When NBA legend Elvin Hayes reflected on his battles against the imposing Wilt Chamberlain, it was clear that the mere thought of facing Chamberlain still struck fear into the heart of the Hall of Famer. Hayes, who faced off against Chamberlain during his illustrious career, gave a candid and gripping account of what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of the most dominant physical forces in basketball history.
In 1982, at 45 years old, Hayes was asked by George White of the Houston Chronicle whether Wilt Chamberlain could still play at a high level, even after his legendary career had started to wind down. Hayes didn’t hesitate to recall the terrifying experiences of facing Chamberlain on the court, admitting that “some things about Wilt, you never forgot.”
One of the most vivid memories Hayes shared was the overwhelming presence Chamberlain had under the basket. “To go up under Wilt Chamberlain, to be down there and look up at him when he’s towering up over you waiting to dunk, was a terrifying picture,” Hayes confessed. Chamberlain, known for his sheer size and athleticism, was a force unlike any other in the NBA. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, with a combination of strength, speed, and skill, Chamberlain was a physical specimen who could dominate in ways few players could.
The fear Hayes described wasn’t just about Chamberlain’s size—it was about the sheer inevitability of the dunk. “To see him poised up there, knowing he was about to sweep down with that big jam… that must be the most frightening sight in sports,” Hayes remarked. When Chamberlain went up for a dunk, it wasn’t just a routine basket—it was a display of power that left defenders with no choice but to try and avoid the inevitable. Hayes knew that the ball was about to “shoot through the net,” and his body had better be prepared, because Chamberlain’s physicality could seriously hurt someone.
What stood out most in Hayes’ account was the fear Chamberlain could instill simply with his presence. “I was scared. Everyone was scared when he got that look in his eye, that don’t-try-to-stop-this look that he got when he really wanted it,” Hayes said. It was this commanding presence that made Chamberlain such a force to be reckoned with, even in his later years.
Hayes also pointed out that even Bill Russell, the legendary Boston Celtics center who dominated his own era, likely knew that no one could truly stop Chamberlain when he was fully determined. “I think Russell realized there was no way he could have stopped Wilt if he had been fully intent on making it a two-man game,” Hayes said. This only highlights the degree to which Chamberlain’s dominance transcended the game.
Reflecting on his own battles with the big man, Hayes said, “When I played him, I kept this foremost in my mind: Above all, don’t make him mad. Don’t embarrass him. You wanted to keep him quiet as long as possible.” In a game defined by competition and toughness, the mere thought of facing Wilt Chamberlain was enough to make even the toughest players second-guess their approach.
