 In 1973 , the San Diego Conquistadors of the NBA rival league ABA signed Chamberlain as a player @-@ coach for a $ 600 @,@ 000 salary . However , the Lakers sued their former star and successfully prevented him from actually playing , because he still owed them the option year of his contract . Barred from playing , Chamberlain mostly left the coaching duties to his assistant Stan Albeck , who recalled : " Chamberlain ... has a great feel for pro basketball ... [ but ] the day @-@ to @-@ day things that are an important part of basketball ... just bored him . He did not have the patience . " The players were split on Chamberlain , who was seen as competent , but often indifferent and more occupied with promotion of his autobiography Wilt : Just Like Any Other 7 @-@ Foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door than with coaching . He once skipped a game to sign autographs for the book . In his single season as a coach , the Conquistadors went a mediocre 37 – 47 in the regular season and lost against the Utah Stars in the Division Semifinals . However , Chamberlain was not pleased by the Qs ' meager attendance : crowds averaged 1 @,@ 843 , just over half of the Qs ' small San Diego 3 @,@ 200 @-@ seat sports arena . After the season , Chamberlain retired from professional basketball . 
