Bill Walton Greatest Games: 44 Points vs Memphis State (1973 NCAA FInal)

Record breaking performance by Bill Walton, 44 points on 21/22 FG - amazing game...

[@toordal]

This was the first place I went to after hearing Bill Walton died. RIP Bill and The Conference Of Champions.

[@allancerf9038]

Me too.

[@kenarthur6253]

Greatest performance ever in an NCAA Championship Game.

[@miketanner522]

Yep and it’s not even close. Bill Walton I’d on of the biggest “what if’s” in the history of the NBA. And still he is a top 10 center of all time. Can’t imagine what he would have done go he was injury free his whole career.

[@rogermartin798]

By far !!

[@carseye1219]

I loved the John Wooden line "Bill, I used to think you were pretty good but then you missed that shot".

[@patfromamboy]

I bought a signed John Wooden pyramid of success. It just happened to be for a guy named “Pat” which is my name so I got lucky.

[@patrickfurlong8221]

A lot of younger people have no idea how good this guy was. He was as good as Bird before his injuries. Tremendous talent, Walton would kick Kareem's @.. with regularity too.

[@paulcarlson4230]

Kareem is a great player also,but got to political and cheap shot many players kind of a pssy

[@patfromamboy]

@@paulcarlson4230he wasn’t too political. Everyone should be involved in politics.

[@marktrail8624]

No seperate sports and politics

[@almorris171]

@@patfromamboy So we all should crawl in the gutter and roll around in the sleeze? I agree we all should vote but politics is a back stabbing cut throat endeavor. Imagine your workplace if everyone ran around lobbying for promotions. There are some good people in politics but the media and activists make it damn hard to stay true to oneself and still get elected.

[@smhollanshead]

Do you remember the 1977 NBA championship with the Portland Trail Blazers? That may have been Bill Walton at his best.

[@GodzillaFan754]

Flat out the most dominant performance in NCAA finals history!

[@perryickes8991]

I was blessed to be old enough to see all of Bill Walton's career. What a great player and wonderful person. Had he not had the foot problems through out his NBA career his teams would have won more championships than they did. Rest in peace Bill and Thanks for the memories.

[@Iambriangregory]

Please don't talk about injuries as an excuse just talked about that for one season as in my opinion after Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest center I could imagine that I would have on my team and when you talk about athletes don't ever ever mention injuries that is what makes them what they are for better or for worse Joe Namath is the greatest quarterback of all time but he had bad news so he's not the greatest quarterback so stop making those excuses stop saying those things

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Saw him in HS?

[@tomjohnson7529]

I remember this as if it was yesterday. I will still say this, when he was healthy there has never been anyone who could dominate a game in any phase like Walton. He could block shots, rebound, pass or score when needed. As a Trailblazer, in 77, he did all of those and won the big one, their only one. Just remember this too, all those lobs were without jams because dunking the ball was illegal in those days. Too bad his career was marred with injuries to his back and legs. I used to love watching him block shots. He'd just tip them enough to rebound them and start the UCLA fast break, today, they swat them out of bounds and give the team another shot.

[@jayeellis3833]

Agreed and well said. That said.... Bill Walton, late 1960s, early 70s... he was a Communist - bad politics.

[@savagetilley2782]

I agree with you on his politics i'm on the other side nearly extreme right. BUT over the years. I've found myself bouncing in the middle now days. I've been reading lots of Hunter S Thompson stuff and things like that. I'm to young to of seen Bill Walton in his prime. But I do agree he is the best WHEN healthy possibly all time.

[@postaltraining]

in addition to being pretty slick in '77, walton was instrumental in a different role for the 86 celtics. the tandem of him and parish made most teams cry for mommy on top of the usual bird-mchale-parish problem any game presented

[@eboooo]

I think Arvydas reminded me of Walton at his apex.

[@jimicmore1895]

I agree, if had stayed healthy, the greatest, could not be stopped plus his passing rebounding, used that bank shot with great accuracy

[@IU90]

For about a five year stretch between around 73 and 78 Walton was as good an all around center as has ever played in the history of the game. Unfortunately, injuries and his perpetually broken foot bones robbed him of showing what he could do after that.

[@MsOpus1]

yup... a price paid when one gives all into a demanding sport. Even on a non successful or Pro level, like myself. I played a lot-a-sports back N the day ...always giving it my all. Now, I struggle with complications. But, I will never regret all the GREAT times I had! ...it was a natural High 4 me =D

[@impassable]

Ahh but that 86 season...It all came together for one year

[@teej783]

He also sat out two years in his prime to protest the treatment of injured players by the Trailblazers. He got traded to the Clippers because of it. Now that is a statement.

[@kerrinhester3378]

As good as any player ever

[@garygoodin40]

I truly feel blessed to have witnessed Bill Walton's high school team kick my high school teams butt at a standing room only showdown between the 2 top teams in San Diego. Not only did they kick our butts but I was blessed to witness the most incredible bb player I ever saw in high school. Walton shot an incredible 78 per-cent from the field his senior year.

[@titostacos]

21 for 22...and he wasn't allowed to dunk...!

[@jerrypete3799]

The only shot Walton "missed" was a dunk they didn't allow. It was marked as a "missed" shot. A perfect game for Walton !!

[@ramonazteca]

@@jerrypete3799 i was there. it was not a dunk. he just dropped the ball with both hands into the basket. the ref screwed him.

[@shawnyoung8752]

​@@ramonaztecaI recall he dropped it it the basket. On the way down his pinkie hit the net.

[@Tonyconner74]

The art of the bank shot has been lost over the years, its actually a higher percentage shot, reason being the shot can be slightly off and will still go in as opposed to a straight shot witch has little to no room for error. Walton was a master of the bank, with his leaping ability and height he was practically unstoppable!.... Fantastic player!....

[@almorris171]

For a right hander, a bank shot from the left side is the easiest shot to make. John Wooden explicitly taught his players to take it especially on the fast break pullup shot from a 45 degree angle to the basket.

[@dan16000]

When healthy, Bill Walton played like an oversized Larry Bird, so agile and clever, very impressive.

[@thesmartset5060]

I remember watching that game, no question he is the best player I ever saw in college...🏀

[@illuzionzenzile]

dan16000 Kevin McHale is probably a better comparison.

[@jamesvickers9476]

dan16000 I don't know about an oversized Bird but he was tough...Bird had so much more then Walton

[@davidringo1399]

Pfft...he got away with so many fouls its not even funny....

[@davidringo1399]

Red headed freak...

[@timothybessemer7316]

Considering he got into the hall of fame with all the injuries he had, what kind of legend would he had become if not having those injuries?

[@deere3321]

OMG...I can't imagine. His injuries started in high school.

[@moswag50]

Hey Tim. I'm not saying Walton wasn't a beast!! Combination of size, speed, and rebounding. Best passing center ever!... even though Jokic might disagree. But Wilt!... he was a different breed. Playing 46 minutes a game for his career, never fouling out. I just feel that Wilt was a better scorer, rebounder, passer, faster, better stamina. I can say Walton is the most fundamental center ever! Wilt was just different. If no injuries, I see Walton averaging around 25pts, 17-18rebs, and around 5-6 assts for his career.

[@siircartiier]

Man imagine an NBA with Arvydas and Bill.

[@siircartiier]

Cardell Mosley wilt played against fucking plumbers and meat factory workers his numbers would’ve been way different if he would’ve played 10 years later. Not saying he want good but the competition was much more weak

[@patedwards932]

@@siircartiier Bill Russell, Oscar R., Elgin Baylor, Jerry Lucas, Jerry West. Plumbers? Not!

[@markhagen7719]

When healthy, Walton was the best center the game ever produced.

[@moswag50]

Mark. Bill was exceptional!! But he will never be able to hold Wilt's jockstrap!

[@alanfoster6589]

@@moswag50 Walton was great. Wilt was supernatural.

[@Hibbs4Prez]

He wasn't even the best center from UCLA

[@ronaldmorissey8493]

@@Hibbs4Prez Wooden said it best when comparing the two centres: Lewis (he always called him Lewis) was more valuable since he could hurt the opposition more at both ends of the court.

[@user-iv9er3nr6z]

Early 1960s pre knee surgery wilt would've score 50s points playing against bill Walton of mid 1970s

[@caesarfiorini1728]

Technically perfect for a big man. Passing, rebounding and shooting. Went 21 for 22 this night

[@jr-xs9tf]

I had forgotten how quick he was. Small forward level of quick.

[@classicsurvivor]

Walton was a point guard playing the center position.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

That spin move in traffic at 0:33 is just unreal for a man of his size. He's practically doing a pirouette like a ballet dancer.

[@soundautomatic1]

Agreed! See how strong he is just off the ball of his right foot on that spin? He goes about a yard to open up space for the reverse. He basically uses a toe. It's awesome.

[@Rambomob662]

Joel embiid does this

[@ethanselby4111]

@@Rambomob662yea but in ‘73 that’s quite an impressive move for a big

[@willgold9705]

21 of 22 field goals! Wow.

[@scared08ph]

I was blown away of this video...the beast named Bill Walton played like point guard.Brilliant assist moving like a shooting guard/point guard.He is unstoppable.

[@Amick44]

Right. He was like a PG in with a C's height.

[@Blkac-pill-Black-Life]

Me 2!!! Wtf!!!!!!

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Young Walton was a problem. Was like Russell in that his game elevated his teammates. Really too bad that he was robbed of his pro prime by injuries.

[@Amick44]

That's exactly who each was. They did what was needed and let others share in the success and glory. Many "stars", not so much. Duncan did too. Of course, Magic and Bird as well.

[@abegoldman8749]

He won a championship in 77 swept Jabar and beat Dr.J

[@johnwhite2576]

Abe Goldman - true dat - that team was poetry in motion -the some greater than the stars. Real, old school b-ball not this Bron Bron “send me to foul line and shoot open threes “ game. That was not kareems strongest supporting cast, and he stat line (esp points) bit better than Waltons, but he was still in his prime, brought his A game the entire series ,way more playoff experience than walton, and wlatons teams dominated-why ? Because Walton was the more valuable player, did more things, augmented and supported his teammates better because his skill set, vision, passing and movement on entire court not just the paint. Not knocking Kareem at all in that series -kids dissing old school b-ball need to watch both these guys and tell me they wouldn’t dominate anyone in today not named akeem....compare walton at his peak that season with say the Big Easy (one of my favs) .Duncan was better foul shooter but thats it. Walton quicker ran court better, way better hops, better bank shot (which WAS Duncan marquee move) , better rebounder defender, passer. Duncan is a HOF game first ballot, but simply not the player walton was in his prime. You take a healthy Walton on you Maddon dream team as Center college OR pro, before Kareem, before Duncan, before Ewing, before Akeem and even before Russell. Only akeem had his skill set, only Russell had his competitiveness, nobody he his passing or offensive rebounding ability, his bank shot was the best (better than Duncan) and his hook shot the second best (behind Kareem). Only Akeem had his offensive scoring versatility and only Kareem had his offensive scoring efficiency.

[@wilsonstone935]

@@johnwhite2576 yes, plus he just plain dominated the paint, you couldn't score with him in there, especially when he'd get pumped up

[@garrison6863]

The thing about this game is that Memphis state was a really good team and Larry Kenon was a really good center. But they had no answer for Walton at all. He was really one of the very best college centers ever. A shame what happened to him in the NBA. But he really could do it all.

[@MM-yn9db]

Yes, Kenon was solid, loved him and Doc at the forwards for the ABA Nets.

[@soundautomatic1]

I've never seen anyone repost themselves faster than this guy.

[@davidmckenzie420]

I went to high school with Greg Lee. He was, I believe, Walton's roommate at UCLA...Those were the days...

[@gato7908]

He's got that signature spring in his step that you see so little in his NBA career due to injuries. One can only imagine how great he would be if he stayed healthy, probably on the level of bird or magic or Jordan.

[@krbohn101]

You've got four of my all-time starting five!

[@alanfoster6589]

Memphis State was a solid team with good, agile big men. No pushover. Didn't matter.

[@edwardsinger4043]

Throw it down big man! Bill of course said that often. Best college game ever? Took great shots. Battled for position. Hypnotized them once to score once uncontested. Rip

[@larryyoder4861]

I remember my mom letting me watch that game:)

[@terryhill4732]

Walton was almost 7 ft and played the game like a 6'6 point guard the guy was simply awesome in college

[@thebestfreethrowcoach6123]

Amazing game. I still remember it. Maybe the greatest game I've ever seen a college player play.

[@doubaya2959]

He has extremely explosive first step as a big man.

[@jacobbowman8103]

That Walton pass at 1:00 is amazing!

[@gregorylewis62]

Jabbar and Walton were my two favorite college players. Each has their different strengths. Loved UCLA and Coach Wooden!

[@stampscapes]

When I watched this, I kept thinking "Tim Duncan". TD must have watched a lot of video on Walton with all those high percentage soft bank shots.

[@ARIZJOE]

Bill Walton is greatest college player ever. And this game is good evidence. Not just a big man, but a fine, all around player with tremendous basketball acumen. With all his injuries and scores of very serious surgeries, he is lucky to be alive. Bill Walton gave his life to basketball.

[@rickycole6327]

Walton will tell you himself he was not the best best college basketball player of all time he will tell you Kareem was

[@ARIZJOE]

@@rickycole6327 That's 100% correct. Bill is a modest person, and always pays deference to the college career of Lewis.

[@dhrdcub1]

Alcindor & Walton- to this day, 40 years after they graduated, still the 2 greatest college players of all time. No one else even close.

[@Amick44]

Bill Russell

[@jgrantsf]

Pete Maravich

[@ramonazteca]

even close? wilt? please. probably the greatest athlete to ever play center position.

[@ethanselby4111]

Maravich

[@buzzard6410]

Ralph Sampson was a beast in college. Like Walton, foot injuries robbed his pro career.

[@bailinnumberguy]

Maybe the greatest game played by a college player in history. I think Walton missed 1 shot in the game. Had Walton remained healthy, he might've been the greatest center who ever lived.

[@mikebeasley6447]

AND STILL HE IS ONE OF THE GEATEST TO EVER PLAY THE CENTER POSITION!!!!!!!!!!

[@levalpat]

and I think his one missed shot was for offensive goal tending!!!

[@jeffrey3498]

Amazing performance by Walton.

[@jimhanratty9543]

Walton cat quick, so fluid a player. He loved the backboard.

[@robertfroding9854]

This is great, what a talent the healthy Bill Walton was! Also, great hearing the excellence in broadcasting of the legendary Curt Gowdy. Never overstated anything, or over hyped. Miss that that voice!

[@cosmo1eleven855]

Yeah he was big as a baseball voice. Didn't know he did basketball too.

[@Pookiepup1]

An amazing performance in St. Louis. Never saw one like it before or since.

[@philb.1502]

Walton before the foot injuries was a real monster in the post. He was super quick around the basket.

[@wildbillhackett]

Walton was the best college center I ever saw growing up. He was on his way to being the one of the best all-time pros before his injuries.

[@HarrisonHollers]

Alcindor, Russell, and Chamberlin included?

[@wildbillhackett]

​@@HarrisonHollersThey weren't in college when I was growing up. Well, Alcindor was but I was only 9 or 10 when he graduated I think. I don't remember watching him till the pros in the early 70's.

[@HarrisonHollers]

@@wildbillhackett got it. I never went back to watch his game until today. Dude could move; great footwork, and vision.

[@wildbillhackett]

@@HarrisonHollers Walton was a great passer, shot blocker, and rebounder. Not a huge offensive threat because he was too busy getting assists. A bit of a liberal nut job sometimes but his heart's in the right place. A genuine good guy.

[@HarrisonHollers]

@@wildbillhackett the deadhead part is kinda cool. Do you bro! I didn’t know about his D excellence

[@briansam2524]

I was 12 when I saw that game on TV, it was an incredible game Walton had.

[@ddenuci]

Larry Kenon had 20 of his own points in this game. 8 of 16 from the floor, and 4-4 from the line.

[@peterroy3679]

walton at 19 was better than he was at any other age . he was so quick plus he was actually 7-2

[@cosmo1eleven855]

No, he was actually 7-0 even. But he was self concious with his stuttering problem, so he lowered his official height to 6-11"

[@homerosanchez204]

What I also liked about this game that I watched with my dad was that today I can watch it and listen to Curt Gowdy. What a familiar voice he was! I rooted for UCLA but I'm sure my dad rooted for Memphis State. Back then UCLA was at the Apex of a great Dynasty

[@bumblebeemoi]

Remember dunks weren’t allowed in some of those years. What touch he had.

[@allenhecht7973]

Taught from a young age that the backboard was his friend. Rare to see nowadays

[@mc76]

Fun fact: in the semifinal game, Walton was totally outplayed on the offensive end by Indiana's Steve Downing. Downing had 26 points (to Walton's 14); the rest of the IU team scored 33. If Downing had gotten any help, the best game in NCAA history might never have happened.

[@caesarfiorini1728]

He only needed to shoot 12 times that game and they still beat Indy by 11. He also added 17 boards and 9 assists

[@mikebeasley6447]

TIL THIS DAY THE GREATEST SHOOTING PERFORMANCE THESE 2 EYES HAVE EVER SEEN BAR NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!####

[@TrillingFamily]

Great video - thanks! Walton was truly phenomenal.

[@KRHEE]

44 points ........... all 2 pointers ...... respect

[@groovyballers]

Yeah before the 3pt era

[@shawnyoung8752]

No 2 free throws.

[@keithpopko2540]

I remember watching this. He was amazing. He also had four shots disallowed for offensive goaltending.

[@dshooter6391]

Yes sir!

[@groovyballers]

Wow amazing story

[@wmden1]

I didn't get to see him play much, at all, back then. From watching footage on youtube and during his short stint with The Celtics, he was as much fun to watch play as Larry Bird. When healthy, he was confident, strong, skilled, quick, relaxed and always in control.

[@dshooter6391]

I didn't see Lew Alcindor in college, but Bill Walton, Larry Bird , David Thompson and Magic Johnson were the best I ever see play college basketball. Imagine that, four of the best I ever seen, played in the 70's.

[@zachmartin1458]

@dshooter6391 My first NCAA tourney I remember was 74 with both Thompson and Walton. I was fortunate.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

Always loved the Walton bank shot.

[@damfst23]

Bill Walton was a beautiful basketball player to watch.The injuries kept him from being inthe G.O.A.T. conversation.

[@daviddupper9728]

RIP Bill Walton, still the best final game performance ever!!😢😔

[@levalpat]

Bill Walton was the most complete package of any center in basketball..... that is not hyperbole. In his uninjured prime, he would fit even better in today's style of NBA game.

[@leodrosia4369]

Bill was 7 ft 1. 1986 was the funnest year i ever had as a celtic fan with walton who was a alltime top 5 nba center if he had been healthy....the 2 best ncaa players of 70s playing on 86 celtics was a dream to watch

[@michaelcorenzwit716]

Most dominant performance I ever saw.

[@bobgulrajani8242]

I watched this game when I was in college on TV. One of my greatest sports memories ever. Walton was on fire! Throw it down big man, throw it down!

[@jr55tex13]

imagine if he had decent ankles/feet what a NBA career he would have had.

[@Amick44]

Oh man, it makes me sick to imagine it. We saw a short window of it, the year Portland won and the first 3 quarters of the following season. Then the foot injuries hit. And the NBA was up for grabs.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

This video does not do justice to how good Walton was in that game. It does not show what a great defensive player he was and how well he rebounded and played. There is no question that Walton was the greatest center of all-time.

[@barbaramaier4758]

+Greenwolfe Green: Agreed; I'll go even further- when Bill was healthy, he is the greatest basketball player ever. The only players who favorably compare are Arvydas Sabonis (when he was in his prime and healthy) and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. John Wooden said Walton was the best player he ever coached.

[@morganlee1995]

+barbara maier You're putting Euro leaguers and college greats in the same category as Kareem...

[@gregallan2842]

Chamberlain?

[@princekelvin6476]

barbara maier lol what about Hakeem Olajuwon ?

[@johnflanagan9153]

Greenwolfe, while Walton was a great all-around center who's injuries robbed him of true legendary status in the NBA, he is not the greatest center of all time. Chamberlain would have broken him into little pieces like cheap plywood, and Bill Russell would stuff everyone of his turn-around jumpers.

[@9Ballr]

I'd say this is the greatest game by a player in NCAA history.

[@UNCLUB2009]

I remember watching that game. What they don't tell you is the shot he missed was in then out off the backboard, where he lived all night... So close to perfection!!

[@602davido]

One of the greatest athletic performances of ANY sport.

[@mchristr]

Between 1964 and 1975 UCLA won 10 national championships. That's just ridiculous. Walton's bank shot was so smooth.

[@acornsucks2111]

That pass at 1:02 is insane!

[@markfox3083]

Yes, left handed and I watched it a few times.

[@thomaskelly8571]

The game that sticks out in my mind is the game between Walton's Bruins and NC St. with David Thompson. What a phenomenal showdown between 2 great teams and 2 legends.

[@zachmartin1458]

Yes. 50 years later and I still remember.

[@AntiMTVMovement]

Insane that Walton scored two-thirds as many points as the entire Memphis State team did.

[@jollyjoe9281]

Always with the hands up and ready to receive a pass, Greg Lee must have had 15 assists that game...Walton was the best passer ever from the low post, always ready to find a cutting teammate for a layup...joy to watch him play the game...and...Kobe sucks

[@Amick44]

Kobe is a more modern prototypical offensive star. Put fear into the defense, pass if need be. He wasn't one to move the ball constantly. Kind of a take turns kind of guy. No Bird, Magic, Lebron, Stockton. A break you down kind of guy. Many of his teammates stood around a lot. Fortunately in his prime, he succeeded pretty often. Maybe not enough to suit Shaq, though!

[@ramonazteca]

r.ip. bill. you played the most perfect game i've ever seen.

[@forestgump8357]

Forgot how incredibly quick Walton was. He makes Doncic and Jokic look like they have lead weights in their shoes.

[@stugabe33]

In 1973 the NCAA had a no-dunking rule, otherwise it would have been 25-of-26 for Bill Walton and 52 points. People forget that Walton had 4 baskets nullified for offensive goaltending and thus "settled" for 44 points on 21-of-22 shots. Walton's 44 was, AND STILL IS, a championship game record.

[@harveyhester2113]

Ridiculously underrated. If healthy he would've been in the all time great conversation

[@LawrenceRoss1906]

He was a beast. When I was a kid growing up in LA, we all loved him...until he became a Blazer and then a hated Celtic.

[@Marvhagler]

I remember watching a basketball show on ESPN and these ex NBA players were complaining that bill Walton was one of the top 50 players of all time the funny thing is not one of those who complained could hold his jock he was so much better then those ex NBA players it's laughable! that they would complain like that obviously they didn't watch Walton play when he was healthy. He's not only a top 50 greatest player he is a top 10 greatest player.

[@brockalbert5111]

Remember there was no 3-point line yet. Imagine if Walton played in the 3-point era. He had such a great shot, he would've been the best stretch 5 in NBA history.

[@robertpanetta7912]

There is a saying “dominant player”. Not many players even the great ones can’t be put in this category. It is reserved for George Miken, Chamberlain,Kareem, Shaq, Erving, Maravich, Bird and Jordan. Walton when healthy is in this group. Dominant meaning they take over the game by themselves.

[@Iambriangregory]

That is true after Wilt Chamberlain Walton if I had to pick a center for just one season only he would be the person adjusted for inflation and progression of players historically and deflation greatest center for one season not for a decade or career if I had to pick one for one season it will be him

[@ericgilliam9902]

RIP Bill Walton and Larry Finch!

[@jermdogg1185]

best passing big man of all time...

[@dshooter6391]

I agree!

[@timwheat6262]

People forget that was a great Memphis team. Larry Finch was one of the best college shooters of the era. Bill killed them. Larry helping Bill off the court showed such great character at the end.

[@lovell123456789]

Bill Walton had a bevy of tools. Very sound, fundamentally.

[@francismarasiganiii4549]

The no dunk rule definitely benefited him too because he was able to work on his fundamentals and other skills

[@Amick44]

Francis Marasigan III Probably. As it allowed Kareem to perfect his hook, Walton developed an excellent turnaround bank shot.

[@timatkinson9291]

Walton could play in his day. Variety of moves and good passer.

[@terryhill4732]

When Walton was playing at UCLA they was on a 66 game winning streak it was finally broken against Notre Dame his senior year

[@Dazed735]

21 of 22 field goals has anyone ever done that since? Wow!

[@wilsonstone935]

And 13 yrs later, he was blocking shots by the doctor and Kareem in NBA playoffs, big part of Celtic's title -, but I remember this game like yesterday

[@dirklerxstpratt2112]

The Celtics didn't play the Lakers in the NBA playoffs that year. They beat the Rockets in the Finals. He would have only faced Kareem twice in the regular season.

[@wilsonstone935]

@@dirklerxstpratt2112 right, he did play em in 86 but I was thinking 77 playoffwise

[@wilsonstone935]

@@dirklerxstpratt2112 I watched one of the laker-celtics games that year recently, the celts let em know this was their year, great game tho, fun to watch

[@ronaldmorissey8493]

@@wilsonstone935 Check the stats of the 2 big men in the '77 western conference finals.

[@kirksmith2051]

The legendary Curt Gowdy doing the play-by-play.

[@milt6208]

I remember watching this game Walton was also playing good defense too

[@dhrdcub1]

Should've qualified- greatest I've ever seen. Saw Wilt many times in the NBA, but I was only 5 when Wilt played his last college game. As a pro- toss a coin between Wilt and Kareem. Their paths only crossed for about 3 years, but still an incredible matchup. Kareem and Walton was a helluva matchup for the brief time Walton was healthy in Portland. We saw a glimpse in 76-77 & 77-78 of how great Walton could've been as a pro, but unfortunately his feet and knees weren't built to last.

[@Amick44]

Absolutely Ray.

[@tubewatcher38]

Walton got the better of Kareem in most of the big games that I saw. Kareem was great, like Wilt. But Walton, like Russell made everyone & the team much better. The Lakers knew what they had coming in the '86 finals (which was the rubber match with Celtics) & stayed home.

[@Amick44]

tubewatcher38 AMEN. The 2 Bill's were in a class all their own.

[@chowpuppy4537]

You can't tell from this video, but the score was 39-all at halftime and Walton picked up his fourth foul early in the second half. Just about any modern-day coach would have put him on the bench, but Wooden kept riding the hot hand. At that point, Walton took over the game.

[@davidhenderson594]

I remember watching this game. Walton put on one of the greatest preforments in college basketball history.

[@joeblow9374]

I just happened to be watching TV and caught this game. I have since learned that it was the first time the NCAA championship was televised. A few years later after a hard week of working and studying in graduate school I decided I needed a break and put on the Olympics and watched The Miracle on Ice.

[@MM-yn9db]

The first nationally televised NCAA hoop championship game was 1963, Loyola vs Cinci. It was sold to 125 stations. And I remember watching Alcindor play title games late 60's.

[@andybilakshow260]

Bill loved the game of basketball. To see the smile on his face every time the "team" scored, leads me to believe he loved being a Boston Celtic even more.🏀 I also wonder if Walton taught Larry how to pass🤔

[@otherworld11]

WOW, that really was dominant. Back then, a lot of folks had just gotten tired of UCLA winning every year, though.

[@WarlpiriMan]

I remember watching this game. Walton was on another planet!

[@josephdiao8149]

if only a kid today gets 21/22 in the finals he'd go 0th overall pick to team spacejam.....

[@levalpat]

Actually i think you could say he was 22 of 22 from the field... One was called for offensive goaltending.... Bill could shoot, pass, rebound, dribble... Had court vision like a pro point guard..... One of my favorite college players.... Too bad for injuries when he was pro.. But still has a couple nba champ rings... One with boston when he played as sixth man... Imagine having this red headed beast as a sixth man.

[@Amick44]

Just a brilliant C. As a star and a 6th man. His presence, unlike several others, NEVER detracted from what his teammates did well. Only enhanced it. Who else can that be said of? Magic, probably, Bird perhaps. Russell, sure. Not too many others.

[@Amick44]

Johnny, the least you can say about Bill, be it at UCLA, Portland or Boston (for the 1 yr) is that he was a TRUE (positively) IMPACT player. He wasn't about stats in the least. He was about making the game easier for his teammates and doing what needed to done at any given time. And that applies to Russell, Bird and Magic as well.

[@krisharkleroad8]

I forgot how quick he was. Great rebounder and passer. His outlet passes were a thing of beauty.

[@scottdavidson9963]

If injuries didn't derail him his numbers would have been dominate for awhile in the NBA.

[@stephenkennedy8767]

Such great team basketball