Bill Walton (Clippers) (19pts/12rebs) vs. Celtics (1984)

[@tubewatcher38]

Watching Walton was like a basketball clinic every game. Bird said he had "the most fundamentals". & the great basketball writer Bob Ryan said he was "the most dominant player at both ends of the floor, ever". Head to head, he was more than a match for Jabbar - & everyone else for that matter.

[@paulcarlson4230]

I've seen him.play since high school,he really is that good,all around,he played hurt his whole life not just the pros,if 100 percent nobody is better and im serious,you can argue all you want

[@markhagen7719]

If Walton stayed healthy, the Trail Blazers win 3 titles in a row. Crying shame. Best ever when healthy.

[@spiritofvincennes]

Besides Wilt

[@cooper482011]

Bill Walton never admitted that he was actually a true lengthy 7-footer (not 6-foot-11). Ironically, Walton signed as a free agent with the Celtics the following year. Bill Walton --1985-86 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

[@davcar3568]

Walton was acquired from the Clippers to the Celtics via a trade for Cedric Maxwell and a 1st round draft pick. He was never signed as a free agent.

[@JakeStine]

Its comical too watching Walton head-to-head with Kareem and Parish. He might be taller than 7'0" Parish, and was practically eye-to-eye with 7'2" Kareem. The idea he would ever be listed at 6'11" is quite a thing.

[@Colstonewall]

A skilled big man that Red Auerbach loved so much.

[@garrison6863]

Walton looked really good here. Even though he was not at his best.

[@johnford5568]

He was doing an early interview with the celtics, and brought work examples.

[@nonplayerzealot4]

Walton at his prime was kinda like an extra large Larry Bird.

[@JamesAllenJr]

Minus the shooting touch, nonplayerzealot

[@michealpowell1299]

nonplayerzealot4 Since we're talking about "in their prime"... Combine Walton and Bird's skills, unselfishness, passion, and competitive fire, and you have a player who Walton himself called a " 7-3,300 pound Larry Bird"! THE Most underrated big man ever....Arvydas Sabonis!

[@PoliticusRex632]

@@michealpowell1299 is he underrated?

[@PoliticusRex632]

@@chiniechinchen Kareem looks just like Roger Murdock.

[@lloydkline1518]

Bill walton was like a white bill russell

[@galan444]

Parish was list as 7' and Walton as 6'11' and yet Walton looked like he was a couple of inches taller.

[@TRJ2241987]

That was something that Bill Walton always did by choice for whatever reason, he refused to be listed as a 7 footer because he personally did not want to be thought of as being that tall....just for whatever reason, he always swore that he wasn't 7 feet all even though everyone thought he was more than that. I even remember hearing him as a commentator later on talking about somebody (maybe Shaq, Mutombo) and using the phrase, "To be seven feet tall, it must be the greatest thing in the world!" (implying he wishes he were that tall as if he weren't)

[@PoliticusRex632]

@@TRJ2241987 Walton said in a recent interview he hadn't been measured since his first practice at UCLA and he was 6'11 1/2". He's always stuck with that. Dean Smith did the same thing with Brad Daugherty and Warren Martin. Both were listed at 6'11 1/2". Both were 7'2".

[@markhagen7719]

Look at a team picture of the 1986 celtics Walton is taller than Parrish. Walton was 7 ft. 1 in.

[@4EyedAnimation]

Was just about to mention that. Walton always said he was 6' 11"...he thought there was a stigma to guys listed 7'...if they under achieved they took grief

[@mikem591]

He was definantly at least 7’. Even in college he towered over his opponents. No way he was 6’ll. They show him standing next to Kareem and he is just slightly shorter.

[@basil1975]

I just recently bought an authentic bill walton clippers jersey a couple months ago I know it’s not his prime days but it’s still pretty cool

[@garymaccagnone3669]

Without the bad feet, Walton goes down as the greatest college and NBA center.

[@PeekaPeep]

Damn, Walton really packed on the muscle at that point in his career. May have helped him stay on the floor longer than in years past. Of course, you ALWAYS knew what you were getting with him when he was relatively healthy: a 7-foot walking basketball clinic at the C position. IQ off-the-charts, too. Arguably the best UCLA big man Wooden himself ever coached...arguably, that is. ;-)

[@williammorrison6311]

I saw Wooden declare Lew Alcindor to be the greatest he ever coached.

[@robertchflynn]

muscle ain't helping those feet issues...

[@PeekaPeep]

@@robertchflynn It wasn't just his feet that were giving him problems, his WHOLE BODY was breaking down on him. Turns out his condition was genetic, even his son Luke suffers from the same symptoms. I'm amazed Bill has managed to endure that much pain for so long, God bless him...

[@sjdrifter72]

Those were the best looking Clipper uniforms ever. Why didn't the team go back to these? Now they got the ugliest logo and uniforms in all of sports.

[@goldenone3489]

sjdrifter72 This was in San Diego. Until sterling bought the team & moved it too Los Angeles .

[@sjdrifter72]

This game was played at the LA Sports Arena, after Donald Sterling moved the team there. You can see it on the center court. They also used the same logo they used in their final season in San Diego, only changing the name of the city. Far better than the atrocious logo and uniforms they have now.

[@MrMeowMeows619]

Hell no. Best one is the San Diego Powder Blues with the red sail

[@davidholcomb9393]

Walton was a brainy player and used his skill very smoothly. He could shoot rebound and pass as well as or better than any center who ever played. I swear I don't recall him in a Clippers uniform. Old age makes the memory go first . lol

[@robertchflynn]

Sabonis and Walton pretty close in this regard. Sabonis being bigger and healthier gives him the clear nod. Footnote is that Walton was traded to Boston from Portland for a player and draft pick. The pick turned out to be Sabonis...

[@RoyPage1970]

He played for the clippers for several years

[@kasandrapurplekitten]

There are kids today who will never get just how good this guy was an argument can be made he was the greatest NCAA player ever and had injuries not failed him might very well have ended his NBA career top 5 player all time yes he was that good...

[@JamesAllenJr]

He was the white mans Bill Russell. A winner... but not by just out scoring his opponent. In fact, he was the best passer the best defender and the best rebounder on the floor most every night (when healthy).

[@cityhawk]

James Allen jr. And don't forget immortalized in Airplane by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That's its own honor.

[@cooper482011]

+James Allen jr. A healthy Bill Walton was scary - just ask Kareem, Lanier, Gilmore, Issel, Cartwright, Alvin Adams, James Donaldson, Sikma, Cowens, Caldwell Jones, Darryl Dawkins, etc. The uploaded video can speak for Robert Parish.

[@michealpowell1299]

Victor LionsTV Boy Howdy! That list just about covers it.....ALL THE WAY UP TO NINETEEN FREAKING SEVENTY FOUR!!! WTF? Your Hot Tub Time Machine must be stuck in REVERSE!!

[@arniiarbayo5730]

Over statement of the century he was good but top 5?? Kareem had better collage career

[@whip57]

His footwork and court awareness was the best, he could do it all and at the highest level.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

BILL WALTON was the GREATEST CENTER ever to play the game of basketball. There was nothing he could not do as a center. Watch him do the fundamental things. You will see it for yourself.

[@Jon-wm3wp]

Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq are far more better. No way Walton could defend any of those players, its too slow

[@CHIKIS748]

Real good yes the best??🙄🙄

[@robertchflynn]

No way that I am suggesting he was better than guys like Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq who dominated the game for years. But you can see here that he probably had a better overall game and skillset than most centers. Meaning if he was 6'6" or 6'0" he would probably be better than those other centers at those same heights.

[@CHIKIS748]

@@robertchflynn yeah better IQ of the game for sure and real team playes

[@Jon-wm3wp]

@@robertchflynn Hakeem top 10 in steals, top 10 in blocks, the best foot work in the history of the game, good rebounder, can shoot from mid range, can pass from the low post. The Dream is better than Walton in almost every aspect of the game.

[@classicsurvivor]

I like that when he stole Bird’s pass. Bird was like, “ oh shit-this guy needs to be a Celtic”.

[@sugarnads]

Not often you see The Legend out rebounded. Great team player Mr Walton.

[@krisharkleroad8]

He wasn't. Bird had a triple double in this game. 13 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

[@cityhawk]

Big Red reminds me a lot of Hakeem Olajuwon, and I'm a big fan of Hakeem. Besides being Centers, their versatility, and style of play on both ends of the court are very similar. The only differences are that Hakeem was a bit more lanky, and had a bit more speed than Walton (I know Bill had a lot of issues and injuries with his feet). I agree, imagine if Walton was relatively healthy for most of his career, and what he could have done for the Blazers or Clippers.

[@73Trident]

Walton was ten times the player olajuwon was when healthy. Don't mention him in the the same sentence as Walton. olajuwon did did stupid stuff on the floor constantly, while Walton was the smartest player on the court until he went to Boston.

[@robertchflynn]

@@73Trident you are right about Walton's game in his prime. The only center I compare him with is Sabonis. Similar overall game. However, you are wrong to say that he was better than Hakeem. He simply was not...injuries count.

[@GPbSWAGGINit]

I was at the Clippers game last 2021 playoffs, after i saw Jerry West 15 feet from me i ran into Bill Walton at the parking station. He was next to me and i didn’t even recognize his face i did recognize his voice tho 😅. Didn’t want to bother him as he was having convo with his friend. I can’t wait for next season.

[@neweddard9358]

That bank shot is money.

[@dalegriffin6768]

Jokic kind of reminds me of Bill Walton,but he is better,he can do alot more things than Walton could do

[@catcountry0099]

Walton was more athletic and a far better defender and rebounder

[@dalegriffin6768]

@@catcountry0099 yea but Walton couldn't run fastbreaks and handle the ball like Joker,he was more athletic,but Walton couldn't doesn't have near the skills Jokic has,but then again no Center does

[@silewis9396]

Jokić _should_ be better than anyone that played in the 80s. He's had 40 years of evolved basketball knowledge to learn from and better shooters around him to use. Funny how Walton still clears defensively.

[@larrydichson4546]

I was there with my dad. Bill at his finest.

[@barbershop7248]

Bill Walton , San Deigo Clippers .

[@TheVikings1976]

how were the clippers not good with those players!!!!!

[@HoosierGarage]

When you think of the rest of the league at the time, that's why.

[@BenchOnaQUEST]

Great video! A belated Thanks for uploading it. GO CLIPPERS!! #LAourWay #ClipperNation #BenchOnaQUEST

[@ericthomas917]

Bill Walton thinking I wish I was a Celtic....

[@terrytctctcctmaness2257]

Rip legend

[@andfiker]

Where would you rank Bill Walton on an all-time scale? Just curious, I've only heard Bill SImmons speak about him.

[@classicsurvivor]

Andfiker Walton was the best center of all time in 77, first half of 78 season, and the 86 season.

[@radar0412]

Andfiker Walton. Great size. Phenomenal Basketball IQ. Great leadership ability. Injuries presents a problem for where he ranks. A lot of "If only" about the Man.

[@impassable]

Well you can run the offense through him (passing) and he can score too and rebound, and block shots...In his prime when healthy I'd put him right up there with Alcindor...

[@mikegillins4992]

Andfiker hard to measure Walton by his career numbers cause of all the injuries but to the naked eye I would have him still as a top ten center!!!

[@JohnSmith-yn9ie]

The official top 8 list in history is as follows: 1. Arvydas Sabonis 1985-86 2. Wilt Chamberlain 1961-1962 3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar 1973-1974 4. Bill Walton 1976-1977 5. Larry Bird 1983-1984 6. Hakeem Olajuwon 1985-1986 7. Kevin Durant 2011-2012 8. Dirk Nowitzki 2002-2003

[@dalegriffin6768]

I knew once the Celtics got Walton in 86 they would win another championship 🏆

[@DIMP11]

Walton must have had stroke. They actually called a foul on Larry Bird ?

[@magichands135]

Got some long arms too, barely has to jump for a dunk.

[@radar0412]

Bird be like "Damn! The stories I heard about Walton was TRUE!!" 😂

[@cplineberger]

Mike and Tawmmy!!!

[@levalpat]

when you look at the players that had the biggest impact on the game... and not necessarily getting into "who is the goat" discussion..... I can think of a few people who have either changed the game or changed the concept of their positions.......... that would be Magic Johnson, Step Curry, Bill Walton...... if walton would have gone uninjured the role of the center would have changed ten years before it actually did............. I did not include Wilt Chamberlain as changing the game..... he only just DOMINATED the game... while other cwenters stayed being centers for several years after. as for college, how about the existence of lew Alcindor..... no more dunking!

[@andresantonio3339]

Wow this celtics commentators sound so laid back here even give props to the opposite team. Now all they do is bash the other team. Well tommy does at least

[@BasketballJones48021]

Yes, back then you heard a whole lot less homerism from those two, especially Tommy.

[@andresantonio3339]

I understand that. But at the same time though, fans of that certain team are not the only ones that watch the game. And even fans themselves can't stand their own announcers sometimes. I believe that just makes the game a little unfun to watch at times But that is just my opinion on things everyone sees it differently.

[@andresantonio3339]

Said sometimes didn't i?

[@kagamiuchiha25]

Lakers and Celtics were the ones who wanted Bill Walton however BW chose Boston over LA Lakers, too bad San Diego Clippers moved to Los Angeles.

[@pkmkid84]

The Clippers should've brought these jerseys back instead of the new ugly ones they got now.

[@PoliticusRex632]

What could have been?

[@silewis9396]

I feel he had the potential to have a Hakeem/Duncan type of career

[@PoliticusRex632]

@@silewis9396 he was way more Timmy than Hakeem. I think. No fancy moves, just solid execution of fundamentals.

[@markhagen7719]

If Walton stayed healthy, the Trailblazers would have won 3 titles in a row.

[@birdbangbobarui]

The beginning of clippers kers for la then they send chargers

[@exterminator_1986]

After hearing about waltons RIP I was like ahite lets see some highlights... 0:35 wooh wait what da fuk.. 😮

[@JK-br1mu]

Bill Walton = red-headed ogre. Discuss:

[@coelhocointech9841]

I have never heard any tall Basketball player, being thankful for living in the USA.. living in any other place on earth they’d be working 5 am to 7 Pm on the farm just surviving.. they hit the tall and US lottery

[@CLewey44]

It's a good thing he busted that wig before going to Boston.

[@classicsurvivor]

CLewey44 that was tame compared to the 74 season.

[@juanjimeno6756]

Defense was trash lmao

[@jerrymoody3071]

Me could never play in todays game, mediocre @ best

[@DonkeyKongBMAC]

Chief>walton

[@chadcas]

I know this isn't his prime but, Walton is not one of the 50 greatest players ever. Very good but not great, sorry.

[@andfiker]

Bill Simmons would disagree. Apparently he had one of the greatest runs ever for like a year and a half.

[@andfiker]

***** Great write-up.

[@BasketballJones48021]

I think he'd definitely be a top15 of all-time or so right now, had he stayed mostly healthy throughout his career while maintaining or even elevating his 1977/1978 level...

[@chadcas]

+BasketballJones48021 I saw him at talented but more of an "effort" player with a high motor, the best skill he had was his passing. When I think greatness I think dominance, whomever compared Walton to Jabbar needs to reconsider somethings.

[@BasketballJones48021]

chad casimire Please... At his very best we're talking about a very mobile and athletic 7 footer (not listed at 7 feet but go look at pictures of him standing next to Robert Parish, and such), who most likely has the best case for being the greatest passing center ever, who was an extremely smart and crafty player, who stayed calm under pressure and was nice in the clutch, who played DPOY-level defense (most likely would've won DPOY in 1978 to go along with his MVP trophy, if the award was given out back then), who rebounded at a terrific rate, who could post-up and hit some mid-range jumpers, who wasn't a bad FT shooter, who could score close to 20 PPG on very good efficiency and without shot-jacking or ball-hogging, etc... Go look at how he vastly improved his team/teammates on both ends of the court... Lionel Hollins made the All-Star team only when playing alongside prime Walton, Maurice Lucas had his only All-NBA selection while playing alongside prime Walton, Bob Gross was All-Defensive only while playing alongside prime Walton... And I'm not even saying that those guys weren't good players, that he didn't have good teammates around (and a great Coach) or anything like that, nobody does it all alone, but let's look at examples such as what happened to the Blazers when Bill went down in 1978: They were 48-10 with him and finished 58-24! That's 10-14 without him! Losing 4 more times in 24 games than they had previously in 58! And they've won it all in 1977 in great fashion (with a healthy Walton leading the way) while in 1978 they got bounced 2-4 in their only Playoff series (Walton was injured but still played 2 games)! Thing was that Bill just couldn't stay healthy, injuries denied him of his prime at some point still early in his career... BUT the man was still able to display a - at the VERY LEAST - top25 peak in basketball history WHILE he was STILL in his mid-20's. At ONLY 25 years old he had ALREADY led a team to a title, he was ALREADY a MVP/FMVP... Give the man his due, imagine if he could've just stayed healthy, playing at that prime level for a nice number of years, while even being able to elevate his game because he was still young when injuries struck... All of the above and more, and you're out there talking about "effort player with a high motor"?! Give me a break... And I didn't say that he was better than Kareem or anything like that (even with Walton besting him plenty)... Jabbar is a top3 player of all-time with all things considered (I have him at #2), and he had a top3 peak/prime for a center, just because you can't say the same for Walton doesn't mean that Bill wasn't great. And nobody ranks a player like Moses Malone (who I have in my top15 of all-time) above a player like Kareem but plenty of times Moses outplayed him (even if an older KAJ). Like I've said, I think that Bill Walton would've been a top15 GOAT right now IF he stayed mostly healthy, at his best level (or above)... Think he could've been ranked above Moses Malone, and borderline a top5 center of all-time... As it is though? You're looking at a player who displayed a tremendous peak while still pretty young, who got to win it all while still pretty young, who then got took out by injuries while still pretty young but still managed to do "stuff" like win another title or even that 6th Man of the Year award.