"Anyway, Wilt could bench press 550lbs back in college. On the set of Conan the Destroyer and when he was around mid-forties, Wilt was rumored to have a bench pressed 450lbs and beaten Arnold in weight lifting."
Wilt used to work out with the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) during the time when Arnold first came to the U.S. as a bodybuilder. Wilt got his bench press up to 500 pounds. Shaq could only bench about 450, probably less now.
When Wilt was 59 years old, he was STILL able to bench 465, which is more that Shaq has ever been able to do. Wilt was 63 when he died.
Wilt was a shot put thrower, a champion high jumper, a track star, and a triple jumper. He could bench press 550lbs back in college. The man is also in the volleyball hall of fame and he only began seriously playing this game when he was past 36.
"The New Jersey Nets, back in the 80's, were still actively wooing him back out of retirement when Wilt was already going 50 (in an 80's Lakers exhibition scrimmages, Wilt at center held a Magic Johnson-lead team scoreless)."
Would Wilt had dominated in today's NBA?
What would it be like if a prime 7'1'' 300-pounder with a 55" vertical and a 500 bench press came into the league now? I think he'd expose the NBA for the sham it is today.
First, he'd definitely lead the NBA in rebounds. He'd average 18.
Second, he'd lead the league in blocks. He'd average six or seven.
Third, he'd lead the league in shooting percentage for guys over 15 points per game.
He'd average over 60 percent (like Lebron James is doing this season, except Wilt would done it over several seasons).
Fourth, he'd lead the league in free throws tried. 15-20 per game.
He would also lead in minutes played at 45 per game. No center could run with him.
He'd average well over 20 points and a fraction over seven assists, also. And his team, no matter which one he's put on, would contend immediately.
Since there's so few good centers now, and a bloated 30-team league where he only plays half of them twice, the regular season would be a cakewalk.