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THE AUDIBLE COMMENTARY

Wilt's 100 has mystery that's absent in sports world today

Staff Writer

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Forty-six years ago today, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a basketball game.

Of all the times you've heard that story, what is the most lasting memory from it? A photo of Chamberlain holding a piece of paper with "100" written on it.

Extras

If he scored 100 today, I wonder, how would we in the media cover it?

Fans would surely be alerted that Chamberlain had 41 points in the first half and was on his way to a big night. As the game progressed, and Chamberlain closed in on the century mark, we would've watched live feeds from the game as commentators discussed the historic implications, reporters made late-night phone calls for the best angle and bloggers informed their readers with funny quips.

It would be very clear at the end that Chamberlain made 36-of-63 field goals and 28-of-32 free throws. The immediate postgame, courtside interview would get the sweaty perspective from Chamberlain himself.

There wouldn't, certainly, be any mystery. Looking back on it now, we wonder if Wilt took on quadruple teams and dunked the ball between his legs for his final points. Did he score from halfcourt? Was he leading fast breaks?

Because 4,124 people saw the game in Hershey, Pa., and we have no endless clips, Wilt's accomplishment lives mostly in the stats.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or

knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com. Read more on Kyle's blog at DaytonDailyNews.com/nagel.

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