Determined to get back into uniform, Walton ignored the skepticism of doctors who said he would never play again. 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. How come that shot isnt blocked? he recalled. Years before the Kevin Garnetts and Kevin Durants of the world began lying about their heights to make themselves seem smaller, Walton was reported to be 7-foot-2 but listed as 6-foot-11 [because] he didnt like the stigma of being a 7-footer. Walton didnt want to be chained to the block and forced into the same old dump it down and drop step monotony; he wanted to be free to explore the outer limits of both his skills and those of his teammates. Money doesnt mean anything to me. Fortunately for Portland, Waltons skills spoke louder than his tongue. His arms are long and he can block shots. It's 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. The irony was not lost on many in the media, who 15 years earlier had grown to dislike the ornery version of the man who was now their compatriot. Outside of a select few scorers who still get a bunch of low-block touches, like Joel Embiid or LaMarcus Aldridge, post-ups these days are more often a vehicle for creating catch-and-shoot 3s, or a way to attack mismatches when defenses switch themselves into a mouse in the house situation, than a main feature of an attack. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. The wingspan sure helps a lot of people, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said . "It's nothing that I heard about until I got to the league, or right before I got into the league, they're like, 'We'd like to measure your wingspan.' "You make up a lot of ground. They don't really bring it up to us about that in college or high school.". What if he stayed healthy? A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. I loved Bill Walton so much: through his glory years at UCLA and during the incandescent though . Thats kind of a rule of thumb. Walton emerged as the MVP of the Finals, overshadowing the electrifying Dr. With one of the strongest lineups in NBA history, Boston steamrolled through the regular season, compiling a 67-15 record. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. Any time you think youre too small to make a difference in the world youve never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. Walton received a minute-long standing ovation from the Boston Garden crowd after walking onto the parquet floor at his first exhibition game. There was no denying Waltons success in the media realm, though. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. 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. Even if a contemporary Dream never stretched all the way out, though, we already know the best way to unleash him as a menace in a modern offense. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. He could pass and run the floor, dribble. 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. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. Bill Walton was a lifelong stutterer until receiving some speech tips and guidance from Hall of Fame broadcaster and Syracuse University track legend Marty Glickman. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. The wingspan sure helps a lot of people, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said . 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. 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 whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? He had the athleticism of Kareem, and he could shoot the 3-point shot. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. Walton, along with George Mullen, penned an op-ed in San Diego Times, in which he advocated for . Sam Perkins (1984-2001): Heres that protostretch-5 you ordered: Big Smooth could shoot from deep in the first part of his careerjust ask the Bullsbut he rarely did, attempting only 352 triples during his first eight seasons and barely making a quarter of them. 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. By JANIE McCAULEY April 10, 2018 GMT. Walton played in 55 games in 1983-84 and 67 in 1984-85, while the Clippers won 30 and 31 games, respectively. You look at size of hands, wingspans. You look at size of hands, wingspans. Warriors 7-foot center JaVale McGee went through only a handful of pre-draft workouts for NBA teams, hardly a prized prospect after a career at Nevada. 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. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I worried when he was thrown in jail with the group that took over the administration building, I worried when he stopped traffic on Wilshire Boulevard, and when he interrupted classes giving his views on the Vietnam War.. Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. 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 legit. He is also one of the greatest college . RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Tuesday night's 10 game slate. 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. Look at John Stocktons arms or Avery Johnsons arms and theyre very long, and their hands are very big. 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. He embodied the best of the positions present while hinting at an even brighter future. While at UCLA in the early 70s, he was arrested during an anti-Vietnam War rally, publicly criticized Richard Nixon and the FBI, and reportedly flirted with leaving basketball to pursue spiritual enlightenment. Give a young Wilt a steady diet of reps as a creator in the half court and more space to work with, and who knows what alternate pathways to dominance might open? 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. If your wingspan is more than your height, thats kind of abnormal. Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. He even broke a toe on a water sprinkler and hurt his leg in a jeep accident. 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. Any time you think youre too small to make a difference in the world youve never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. Walton, 29 years old, returned to the court for the 1982-83 season, playing about one game a week as many as his doctor would permit. A pioneering sixth man, Kevin McHale won three titles with the Celtics in the 1980s. The other? Then came the injuries. The mind reels at all the possibilitiesand at all the vitriol his burner accounts might unleash. In an ESPN feature published earlier this year about the evolution of NBA big men, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said that if his notorious envelope-pushing team had ONeal on the roster, I would give him the ball 1,000 times, is my guess. Once he got it, keeping him from getting to the rimand from putting his man inside itwould be an awfully tall order, and would likely result in even more trips to the line for someone who averaged nearly 10 attempts per 36 minutes for his career. I see opportunities that should be rejected, but it scores. 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! Ive always been tall. Rewards Domination Rewards. Assuming an unfamiliar supporting role, the 33-year-old Walton was playing with the excitement of a college kid. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. It was Burleson's tremendous wingspan clearing out underneath the basket that allowed Monte Towe and David Thompson to work their magic. 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. So, before you say, Shaq cant play in this era today, Im already playing. And the league rewarded him with the NBA Sixth Man Award, won by McHale the previous two seasons. 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. What We Learned From Testing, and a Bahrain GP Preview, Succession Hall of Fame: Which Side Are You On?. Any time you think youre too small to make a difference in the world youve never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. But Waltons history of injury didnt keep the Portland Trail Blazers from making the gangly ex-Bruin the No. In the 1973 NCAA championship game against Memphis State, Walton made 21 of 22 shots and scored 44 points a performance considered by many to be the greatest ever in a Final Four game. Chamberlain experienced fabulous success playing one way, fielded criticism from fans and pundits over it, and then just decided to play an entirely different way to prove a point. I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. Walton is the same type of player. Height 6'11" (210cm) Wingspan 7'3" (220cm) Weight 210 lbs (95 kg) Team Portland Trail Blazers. Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. This fact was shown indisputably in 1975 after Burleson graduated, and State tried to repeat their National Championship without him. In 1981 he underwent radical surgery to restructure his battle-scarred left foot. His arms are long and he can block shots. 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. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still dont. Bill Russell was a great shotblocker. I was born tall, he said. Celtics faithful would have plenty more to cheer about during what would become a dream season for the Celtics and the aging Walton. Its legit. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. 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. 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. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. In his prime, Hakeem seemed capable of covering half the court by himself, assessing threats and snuffing them out with unnerving efficiency. Its not like adjusting for pace and contemporary minutes management would make Wilt just another dude, though. "If your wingspan is more than your height, that's kind of abnormal. He spoke only to reporters he knew would present him favorably, while shunning the others, who were mostly Portland locals. At one time, they were long enough, and I can still put my own shoes and socks on, he quipped. I had no problem with him during the season, Wooden told the Los Angeles Times. 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. Foot problems limited Walton to only 35 games as a rookie and a meager 12.8 ppg. 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. People followed him on Twitter. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. I decided it might be cool to write about some of these players. I do think, though, that hed probably become an even more useful piece to deploy in a spread-it-out-and-bomb-away offense and that, on occasion, yes, he might even be construed as A Problem. Please enter a valid email and try again. By Halberstams measure, and any other, Walton when healthy was a truly great basketball player. Ive always been tall. Bill Walton III. Walton signed a then-record seven-year, $7 million contract to play with the Clippers, who had played just over .500 ball the year before. 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. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, Kia Rookie Ladder: State of chase after All-Star, NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer Wednesday 3/1, How the Spurs celebrated Black Heritage Night, NBA set to celebrate Noches neBA program, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for Feb. 28. In 49 playoff games he averaged 10.8 points and 9.1 rebounds. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. Weve already covered point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. 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. The most accurate reports found that West had an 81 inch wingspan, which would translate to 6'9. 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. A contemporary Walton would be free to act as the rising tide to lift all boats, to invert the offense and sling the ball around to the open man, and to hunt playmaking opportunities at least as often as he did his own shot. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still dont. K.C. Doing the talking for Walton was controversial sports educator and activist Jack Scott, whose presence only made an already strange situation more bizarre. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. Both Walton and the Clippers improved over the next two years. Woodens Bruins, which also included future NBA star Keith Wilkes (later Jamaal Wilkes), posted an 86-4 record and won two national titles during Waltons years on the team. 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. (OK, I agree: That was a very Bill Waltonass thing to say.) I am not even joking; he did this during a Michigan State vs. North Carolina basketball game back in 2017. In his 58 regular-season appearances, Walton averaged 18.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5.0 apg and 2.52 bpg. If somebodys short, hopefully theyre quick. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. He claimed to be around the 6ft 11 mark, and on his twitter in 2015 still saying "I am 6'11"" .. "I love it now.it took me a while to get used to standing out in the crowd, looking awkward, feeling uncomfortable. He stayed in shape by playing beach volleyball and tennis and by cycling sometimes with Grateful Dead drummer and close friend Mickey Hart. His arms are long and he can block shots. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. Its much more important than your height, Kerr said. Eight Questions Ahead of The Mandalorian Season 3, From Grogus Force prowess to Dins and Bo-Katans Darksaber designs to Gideons future, here are the key considerations ahead of Mandos long-awaited return, LeBrons Injury Ends the Lakers Surge Before It Could Even Begin, Just when it seemed like things were clicking into place for Los Angeles, LeBron James suffered a foot injury that will sideline him for the most important stretch of the Lakers season. Then, in February,. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Whats legacy, anyway? it's like your wingspan . He wasnt just a lumbering giant, either: Chamberlain could sky to block shots and snare rebounds, and sprint the length of the court to fill the lane on the break. . Newell told The Atlantic that the one knock on Sabonis was that, because the opposition Sabonis meets inside Russia is not challenging to him, he sometimes gets lazy. Position C/PF. 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. At the top of his form, Walton scored, passed, intimidated, hustled, and played the role of leader with the best centers of his day. (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 would need to stay trim and explosive enough to cover a ton of ground, because you can bet that every modern offense would make it Job No. Then came what many felt was the death knell of Waltons career. Bill Walton's unique style and skills led him to 2 NBA championships during his Hall of Fame career. 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. Give It the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. He spent most of the 1990s and early 2000s covering the NBA as an analyst for NBC, ABC, ESPN and also was an analyst on LA Clippers games. Free) fumed to the San Diego Union at the time. Walton inducted himself About Us But Walton can do it all.. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. Warriors 7-foot center JaVale McGee went through only a handful of pre-draft workouts for NBA teams, hardly a prized prospect after a career at Nevada. Before he got to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his wingspan. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. Glass Onion Brought Knives Out to the Next Level. In the book Basketball: A Love Story, Olajuwon describes the first time he saw an NBA game. At 7-foot-1 with a reported 7-foot-8 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach, having starred at both 250 pounds as a lithe rookie and a muscular 300-plus pounds during his latter years with the. 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. The former MVP has adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense. At age 34, Walton retired after playing 10 games of the 1986-87 season. Career (1,045 games, 1959-73): 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists per game, 54.0% FG, 51.1% FT. No player from the past feels harder to wrap your mind around than Chamberlain. Bill Walton #5 of the Boston Celtics in the Game 6 of the NBA Finals against . Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? 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. I was born tall, he said. 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. Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. In addition to the brawn he used to bulldoze his way to the basket, Chamberlain also flashed a soft touch on non-flush finishes, and was an early adopter of the fadeaway jumper that would become part of the repertoire of so many great low-post scorers in future generations: And while theres some dispute about just how valuable his passing was to his teams offensive performance, Chamberlain could facilitate with his back to the basket, finishing second in the league in assists in the 1967-68 season and turning in what remain the two highest assist-per-game averages of any center in league history: Context matters in a players development. Thats kind of a rule of thumb. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. 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. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. May 29, 2022 Bill Walton was a two-time College Basketball Player of the Year, an MVP in the NBA, and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. All rights reserved. Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. "It's legit. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still don't. Its nothing that I heard about until I got to the league, or right before I got into the league, theyre like, Wed like to measure your wingspan. They dont really bring it up to us about that in college or high school.. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. 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.. Last, but certainly not least, for the Time Machine All-Stars: the men in the middle. 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