Bill Walton
Blazers Championship (1977) · 1977
Walton's elite Defense (92) and strong Playmaking (85) define this era.
Trophy Case
1977, 1986
Finals MVP with Portland (1977), Sixth Man on the '86 Celtics
1977
20/23/7 per game against the 76ers — led Portland to a sweep
1978
Led the Blazers to the best record in the West
1986
Won on the 1986 Celtics — often called the greatest team ever assembled
1977, 1978
2 selections — injuries limited one of the most complete centers
Signature Moments
1977 Championship — The Perfect Team
Walton led the Trail Blazers to the 1977 championship, winning Finals MVP. The Blazers trailed 0-2 and won four straight. Walton was the complete center: scoring, rebounding, passing, blocking. It was a team built around his brilliance. Portland's only championship.
Portland's only title. Walton was the center of everything — literally and figuratively. It was the most beautiful team basketball of the 1970s.
UCLA — 88 Consecutive Wins
Walton led UCLA to consecutive undefeated seasons and national championships. He was 21-for-22 from the field in the 1973 title game — the greatest individual performance in NCAA championship history. He was, for a brief window, the most dominant basketball player alive.
Twenty-one of twenty-two shots. In a national championship game. Bill Walton was perfect when perfection mattered most.
The Injuries — What Could Have Been
Walton's feet betrayed him. Stress fractures, broken bones, and chronic pain limited him to 468 career games. At his peak, many believed he was the most talented center in history — better than Kareem, better than Russell. But his body wouldn't cooperate.
The greatest "what if" in NBA history. When healthy, Walton might have been the best center ever. He was almost never healthy.
Career Numbers
Assists Per Game
Elite passing big man
3.4
Blocks Per Game
2.2
Career Games
Only played 468 games due to chronic foot injuries
468
Points Per Game
Career shortened by injuries — peak was dominant
13.3
Rebounds Per Game
10.5
Season Stats · Blazers Championship (1977)
Engine Attributes
Fan Debate
What's your take on Bill Walton?
Loading debates...