A story of Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain debating about who was the greatest of all time was told by Bill Walton.
During the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team meeting in 1996, Bill Walton recounted a heated exchange between Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. He said that while everyone else was having a great time and chatting merrily, Michael and Wilt were sitting at a table debating which of them was the greatest of all time. (Original transcript of Bill Walton, video CC is incorrect)
“We’re in this one room, and it’s just fifty players. Over in the corner is Wilt and Michael Jordan. And they’re sitting at a table, arguing vociferously as to who the greatest player of all time was. They’re going back and forth and just, it’s just intense as could be. And we’re just having a great time. Bill Russell and Kareem are smiling and signing autographs and taking photographs, that’s how wonderful this whole thing was. And now David Stern comes into the room (and says), ‘Okay guys, it’s time to go.'”
Wilt, who always has the last say, looked down at Michael and said, “Michael, just remember – when you played, they changed all the rules to make it easier for you to dominate. When I played, they changed all the rules to make it harder for me.” And there was no rebuttal, no comeback. Wilt Chamberlain, oh my gosh. “Everyone starts gathering together, lining up. And Michael and Wilt are still going at it at this table over here. So, David finally says, ‘Come on, Wilt, Michael, we got to get going.” They then stand up, and the conversation ends,
Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain are two of the greatest athletes in history. They were both well-known for their confidence in themselves, though. Therefore, it should come as no surprise at all that they would argue so fiercely about who was superior. Jordan and Chamberlain had a robust back-and-forth conversation because they both had legitimate claims to be regarded as the best players of all time at the moment. This was made possible by their unwavering confidence and self-assurance.
