Basketball Heads: Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

[godofwine]

Bill Walton Career Stats

First pick overall in the 1974 draft. Never averaged more than 18.9 points per game. He did that in his 4th year and never averaged more than 14.1 points per game after that. Hell, after that 4th year he never even averaged a double/double or averaged 10 rebounds per game. Everything about this guy screams AVERAGE PLAYER. He had a high field goal percentage (career average is 52% and had a high of 56% while pulling scrub duty [19 minutes] with the Celtics in the mid 80's.)

What has this guy done?

He won one ring on his own (even got Finals MVP) in his 3rd year, had another good year after that. Then he fell. He got another ring AGAIN pulling scrub bench duty with Celtics led by Bird. Other than his All-Star years he did nothing. He had 2 good years...but Hall of Fame. Ok, I can see Carl Pickens & Jeff Blake in football sitting waiting for the Hall of Fame call. If two years is all you need Mitch Richmond, Ricky Pierce, hell, Larry Nance should get into the hall. Based on Walton's stats, Brad Daugherty should definitely get in even without winning a title.

Bill Walton was always overrated to me. For him to be in the hall is an atrocity. I know I am only 32 and started watching basketball in 1987, but come on. Do any of you basketball purists believe Walton is deserving on the NBA Hall of Fame?

Season Age Tm Lg G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
1974-75 22 POR NBA 35 32.9 5.1 9.9 .513 2.7 3.9 .686 2.6 10.0 12.6 4.8 0.8 2.7 3.3 12.8
1975-76 23 POR NBA 51 33.1 6.8 14.4 .471 2.6 4.5 .583 2.6 10.8 13.4 4.3 1.0 1.6 2.8 16.1
1976-77 24 POR NBA 65 34.8 7.6 14.3 .528 3.5 5.0 .697 3.2 11.1 14.4 3.8 1.0 3.2 2.7 18.6
1977-78 25 POR NBA 58 33.3 7.9 15.2 .522 3.1 4.2 .720 2.0 11.2 13.2 5.0 1.0 2.5 3.6 2.5 18.9
1979-80 27 SDC NBA 14 24.1 5.8 11.5 .503 0.0 0.0 2.3 3.9 .593 2.0 7.0 9.0 2.4 0.6 2.7 2.6 2.6 13.9
1982-83 30 SDC NBA 33 32 33.3 6.1 11.5 .528 0.0 0.0 2.0 3.5 .556 2.3 7.5 9.8 3.6 1.0 3.6 3.2 3.4 14.1
1983-84 31 SDC NBA 55 46 26.8 5.2 9.4 .556 0.0 0.0 .000 1.7 2.8 .597 2.4 6.3 8.7 3.3 0.8 1.6 3.2 2.8 12.1
1984-85 32 LAC NBA 67 37 24.6 4.0 7.7 .521 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.0 .680 2.5 6.4 9.0 2.3 0.7 2.1 2.6 2.7 10.1
1985-86 33 BOS NBA 80 2 19.3 2.9 5.1 .562 0.0 0.0 1.8 2.5 .713 1.7 5.1 6.8 2.1 0.5 1.3 1.9 2.6 7.6
1986-87 34 BOS NBA 10 0 11.2 1.0 2.6 .385 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.5 .533 1.1 2.0 3.1 0.9 0.1 1.0 1.5 2.3 2.8
Career NBA 468 117 28.3 5.5 10.5 .521 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 3.6 .660 2.4 8.2 10.5 3.4 0.8 2.2 2.7 2.8 13.3

 

[djkidrich]

White boy?

 

[Bumpee]

Umm, you do realize it's the basketball hall of fame (college and the pros) right?

 

[godofwine]

Umm, you do realize it's the basketball hall of fame (college and the pros) right?

Ok, maybe that makes sense.

 

[Acur]

HE NEEDS TO BE IN THERE. HE PUT IN WORK WITH THE SQUAD.

 

[crazyace718]

Lack of skin pigmentation.

 

[INVISIBLE MAN]

He was one of the dominate players in college basketball history, and one of the best pros before his injury.
And one of hell of a commentator

"Cherokee Parks just grabbed the greatest rebound in clippers history"

 

[Blunt]

When healthy he was one of the greatest, most verstaile centers in NBA history.

MVP, NBA champion and 6th Man winner. Played his whole career on basically crippled feet.

 

[Mr.Bizkits]

HE NEEDS TO BE IN THERE. HE PUT IN WORK WITH THE SQUAD.

Walton was never with the pistons

I think Walton just knew people. To be honest, I think he's the most undeserving player to be in the hall.

 

[cranrab]

Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

maurice lucas.

 

[Punch]

When healthy he was one of the greatest, most verstaile centers in NBA history.

MVP, NBA champion and 6th Man winner. Played his whole career on basically crippled feet.

Sound like a Googler and not a knowledgable fan

but the actual reason he won 3 straight player of the Year honors at UCLA [/thread]

 

[Blunt]

Sound like a Googler and not a knowledgable fan

Which part isn't COMMON knowledge and totally true?

The OP is the "googler" with his meaningless stats, which disregard how dominant (and admired) the player was (on both ends of the court) when healthy.

 

[Blunt]

but the actual reason he won 3 straight player of the Year honors at UCLA [/thread]

He's in the HOF as an NBA player and not as a college player, "Mr. Knowledgable Fan."

 

[^SpiderMan^]

I still remember the look of disgust my dad had on his face when Bill Walton was selected on the 50 Greatest Players team.Straight up,dude is white.

 

[Acur]

Walton was never with the pistons

I think Walton just knew people. To be honest, I think he's the most undeserving player to be in the hall.

DUDE I WAS TALKING ABOUT BILL LAIMBEER. I KNOW WALTON HAS NEVER PLAYED FOR THE PISTONS. BILL LAIMBEER.



BILL LAIMBEER SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. PUT THE WHOLE BADBOY SQUAD IN THE HALL IF YOU WANNA BE HONEST.

 

[Bumpee]

Sound like a Googler and not a knowledgable fan

but the actual reason he won 3 straight player of the Year honors at UCLA [/thread]

Basically.

Its the first thing mentioned in his HOF bio

 

[Blunt]

White boy?

Legend.

 

[Punch]

He's in the HOF as an NBA player and not as a college player, "Mr. Knowledgable Fan."

There is no College or Pro Basketball Hall of Fame...its just The Basketball Hall of Fame, all of his Basketball playing is taking into account especially when he was dominant i.e, UCLA...

 

[AllState17]

I can dig his inclusion in the Hall, cause it does include his work in College.

But one of the 50 Greatest? Not even close. Voters deserved to get shot for this pick.

 

[ajc921]

"Cherokee Parks just grabbed the greatest rebound in clippers history"

 

[Blunt]

There is no College or Pro Basketball Hall of Fame...its just The Basketball Hall of Fame, all of his Basketball playing is taking into account especially when he was dominant i.e, UCLA...

No one gets in based predominantly on their college career ('cept coaches and women), fool. You still have to make a big impact in the NBA.

If he did get in based on college (which he didn't), then what are you bitching about? He's one of the Top 5 greatest college players in history. It should be a no-brainer.

 

[nick177th]

If it were the Pro Basketball HOF, I doubt that he would've been selected. I hated UCLA back then but, he put in serious work for the Bruins. His senior year, against Memphis State ( now U of Memphis) he shot 21 for 22 from the floor in the NCAA championship. Dude was a beast at UCLA. Even in the pros he was one of the best passers out of the post. He had a pretty decent pro career. Decent. Not stellar.

50 greatest pros? Not even. No way he gets in that group before Dominique.

 

[bizzyboddy]

Why the fuck are you bringin up Bill laimbeer??? your detroit dick-riding theme is played the fuck out like texas white boy and yahweh. atleast they just surface every once in a blue moon. You pop in every fuckin thread with your bullshit.

http://skullkill.mybrute.com

 

[Blunt]

But one of the 50 Greatest? Not even close. Voters deserved to get shot for this pick.

Why?? At his peak he averaged 5 APG from the center position, to go with 19 PPG and 14 RPG, not to mention he was All-Defensive First Team, an MVP (and 2nd place finisher too) and a Champion. it's clear that he would have dominated for a decade if not for injuries. As is, he had 6 or 7 outstanding years. 4 or so as a starter. He excelled at every skill you want in a basketball player, nevermind a center.

 

[AllState17]

If it were the Pro Basketball HOF, I doubt that he would've been selected. I hated UCLA back then but, he put in serious work for the Bruins. His senior year, against Memphis State ( now U of Memphis) he shot 21 for 22 from the floor in the NCAA championship. Dude was a beast at UCLA. Even in the pros he was one of the best passers out of the post. He had a pretty decent pro career. Decent. Not stellar.

50 greatest pros? Not even. No way he gets in that group before Dominique.

His pro career cant get him in the hall. It just cant. There are many pros with better NBA careers then this guy that are NOT in the hall.

 

[AllState17]

Why?? At his peak he averaged 5 APG from the center position, to go with 19 PPG and 14 RPG, not to mention he was All-Defensive First Team, an MVP (and 2nd place finisher too) and a Champion. it's clear that he would have dominated for a decade if not for injuries. As is, he had 6 or 7 outstanding years. 4 or so as a starter.

How long was his peak? Compare that to the rest of the players on the list. I cant think of another player who only had 4 years as a top player. A 6th man award doesnt mean shit when we are talking about the TOP 50 PLAYERS EVER.

Why are you talking to me about "what could have been"? Is that supposed to count for something? Cause it doesnt to me.

If Len Bias didnt smoke crack he would be on the list too. But guess what, he did. Does that mean something to you?

 

[Blunt]

His pro career cant get him in the hall. It just cant. There are many pros with better NBA careers then this guy that are NOT in the hall.

Name an eligible player who's won an MVP who isn't in the HOF.

 

[cranrab]

Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

not for nothing, but bill walton played in 49 NBA playoff games.

son luke walton? 59 NBA playoff games.

 

[daking181]

Why the fuck are you bringin up Bill laimbeer??? your detroit dick-riding theme is played the fuck out like texas white boy and yahweh. atleast they just surface every once in a blue moon. You pop in every fuckin thread with your bullshit.

http://skullkill.mybrute.com

 

[cranrab]

Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

Name an eligible player who's won an MVP who isn't in the HOF.

just curious.

regular season MVP only? or are you including NBA finals MVP too?

 

[Blunt]

Re: Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

just curious.

regular season MVP only? or are you including NBA finals MVP too?

Obviously just regular season. A few less-than-great players have won Finals MVP.

 

[cranrab]

Re: Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

Obviously just regular season. A few less-than-great players have won Finals MVP.

dennis johnson deserves HOF for college and NBA performance. won a finals MVP. he's not in the HOF.

just asking.

 

[Blunt]

Re: Why The Hell Is Bill Walton In The Hall of Fame?

dennis johnson deserves HOF for college and NBA performance. won a finals MVP. he's not in the HOF.

just asking.

Does Cedric Maxwell??

[DJ deserves the HOF regardless of his college career or Finals MVP.)

 

[Yogi Bear]

No one gets in based predominantly on their college career ('cept coaches and women), fool. You still have to make a big impact in the NBA.

If he did get in based on college (which he didn't), then what are you bitching about? He's one of the Top 5 greatest college players in history. It should be a no-brainer.

John Thompson and Dean smith are in the BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME.

There is only 1 hall of fame in Basketball with men and women in it.




He's right googler. Stay in your lane.

 

[Acur]

Why the fuck are you bringin up Bill laimbeer??? your detroit dick-riding theme is played the fuck out like texas white boy and yahweh. atleast they just surface every once in a blue moon. You pop in every fuckin thread with your bullshit.

http://skullkill.mybrute.com

I'm not ya momma son. Your still emotional and bitter like your old earth.