Dossier · 1970s
Bill Walton
The passing center Jokić fans have never watched, on 2 good feet for 2 years.
1974-1987 · Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics
- MVP
- 1978
- Title
- 1977, with Finals MVP
- 1976-77 line
- 18.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.2 blocks
- Games missed
- over 680 in 13 seasons
- Sixth Man of the Year
- 1986
- 1973 college final
- 21 of 22 from the field
The numbers
Walton won the 1977 title and Finals MVP, then the 1978 MVP. Those are his 2 healthy seasons. He played 65 and 58 games in them.
In 1976-77 he averaged 18.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.2 blocks. He led the league in rebounding and blocks the following year.
He missed more than 680 games in 13 seasons to his feet and knees. He did not play at all in 1978-79 or 1980-81.
In the 1973 college title game for UCLA he made 21 of 22 shots. That is still the number people lead with, 53 years later.
The context
The 1977 Blazers are the reason his name matters to a Jokić fan. Portland ran its whole offense through a center who passed out of the high post, and it won a title against a Philadelphia team with more talent at every other position.
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Bill Walton on the Tape
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