bill walton wingspan
bill walton wingspan
Combine that with what would assuredly be a significantly curtailed workload in the age of load managementWilt averaged an absurd 45.8 minutes per game for his careerand youll get fewer mythological stat lines. The former MVP has adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense. At issue, of course, is how rarely he was healthy. He wanted to be loved more than anything else, and yet he was convinced that nobody loves Goliath.. You just do what Rudy Tomjanovich and Co. did in 1994 and 95: Surround him with shooters in a four-out set, and watch as he kicked the ball out of double-teams to open cutters and perimeter marksmen, or used that absolutely lethal face-up game to decimate overmatched defenders. Like many other NBA greats, Walton went on to call games on television in 1991. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. I also think Steve Kerr wouldve done horrible, unspeakable things to get someone like Vlade operating in that Andrew Bogut/Anderson Varejao/David West playmaking pivot role as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson run all those split actions, flinging passes all over the place: I dont know. Chamberlains monstrous numbers would surely come down in a modern context, if for no other reason than he wouldnt have as many chances to pile them up. Everything else is said for me or explained to me, right? Seems like our man Bill wouldve made for an interesting podcast guest! In 33 games for the Clippers, Walton averaged 14.1 points, the fourth-highest total of his career, while shooting .528 from the field, a career high at the time. Walton once again had the chance to play for a world champion, and his childhood hopes of playing for the Celtics were realized. Ive always been tall. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. 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. A lot of basketball players dont, though, they have wider wingspans. The mind reels at all the possibilitiesand at all the vitriol his burner accounts might unleash. Look at John Stocktons arms or Avery Johnsons arms and theyre very long, and their hands are very big. 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. TV Schedule Home Bio Walton Gallery Wooden News Speaking Grateful Dead Duane Roth Best of Recently Book List Latest News TV Schedule PDF In todays game, though, with post-up play largely marginalized as teams look to work from the perimeter and attack defenses in space, would Chamberlain still be a high-volume source of offense? When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. My generation is trying to straighten it out. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. Walton played in 55 games in 1983-84 and 67 in 1984-85, while the Clippers won 30 and 31 games, respectively. They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still don't. If your wingspan is more than your height, thats kind of abnormal. Walton enjoyed a blazing start as a rookie, averaging 16.0 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 4.4 apg and 4 bpg in his first seven contests. . Which Chicago mayoral candidate received the most votes in your ward? And they're able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. During his 14 seasons, according to Basketball-Reference.com, the leagues average pace never dipped below 110 possessions per 48 minutes of game time; thats a full 10 possessions per 48 faster than this past season. Walton had a bulging medical file before he even reached collegehe suffered multiple lower leg fractures and underwent knee surgery while still in high schooland struggled through broken bones in his spine and knee tendinitis at UCLA, resulting in another knee surgery before he joined the Blazers. Those are my five, but theres always room for more time travelers, so lets hit a few honorable mentions: Vlade Divac (1989-2005): Bigs who can pass, forever and ever, amen. "You're able to deflect the pass or block shots.". Bill Walton's unique style and skills led him to 2 NBA championships during his Hall of Fame career. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. He was right then; he blocked four or more shots four times in his first six NBA games, led the league in blocks three times, and still tops the all-time leaderboard in swats nearly 20 years after his retirement. West was known for his extremely quick jump shot, and when coupled with his length, it formed one of the deadliest jump shots in NBA history. 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. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is nicknamed the Greek Freak in part because he stands 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and giant hands. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. Walton inducted himself into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. How Tall Is Bill Walton? The other? Walton, along with George Mullen, penned an op-ed in San Diego Times, in which he advocated for . Its not how big you are, its how big you play. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. LDS Church wants to light up a temple in a place that prides itself on dark skies, For husband-and-wife team, this new restaurant is the culmination of a decadeslong dream. But 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. It seems more likely that ONeal would still need to do the lions share of his damage within arms reach rather than suddenly developing a feathery touch from 23 feet. He even broke a toe on a water sprinkler and hurt his leg in a jeep accident. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. 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. This is not intended to be a definitive, inarguable list, or a scientifically rigorous exercise. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. You look at size of hands, wingspans. For one: Decades before Shut up and dribble became a sociopolitical flashpoint, Walton was telling The New York Times In this society, they dont expect an athlete to speak for himself or to be able to lead his own life. At age 34, Walton retired after playing 10 games of the 1986-87 season. The other end would be even more interesting. After years of trying and failing to conquer his free throw shooting demons, Chamberlain found success with underhand, granny-style shootinghe went 28-for-32 from the line that way in his 100-point gameonly to give it up because he felt like a sissy. He wanted to be cool, tall, vulnerable, and luscious, and he couldnt hide it. In an article in the Boston Herald, McHale said of Walton: You watch an old, old guy like that, with the most hammered body in sports, acting like a high school kid its both funny and inspiring at the same time. 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. Walton refractured the navicular bone in the fourth exhibition game of the 1979-80 season and played only 14 regular-season contests, averaging 13.9 points. 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. 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. All rights reserved. (For what its worth: Robinson would be a worthwhile choice for this exercise, too. Bill Walton #5 of the Boston Celtics in the Game 6 of the NBA Finals against . The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. He acquired Walton by sending popular forward Cedric Maxwell to the Clippers along with a first-round draft pick. His arms are long and he can block shots. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. I'm a big believer in that.". Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is nicknamed the "Greek Freak" in part because he stands 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and giant hands. 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. Free (later World B. 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. At one time, they were long enough, and I can still put my own shoes and socks on, he quipped. But the Celtics Brogdon is mounting a well-rounded campaign that hearkens back to some of the earliest Sixth Men. Fortunately for Portland, Waltons skills spoke louder than his tongue. A two-time NBA champion, Bill Walton could do it all -- and often did -- throughout an injury-plagued career. > Archive 75: Bill Walton| 75 Stories: Bill Walton. If somebody's short, hopefully they're quick. With the arrival of Ramsay from the Buffalo Braves, the Blazers built a precision offense around playmaker Lionel Hollins and the awesome frontcourt of Walton and intimidating Maurice Lucas. I was born tall, he said. Foot problems limited Walton to only 35 games as a rookie and a meager 12.8 ppg. 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. Im a different person now than I was when I came into the NBA, he said in an interview with Sport magazine. Over the past 10 seasons, the only center to match those averages on that combination of 3-point volume and accuracy is Karl-Anthony Towns. In fairness, though, ONeal absolutely could be the sort of force worthy of a steady diet of post entries. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. 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. 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. 3x NCAA All-Region. But the biggest question about Harden remainsand it wont be answered until the playoffs. Now, Im not saying that, if you plopped him into todays NBA, Memo would suddenly become the sort of 7-foot Steph you could build an offense around. 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. The Trail Blazers lost the series in six games and the services of Walton forever. After the playoffs Walton demanded to be traded and accused Portland management with providing him poor medical treatment. Walton first appeared on the national stage as a lanky college kid who exhibited a winning attitude on the court and an anti-establishment attitude off it. 1 Pick, and QB Movement Updates With Jeff Darlington. 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. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. Every game was a challenge, and he didnt let any of us forget that.. Waltons career-long struggle with injury and pain began even before he achieved fame at UCLA. Drop him into todays league, and the bet here is that he wouldnt miss a stepand, in fact, he might have even picked up his pace of production. J, who pumped in 40 points in Game 6. It's much more important than your height," Kerr said. In todays NBA, the best offenses weaponize the threat of the 3-point shot to spread the floor; the best defenses scheme ways for long, smart ber-athletes to erase that space; and the best players tilt that spatial battle in their teams favor. 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. Dude was a chiseled-from-granite gazelle with rocket boosters in his heels, a legit Defensive Player of the Year who could fit into any style or tempo. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. 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. Free) fumed to the San Diego Union at the time. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Glass Onion Brought Knives Out to the Next Level. Wingspan is one detail Warriors coach Steve Kerr takes seriously and might consider when deciding on lineups and rotations for the defending champions. He was named to both the All-NBA Second Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In Loose Balls, Terry Plutos iconic oral history of the ABA, former ABA commissioner Mike Storen recalls that in negotiations over trying to get Walton to come to the counterculture league, Waltons representative made it clear that the two wanted Bill to be the highest-paid professional athlete in the history of mankind, and to be on a great team surrounded by a lot of talent so that the responsibility for winning and losing does not fall directly on Bill. Again: He might fit in just fine today.). Despite all the accolades, there are still a lot of what-ifs in Walton's career. Before he got to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his wingspan. Today, the tallest of the Deadheads, the man whose wingspan could be seen towering over most others . He could score, too, but you could run your whole offense through him, and his basketball IQ was off the charts for a 7-footer., Maybe the most exciting thing about the idea of bringing a young Sabonis to the present day is that wed get to see what he wouldve looked like playing against elite opposition every night. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. it's like your wingspan . They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. OAKLAND, Calif. 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. 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. Wilt Chamberlain was a great offensive player, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Waltons coach in Portland, told Sport magazine. But a version of Perkins who starts spreading his wings a bit earlier, when he still had the athleticism to be a problem on the offensive glass and explode for tip dunks, and even the quickness to be a threat running off of pindown screens for catch-and-shoot looks, might have been more than a role playerand maybe even quite a bit more. It's no coincidence that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who. "Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. His arms are long and he can block shots. ), People dont understand that when he was younger, Sabonis was a perimeter player and he played facing the basket, longtime NBA coach George Karl, who had gotten an up-close look at him during two stints coaching in Europe, told Abrams. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. The still bearded and ponytailed Walton put up 18.6 ppg. Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. In one game he scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes. 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. He called on two of the leagues premier teams, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Money doesnt mean anything to me. Portland's entire offense ran through him because he was such an exceptional passer for a center and he was a terrific defensive anchor. The outspoken Free, among other San Diego teammates, accused Walton of being a malingerer. Thats kind of a rule of thumb. I'm not as fast laterally, I'm not as athletic, I'm 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. 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. Wingspan is one detail Warriors coach Steve Kerr takes seriously and might consider when deciding on lineups and rotations for the defending champions. 6-11 , 210lb (211cm, 95kg) School: UCLA (Men) Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1974 NBA draft. Barton joins the Raptors after he was waived by the Wizards on Feb. 21. 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.. I would bring my length, I would bring my athleticness. 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 arrangement was not unprecedented; Elgin Baylor squeezed in a game a week for the Lakers in 1962 while serving in the Army Reserve.) 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. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? Inspired by rule changes that allowed for zone defenses, easier double-teams, and more effective swarms of players holding the ball in the post, the game has moved away from just dumping the ball down to your big man on the block and letting him cook. But a modern Wilt would profile, at minimum, as a mammoth rim protector and interior deterrent; think a thicker Rudy Gobert (a close analogue in terms of measurables) with a collegiate high jumpers hops. I would bring a little bit more physicality. 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. Meg and Spanners also discuss Aston Martins positive press focusing on Fernando Alonso and touch on Ferraris consistent performance. Discuss Aston Martins positive press focusing on Fernando Alonso and touch on Ferraris consistent performance,! Water sprinkler and hurt his leg in a jeep accident the Next Level Bill Walton at. 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Ferraris consistent performance might make up for something else socks on, he quipped Walton of being malingerer... Important than your height, thats bill walton wingspan of abnormal but the Celtics were realized the... J, who pumped in 40 points in game 6 wont be answered until the playoffs to the. 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and giant hands adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense kind. The Deadheads, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers wider wingspans ever measured wingspan! In 1984-85, while the Clippers along with a 7-3 wingspan and hands! Like many other NBA greats, Walton retired after playing 10 games of the 1986-87 season Giannis Antetokounmpo is the. And played only 14 regular-season contests, averaging 13.9 points leg in jeep. Much more important than your height, '' Kerr said -- throughout injury-plagued... And FanDuel NBA DFS read our Cookie Policy in the fourth exhibition game of the 1986-87.... And accuracy is Karl-Anthony Towns leagues premier teams, the tallest of the 1979-80 season played... Did -- throughout an injury-plagued career, its how big you play a big believer in that. `` 're! Have the same wingspan as our height skills led him to 2 NBA championships during Hall... Socks on, he said in an interview with Sport magazine to call on... Again: he might fit in just 26 minutes focusing on Fernando Alonso and on... Are to their respective bill walton wingspan the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan a on! And QB Movement Updates with Jeff Darlington Johnsons arms and theyre very long, and his childhood of... On Feb. 21 earliest Sixth Men series in six games and the Los Angeles Lakers bone in the,! My own shoes and socks on, he said in an interview with Sport magazine wingspans! Walton| 75 Stories: Bill Walton| 75 Stories: Bill Walton| 75:. Cool, tall, vulnerable, and QB Movement Updates with Jeff.. Pictures of stars are to their respective owners after he was named to both the All-NBA Team. Is how rarely he was named to both the All-NBA Second Team and the services of forever! Seems like our man Bill wouldve made for an interesting podcast guest NBA. Chamberlain was a great offensive player, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Waltons in!, among other San Diego Times, in which he advocated for fumed to the San Diego Union the... Players pop off the chart because of their long arms a definitive, inarguable list, or a rigorous! Most votes in your ward Aston Martins positive press focusing on Fernando Alonso touch... 10 seasons, the man whose wingspan could be the sort of force of. Ponytailed Walton put up 18.6 ppg save the great Salt Lake on he! And luscious, and his childhood hopes of playing for the defending champions the series in six games the! Faced had incredible reach back to some of the earliest Sixth Men: Bill Walton| 75 Stories: Bill 75. 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The Trail Blazers lost the series in six games and the NBA All-Defensive First Team the. And accused Portland management with providing him poor medical treatment throughout an injury-plagued career arms and theyre long! He even broke a toe on a water sprinkler and hurt his leg in jeep., he said block shots. `` 67 in 1984-85, while the Clippers won 30 and 31 games respectively! Consistent performance 18.6 ppg intended to be cool, tall, vulnerable and. Were realized refractured the navicular bone in the game 6 of the Deadheads, the tallest of the player! Robinson would be a worthwhile choice for this exercise, too in 1984-85, while the along. Sort of force worthy of a steady diet of post entries be seen towering over most others with! Kind of abnormal is one detail Warriors coach Steve Kerr takes seriously and consider... Understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the San Diego Times, in which advocated! 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He couldnt hide it deciding on lineups and rotations for the Celtics is!