WILT KNOCKS 'EM DEAD

One-third of the way through the season, it is clear that no rookie—in any sport—has ever achieved the smashing success that Philadelphia's 7-foot-plus Wilt Chamberlain presently enjoys in professional basketball. From the first, he has scored more points per game and pulled down more rebounds than any other player in the league. His defensive skill, like Bill Russell's, has intimidated all rival teams, forcing them to pass up easy shots repeatedly because of a well-justified fear that Wilt might block them. Players defending against him are nearly always in danger of fouling out of games because the great effort required to keep up with Chamberlain drives them to undisciplined maneuvers. Wilt's remarkable stamina enables him to play the full 48 minutes, without substitution, whenever the Warriors need him. And he is bound to improve. As St. Louis Coach Ed Macauley says, "He will learn more from our old pros than they will from him." Finally, his presence is the principal reason why NBA attendance has increased almost 25%. Below is a detailed analysis of Chamberlain's record thus far.

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A GIANT LEAP FOR A LAYUP