What happened to don't put different guys into different eras principle? Though I've never done that before in this thread, I'd say Hakeem might also have been even better than Wilt, who knows? Right? Wasn't it also your point before?It's not feeling sorry for him. It's considering the conditions of the talentwise environment they are in while comparing them to others. Did they have Tim Grover and his equipment and his knowledge back then? No. What if we put the baby Hakeem in that time and let him got raised and become a basketball player in that context. Would he become the same Hakeem we know today? I don't think so.
I agree on considering the talentwise environment but it's the same reason that I can't praise his dominance. Really, I know it's not his fault and certainly not mine for that matter but it's the fact.
The real problem is, if there is any injustice while talking about Wilt and his career, it's really to the latter stars of the game, not to Wilt. Almost all of the praise for Wilt is based on his ridiculous stats. But Jordan also had really really jaw-dropping stats and he actually did that in another level of opposition, not even close.
Anyway, a 6-9ish Bill Russel for instance had seasons with 24+ rebounds per game and actually prevailed over Wilt for two seasons in rebounding race. Now you tell me, if we are to play hypothetical scenarios and games, what would the giant Shaq do in that kind of competition, even though he wouldn't have the modern basketball aids in that time?