Wilt: Larger than Life

Rating:
Summary: THE ``MUST-READ'' WILT BOOK
Review:
As a Phila. sportswriter who has marveled at The Dipper and his movie-script life in and out of basketball for 40-plus years, I finally found the absolute definitive Chamberlain biography that perhaps Wilt could not have done better, were he still with us. Like Wilt, this is the Greatest. Educational, informative, anecdotal, respectful, fun and well done. Thanks Bob.

Rating:
Summary: Remembering Wilt The Stilt Chamberlain.
Review: When Wilt Chamberlain passed away in Oct of 1997, it came as a shock to many that the 63 year old basketball legend died so young. Robert Cherry has written a wonderful biography and the first since wilt's passing that details his difficult final few years of struggles with many health related problems, that eventually led to his untimely death. Thirty years after he retired from basketball, Wilt still owns more NBA records then any player in history. Bill Russell may have won all those championships, but not even Russell was a match for Wilt statisically. Chamberlain almost always outscored and out rebounded Russell in every encounter. Russell no doubt almost always had the better teams. Abdul Jabbar played 20 seasons to Wilts 13, and yet Chamberlain has several thousand more lifetime rebounds. In the twilight of his career, a 35 year old Wilt led the Lakers to victory over the Bucks and a 25 year old Jabbar during the 1972 playoffs. Even more astounding, was wilt blocked 20 shots in two consecutive games in that series, and 11 of those blocked shots were on Kareem. Who the heck ever did that to Jabbar. Makes you wonder what Wilt would have done in his prime. As great as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were, none of them had the impact or dominance of Wilt Chamberlain. The rules of the game were altered upon Wilts arrival into the league. Modern day fans talk of Shaq being the greatest center of all-time. Does anyone out there think Shaq could have blocked 11 Kareem shots in two games? Shaq wouldn't have been able to leap high enough to block a skyhook. That statistic alone, should be enough to convince anyone of Wilts athleticism. The book documents his all phases of his life, but none is more eye opening then the author's recounting of Wilts final years. Wilt developed a weak heart causing a condition called congestive heart failure. Along with High blood pressure, Diabetes and a debilitating hip condition, It was tough for Wilt who was always in top condition, to accept the fact that was becoming immobile and sickly. Because Wilt was so private, very few people new just how sick he was becoming. Through interviews with his closest friends and family, Cherry paints a vivid picture of this warm gentle giant of the sports world, suffering in the final months of his life. Unfortunately, his pride may have prevented him from correcting some of his aliments that led to his death. It is noted on the book, that Wilt often refused medical attention for his conditions. He needed a pacemaker and and hip replacement, but it seems that he always put it off until it was too late. Maybe that is the way he wanted it. All that put aside, I found this book to be quite an enjoyable read, revealing the strengths and weaknesses of one of the worlds greatest athletes.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Wilt Chamberlin is a Incredible Talent in any sport&in any era.the Man forever changed the game. He is One of sports Mount Rushmore. Wilt&Shaq are my two all time favorite Players ever.Wilt though just was on a whole different level.truly a one of a kind force&Talent.this book deals with the many ways He Dominated the League.not only was he Strong,but He was a very athletic force Period.to be real he should be the NBA Logo when you think about His Impact&How He will always Loom over so many Players through the test of time with the NBA.