Cross-era · careers 31 years apart

LeBron James vs Wilt Chamberlain

LeBron James 2003-2025 · Forward · active Wilt Chamberlain 1959-1972 · Center

LeBron James (2003-2025) and Wilt Chamberlain (1959-1972) never shared an NBA court — their careers are separated by 31 years, so this is a cross-era comparison, not a head-to-head. On the floor, Wilt Chamberlain was the higher-volume scorer (30.1 points per game to 26.8); adjusted for era they scored at 2.70× and 2.56× their league average respectively; LeBron James was the more efficient scorer (60.8% true shooting to 54.7%). LeBron James holds the edge on accolades — 4 MVPs, 4 championships, 4 Finals MVPs and the #3 all-time ranking to Wilt Chamberlain's #8.

Career averages

LeBron JamesStatWilt Chamberlain
26.8 Points / game 30.1
7.4 Rebounds / game 22.9
7.4 Assists / game 4.4
1.5 Steals / game 0.0
0.7 Blocks / game 0.0
50.8% Field goal % 56.8%
34.7% 3-point % 0.0%
73.7% Free throw % 50.1%
60.8% True shooting % 54.7%
1,622 Games played 1,045

Era-adjusted (× league average of their era)

LeBron JamesStatWilt Chamberlain
2.70× Points vs era avg 2.56×
1.80× Rebounds vs era avg 3.85×
3.36× Assists vs era avg 2.03×

Advanced metrics

Advanced stats weren't tracked in Wilt Chamberlain's era.

LeBron JamesStatWilt Chamberlain
113.8 Offensive rating —
107.9 Defensive rating —
5.9 Net rating —
27.2% Usage % —
34.1% Assist % —
10.7% Rebound % —

Playoff averages

LeBron JamesStatWilt Chamberlain
28.4 Points / game 22.5
9.0 Rebounds / game 24.5
7.2 Assists / game 4.2
1.7 Steals / game 0.0
1.0 Blocks / game 0.0
49.8% Field goal % 53.1%
33.2% 3-point % 0.0%
73.8% Free throw % 46.6%
292 Playoff games 160

Accolades

LeBron JamesStatWilt Chamberlain
4 MVP awards 4
4 Finals MVP 1
4 Championships 2
21 All-Star selections 13
13 All-NBA 1st Team 7
#3 All-time GOAT rank #8

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