What happened: The Professional Basketball Writers Association of America chose the NBA's 35th Anniversary Team on Oct. 30, 1980. Both centers made the roster, while voters also selected the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers as the greatest team.
Why it matters: The selection favored Russell's championship record over Chamberlain's statistical dominance. That divide remains central to comparisons between the era's defining centers.
By the numbers: Russell won 11 championships in 13 seasons. Chamberlain averaged 30.1 points and 22.9 rebounds across 1,045 games.
What to watch: Future all-time ballots will show how both centers rank against later generations.