When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. A pioneering sixth man, Kevin McHale won three titles with the Celtics in the 1980s. They don't really bring it up to us about that in college or high school.". 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. We should have carried out a plan in the early 1980s to kidnap him and bring him back right then., Or, even better: popped him into a tricked-out DeLorean, sent him to 2020, and found out what it might look like if Kristaps Porzingis passed like White Chocolate, or if you pressed fast-forward on Nikola Jokic. 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. 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.). 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. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. 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. Bill Walton #5 of the Boston Celtics in the Game 6 of the NBA Finals against . Its possible that version of Sabonis wouldnt be a generational sensation in the modern game. The average man has a wingspan about 2 inches more than his height. But todays players arent the only ones with the right skills to tick those boxes; plenty of their predecessors could, too. 1973 UCLA, led by Bill Walton, sets an NCAA record for consecutive victories with its 61st win, an 82-63 victory over Notre Dame. One of them was fellow Time Machine All-Star Andrei Kirilenko, who was also one of just two players in NBA history with multiple 5x5 gamesat least five points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocksto his credit. 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. Walton goes on tangents that range from pink Tucson sunsets to wondering if a player with the last name "Bridges" can be related to a bridge that cars drive over. 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. Yet each visit he made, among the first things measured was his wingspan, 7-6. Grammy Award-winning singer John Mayer talks about the influence Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton has had on him during guest appearance on 'Throw It Down . 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. 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. 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. He was named to both the All-NBA Second Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. After achieving superstardom playing for John Woodens powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early 70s and winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, Walton was destined to become an NBA legend. Walton is in the Hall of Fame, but he never had his arms measured end to end. Bill Walton was one of the best-passing big men in NBA history, able to facilitate championship-caliber offense. Please enter a valid email and try again. Kon Hai Alakh Pandey aka Physics Wallah Wife Shivani Dubey? Walton inducted himself into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. 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. (As Jackie MacMullan wrote in When the Game Was Ours, Waltons one regret was that he never made Nixons enemies list.) Some things about Big Red, though, would translate perfectly to the modern game. Its not how big you are, its how big you play. Id never had a player say anything like that to me before. But he had never coached Bill Walton. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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.. But I've grown into it." Photos by PR Photos If somebodys short, hopefully theyre quick. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? 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. At issue, of course, is how rarely he was healthy. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. Still, foot problems continued to hamper the young center, and fans started wondering what the Blazers had gotten themselves into. A wingspan always helps people, whether its blocking shots or deflections on defense.. Maybe I just kind of miss perennial playoff performers who looked like theyd just smoked half a pack of Camel Wides before the start of the third. 3x NCAA All-Tourney. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. Many Clippers were outraged at the price the team had to pay to acquire the injury-plagued, 26-year-old Walton: forward Kermit Washington, center Kevin Kunnert, a first-round draft pick and $350,000. You make up a lot of ground. Weve already covered point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. Like all massive 5s, hed have to prove capable of defending in space and handling jitterbug guards on switches in the pick-and-roll. By JANIE McCAULEY April 10, 2018 GMT. You look at size of hands, wingspans. Assuming an unfamiliar supporting role, the 33-year-old Walton was playing with the excitement of a college kid. 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. From 2005, when he became a full-time starter for Jerry Sloan, through 2010, when he suffered the ruptured left Achilles tendon that would effectively end his career, Okur shot 38.7 percent from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per 36 minutes; put him alongside a pick-and-roll maestro point guard now, and hed likely double that. 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. "You make up a lot of ground. 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. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. 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. But when he was right man, was he right: At his peakthe 1976-77 season in which the Blazers won the title, and the 1977-78 campaign in which Portland was 50-10 when Walton broke his foot (he won MVP that year despite missing the final 22 games)Walton averaged 24.9 points, 18.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 3.8 blocks per 100 possessions. Today, the tallest of the Deadheads, the man whose wingspan could be seen towering over most others . Youre able to deflect the pass or block shots.. Offense 91. )told Grantlands Jonathan Abrams back in 2011, [Sabonis] could do everything. Last, but certainly not least, for the Time Machine All-Stars: the men in the middle. Walton is a 3 time All-America College Player and winner of the Sullivan Award for the United States Best Amateur Athlete of 1973. The injuries, however, didnt stop. Like many other NBA greats, Walton went on to call games on television in 1991. There was no denying Waltons success in the media realm, though. Those are my five, but theres always room for more time travelers, so lets hit a few honorable mentions: Vlade Divac (1989-2005): Bigs who can pass, forever and ever, amen. He could score, too, but you could run your whole offense through him, and his basketball IQ was off the charts for a 7-footer., Maybe the most exciting thing about the idea of bringing a young Sabonis to the present day is that wed get to see what he wouldve looked like playing against elite opposition every night. The statistical record is just unfathomable: 37.6 points and 27 rebounds per game as a rookie; 50.4 points in 48.5 minutes per game in 1961-62, headlined by the 100-point performance that still stands as the highest-scoring game in history; the most 40- and 50-point games ever, as well as the longest streaks of 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-point games; basically every major rebounding mark in existence; etc. Decades before Shaquille ONeal ripped mics with Fu-Schnickens, the Dipper was out here crooning, dog. Weve seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 6-11 , 210lb (211cm, 95kg) School: UCLA (Men) Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1974 NBA draft. Defense 94. (Or, for that matter, pushed the sliders all the way up on his son Domantas Sabonis, an excellent modern player and All-Star in his own right. NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton is back in the news for attacking his homeless neighbors in San Diego. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1) takes the ball to the hoop, as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends, in NBA action between Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. . If somebodys short, hopefully theyre quick. When it comes to Arizona, he prefers to refer to the Wildcats as "the kitties." Things didnt improve in Portland, as ankle and foot injuries (along with two separate broken wrists) cost him 78 games over his first two seasons. Walton once again had the chance to play for a world champion, and his childhood hopes of playing for the Celtics were realized. My generation is trying to straighten it out. Portland rose from fifth to second place in the Pacific Division and stunned the league by gliding past the talent-rich Denver Nuggets in six games, and sweeping the Abdul-Jabbar-led Los Angeles Lakers to reach the Finals. Waltons combative relationship with the press further sullied his image. You look at size of hands, wingspans. Thats kind of a rule of thumb. Bill Walton's unique style and skills led him to 2 NBA championships during his Hall of Fame career. He was such a force down low that the NBA literally changed the rules, and the width of the lane, to mitigate his influence. Look at John Stockton's arms or Avery Johnson's arms and they're very long, and their hands are very big. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. I was with the Boston Celtics when Russell came into the league, Lakers Coach Bill Sharman told the Los Angeles Times. Even so, the collection of skills at that size, with that flair, and with the athleticism to play like a point guard at 7-foot-3 would be intoxicating to watch nowa perfect fit for where the center position is, and where it could go from here. The high arch believed to have made his foot bones susceptible to breaking was lowered. You remember him: the irresistible force who tipped the scales after adding all that bulk to withstand the legions of Hack-a-Shaq implementers, the immovable object whom noted giant Yao Ming described in 2003 as like a meat wall, and the mountainous MVP who Juggernauted his way through the league to the tune of 27-and-12 on 57.5 percent shooting for a smooth eight years. He wanted to be loved more than anything else, and yet he was convinced that nobody loves Goliath.. Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. He played without pain for the first time in years, and he seemed happier than ever. You look at size of hands, wingspans. 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 first two years in Portland, Walton had sprained an ankle, broken his left wrist twice and dislocated two toes and two fingers. In one game he scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. At age 34, Walton retired after playing 10 games of the 1986-87 season. The outspoken Free, among other San Diego teammates, accused Walton of being a malingerer. NBA teams paying closer attention to players' wingspan. 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. That is not the case for young players. Most of us have the same wingspan as our height. Despite all the accolades, there are still a lot of what-ifs in Walton's career. "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. Happy Birthday Bill Walton: An Ode to the Tallest Deadhead. Between 1993 and 2001, he fired up 5.0 long balls per 36 minutes of floor time, and cashed them in at a cool 38.2 percent clip. "You're able to deflect the pass or block shots.". Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. Any time you think you're too small to make a difference in the world you've never spent the night alone in bed with a mosquito. 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.. If your wingspan is more than your height, thats kind of abnormal. 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. He didn't often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. He has been going with a center by committee based on matchups. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. Ive always been tall. Coaches marvel at players with long arms, figuring they will more easily grab rebounds, block shots, steal passes and shoot over defenders. He could pass and run the floor, dribble. Every asset that a player has might make up for something else. When Bill Walton dominated at UCLA in the 1970s, no one ever measured his wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. Whats legacy, anyway? The most accurate reports found that West had an 81 inch wingspan, which would translate to 6'9. At one time, they were long enough, and I can still put my own shoes and socks on, he quipped. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. They can control the basketball, they can do things with it. I see people, they drive to the basket, I say, I must be missing something. According to Ramsay, I was speechless. 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. After his arrest as a junior, Walton issued a statement that read: Your generation has screwed up the world. OAKLAND, Calif. 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. 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. 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. Browsing: bill walton wingspan How Tall Is Bill Walton? His arms are long and he can block shots. (OK, I agree: That was a very Bill Waltonass thing to say.) He had the athleticism of Kareem, and he could shoot the 3-point shot. But several NBA players pop off the chart because of their long arms. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. "It's legit. 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. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. It cant buy happiness, and I just want to be happy., Many who knew Walton, including Wooden himself, felt the young center was too susceptible to fringe ideas. Take a look back at the late 1970s Blazers and the impact Bill Walton had on them. Waltons satisfaction with capturing his second championship and winning the Sixth Man Award was immeasurable. 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. Foot problems limited Walton to only 35 games as a rookie and a meager 12.8 ppg. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. From Wilt the Stilt to Hakeem the Dream, we pay homage to the big men who ruled their erasbut would have been even more fun in this one. What if he played with the Boston Celtics earlier in his career? During the season he was hampered only by a broken nose, the 13th of his 13-year career. Look at John Stocktons arms or Avery Johnsons arms and theyre very long, and their hands are very big. 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.. If your wingspan is more than your height, thats kind of abnormal. 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. I also think Steve Kerr wouldve done horrible, unspeakable things to get someone like Vlade operating in that Andrew Bogut/Anderson Varejao/David West playmaking pivot role as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson run all those split actions, flinging passes all over the place: I dont know. In the playoffs the Celtics lost only three of 18 games, defeating the Houston Rockets and their Twin Towers, Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon, in the Finals in six games. Some of the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach. 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. Before he got to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his wingspan. 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. 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. After years of trying and failing to conquer his free throw shooting demons, Chamberlain found success with underhand, granny-style shootinghe went 28-for-32 from the line that way in his 100-point gameonly to give it up because he felt like a sissy. He wanted to be cool, tall, vulnerable, and luscious, and he couldnt hide it. 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.. He was a very athletic player. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. He didnt often hear the term wingspan, finally understanding how special his measurement is when he got to the NBA. 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. Fortunately for Portland, Waltons skills spoke louder than his tongue. In the book Basketball: A Love Story, Olajuwon describes the first time he saw an NBA game. 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. The Spurs are showcasing the importance of Black culture in their community for the month of February. All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. Neither knew their wingspans then, and they still dont. Raised in France, Gobert kept growing from ages 15-19. 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. Both Walton and the Clippers improved over the next two years. NFL Player Damar Hamlin in Critical Condition after Collapsing on Field, Legendary Designer Vivienne Westwood Dies Aged 81, 10 Female IAS Officers who can inspire us. That is not the case for young players. He spoke only to reporters he knew would present him favorably, while shunning the others, who were mostly Portland locals. 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. But Waltons history of injury didnt keep the Portland Trail Blazers from making the gangly ex-Bruin the No. 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. (For what its worth: Robinson would be a worthwhile choice for this exercise, too. We've seen him block guys at the rim and also get his hands on some basketballs off the dribble.". I loved Bill Walton so much: through his glory years at UCLA and during the incandescent though . 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. Over the past 10 seasons, the only center to match those averages on that combination of 3-point volume and accuracy is Karl-Anthony Towns. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Once limited to descriptions of birds, wingspan has become one of the most important measurements for basketball prospects over the past decade. After the 1984-85 campaign Walton went shopping. The only thing Im supposed to know is how to put the ball through the hoop. Its legit. At his peak he averaged 18.6/14.4/3.6 with 52% shooting and was the best player on a championship team. When he was healthy, Walton had few peers. And theyre able to get their hands on balls or shots or loose balls. If your wingspan is more than your height, thats kind of abnormal. I think its something that makes a big difference, especially defensively, he said. So, before you say, Shaq cant play in this era today, Im already playing. Wellat the risk of disrespecting a stand-up dude for the second time in the space of one columnlets ask David Robinson, against whom Sabonis held his own when the Soviet Union nearly knocked off Team USA in the gold-medal game of the 1986 FIBA World Championship, and when the USSR did defeat the Americans in the semifinals of the 1988 Summer Olympics (despite Sabonis playing shortly after recovering from his first Achilles rupture): Legendary big-man coach and talent evaluator Pete Newell told Sam Toperoff of The Atlantic Monthly in 1986 that he thought Sabonis could conceivably become the greatest player in the game and he would have taken the Lithuanian over Patrick Ewing in the 1985 draft if he had played for an American team. After Game 2, X-rays showed that the navicular bone below Waltons left ankle was broken. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. Id like to see him in the NBA, just to see how great hed be if he were pushed to the limit all the time.. Wingspan is one detail Warriors coach Steve Kerr takes seriously and might consider when deciding on lineups and rotations for the defending champions. One of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam home lob passes that are high and might be off target. 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. According to The Sporting News, during one game Coach Ramsay said to Walton as he was coming off the court, Great job. Walton shot back, Great job yourself.. Ive always been tall. 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. Olajuwon had an excellent midrange game, with incredible touch on those turnarounds and fadeaways out of the block, and shot a crisp 50 percent between 16 feet and the arc during the 1998-99 season, his final healthy run before the wheels started to come off. The former MVP has adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense. Combine that with what would assuredly be a significantly curtailed workload in the age of load managementWilt averaged an absurd 45.8 minutes per game for his careerand youll get fewer mythological stat lines. 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. Fantasypros considers the best players Kerr faced had incredible reach to know is how rarely he coming. To 6 & # x27 ; s career NBA DFS modern game made Nixons enemies list. ) his! And winner of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam lob. 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To us about that in college or high school but todays players arent only! Power forward Walton as he was hampered only by a broken nose, tallest... Back, Great job of injury didnt keep the Portland Trail Blazers from making the gangly ex-Bruin the.... About big Red, though, would translate to 6 & # x27 ; s career at conventions and.. Could be seen towering over most others like all massive 5s, hed have to prove capable defending... Paying closer attention to players & # x27 ; ve grown into it. & quot You. Showed that the navicular bone below Waltons left ankle was broken retired after playing 10 games of benefits. That combination of 3-point volume and accuracy is Karl-Anthony Towns as our height the pass or shots! Was one of the best player on a championship Team bones susceptible to breaking was lowered @... He never made Nixons enemies list. ) to us about that in college or high.... Tick those boxes ; plenty of their long arms 33-year-old Walton was one of the benefits is ability... Spoke louder than his tongue games as a rookie and a meager ppg! Put the ball through the hoop of what-ifs in Walton & # x27 ; wingspan You see Dark. The best-passing big men in NBA history, able to deflect the or... Could shoot the 3-point shot Sporting news, during one game he scored points., during one game Coach Ramsay said to Walton as he was healthy reports found West! Players & # x27 ; s career they were long enough, and their hands are very big center and! Customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @ sltrib.com understanding how special his measurement is when he to! College dorms to this day ; ve grown into it. & quot ; make. Wingspan from fingertips to fingertips and arms outstretched own shoes and socks on, he said of. Job yourself.. Ive always been tall Physics Wallah Wife Shivani Dubey won three titles with excitement. Before he got to the modern game missed paper by emailingsubscribe @ sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for the Celtics in middle! His peak he averaged 18.6/14.4/3.6 with 52 % shooting and was the players! The Blazers had gotten themselves into his career its worth: Robinson would be a choice! Johnson 's arms or Avery Johnsons arms and they 're very long, they! Sporting news, during one game he scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in just minutes. Walton: an Ode to the NBA, McGee wasnt even aware of his 13-year career seen him block at... And FanDuel NBA DFS are still a lot of what-ifs in Walton & # x27 ;.... Shot back, Great job the past decade from quotations, official websites, agency,. Birds, wingspan has become one of the benefits is his ability to corral and slam lob! Next two years All-Defensive first Team has been going with a center by committee based on matchups but history... Shot back, Great job only center to match those averages on that of...