Shaq retires - does this mean Wilt's vertical was 50 inches or not?

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hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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Jun 2, 2011 2:30 PM
Wilt is great, no doubt. But you out him up against Shaq and Shaq would dominate him.

Rules were created because Shaq was so dominate. (defensive and offensive 3 seconds). And if I'm not mistaking, 5 seconds back to the basket as well.

Shaq dominated Hakeem, Dikembe, Robinson, etc. That is much more impressive to me.
Jun 2, 2011 2:30pm
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robj55

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Jun 2, 2011 2:34 PM

I don't care what wikipedia says, there's no way in hell he has a 50 inch vertical, you're out of your mind if you think that. Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin only have 35" verticals. You're trying to tell me that 7 foot Wilt Chamberlain can jump 15 inches higher than those guys?
Jun 2, 2011 2:34pm
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thavoice

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Jun 2, 2011 2:40 PM
50" verticle....no way.

Most I have ever heard of is like 40-42. Former Hoosier Keith Smart was said to have a 42" verticle. I remember one time he just do damned high he coulda almost touched the top of the backboard I swear. He came down and was 'hurt' for a bit..and announcers said they think he was more scared of how far he came down after the jump. May have even been at Ohio state...I forget.

but wilt with a 50...no way
Jun 2, 2011 2:40pm
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ernest_t_bass

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Jun 2, 2011 2:46 PM
What was Melvin Levit's vertical? Wasn't it like 44".
Jun 2, 2011 2:46pm
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karen lotz

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Jun 2, 2011 3:23 PM
hoops23;788683 wrote:Wilt is great, no doubt. But you out him up against Shaq and Shaq would dominate him.

Rules were created because Shaq was so dominate. (defensive and offensive 3 seconds). And if I'm not mistaking, 5 seconds back to the basket as well.

Shaq dominated Hakeem, Dikembe, Robinson, etc. That is much more impressive to me.
I think that is referred to as the "Mark Jackson Rule."
Jun 2, 2011 3:23pm
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Laley23

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Jun 2, 2011 3:37 PM
I would also like to point out, that the widening of the lane was first for Wilt, and offensive goaltending was put into rule because of Wilt. So he also had rules made around him. Then you have Abdul Jabbar (or Lew Alcinder since it was in college) who had the dunk outlawed because of him. All 3 of those guys were completely revolutionary to the game of basketball in the paint.
Jun 2, 2011 3:37pm
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Mulva

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Jun 2, 2011 3:41 PM
A 50 inch vertical is almost as believable as him sleeping with 20,000+ women.
Jun 2, 2011 3:41pm
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Ironman92

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Jun 2, 2011 3:48 PM
Yeah....the 50 inch vertical is crap......but heaving the 16 lb college shot put 56 feet and running a 10.9 100m and being a 3 time HJ champ of the BIG 12....solid combination to go with his insane basketball statistics
Jun 2, 2011 3:48pm
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Ironman92

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Jun 2, 2011 3:48 PM
I thought Spud's was 48 inches and Melvin Levitt at like 52 being the higest I've ever heard.
Jun 2, 2011 3:48pm
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Skyhook79

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Jun 2, 2011 5:15 PM
karen lotz;788712 wrote:I think that is referred to as the "Mark Jackson Rule."
and the "Charles Barkley Rule"
Jun 2, 2011 5:15pm
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Skyhook79

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Jun 2, 2011 5:17 PM
Laley23;788720 wrote:I would also like to point out, that the widening of the lane was first for Wilt, and offensive goaltending was put into rule because of Wilt. So he also had rules made around him. Then you have Abdul Jabbar (or Lew Alcinder since it was in college) who had the dunk outlawed because of him. All 3 of those guys were completely revolutionary to the game of basketball in the paint.
Jabbar should thank the person who out lawed dunking. It is the reason Kareem developed the "skyhook" the most dominating, unstoppable shot in basketball ever...
Jun 2, 2011 5:17pm
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trep14

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Jun 2, 2011 5:52 PM
From the videos I've seen of Wilt playing, he doesn't appear to be particularly explosive. I don't believe he had a 50 inch vertical for a second.
Jun 2, 2011 5:52pm
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pmoney25

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Jun 2, 2011 5:58 PM
50 Inch vertical no way. That picture is not that impressive. At nearly 7 ft, I am not sure how high his reach was but it probably is pretty close to be near the rim on reach alone and his elbow is near the rim??Not that high.

With his height, you are basically saying Wilt could have hit his chest on the rim.
Jun 2, 2011 5:58pm
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karen lotz

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Jun 2, 2011 6:13 PM
I think some of you, including Skyhook, are underestimating Chamberlain. I'd conservatively estimate his vertical around 78 inches.
Jun 2, 2011 6:13pm
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robj55

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Jun 2, 2011 6:16 PM
Skyhook79;788824 wrote:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/130817-greatness-revisited-why-wilt-chamberlain-is-the-greatest-nba-player-ever






Wilt was around 300 lbs and near the end of his career at this point and look how high he still gets up, I have no doubt he had a vertical around 50.

lmao you are delusional, Dwight Howard is the most athletic big man we have seen and his vertical is only like 35 inches. If his vertical was 50 inches his whole damn head would be above the rim easily, you are nuts
Jun 2, 2011 6:16pm
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trep14

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Jun 2, 2011 6:48 PM
Skyhook79;788824 wrote:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/130817-greatness-revisited-why-wilt-chamberlain-is-the-greatest-nba-player-ever






Wilt was around 300 lbs and near the end of his career at this point and look how high he still gets up, I have no doubt he had a vertical around 50.

A 7 footer essentially getting his elbow level with the rim is nowhere near a 50 inch vertical.
Jun 2, 2011 6:48pm
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Skyhook79

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Jun 2, 2011 7:09 PM
robj55;788866 wrote:lmao you are delusional, Dwight Howard is the most athletic big man we have seen and his vertical is only like 35 inches. If his vertical was 50 inches his whole damn head would be above the rim easily, you are nuts

I said it was a photo from late in his career not a photo of a 50 inch vertical. Thats probally about a 30-35 inch vertical at 300 lbs and about 34 years old. I'm sure his vertical was much higher when he first came into the league at 250 lbs and young.
Dwight Howard more athletic than Wilt? Did you even read the eyewitness stories?? smh.
Jun 2, 2011 7:09pm
robj55's avatar

robj55

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Jun 2, 2011 7:13 PM
Skyhook79;788901 wrote:I said it was a photo from late in his career not a photo of a 50 inch vertical. Thats probally about a 30-35 inch vertical at 300 lbs and about 34 years old. I'm sure his vertical was much higher when he first came into the league at 250 lbs and young.
Dwight Howard more athletic than Wilt? Did you even read the eyewitness stories?? smh.

He never had a 50 inch vertical, sorry to burst your bubble, no rational person would believe that.
Jun 2, 2011 7:13pm
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trep14

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Jun 2, 2011 7:19 PM
Skyhook79;788901 wrote:I said it was a photo from late in his career not a photo of a 50 inch vertical. Thats probally about a 30-35 inch vertical at 300 lbs and about 34 years old. I'm sure his vertical was much higher when he first came into the league at 250 lbs and young.
Dwight Howard more athletic than Wilt? Did you even read the eyewitness stories?? smh.

I trust what my own eyes see more so than relying on what eyewitness stories say, especially ones that have probably been distorted with time. Watch the video of him playing, hes not overly explosive. Like someone said, Dwight Howards vertical is "only" in the upper 30's and hes 2 to 3 inches shorter than Wilt and he appears extremely explosive. Wilt just doesn't pass the eye test.
Jun 2, 2011 7:19pm
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jpake1

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Jun 2, 2011 7:20 PM
Wilt Chamberlain could supply a whole African village with protein for months from just a few jerks. TRUTH.
Jun 2, 2011 7:20pm
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Hb31187

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Jun 2, 2011 7:36 PM


Dwight Howard is not as tall, and hes still going up in this picture and his armpits end up about level with the rim when he dunks it. And his vert isnt even 40.

I believe Wilt is a hell of an athlete...but 50 inch vertical because Wikipedia says is kinda outrageous for anyone to believe.

Wikipedia and old "eye witness stories"(aka urban legend type stories which are extremely exaggerated) arent very credible
Jun 2, 2011 7:36pm
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like_that

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Jun 2, 2011 7:43 PM
I don't know what it was, but I hated Shaq during the Lakers 3-peat era. Always liked him before and after that. I am going to miss his antics. Not sure if anyone said this, but I think Shaq retiring is a indicator that there won't be a season next year.
Jun 2, 2011 7:43pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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Jun 2, 2011 7:44 PM
karen lotz;788712 wrote:I think that is referred to as the "Mark Jackson Rule."

Yep, you're right. While thinking about it I remembered after posting that Mark Jackson was actually the reason for the rule.

Good catch.
Jun 2, 2011 7:44pm
robj55's avatar

robj55

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Jun 2, 2011 8:24 PM
jpake1;788908 wrote:Wilt Chamberlain could supply a whole African village with protein for months from just a few jerks. TRUTH.

lol
Jun 2, 2011 8:24pm