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Portland Trail Blazers: Predicting all-time starting 5 in NBA 2K18

By Raymond Simms

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Ripcity T-Shirts are laid out on chairs before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Ripcity T-Shirts are laid out on chairs before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Neil Leifer/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Neil Leifer/NBAE via Getty Images /

Center: Bill Walton

Bill Walton is another shoo-in as a starter on the 2K All-Time Team. He only played four seasons in Portland and never played more than 65 games in a year due to injuries. However, Walton did so much for the team in such a short timespan.

Walton was selected first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft after a legendary college career at UCLA. He averaged 12.8 points and 12.6 assists in his rookie campaign. But he only played 35 games, disqualifying him from Rookie of the Year consideration.

However, things improved from there. His best years were 1976-77 and 1977-78. Over that span, he led Portland to the NBA title in 1977 and won the league MVP in 1978. He made All-NBA teams and the All-Star team in both seasons. Walton led the league in rebounds (14.8) and blocks (3.2) per game in 1978 as well.

A foot injury in 1978-79 sidelined him the entire season and fractured his relation with the team. Walton would move on as a free agent in 1979, playing in six of the next eight seasons. However, things would mend between he and the Blazers. Walton’s No. 32 jersey was retired by Portland in 1989. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

With the 1977 Blazers not emulated among NBA 2K’s classic teams, Bill Walton is found on the 1985-86 Boston Celtics roster. He won his second championship with that team, and earned Sixth Man of the Year that season. However, his Blazers production has been represented via a card in the game’s MyTEAM mode. The Blazers card version will likely be the starting pivot on 2K18’s Trail Blazers All-Time Team.

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