This episode of the Revisionist History Podcast focused on Wilt Chamberlain’s most famous game. He was 7 feet and an inch tall and 275 pounds. He scored 100 points, the most to ever be scored in a single basketball game. But, while he was one of the most skilled in-game shooters, he struggled heavily without defenders. His percent average behind the free-throw line was 40% – absolutely horrid, especially in the scope of his offensive skill displayed versus defenders. Because of this, he begins shooting his free throws underhand at a slight crouch. To the world’s surprise, his accuracy improves drastically and he soars up to 60% shots made. That game, heends up scoring 28 free throws, which was also the most to be ever scored in a single game of basketball. His coaches informed him that if he began to make most of his free throws, they’d have an exponentially greater chance at winning their games each season. Wilt had every reason to continue shooting underhand and carry the team on his wings – but he stopped. Even Shaquille O’Neil argued against the underhand philosophy, “I’d rather shoot zero than underhanded.” Malcolm Gladwell explored why this happened. What makes it so tough for good, obviously advantageous ideas to spread? The issue is about thresholds rather than beliefs. While thresholds sometimes overlap with beliefs, they usually differ. Thresholds are based around peer pressure and societal expectations. The more people around an individual, the less likely it is for them to evaluate the consequences of their decisions, and, consequentially, succumb to peer pressure.
This concept of threshold interference with the human mind speaks volumes not only in the scope of professional sports, but society as a whole. Because humans are heavily social creatures, we rely on interaction with others and influence. This causes us to lose critical thinking skills in social situations, usually when expectations are set on us. Many individuals will change their ways just to fit in – usually out of fear they will be seen as an outcast if they don’t. Wilt writes, “I know I was wrong. I felt silly, like a sissy,” which signifies that, even though he understands he could be making 90% of his shots, he goes against success in order to seem macho and fit in with the rest of the basketball scene. Many people think they won’t be affected by peer pressure, but the nerves and mental effects that come into play in the actual, suspenseful moment are so impactful that they alter even professionals’ mindsets. It is paramount to our success that we think twice about our actions – by thinking less about what others think, and more about the choices we should make based on probability, we can collectively be more successful as both individuals and a functioning society.
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