Wilt Chamberlain vs. John Salley Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of John Salley and Wilt Chamberlain, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Wilt Chamberlain played 14 years in the NBA, 3 more than John Salley, who played 11. Wilt Chamberlain had the first of his seasons in 1959-60, while John Salley had his rookie season in 1986-87. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Wilt Chamberlain 14 13 1959-60 to 1972-73
John Salley 11 9 1986-87 to 1999-00

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1959-601986-87
Team Philadelphia WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Rookie of the Year-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Warriors Lost East Div FinalsPistons Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 72 46.4 37.6 - - 27.0 2.3 - - - 2.1 14.8 32.1 .461 - - - 8.0 13.8 .582
John Salley 82 17.8 5.3 1.3 2.3 3.6 0.7 0.5 1.5 0.9 3.1 2.0 3.5 .562 0.0 0.0 .000 1.3 2.1 .614
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 9 46.1 33.2 - - 25.8 2.1 - - - 1.9 13.9 28.0 .496 - - - 5.4 12.2 .445
John Salley 15 20.7 6.2 2.0 2.8 4.8 0.7 0.2 1.1 0.9 4.0 2.2 4.4 .500 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.8 .643

Season 2

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1960-611987-88
Team Philadelphia WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Warriors Lost East Div SemisPistons Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 79 47.8 38.4 - - 27.2 1.9 - - - 1.6 15.8 31.1 .509 - - - 6.7 13.3 .504
John Salley 82 24.4 8.5 2.0 2.9 4.9 1.4 0.6 1.7 1.5 3.6 3.1 5.6 .566 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.2 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 3 48.0 37.0 - - 23.0 2.0 - - - 3.3 15.0 32.0 .469 - - - 7.0 12.7 .553
John Salley 23 27.1 7.0 2.8 4.0 6.7 0.9 0.7 1.6 1.0 3.8 2.4 4.5 .538 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.0 .710

Season 3

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1961-621988-89
Team Philadelphia WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Warriors Lost East Div FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 80 48.5 50.4 - - 25.7 2.4 - - - 1.5 20.0 39.5 .506 - - - 10.4 17.0 .613
John Salley 67 21.8 7.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.5 2.9 2.5 5.0 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.9 .692
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 12 48.0 35.0 - - 26.6 3.1 - - - 2.3 13.5 28.9 .467 - - - 8.0 12.6 .636
John Salley 17 23.1 8.9 2.0 2.6 4.6 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.7 3.4 3.4 5.8 .586 0.0 0.0 - 2.1 3.2 .667

Season 4

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1962-631989-90
Team San Francisco WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 80 47.6 44.8 - - 24.3 3.4 - - - 1.7 18.3 34.6 .528 - - - 8.3 13.9 .593
John Salley 82 23.3 7.2 1.9 3.5 5.4 0.8 0.6 1.9 1.2 3.4 2.5 5.0 .512 0.0 0.0 .250 2.1 3.0 .713
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain ------- --- ----------
John Salley 20 27.4 9.5 2.9 3.0 5.9 1.0 0.5 1.7 1.1 3.8 2.9 6.1 .475 0.0 0.0 - 3.7 4.9 .755

Season 5

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1963-641990-91
Team San Francisco WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Warriors Lost NBA FinalsPistons Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 80 46.1 36.9 - - 22.3 5.0 - - - 2.3 15.1 28.7 .524 - - - 6.8 12.7 .531
John Salley 74 22.3 7.4 1.9 2.6 4.4 0.9 0.7 1.5 1.2 3.2 2.4 5.1 .475 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.5 .727
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 12 46.5 34.7 - - 25.2 3.3 - - - 2.3 14.6 26.8 .543 - - - 5.5 11.6 .475
John Salley 15 20.5 7.5 1.3 2.8 4.1 0.7 0.4 1.3 0.9 3.9 2.5 4.7 .543 0.0 0.0 - 2.4 4.0 .600

Season 6

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1964-651991-92
Team San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Div FinalsPistons Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 73 45.2 34.7 - - 22.9 3.4 - - - 2.0 14.6 28.5 .510 - - - 5.6 12.1 .464
John Salley 72 24.6 9.5 1.5 2.6 4.1 1.6 0.7 1.5 1.4 3.1 3.5 6.8 .512 0.0 0.0 .000 2.6 3.6 .715
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 11 48.7 29.3 - - 27.2 4.4 - - - 2.6 11.2 21.1 .530 - - - 6.9 12.4 .559
John Salley 5 29.8 12.6 2.0 4.0 6.0 2.8 0.6 2.8 1.8 3.6 4.0 8.8 .455 0.0 0.2 .000 4.6 5.6 .821

Season 7

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1965-661992-93
Team Philadelphia 76ersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Div FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 79 47.3 33.5 - - 24.6 5.2 - - - 2.2 13.6 25.2 .540 - - - 6.3 12.4 .513
John Salley 51 27.9 8.3 2.2 3.9 6.1 1.6 0.6 1.4 2.0 3.8 3.0 6.0 .502 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 2.8 .799
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 5 48.0 28.0 - - 30.2 3.0 - - - 2.0 11.2 22.0 .509 - - - 5.6 13.6 .412
John Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1966-671993-94
Team Philadelphia 76ersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHeat Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 81 45.5 24.1 - - 24.2 7.8 - - - 1.8 9.7 14.2 .683 - - - 4.8 10.8 .441
John Salley 76 25.1 7.7 1.7 3.6 5.4 1.8 0.7 1.0 1.2 3.4 2.7 5.7 .477 0.0 0.0 .667 2.2 3.0 .729
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 15 47.9 21.7 - - 29.1 9.0 - - - 2.5 8.8 15.2 .579 - - - 4.1 10.7 .388
John Salley 5 40.2 11.0 3.2 4.8 8.0 1.6 0.4 1.0 1.2 4.2 4.4 11.4 .386 0.0 0.0 - 2.2 3.2 .688

Season 9

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1967-681994-95
Team Philadelphia 76ersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Div FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 82 46.8 24.3 - - 23.8 8.6 - - - 2.0 10.0 16.8 .595 - - - 4.3 11.4 .380
John Salley 75 26.1 7.3 1.5 3.0 4.5 1.6 0.6 1.1 1.3 3.7 2.6 5.3 .499 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.8 .739
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 13 48.5 23.7 - - 24.7 6.5 - - - 2.2 9.5 17.8 .534 - - - 4.6 12.2 .380
John Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1968-691995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersToronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 81 45.3 20.5 - - 21.1 4.5 - - - 1.8 7.9 13.6 .583 - - - 4.7 10.6 .446
John Salley 42 16.0 4.4 1.1 2.2 3.3 1.3 0.5 0.6 1.3 2.6 1.5 3.3 .450 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.0 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 18 46.2 13.9 - - 24.7 2.6 - - - 3.1 5.3 9.8 .545 - - - 3.2 8.2 .392
John Salley 16 5.3 0.9 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.6 0.4 0.7 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.4 .286

Note: John Salley didn't play in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Season 11

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1969-701999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 12 42.1 27.3 - - 18.4 4.1 - - - 2.6 10.8 18.9 .568 - - - 5.8 13.1 .446
John Salley 45 6.7 1.6 0.4 1.0 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.4 1.5 0.6 1.5 .362 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.6 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 18 47.3 22.1 - - 22.2 4.5 - - - 2.3 8.8 16.0 .549 - - - 4.6 11.2 .406
John Salley 18 4.2 0.9 0.5 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.7 .385 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.6 .700

Season 12

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1970-71-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 82 44.3 20.7 - - 18.2 4.3 - - - 2.1 8.1 15.0 .545 - - - 4.4 8.2 .538
John Salley ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 12 46.2 18.3 - - 20.2 4.4 - - - 2.8 7.1 15.6 .455 - - - 4.2 8.1 .515
John Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1971-72-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 82 42.3 14.8 - - 19.2 4.0 - - - 2.4 6.0 9.3 .649 - - - 2.7 6.4 .422
John Salley ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 15 46.9 14.7 - - 21.0 3.3 - - - 3.1 5.3 9.5 .563 - - - 4.0 8.1 .492
John Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Wilt Chamberlain John Salley
Season 1972-73-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 82 43.2 13.2 - - 18.6 4.5 - - - 2.3 5.2 7.1 .727 - - - 2.8 5.5 .510
John Salley ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wilt Chamberlain 17 47.1 10.4 - - 22.5 3.5 - - - 2.8 3.8 6.8 .552 - - - 2.9 5.8 .500
John Salley ------- --- ----------