi Leonard make the move from Toronto to the Clippers, arranging a deal that would guarantee he would have Paul George as a reliable partner. We’ve seen Jimmy Butler take his skills to South Beach, Kemba Walker migrate up to Boston, and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant gravitate toward Brooklyn.

While LeBron James’ numerous moves, beginning with his 2010 decision to move from Cleveland to Miami, undoubtedly accelerated the movement of elite players (especially those looking to team up with other stars), this kind of thing actually dates back to the 1970 antitrust lawsuit the players’ union led by Oscar Robertson filed against the league. Six years later, it was settled in favor of the rank and file, opening the door for free agency to flourish and the removal of the reserve clause, which bound players to teams for life.

Wilt, however, was ahead of the curve as usual; in 1968, he forced a trade from the Sixers to the Lakers. In actuality, Tuesday was the 51st anniversary of the agreement, which.

He eventually worked his way into the Lakers; the trade was merely ceremonial. Together with Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, he also founded one of the first superteams in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the Lakers didn’t win a championship until 1971–1972, the same season that Baylor, one of the best players in league history who is often underrated, abruptly retired. After he stepped down, the team won 69 games overall, starting a 33-game winning streak.

It was one of Chamberlain’s career’s two championships, which was a notable deficiency. Similarly, he suffers (.511) at the free-throw line.

Nevertheless, he leaves a lasting impact that has been felt once more in this incredible NBA summer.