He Gets A Pass From Me
No doubt, and I will stipulate to the fact that Walton is "over-the-top" as an analyst, and says hyperbole-ridden platitudes and pronouncements all the time (it probably largely is a schtick). However . . .
He was one of my, if not the, favorite basketball players of all time. Yes, yes, I know the Wizard of Westwood's teams likely had some "golden" help (allegedly) to grease the skids in winning all of those titles. But . . . Walton was as graceful and talented a big man as you will find. He could score, shoot, and was a great passer or distributor of the ball.
If you have not done so, check out his performance - and particularly, his stat line - in the NCAA national championship vs. Memphis (State [then]), in 1973 . Even though I was young, and it is ~ 40 years ago, that is as great a performance as I have witnessed. How he handled the ball and shot from the post, or blocks, was artistry.
Although he battled, and ultimately succumbed, to debilatating leg injuries (primarily ankles, and knees) he did lead Portland to a NBA championship in the late 70s. And of course, was a vital off-the-bench role player in a Boston Celtics NBA title in the mid-80's.
I always think about him, and the Twins' Tony Oliva, and think about what kind of numbers they would have put up, had injury not curtailed their respective careers. Both elegant, special, players. They both truly let their play do their talking for them . . . . ;-)
