Michael Jordan, according to Wilt Chamberlain, had it easier in the NBA than he did.
These days, Michael Jordan is brought up in almost every discussion about the NBA GOAT. And in these talks, LeBron James is usually his opponent. I’ll say it again: I think the NBA GOAT argument is a fruitless endeavor. I’ve said it before. Though there’s no right or wrong response, a lot of people seem to love them, and I will admit that this kind of conversation is a fun enough way to kill time.
But as the two have the highest scoring averages in NBA history — Jordan at 30.12 and Chamberlain at 30.07, it’s easy to see why this debate took place. And it’s not that it doesn’t anymore, but MJ vs. LeBron is so hot right now.
We all know how Jordan feels about himself. Just watch The Last Dance for that. But how did Chamberlain, who died in October 1999, feel about being compared to the six-time NBA champ?
However, it’s understandable why this discussion occurred given that Jordan (30.12) and Chamberlain (30.07) have the best scoring averages in NBA history. And while it may not be as exciting now, MJ vs. LeBron is a great matchup right now.
Everyone is aware of Jordan’s self-perception. For that, just watch The Last Dance. However, Chamberlain’s reaction to being compared to the six-time NBA champion is unknown. He passed away in October 1999.
If you search the internet, you will come across numerous examples of Chamberlain talking about how he and Michael Jordan are similar. And it would take a long time to read through all the hilarious quotes, I promise. All agree, however, that Chamberlain certainly respected Jordan.