Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
2. Bill Walton (C) – No. 1 pick in 1974 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Blazers, 1974-78): 209 GP, 17.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.6 BPG, 51.0 FG% 67.4 FT%
Bill Walton was a player ravaged by injuries for much of his career, but when he was on the floor in red and black, he was one of the best Trail Blazers of all-time.
Walton came into the NBA with big expectations. He was a two-time national champion at UCLA, winning most outstanding player both times. He was also a three-time national player of the year and first team All-American selection.
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The Blazers received the first overall pick in 1974 after their 27-55 record was the worst in the Western Conference. The league held coin flip between them and the Eastern Conference-worst Philadelphia 76ers (25-57) for the top pick.
Portland won the coin flip, and the rest is history.
Walton never played more than 65 games in a season as a Trail Blazer. He only played 35 games in his rookie campaign, but still managed to average 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
His 65-game season was the championship year of 1976-77. Walton averaged 18.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He was also the league leader in rebounds and blocks.
For his output, Walton earned his first All-Star appearance, was named to the All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA Second Team. When Portland won it all, he was also named Finals MVP.
Walton came back with another big year in 1977-78. He averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game. He made his second All-Star team, his second All-Defensive First Team, and was named league MVP. Walton did this while only playing 58 games.
Ahead of the 1978-79 season, Walton demanded a trade from the Blazers. He did so because he felt that the team medical staff and front office were incompetent in handling team injuries. Walton sat out the 1978-79 season when his demands weren’t met.
Walton became a free agent in 1979, and he chose to sign with his hometown San Diego Clippers. Injuries continued to bother him for the remainder of his career. However, he was able to contribute when he was on the court. He won Sixth Man of the Year and a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1986. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Walton’s time with the Blazers was short lived, but he did so much for the team whenever he was on the floor, including leading them to a title. Even with the injuries, Bill Walton was worth the pick.