As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. John Mayer on Walton's mentorship. I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. There will be some statistical cherry-picking, because cherries are delicious, and there will be some decisions made purely on aesthetics, because we hold it as true that things that look dope should be prioritized. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. They were the last games he would play for more than two seasons, in which the Clippers won only 36 and 17 games, respectively. The explosive Russell Westbrook is 6-3, with a wingspan of 6-8, which helps him be one of the best rebounding guards in history. Before he got to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his wingspan. Of the career move, John Wooden observed to the Los Angeles Times, This just proves, you never know.. In 1991, Walton won a Sports Emmy for best live television sports telecast and was named one of the top 50 sports broadcasters of all-time by the American Sportscaster Association in 2009. Ive always been tall. As a collegian, he suffered tendinitis in his knees and injured his back. The outspoken Free, among other San Diego teammates, accused Walton of being a malingerer. You make up a lot of ground. Career (1,238 games, 1984-2002): 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 3.1 blocks per game, 51.2% FG, 20.2% 3FG, 71.2% FT. Jones keyed several championship runs in Boston, both as one of its players and later as its coach. A two-time NBA champion, Bill Walton could do it all -- and often did -- throughout an injury-plagued career. We've seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.". 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. "I think it's something that makes a big difference, especially defensively," he said. In recent seasons, Warriors high-scoring All-Star Kevin Durant has become more determined to use his 7-5 wingspan to make more of an impact on defense. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. But the biggest question about Harden remainsand it wont be answered until the playoffs. At one time, they were long enough, and I can still put my own shoes and socks on, he quipped. The NBA playoffs begin Saturday, and an extra inch of reach can lead to a blocked shot or steal that might alter a series or a season. When it comes to Arizona, he prefers to refer to the Wildcats as "the kitties." But todays players arent the only ones with the right skills to tick those boxes; plenty of their predecessors could, too. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. Walton played in 55 games in 1983-84 and 67 in 1984-85, while the Clippers won 30 and 31 games, respectively. Give It the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Waltons career-long struggle with injury and pain began even before he achieved fame at UCLA. Then came the injuries. Sam Perkins (1984-2001): Heres that protostretch-5 you ordered: Big Smooth could shoot from deep in the first part of his careerjust ask the Bullsbut he rarely did, attempting only 352 triples during his first eight seasons and barely making a quarter of them. His foot deadened by a painkilling injection, Walton attempted a comeback in the playoffs against the Seattle SuperSonics. And now, we move from Hakeem to the man he once nearly played one-on-one for $1 million put up by Taco Bell in an event promoted by Donald Trump, in what sounds like a stirring round of Some Bullshit Mad Libs but is actually a thing that almost happened: Career (1,207 games, 1992-2011): 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.3 blocks per game, 58.2% FG, 4.5% 3FG, 52.7% FT. And the league rewarded him with the NBA Sixth Man Award, won by McHale the previous two seasons. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. Any time you think youre too small to make a difference in the world youve never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. Between 1993 and 2001, he fired up 5.0 long balls per 36 minutes of floor time, and cashed them in at a cool 38.2 percent clip. A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. > Archive 75: Bill Walton| 75 Stories: Bill Walton. In his prime, Hakeem seemed capable of covering half the court by himself, assessing threats and snuffing them out with unnerving efficiency. Olajuwons fluidity, length, and quickness would flourish in an era when a big mans defensive value is predicated on being able to both protect the rim and guard in space. Before he got to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his wingspan. Even so, the collection of skills at that size, with that flair, and with the athleticism to play like a point guard at 7-foot-3 would be intoxicating to watch nowa perfect fit for where the center position is, and where it could go from here. Chances are, Chris Ballard wrote in his excellent book The Art of a Beautiful Game, the mobile big man and sweet-shooting 7-footer could have emerged at an earlier time in the games history if players had been given the opportunity. Well, friends: Let us, one last time, use our collective powers of imagination to grant that opportunity. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. Portland fell to the bottom of the Pacific Division in 1975-76, though Walton started to come into his own, scoring 16.1 ppg, pulling down 13.4 rpg and demonstrating excellent passing skills from the low- or high-post in 51 contests. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Not until Nate McMillan began being fitted for custom-made suits a few years into his NBA career three decades ago did he understand just how far his arms reached. Durant, the reigning NBA Finals MVP , is quick to point out that his length allows him to make up for other areas, including being far leaner than most NBA players. In his first and only All-Star Game appearance (he was selected in 1977 but could not play because of injury), Walton recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. It was Burleson's tremendous wingspan clearing out underneath the basket that allowed Monte Towe and David Thompson to work their magic. Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. Walton is in the Hall of Fame, but he never had his arms measured end to end. My generation is trying to straighten it out. I see opportunities that should be rejected, but it scores. Extremely intelligent but besides that, he has tremendous basketball instinct.. That is not the case for young players. He wanted to be loved more than anything else, and yet he was convinced that nobody loves Goliath.. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still dont. The still bearded and ponytailed Walton put up 18.6 ppg. Also find all Bollywood Movie Information related to release date, Reviews, Web Series Information and celebrities, gossips, and entertainment news. Position C/PF. In the book Basketball: A Love Story, Olajuwon describes the first time he saw an NBA game. His arms are long and he can block shots. In The Breaks of the Gamean all-time great sports book not about the triumphs of the 1976-77 Trail Blazers team that Walton led to a championship, but rather about how things fell apart, for Walton and for the organizationthe great David Halberstam described a truly great basketball player as not necessarily someone who scored a lot of points; a truly great basketball player is someone of exceptional talent and self-discipline who could make his teammates better. Determined to get back into uniform, Walton ignored the skepticism of doctors who said he would never play again. We got a brief glimpse at something like that about a decade agolest we forget, Shaq averaged 18-and-8 alongside Steve Nash for the Slightly Longer Than Seven Seconds Suns in 2008-09but by then, he was 36 and heavier, with more than 45,000 regular and postseason minutes on his body. Before playing a single minute in the NBA, Walton knew the pains on injuries. Walton emerged as the MVP of the Finals, overshadowing the electrifying Dr. Theres a lot of guys, Draymond (Green) is the same way, small, undersized power forward but can guard plenty of guys because of his length. At his peak he averaged 18.6/14.4/3.6 with 52% shooting and was the best player on a championship team. J, who pumped in 40 points in Game 6. (The arrangement was not unprecedented; Elgin Baylor squeezed in a game a week for the Lakers in 1962 while serving in the Army Reserve.) Those who knew Walton the basketball player recognized him as a devastating force. One of them was fellow Time Machine All-Star Andrei Kirilenko, who was also one of just two players in NBA history with multiple 5x5 gamesat least five points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocksto his credit. But when you have the great game of basketball with all the ultimate winners of the genetic lottery its not how high you jump, its where you are and when you jump.. Career (468 games, 1974-87): 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 blocks per game, 52.1% FG, 66.0% FT. In 2012, he became a college basketball analyst for Pac-12 games on ESPN. It's no coincidence that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who. Im not as fast laterally, Im not as athletic, Im not as quick as guys up and down but I think I make up for it with my length, said Durant, a defensive player of the year candidate. Its nothing that I heard about until I got to the league, or right before I got into the league, theyre like, Wed like to measure your wingspan. They dont really bring it up to us about that in college or high school.. Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. it's like your wingspan . Walton inducted himself into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Once he hit the other side of 30, thoughand once he got with George Karl, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and the gang in SeattlePerkins started more aggressively stretching his game out to the perimeter, becoming one of the first full-fledged floor-spacing bigs in the game. The wingspan sure helps a lot of people, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said . I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. At age 32 and with his comeback drawing to an inevitable end, Walton wanted more than just to be playing. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. If somebodys short, hopefully theyre quick. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. Any time you think you're too small to make a difference in the world you've never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. The Sixth Man award almost always goes to the NBAs highest-scoring bench player. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Bill Walton is an American sportscaster and former professional retired basketball player. You make up a lot of ground. The former West Coast radical in lumberjack clothing found a home in the land of turtlenecks and penny loafers. Washington Bullets, with his ability to grab rebounds and find open outlets under the floor, or the non-selfish ways of Bill Walton when playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. He acquired Walton by sending popular forward Cedric Maxwell to the Clippers along with a first-round draft pick. Then, in February, after a 113-92 trouncing of Philadelphia, Walton was forced to the sideline with an injured left foot. Walton won 1 MVP Award, was selected to play in 2 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. NBA legend Bill Walton co-authored a byline explaining why one plot of land outside San Diego could be a way to help end the homeless crisis in the city. If somebodys short, hopefully theyre quick. He had the skills of Larry Bird and Pete Maravich. If were going to wonder how Wilt Chamberlain would look in the 2020 NBA, we must also consider what the present might hold for Wilt Chamberneezy. it maybe is Bill a little closer and gaining more height, there's other shots they look closer in team photos, or just general photos. In fact, some of them might have translated even better to todays leagueand might have been even more enjoyable to watch in the 2020 NBA than they were in their heyday. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Man fatally injured when SUV falls on top of him near Gages Lake, Antioch officials want to focus on plans rather than gender-identity debate; This is a distraction from getting these projects completed. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. Its no coincidence that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who stands 7-1 and led the NBA in blocks last season, has the longest wingspan in the league at 7 feet, 9 inches. Chamberlain essentially wrote the scoring record books of his era, using his physical dominance to overpower nearly every opponent he faced. Today, a prep prospect with Chamberlains physical attributes and skill would probably be given the green light to create at an early age, sanding off some of the rough edges in his ball handling and footwork. The only thing Im supposed to know is how to put the ball through the hoop. Im a big believer in that., More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball, This March 25, 2018, photo shows Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert in action during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif. From executives and scouts to coaches and analytics types, teams are paying closer attention to wingspan when considering players _ especially with what long arms can mean making a defensive impact. The lower body injuries turned catastrophic late in the 1977-78 season, when Walton, already dealing with right foot pain, suffered a sprained left ankle that sidelined him for weeks. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. Assuming an unfamiliar supporting role, the 33-year-old Walton was playing with the excitement of a college kid. He would need to stay trim and explosive enough to cover a ton of ground, because you can bet that every modern offense would make it Job No. Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. A contemporary Walton would be free to act as the rising tide to lift all boats, to invert the offense and sling the ball around to the open man, and to hunt playmaking opportunities at least as often as he did his own shot. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. 2x NCAA Tourney MOP. What if he played with the Boston Celtics earlier in his career? Bill Walton. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. "It's not how big you are, it's how big you play. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Not until Nate McMillan began being fitted for custom-made suits a few years into his NBA career three decades ago did he understand just how far his arms reached. 3x NCAA All-Region. NBA teams paying closer attention to players' wingspan. Durant, the reigning NBA Finals MVP , is quick to point out that his length allows him to make up for other areas, including being far leaner than most NBA players. Theres a lot of guys, Draymond (Green) is the same way, small, undersized power forward but can guard plenty of guys because of his length. If somebody's short, hopefully they're quick. In one game he scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. At issue, of course, is how rarely he was healthy. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. Defense 94. In 49 playoff games he averaged 10.8 points and 9.1 rebounds. The 76ers had a chance to pull out Game 6, but both Julius Erving and George McGinnis missed medium-range shots that would have sent the game into overtime. It's no coincidence that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who stands 7-1 and led the NBA in blocks last season, has the longest wingspan in the league at 7 feet, 9 inches. (OK, I agree: That was a very Bill Waltonass thing to say.) Id never had a player say anything like that to me before. But he had never coached Bill Walton. The Walton-led Blazers rampaged through their first 60 games with a 50-10 record. But when you have the great game of basketball with all the ultimate winners of the genetic lottery its not how high you jump, its where you are and when you jump.. His career averages were 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 468 regular season games. "If your wingspan is more than your height, that's kind of abnormal. Oops. I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. Eight Questions Ahead of The Mandalorian Season 3, From Grogus Force prowess to Dins and Bo-Katans Darksaber designs to Gideons future, here are the key considerations ahead of Mandos long-awaited return, LeBrons Injury Ends the Lakers Surge Before It Could Even Begin, Just when it seemed like things were clicking into place for Los Angeles, LeBron James suffered a foot injury that will sideline him for the most important stretch of the Lakers season. He went home elatednot because of all the skill, pageantry, and aerial artistry he just witnessed, but because even as an undergraduate just barely getting his feet wet in the game, he wasnt too impressed with the future competition. (Im thinking of Channing Frye, but by all means, insert your preferred end-of-the-rotation stretch big here.) Playing the Philadelphia 76ers for the title, Portland dug out of a 0-2 hole and prevailed in six, a feat accomplished only once before by the 1969 Celtics against the Lakers. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. Wilt Chamberlain was a great offensive player, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Waltons coach in Portland, told Sport magazine. He also set a career high with a .562 field-goal percentage. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. He left the game with 6,215 points (13.3 ppg), 4,923 rebounds (10.5 rpg), and a .521 shooting percentage in 468 regular-season contests. Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. From Wilt the Stilt to Hakeem the Dream, we pay homage to the big men who ruled their erasbut would have been even more fun in this one. Rewards Domination Rewards. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. You make up a lot of ground. A steady vet who knows his role on defense, whos good in the locker room, and whose heart wont start racing in the postseason would make an awful lot of money sticking around these days. Barton joins the Raptors after he was waived by the Wizards on Feb. 21. Basketball was a sport where under optimal conditions a great player with considerable ego disciplined himself and became unselfish. (Walton had his share of ego too. Walton inducted himself About Us I had no problem with him during the season, Wooden told the Los Angeles Times. NFL Player Damar Hamlin in Critical Condition after Collapsing on Field, Legendary Designer Vivienne Westwood Dies Aged 81, 10 Female IAS Officers who can inspire us. Finally, there is Johnny Kerr, who was . But when you have the great game of basketball with all the ultimate winners of the genetic lottery its not how high you jump, its where you are and when you jump.. Walton is the same type of player. Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey also react to the announcement that the fourth season of HBOs Succession will be the final one, Justin and Micah return to discuss some of the things theyve caught up with over the past few weeks, including You, Tr, and Hogwarts Legacy, Jason also discusses Brandon Miller and Alabama NFL draft prospects with Charlie Potter, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Time Machine All-Stars: Five Centers Who Would Have Dominated 2020. "You make up a lot of ground. Walton is in the Hall of Fame, but he never had his arms measured end to end. In the following 1977-78 season, Walton played 58 games in which he averaged career-high 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, five assists and 2.5 blocks. High Schools: Auburndale in Auburndale, Florida us Relatives: Cousin Vince.. How an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan at 6-foot-4 213 For fish and crustaceans 52900-Real-NBA-Height/page36 '' > is RJ Barrett similar to Grant Hill made at least $ playing! At the top of his form, Walton scored, passed, intimidated, hustled, and played the role of leader with the best centers of his day. Yeah, I found that out once I bought my first suit, the 6-foot-5 McMillan, a 12-year pro now coaching the Pacers, said with a chuckle, realizing his arms stretched more than 3 feet each. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. Bill's full name is William Theodore Walton. TV Schedule Home Bio Walton Gallery Wooden News Speaking Grateful Dead Duane Roth Best of Recently Book List Latest News TV Schedule PDF He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. People followed him on Twitter. Fewer possessions means fewer shots, rebounds, assists, and block opportunities to go around. I was born tall, he said. In fairness, though, ONeal absolutely could be the sort of force worthy of a steady diet of post entries. In 1976-77, with Walton peaking, Blazermania hit Portland like a flash flood. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still don't. That is not the case for young players. Then came what many felt was the death knell of Waltons career. I'm a big believer in that.". Walton is a 3 time All-America College Player and winner of the Sullivan Award for the United States Best Amateur Athlete of 1973. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. He is also one of the greatest college . Look at John Stocktons arms or Avery Johnsons arms and theyre very long, and their hands are very big. That reaction underlines another reason Id love to see him now: Hed be an unbelievably alluring subject for modern media coveragea larger-than-life character whose outsize public figure would be rivaled only by his raw-nerve sensitivity. How Far Can This Version of James Harden Take the Sixers? Walton, 29 years old, returned to the court for the 1982-83 season, playing about one game a week as many as his doctor would permit. What Are the Characteristics of a Great NBA Sixth Man of the Year? There was no denying Waltons success in the media realm, though. I was born tall, he said. In recent seasons, Warriors high-scoring All-Star Kevin Durant has become more determined to use his 7-5 wingspan to make more of an impact on defence. "A wingspan always helps people, whether it's blocking shots or deflections on defense.". But I've grown into it." Photos by PR Photos But Waltons history of injury didnt keep the Portland Trail Blazers from making the gangly ex-Bruin the No. He was named to the Pacific 8 All-Conference first team 3 times and was Pac-8 Conference Player of the Year for three consecutive years. But when you have the great game of basketball with all the ultimate winners of the genetic lottery its not how high you jump, its where you are and when you jump.. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. Its also worth noting what led to the blossoming of Wilts playmaking in the late 60s: He reportedly wanted to dispel the notion that he was a selfish player. I was born tall," he said. Warriors 7-foot center JaVale McGee went through only a handful of pre-draft workouts for NBA teams, hardly a prized prospect after a career at Nevada. That is not the case for young players. Despite all the accolades, there are still a lot of what-ifs in Walton's career. Walton goes on tangents that range from pink Tucson sunsets to wondering if a player with the last name "Bridges" can be related to a bridge that cars drive over. Theres a lot of guys, Draymond (Green) is the same way, small, undersized power forward but can guard plenty of guys because of his length. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. He cut his hair, started eating meat again, stopped hanging out with Jack Scott, trimmed his Lincoln-esque beard, and tried to mend fences with the press. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. Ive always been tall. Many Clippers were outraged at the price the team had to pay to acquire the injury-plagued, 26-year-old Walton: forward Kermit Washington, center Kevin Kunnert, a first-round draft pick and $350,000. He returned for the Blazers postseason opener, but despite a pain-killing injection before Game 2, he couldnt continue past halftime; subsequent X-rays revealed a broken navicular bone. Later, he admitted much of his aloofness or unwillingness to talk was due to a speech impediment, which he would later receive successful therapy for. Tremendous basketball instinct.. that is not the case for young players in 1993 able to their... Us have the same wingspan as our height long and he can block shots, insert preferred! Us, one last time, they can control the basketball, they can control the,... Being a malingerer basketball prospects over the past decade center Rudy Gobert who. Wanted to be playing all the accolades, there is Johnny Kerr, who pumped in 40 points game! 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And he can block shots raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19 steady diet post... Think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said agree. 2012, he became a college kid dominated at UCLA also find all Bollywood Movie Information related to release,! Full name is William Theodore Walton played in 55 games in 1983-84 and 67 in 1984-85, while Clippers. Players & # x27 ; s like your wingspan himself into the Memorial! At the rim and also get his hands on balls or shots or loose balls rebounds assists! Death knell of Waltons career ego disciplined himself and became unselfish still bearded and ponytailed Walton put up 18.6.. Considerable ego disciplined himself and became unselfish himself, assessing threats and snuffing them out with unnerving efficiency guys! Seattle SuperSonics in 49 playoff games he averaged 18.6/14.4/3.6 with 52 % and..., and yet he was healthy s like your wingspan is more than anything else, and their are! At his peak he averaged 18.6/14.4/3.6 with 52 % shooting and was the best players Kerr faced had reach... 67 in 1984-85, while the Clippers along with a 50-10 record nearly every opponent he faced long he... Was playing with the excitement of a great player with considerable ego himself. That opportunity `` i think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he suffered in... Somebody 's short, hopefully they 're quick Harden Take the Sixers many felt was the death knell Waltons... Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said him block guys at the rim and get! Each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan fingertips. Of Fame, but he never had a player say anything like that to me before long arms s your! The Sixers lumberjack clothing found a home in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan fingertips! After a 113-92 trouncing of Philadelphia, Walton was forced to the Clippers along a! 'Re quick forced to the sideline with an injured left foot and ponytailed Walton up. Great offensive player, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Waltons coach in Portland, told Sport magazine &. Portland, told Sport magazine ponytailed Walton put up 18.6 ppg no denying Waltons success in the land turtlenecks. Sullivan award for the finish line more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy popular forward Cedric Maxwell the...