Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game (55 years ago today)

[Machiavelli]

Wikipedia

Wilt Chamberlain set the single-game scoring record in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by scoring 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169–147 win over the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962, at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is widely considered one of the greatest records in basketball. Chamberlain set five other league records that game including most free throws made, a notable achievement, as he was regarded as a poor free throw shooter. The teams broke the record for most combined points in a game (316). That season, Chamberlain averaged a record 50.4 points per game, and he had broken the NBA single-game scoring record (71) earlier in the season in December with 78 points. The third-year center had already set season scoring records in his first two seasons. In the fourth quarter, the Knicks began fouling other players to keep the ball away from Chamberlain, and they also became deliberate on offense to reduce the number of possessions for Philadelphia. The Warriors countered by committing fouls of their own to get the ball back.

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[goatprairie]

What is little known is that Wilt was the first NBA regular to shoot 50% or better from the floor for a full season which he did during his second season.  And while he's known for his scoring records, as his career progressed he actually lost a lot of his scoring ability.  Some people contribute that to his gaining 50 pts of muscle mostly in his upper body, but probably Wilt just let his shooting skills decline. 
He was still a great player through his last year even though he didn't score nearly as many pts. as in his early years.