Wilt Chamberlain Records 20,000th Career Rebound

Midway through the 1970-71 NBA season Wilt Chamberlain reached a milestone with his 20,000 career rebound. Fittingly the Big Dipper did so with an offensive board followed by one of his trademark dunks. No ownership of this material is claimed.

[@DrJohnnyJ]

When Wilt passed Russell, Sharman told him to get the record out of the way ASAP and to get on with the game. Wilt grabbed 11 rebounds in the first quarter.

[@BoosterGoldEarth6]

Bill sharman wasn't the coach until next year

[@70sfan]

Another amazing upload, thank you!

[@retromaven2159]

Thanks man...

[@ddenuci]

From the NY Times 1/6/71: "OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 5 (UM) -The Cincinnati Royals defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 146‐112, tonight despite the 40 point scoring of Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain also went over the 20,000 mark in rebounds for his National Basketball Association career when he pulled one down with 1:32 remaining in the first half. He grabbed 23 rebounds during the game. He is the second highest re bounder in N.B.A. history, trailing only the retired Bill Russell of Boston." Wilt shot 17-26 in this game, grabbed 23 rebounds and held the opposing center Sam Lacey to 4-17 shooting. The Lakers were missing both Baylor and West. Baylor was out almost the entire season.

[@ddenuci]

Notice that even though it's the Cincinnati Royals playing the LA Lakers, this game is being played in Omaha, NE as per the NY Times article. It turns out the Royals played 6 of their games in Omaha that year. They also played a few games in Oakland, Madison WI, Las Cruces NM, Eugene OR, and believe it or not Toronto! I guess they knew they were going to be leaving Cincy, and were just trying to find the right location. A couple of years later, in 1972-73 season, the Cincy Royals became the KC-Omaha Royals. That was the same year Royals' Nate Archibald had one of the greatest NBA seasons, leading the NBA both in scoring and in assists.

[@HeathOverledger]

@@ddenuci Fascinating, what is largely overlooked as another obscure game buried deep in the record books that is nba history, one of the leagues hallmark moments and unfortunately they don't acknowledge or promote these achievements (imho). It always felt like the league purposely downplayed Wilt's feats (with the exception of his 100 ) because how does one even rationalize how he did what he did in obliterating the record books?? 😂

[@ddenuci]

@@HeathOverledger Sometimes, it seems like the NBA believes it got its start the year Magic Johnson and Larry Bird joined the league. On a positive note, it was nice to see that - beginning this year - the Rookie of the Year will receive the newly named Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.

[@wpl8275]

@@ddenuci That means it took them 64 years to name the rookie of the year trophy after the only player who won rookie of the year and the MVP in the same year. Wilt averaged more in his rookie year than Jordan in his best year even though he shot no 3 point shots and he shot free throws at a 30% less rate than Jordan did.

[@ddenuci]

@@wpl8275 It did take a long time to acknowledge Wilt. BTW, in addition to Wilt, Wes Unseld was also an MVP and RoY in same season (1968-69)

[@billymatthews7346]

Laker television, thank you for sharing Billy

[@johnnythekid4601]

Was this game broadcasted on ESPN classic? If so how long ago?

[@retromaven2159]

No, it was just a clip from an old syndicated program. Then they reran it.

[@Tom-xh8yj]

No ESPN back then.

[@christopherslovick9373]

Were they playing an NBA game in a high school gym in Omaha Nebraska?