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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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17. Bill Walton, Boston Celtics

5.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG in 2 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 1X Sixth Man of the Year (1985-86), 1X NBA Champion (1986)

When Bill Walton signed with the Celtics before the 1985-86 season, his career and legacy were both in jeopardy.

Walton had been a legendary center at the start of his career, anchoring arguably the most legendary collegiate team ever in John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins of the early ’70s and ending his career there as one of the greatest players in college basketball history. He followed that up in the pros by leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their only NBA title in 1977 and winning a Finals MVP.

However, by 1985, injuries had marred his career and cut his days of dominance short, resulting in a messy breakup with the Blazers and a lackluster stint with the San Diego (and later Los Angeles) Clippers.

So when Walton joined the Celtics at the height of their powers, it presented a unique opportunity for both. Walton could revive his career and the Celtics could add some much needed depth to their frontcourt. More importantly, both could help each other win an NBA title.

After strong approval from superstar Larry Bird, Red Auerbach traded former Finals MVP and fan favorite Cedric Maxwell to the Clippers to obtain Walton — and the chemistry was instant.

Walton’s high basketball IQ and adept passing from the post made him a great pair with superstar Bird and an unselfish Celtics team.

He had an immediate impact backing up former sixth man Kevin McHale and Robert Parish as a do-it-all type of player for the C’s, averaging 7.6 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 1.3 blocks per game while playing in a career-high 80 games that season.

Walton won the third Sixth Man award in three years for the Celtics (McHale won the previous two), becoming the only player to win a League MVP, a Finals MVP and the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Walton’s stellar all-around play continued in the playoffs, as he averaged 7.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 1.7 APG while helping the Celtics to their third title of the decade and their sixteenth overall.

Big Red will ultimately be remembered for his dominance as the anchor of the Bruins and the Blazers, but his championship stint with the Celtics may ultimately have served to revive and cement his Hall of Fame legacy.

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