Could this player score 100 points in an NBA game?

First off, the 24-sec. shotclock was already in place in 1954. The 3 second rule was introduced in 1936 and NOT in 1969. Illegal defense was already in place since 1947. Defensive goaltending was instituted way back during Mikan's college days (pre-1950's). Offensive goaltending was instituted during Russell's senior year in college (1956).

Wilt Chamberlain played with all of these rules in effect. He began his pro career in 1959.

Wilt has plenty of shortcomings. Physical ability is NOT one of these shortcomings.

Wilt is 7'1". In college, he weighed 275lbs, a weight that stuck throughout his pro-career. When he was with the Lakers and all bulked up, he conceded his real weight was somewhere around 290 to 300lbs. close to Shaq's level. He also has a fifteen foot fadeaway, admittedly not as consistently good as KarlMalone's but good enough. Wilt could run as fast, if not faster than Robinson. He was a track star back in college, in adddition to being a shotput thrower, a champion high jumper, and a triple jumper. Back in college, he was benchpressing 550lbs and he was lean, if not skinny back then, unlike during his hulking NBA years.

Minus the free trow shooting bit, Wilt Chamberlain is the closest match for your hypothetical player. He was a physical beast back then and he would STILL be a physical beast today. Sports Illustrated named him "as the finest athletic specimen made of flesh and Blood." New Jersey was forcing him to make a comeback even though he was past 50!

The main reason why no player today could average 50pts per game or score 100pts. is because none of them gets the same torrid amout of ball possession that Wilt got back in his prime specifically in 1962. The pace of today's game is SLOWER, hence less ball possessions. Also, none of today's players play as many minutes as Wilt did.

When Wilt averaged 50 points, he was getting 40 FGA with a .50 FG% (the second highest FG% in the NBA in 1962!) and average 48.5 minutes per game. Half a minute more than a regulation basketball game!

When Wilt scored 100, he had plenty of field goal attempts (63), he was shooting above 50% from the floor(36/63), he played every minute of the game and suprisingly for a career.500 FT shooter, he was hitting virtually every shot from free throw line (28/32).

All too often Wilt would score 60-70 points, impressive numbers to be sure but those could still be higher if it wasnt for his horrendous foul shooting. Had Wilt been a decent foul shooter, he would have had multiple games between 80 to 90 points.

He was barely slowed by hand checking and defensive physical tactics (like an elbow in the chest). He would love today's pussified hand check rules and ticky tacky flagrant fouls. He is also used to double and triple teams.

The average height of NBA centers back in Wilt's day was 6'10. Wilt towered a mere two inches over the opposition. Darral Imhoff, the center whom he dropped the 100points is 6'10. Bill Russell, the second best rebounder in league history and the center on which he grabbed a record setting 55 rebounds (but the Celtics won the game by 3 points) is also 6'10. You dont see Yao Ming endangering these records even though he has a 4 inch advantage over your average centers today. Walter Dukes and Mel Counts are seven footers back in the 60's. Swede Halbrook is 7'3". If height is the main reason for Wilt's domination, how come these players didnt dominate like Wilt?

Around 1969, the NBA put in the 3-second lane violation rule. Until then, the team on offense could cherry pick underneath the basket for the entire 24 seconds. But since the rule came in, it's really limited the number of points the big men can get under the basket because they can't stand in the lane for more than 3 seconds.

If then rule had been in effect in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain would probably not have had a 100-point game.

Yes ! A 7 foot 300lb skilled player as such could probably score 100Pt's in a single game if his team made a effort to make it happen. But to average 50 Pt's will not happen again ever. The player you described would go down as the best of all-times. Completely unstoppable! That is like suggesting what if George Foreman would have had the speed, agility and wits of Ali to go along with his punching power? Foreman would have gone down as the best of all-times and probably would have retired unbeaten. Remember Kobe had 81 in one game and this player would be more skilled than Kobe.

The fictional player you describe would be so much better than any other player today, that he could score 100 points in a game.

I'm not saying it's likely, but even Wilt only did it once. He would just need all the cards to fall right.

Wilt was as dominant in his day as your fictional guy in the question would be.

My favorite quote by Chamberlain following his 100 point game is:

"I could have scored 150 if I wasn't triple-teamed all night long."

Wilt was never lacking in confidence.

No. Given how good all NBA players are offensively, there is practically no way anyone can score 50 ppg every game. If you were scoring close to that many every night, you'd be triple teamed and that should lower your average. I do think someone could drop 101 points in a game perhaps if it went to OT, but to drop 50 points a game for a season average is impossible.

His 50 Points Per Game NO

His 100 Points HARD

His Rebound Stats YES SURELY

Ronald Reagan

It would be difficult, But a player could score 100 points if his teammates made a concerted effort to feed him the ball.

50 points a game is tough.

No, because he would tire out. Remember that playing basketball with 4 other teammates takes your breath away. Imagine just being the only one on offense. You would quickly get double teamed.

Well In His Day Defence Was More, Fainese. Today More Physical