Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

22. 1974: Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers

Oh, what could have been. Entering the league out of UCLA, Walton had so many gifts. He was an excellent post defender, possessed a buttery smooth post and faceup game, and was such a gifted passer for a player of his size.

It’s no wonder that Trail Blazers fans — who bore witness to the red herring that was LaRue Martin for two seasons prior to drafting Walton — saw the eccentric big man as the savior of the franchise.

In what was a harbinger of things to come for him, Walton played just 86 games his first two seasons due to an assortment of injuries. He managed to stay on the floor a bit more for the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons. As a result, both Walton and the Blazers enjoyed their greatest success.

Walton averaged 18.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, which was enough to net him two All-Star appearances and the MVP award in 1977-78. Then-Blazers head coach Dr. Jack Ramsay used Walton’s multifaceted skills to make him the fulcrum of his offense, and the decision paid the ultimate dividends, as Walton led Portland to their only NBA championship in 1977.

Sadly, fans never saw a fully healthy Walton at peak efficiency. He would win another NBA title with the Celtics in 1986 (he also won Sixth Man of the Year), but his persistent foot problems put him in the “What If?” pile.