Don't forget that Wilt Chamberlain averaged 10 assists per game one season, and was known as the best passing big man in the game (and one of the overall best passers in the league regardless of size). But he wasn't dishing the ball to avoid the pressure of having to shoot. He still averaged like 35 and 20 in many of those years.
If anybody doubts that Chamberlain would be dominant in this era, then they are crazy. He'd be dominant in any era. He was one of the best athletes to ever live. World class speed, the NCAA record holder in the high jump, ran a world class 100 meters, was one of the top volleyball players in the world, even into his 50's, and was a defensive machine. Too bad they didn't keep as many stat categories in those days as they do now.
Wilt's big problem was the lack of championships. Russell was probably the greatest team player ever. Won something like 11 titles in 13 seasons and 8 in a row. Averaged over 20 boards per game. Those who say Rodman was the greatest rebounder make me laugh. Not only did Wilt and Russ dominate on the boards, but they also could put the ball in the hoop (which Rodman could never do, as he was a pooer shooter than I am, and I'd take him on in a game of horse today and probably win).
The one guy that really seems to be overlooked in the "all time greatest" discussions though is Oscar Robertson. What an absolutely amazing player. A true leader. A winner. A guy who saw the floor better than probably anybody ever did. He was incredible.
My dad always talked about Earl "the Pearl" Monroe as another guy that if he'd played in this era would be known as an incredible player and would get tons of press for his amazing skills which were ahead of his time. You have lots of guys that were just really great at different things that aren't really remembered much. David Thompson isn't even known by this generation, and the guy essentially invented the "above the rim" game that we see today.
If you get a chance, check out the ABA dunk contest with David Thompson and Dr. J. Absolutely epic, and one of the reasons I loved basketball so much. The ABA was fun basketball. I really wish a new league that were more like the ABA would form and challenge the NBA. I think it would be cool, but the NBA has such a foothold and has shown that they will stomp anybody that gets in their way. Luckily for us though the NBA absorbed ABA teams, because by doing so they brought a lot of fun to watch players into the league and brought in some cool franchises with fantastic fanbases that have stayed strong for years and years after the merger.
The ABA gave places like Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Denver, Dallas, etc. a chance to prove that they could support pro basketball and it has been good for the league to have those stylized players like Dr. J, Moses Malone, and David Thompson come into the NBA and added flash and pizazz to a game that frankly was boring.