Dominique Wilkins makes the case for Wilt Chamberlain being the GOAT of the NBA: “I have never seen anything like that” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The debate about who the greatest basketball player of all time is will always spark endless opinions and heated arguments. It’s a deeply subjective question, shaped by what you value most — whether it’s scoring, championships, dominance or style. But when Dominique Wilkins talks about the best player he ever saw, there’s no hesitation.
For the Human Highlight Film, the answer is clear: Wilt Chamberlain.
On the “Behind The Mask” podcast, Wilkins doubled down on what many may find surprising in today’s era, reminding us all why Wilt wasn’t just a great player. He was something else entirely.
“When I watched Wilt Chamberlain, listen, he still got over 60-something NBA records that will never be broken. The guy averaged 50 and 30 rebounds a game for one season!” Wilkins explained while reminiscing about the legendary center’s performances.
Wilt was from a different planet, indeed
Wilkins clarifies that Wilt’s impact goes far beyond highlights and flash. It’s about a level of excellence and consistency that will likely never be matched. Sure, he played in a totally different setting with fewer teams and players still finding their groove in the game of basketball, but the physicality with which Chamberlain played would do exceptionally well in any era.
Speaking of which, Wilkins didn’t just respect Wilt’s numbers; he witnessed the unearthly physical tools that made those stats possible. He also shared a story that still sounds unbelievable, even decades later.
“One time, an opposing player went up to shoot over him, and Chamberlain caught the ball at the top of the backboard with his fingertips,” Wilkins recalled, still in disbelief. “I’ve never seen anything like this; it’s inhuman for someone to do that.”
Wilkins didn’t just marvel at Wilt’s jaw-dropping stats — he witnessed the freakish physicality that made those numbers possible. The story about Wilt snatching a ball at the top of the backboard isn’t just a crazy anecdote; it’s a glimpse into how utterly untouchable he was on the court.
“What he did and his dominance on the floor, to get a 100 points in one game, with the physicality that he played with, and against, where people was basically trying to take him out — and they couldn’t — he was too strong. I mean, he was benching 650 pounds before games…” Nique added.
A myth or a real player?
In what seems to be a never-ending GOAT conversation, names like Michael Jordan and LeBron James often dominate the debate, each with their own undeniable case for being “the” guy. They both are still fresh in the minds of today’s fans, who were there to witness (and still are) the greatness unfolding in front of their eyes.
However, Wilkins’ perspective challenges the usual narrative by taking us back to a time when sheer physical dominance was the defining factor. Wilt’s combination of size, strength and skill set a standard for all the other eras to follow.
Sure, we might feel like Chamberlain is some type of mythical basketball player who only lives in segments of video clips that we can find online, as well as the stat lines that feel like they are made up. However, that’s what makes him such a special player. And for those who saw him play, Wilt wasn’t just a legend on paper — he was the GOAT.
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