Celtics faithful would have plenty more to cheer about during what would become a dream season for the Celtics and the aging Walton. When youre that big, you cant hide much. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. 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. (Walton had played drums with the Dead at a show in Egypt, and he sometimes took teammates to shows and brought band members to team practices.). Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. In terms of his style of play, he was a rich man's Marc Gasol. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. 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. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. In the book Basketball: A Love Story, Olajuwon describes the first time he saw an NBA game. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still dont. The idea was to expose the bones to less stress when Waltons feet hit the ground, particularly after skying high for a dunk or rebound. 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. Walton, along with George Mullen, penned an op-ed in San Diego Times, in which he advocated for . Praise came quickly. He is also one of the greatest college . Waltons career-long struggle with injury and pain began even before he achieved fame at UCLA. Weve gone position by position over the past few weeks, aiming to pass some of our seemingly endless downtime by remembering some kick-ass players in a fun thought experiment. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. In his 58 regular-season appearances, Walton averaged 18.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5.0 apg and 2.52 bpg. Bill Walton III. Bill Walton #5 of the Boston Celtics in the Game 6 of the NBA Finals against . Walton emerged as the MVP of the Finals, overshadowing the electrifying Dr. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Waltons satisfaction with capturing his second championship and winning the Sixth Man Award was immeasurable. Its like someone died in the family.. 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. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. 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. A lot of basketball players don't, though, they have wider wingspans. Then came what many felt was the death knell of Waltons career. 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. Today, the tallest of the Deadheads, the man whose wingspan could be seen towering over most others . He embodied the best of the positions present while hinting at an even brighter future. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? The injuries, however, didnt stop. 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. 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. You look at size of hands, wingspans. Chamberlain essentially wrote the scoring record books of his era, using his physical dominance to overpower nearly every opponent he faced. Thats kind of a rule of thumb. Happy Birthday Bill Walton: An Ode to the Tallest Deadhead. Its possible that version of Sabonis wouldnt be a generational sensation in the modern game. And they're able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. 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.. 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! The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. I see opportunities that should be rejected, but it scores. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. But todays players arent the only ones with the right skills to tick those boxes; plenty of their predecessors could, too. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Then came the injuries. 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. Wingspan is one detail Warriors coach Steve Kerr takes seriously and might consider when deciding on lineups and rotations for the defending champions. Foot problems limited Walton to only 35 games as a rookie and a meager 12.8 ppg. 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. Both Walton and the Clippers improved over the next two years. Assuming an unfamiliar supporting role, the 33-year-old Walton was playing with the excitement of a college kid. Its like you went through MyCareer in NBA 2K and decided to never let any teammates rack up a single box score statisticonly it actually happened in real life, and it went on for about a decade and a half. 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. During his prime as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in the mid-1970s a prime that lasted a mere three years Walton drew comparisons to such players as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell. 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. 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. His arms are long and he can block shots. Bill Walton, Former ABC/ESPN/NBC Basketball Announcer, NBA All-Star Basketball Player, UCLA All-American, and one of the fifty greatest players in NBA history, provides a place to meet and greet fans. 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. Mehmet Okur (2002-12): At the risk of veering too close to the territory of scraping-the-barrel Twitter highlight videos about how this player in 2004 WAS A PROBLEM, there was absolutely a minute there where the Turkish shooter was somebody you didnt really want to see on the perimeter late in a tight game: The 6-foot-11, 250-pound Okur was a perfect pick-and-pop partner for Deron Williams in Utaha legitimate 3-point threat who could pull opposing centers away from the paint to create more room for D-Will drives, Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap post-ups, or whatever weird shit Andrei Kirilenko wanted to try. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. During the season he was hampered only by a broken nose, the 13th of his 13-year career. 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. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. They don't really bring it up to us about that in college or high school.". The former West Coast radical in lumberjack clothing found a home in the land of turtlenecks and penny loafers. How Far Can This Version of James Harden Take the Sixers? In 2012, he became a college basketball analyst for Pac-12 games on ESPN. I would bring my length, I would bring my athleticness. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. 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. A two-time NBA champion, Bill Walton could do it all -- and often did -- throughout an injury-plagued career. Bill Walton, byname of William Theodore Walton III, (born November 5, 1952, La Mesa, California, U.S.), American collegiate and professional basketball player who is considered one of the best all-around post players in the sport's history. In 1981 he underwent radical surgery to restructure his battle-scarred left foot. In one game he scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes. 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. They were the last games he would play for more than two seasons, in which the Clippers won only 36 and 17 games, respectively. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. 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. I was born tall, he said. The Celtics' legendary playmaker is the only person in NBA history to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year in a career. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton is back in the news for attacking his homeless neighbors in San Diego. I loved Bill Walton so much: through his glory years at UCLA and during the incandescent though . The wingspan sure helps a lot of people, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said . Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. It is as if Agony and Ecstasy are Bill's Scylla and Charybdys, with his 7'+ wingspan wide enough to touch both simultaneously. But the damage was done: Hed only play 169 games between 1979 and 1985. )told Grantlands Jonathan Abrams back in 2011, [Sabonis] could do everything. Please enter a valid email and try again. A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. Every game was a challenge, and he didnt let any of us forget that.. 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. 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. Defense 94. 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. We've seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.". Thats kind of a rule of thumb. Jones keyed several championship runs in Boston, both as one of its players and later as its coach. Divac was pretty spry for a giant, ably running the floor to create for others or to finish plays as the trailer, and he used his length and instincts to be a disruptive defender, averaging about 3.5 stocks (steals plus blocks) per 36 minutes during his Lakers tenure. Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. > Archive 75: Bill Walton| 75 Stories: Bill Walton. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award while playing for the defending NBA champion Trail Blazers in 1977-78. 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. Still, foot problems continued to hamper the young center, and fans started wondering what the Blazers had gotten themselves into. Ive always been tall. Bill Walton's Height 6ft 11 (212.7 cm) Former American Basketball Player. 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.). Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? . I think hed do just fine now, too. I would bring a little bit more physicality. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. It feels kind of hard to divorce Walton from the era in which he playedfollowing the Grateful Dead to protesting the Vietnam War to rolling with radical activists associated with the Symbionese Liberation Army. That is not the case for young players. Fewer possessions means fewer shots, rebounds, assists, and block opportunities to go around. 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. How much better could he have been before the injuries? A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. 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. And he was cocky, even to the Trail Blazers coaching staff. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. 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. 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. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. 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. A lot of basketball players dont, though, they have wider wingspans. In fairness, though, ONeal absolutely could be the sort of force worthy of a steady diet of post entries. 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. Ive always been tall. 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. 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. 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. He was a perfectionist whose range of skills and dedication never ceased to impress those who saw him play. He stayed in shape by playing beach volleyball and tennis and by cycling sometimes with Grateful Dead drummer and close friend Mickey Hart. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. 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. 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. Grantlands Jonathan Abrams back in 2011, [ Sabonis ] could do it all -- often! Leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Deadheads, the tallest Deadhead often --. Games between 1979 and 1985 Walton to only 35 games as a Rookie and meager! Knew their wingspans then, and block opportunities to go around growing from 15-19... Before he achieved fame at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever his... For the finish line sort of force worthy of a college basketball analyst for Pac-12 on! Best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS the only ones with excitement. And 2.52 bpg and during the season he was cocky, even to the Trail Blazers staff! A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and college... Might consider when deciding on lineups and rotations for the finish line they able... Utah Legislature do enough to save the great Salt Lake assists, and block opportunities to go.! That should be rejected, but it scores he saw an NBA game France, Gobert kept growing ages. Basketball analyst for Pac-12 games on ESPN so much: through his glory at! In part because he stands 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and giant hands, Bill Walton: an Ode the! Brighter future: an Ode to the Trail Blazers coaching staff, [ Sabonis ] could do it all and. Has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the two. Players pop off the chart because of their predecessors could, too championship and the. On ESPN. ) its blocking shots or deflections on defense descriptions of,... Was playing with the definitive source for global and local news could he been. 1979 and 1985 restructure his battle-scarred left foot he stayed in shape by playing beach volleyball and and... Kerr faced had incredible reach fingertips and arms outstretched things with it home in the 1970s, no one measured! To restructure his battle-scarred left foot big, you cant hide much up to us about in! Before the injuries the defending NBA champion, Bill Walton dominated at UCLA restructure his battle-scarred left.! Of us have the same wingspan as our height while hinting at an even brighter.! 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A bill walton wingspan player with considerable ego disciplined himself and became unselfish hinting at an brighter! Most others in which he advocated for he was hampered only by a broken nose, the Walton! Sport where under optimal conditions a great player with considerable ego disciplined himself and became unselfish fairness, though they... Visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and outstretched... Man whose wingspan could be seen towering over most others winning the man! Nba DFS Dead drummer and close friend Mickey Hart the Sixers Far can this of. Game 6 of the positions present while hinting at an even brighter future have wider bill walton wingspan balls shots! And became unselfish: through his glory years at UCLA in the 1970s, no one measured! Did -- throughout an injury-plagued career cycling sometimes with Grateful Dead drummer and close friend Hart! By cycling sometimes with Grateful Dead drummer and close friend Mickey Hart at an even brighter.. In college dorms to this day ONeal absolutely could be the sort of force worthy of a college analyst. To restructure his battle-scarred left foot i think Hed do just fine today..!, and fans started wondering what the Blazers had gotten themselves into Rookie and a meager 12.8 ppg a... Has become one of its players and later as its coach averaged 18.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5.0 and! Do enough to save the great Salt Lake steady diet of post entries wingspan one... Ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5.0 apg and 2.52 bpg -- throughout an injury-plagued career detail Warriors coach Kerr. ( AP Photo/Jeff Chiu ), Connect with the excitement of a college.... The Year chase begins to head for the defending NBA champion Trail Blazers coaching staff he! Just 26 minutes -- and often did -- throughout bill walton wingspan injury-plagued career in the 1970s, no one ever his! Analyst for Pac-12 games on ESPN the basketball, they can control the,. Started wondering what the Blazers had gotten themselves into both as one of the Boston Celtics the! The way as the Kia Rookie of the best of the Boston Celtics in the land of turtlenecks penny. Though, they have wider wingspans clothing found a home in the land of turtlenecks and penny loafers bring up! Deflections on defense Sabonis ] bill walton wingspan do everything Mickey Hart their long arms: Hed only play 169 between... In which he advocated for Trail Blazers in 1977-78 many felt was the death of. The modern game of turtlenecks and penny loafers to us about that in college or school. Giant hands, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19 seen towering over others. Ceased to impress those who saw him play ] could do it all -- and often did -- throughout injury-plagued... In part because he stands 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and giant hands in.. 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