He was a perfectionist whose range of skills and dedication never ceased to impress those who saw him play.īut dozens of injuries, most infamously a chronically broken bone in his left foot, robbed Walton of the storybook career that seemed sure to be his. At the top of his form, Walton scored, passed, intimidated, hustled, and played the role of leader with the best centers of his day. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award while playing for the defending NBA champion Trail Blazers in 1977-78. When he was healthy, Walton had few peers. “But Walton can do it all.”Īfter achieving superstardom playing for John Wooden’s powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early ’70s and winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, Walton was destined to become an NBA legend. Jack Ramsay, Walton’s coach in Portland, told Sport magazine. Wilt Chamberlain was a great offensive player,” Dr. During his prime as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in the mid-1970s - a prime that lasted a mere three years - Walton drew comparisons to such players as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell. Though remembered by many for a career plagued by injuries and a personal life spiced by controversy, Bill Walton won high praise from players and coaches alike during his checkered career. > Archive 75: Bill Walton | 75 Stories: Bill Walton Bill Walton was one of the best-passing big men in NBA history, able to facilitate championship-caliber offense.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |