Wilt's 100 Point Game

Every once in a while, when the stars align properly, the world is treated to a magical moment in sports. You know, those moments that leave you shaking your head in wonder. Such was the case 50 years ago today, in Hershey Pennsylvania, when the world was treated to one of the most dominant moments in professional sports history.

Wilt Chamberlain was a phenomenon, no doubt about it. His size and reach were basically unmatched in his era. Add to that, his incredible athletic ability, for a man of any size let alone a seven-footer, and the combination was deadly in the NBA of the 1960's. While he averaged an unheard of 50+ points per game, this night would prove to be something special. The one and only time in NBA history that a player has reached triple digits.

Let's put it all in perspective. Sure, he played the entire game. Sure, the offence was centered around him and tossed him the ball whenever possible. But to actually score 100 points, WITHOUT the aid of the 3-point line, is still mind boggling!

Is it a record that will forever remain unbroken? Perhaps. The most recent assault came from Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, who scored 81 in 2006, leaving him a distant 19 points behind. Even Wilt himself couldn't come close again, although his totals of 78, 73, and 73 fall in behind Kobe's as the most ever. It might take a freak-show style game lasting several overtimes to ever ascend to those heights again, and today's basketball is simply too well rounded to allow for it. Kobe currently leads the NBA with just over 28 points per game. That's a long way from a 100-point performance.

I would love to have seen it. Unfortunately, not a single video recording can be found. Perhaps that adds to the mystique. Some might say it never happened and that it was all a hoax. Of course, those are the same people that believe the moon landing was filmed in a recording studio...by aliens.

So, congrats to Wilt on this amazing accomplishment! And thanks for this special moment in sports history 50 years ago today. And in case you were wondering, Wilt's Philadelphia Warriors won the game, beating the New York Knicks 169-147.

   Don