“Billy Cunningham Breaks Silence on Racial Bias in the NBA’s History: Says Wilt Chamberlain Was Overshadowed by Media Narratives and Deserved to Be the NBA Logo, Not Jerry West”
In a candid and powerful interview, NBA legend Billy Cunningham—former teammate and close friend of the iconic Wilt Chamberlain—has come forward to address a long-standing issue that many fans and players have whispered about but few have publicly confronted: racial bias in the portrayal of NBA greatness.
“Let’s call it what it is,” Cunningham stated. “The media at the time wasn’t ready to fully embrace Wilt the way they did Jerry [West].”
Cunningham, who played alongside both Chamberlain and West during the golden era of the NBA, didn’t hold back when reflecting on how Chamberlain’s legacy was often diminished or misunderstood by the media of his time, despite putting up numbers that still remain untouched decades later.
“Wilt wasn’t just dominant—he was on another planet. But because of who he was, how outspoken he could be, and yes, because of the color of his skin, he didn’t get the same love. Let’s be real—if Wilt was portrayed the same way Jerry was, the NBA logo would be a silhouette of number 13.”
The Hall of Famer noted that while Jerry West has deservedly received accolades, the decision to make him the NBA logo, while players like Wilt were left out of broader league branding, is a reflection of who the media—and the league—chose to elevate at that time.
Cunningham didn’t stop there. He boldly declared Wilt Chamberlain the greatest player to ever step on a basketball court, challenging modern-day fans to look past flashy social media hype and dig into real historical dominance.
“Today, if someone averages 30, they’re instantly in the GOAT conversation. Wilt did that like it was light work. And back then, 30 wasn’t celebrated—it was expected from him. That man dropped 100 in a single game, averaged 50 for a season, and they called him selfish. If that isn’t a double standard, I don’t know what is.”
This rare and honest perspective from a respected figure like Cunningham is adding fuel to a growing movement to re-evaluate how NBA history is framed, and how media-driven narratives shaped legacies not just based on talent—but image and marketability.
As for Chamberlain’s legacy? Cunningham says it’s already cemented—“the real ones know.”
