Since the last matchup (Drexler/Lucas) sparked some good conversation, I thought it would be interesting to see who everyone thought would take the other semifinal: Walton v. Porter. Personally, I'm a much bigger Porter fan and he was much more consistent. But Walton had arguably the greatest year of any Trail Blazer and still won the MVP a year later after only playing 60% of the season. I think it comes down to what you value more, longevity or a ring. Without Bill, there is no title for Portland but I also was eight years away from being born when it happened so there's not that connection there for me. I grew up watching Clyde and Terry. CLICK HERE TO VOTE
Bill, and I liked Porter a lot. But there's a difference between "steadily good-to-great" and "transcendant."
Should make for a great debate for the best Trailblazer ever between Walton and Drexler There is no debate for the best Trailblazer Alumni in the history of the Organization, Terry Porter.
If you think defense like Red Auerbach, you call Bill Walton the most talented center in history. There is a sense of tragedy in Walton's career, more than any other truncated career in the NBA's history. Porter lacks that aura of greatness.
No question in my mind: When healthy, Walton was one of the greatest Centers in the history of the league, let alone our Blazers for one and a half magical seasons. It's easy!! 1. Drexler - because of greatness and longevity, 11 years with club. 2. Walton - because of greatness and a league Title, though for a short time. 3. Porter - because of good/greatness and longevity. 4. Lucas - because of good/greatness and league Title.
I loved Walton as a player, but I liked Kareem a lot more. And if we're talking about injuries killing a career, Sabonis was freakishly great when he was young.
The young Walton had skills just as freakish, but Wooden taught him to keep them under control. Be quick, but don't hurry.
in the 1977 Western Conference finals, the two met in their only meaningful playoff matchup. I don't see Kareem getting shut down by any stretch. I was a big fan of both in college and when they came to the pros. It's not like I don't think highly of them both. Game 1: Jabbar outscores Walton 30-18, Walton wins rebounding battle 13-10. Portland defeats the Lakers 121-109. Game 2: Jabbar outscores Walton 40-14, and outrebounds him 19-12. Herm Gilliam hits a last second shot to win the game for Portland 99-97. Game 3: Walton outscores Jabbar 22-21, Jabbar outrebounds Walton 20-16. Walton did score 14 points in the final period to push Portland over the top 102-97. Game 4: Jabbar 30 points, Walton 19. Rebounds were 18 for Jabbar, 14 for Walton... but Kareem couldn't do it alone. Portland 105 L.A. 101
You showed why Walton's effect cannot be evaluated by his individual statistics. Wooden used to marvel at what a great unselfish team player he was. He took much more pleasure in passing than scoring. Despite being a center, he led his teams in assists from grade school until well into his pro years, where, if I recall correctly, he merely came close to leading, per minute. I better not get started on his signature moves that no one else had before or after. Gotta get things done today.
