Jan. 8, 1965 - If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to get Wilt Chamberlain, they’d better hurry up. Cincinnati is threatening to pull out of sight in the battle for second place in the NBA’s Eastern Division.
The Royals romped past the 76ers before 4,585 at the University of Dayton Fieldhouse tonight, 114-107, in a game not nearly as close as the score indicates to pull 6½ games ahead of the third-place Philadelphians.
Oscar Robertson (pictured), who scored 26 points, led a well-balanced attack that saw five Royals score in double figures. Rookie Lucious Jackson topped the losing attack with 22 points, but it was much too little to match the Royals. Needless to say, having a Wilt Chamberlain in the lineup would have made it a different story.
Back in Philadelphia, club co-owner Ike Richman indicated a deal for Chamberlain may be closer than some people think — and not for the reported $500,000 asking price for the 7-1 Warrior center.
Richman said the Warriors seemed willing to deal off Chamberlain for three players, and he’s willing to send them “at least three, maybe as many as five.”
“They need help in the front court and the back court,” Richman added. “We’re deep in a number of categories, and they are interested.”
Chamberlain, the most devastating player in NBA history, is having another great season, but the Warriors have been lousy. They’re in the Western Division cellar and showing no signs of picking up, either on the floor or at the gate.
Wilt’s salary, around $75,000 per year, is one of the knocks against him as far as the Warriors are concerned.
The 76ers are having no great season at the gate either, but Chamberlain could be just the man to pump some new action into the turnstiles and some new life into the team.
Some sort of deal probably will be announced immediately after the All-Star game.
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