Dunk History: A healthy Bill Walton meets Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the summit

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, Sep 4, 2014.

  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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  2. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    37+ years later, and we're still glorifying that season.

    Lord do the Blazers need to win another title...
     
  3. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    hahaha.
     
  4. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    As usual, Kelly Dwyer writes without depth. This time the subject is team depth. The Blazers had no more depth than the Lakers. The only thing special they had was Walton, who preferred distributing over scoring, and could have scored 30 anytime he wanted. He made teammates and Jack Ramsay look better than they were.
     
  5. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    Were you alive for that season? It wasn't just a normal team, or a normal championship. We could have won three championships from 91-93, another couple in 99 and 2000 and none of those would have held a candle to that 1977 team. And the scary thing? That team didn't hold a candle to the 77-78 club (for the first 60 games). It was only in that season that Jack Ramsay's vision for what the game of basketball could be came to fruition.

    I will glorify the 76-77 season until my dying day.
     
  6. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    Totally forgot about the not being allowed to dunk in college. Definitely, pre-ESPN.
     
  7. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    The NCAA kept the Alcindor Rule for many years after Big Lew was gone. Players would ferociously leap up to the hoop, suddenly freeze, gingerly place the ball above the rim, and release it, being careful not to push it downward. Walton was such a great leaper that he hovered a full second to ensure that he let it drop gently enough.

    http://www.school-for-champions.com...yers_who_caused_rule_changes.htm#.VAoQupUg_rc
     
  8. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    They also had Luke and Luke was a beast back then.
     
  9. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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  10. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Notice who was great at PER and who was just good? It's similar to, Gus Williams led the Sonics in scoring, but Sikma was the beast. And when Payton led them in scoring but Kemp was the beast making them win.

    Also, Walton was nursing his fragile body all the time, doling out stats to everyone else. This was a center who led his team in assists in high school, on NCAA champions, and in the NBA. That's rarer than a giraffe siting in Lake Oswego.
     
  11. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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  12. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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  13. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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  14. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Which leads to this. He talks like I post.

    [video=youtube;aq_D0v6wh8w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_D0v6wh8w[/video]
     
  15. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    You are right Max. I always thought that 77/78 team was the best at offensive team execution that I ever saw play the game. The 75 warriors were probably next so I think it was the coaches of the that era getting the most out out their player in that time.

    There isn't much reason it can't be repeated, except the coaches are missing.
     
  16. BLAZINGGIANTS

    BLAZINGGIANTS Well-Known Member

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    It was interesting hearing Lenny Wilkens talk about the team leading up to the hiring of Dr. Jack and the championship. Some of the moves he wanted to make, the team refused, and it lead to creative differences. Then, the Blazers made those moves a few months later and the rest is history.

    But Lenny ain't bitter.
     
  17. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Wilkens used a guard-oriented offense and Walton didn't respect him. Walton demanded Wooden's style and Ramsay conformed. Ramsay failed at his next stop, Indiana, because "the players won't do what I tell them." Ramsay's previous team, Buffalo, had been a loser even with McAdoo. Lucas also had his best years with Walton.

    It was all Walton.
     
  18. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    Even Walton doesn't agree with you.
     
  19. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Every humble unselfish self-effacing leftist needs a fanboy cheerleader like me.
     
  20. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    Not to worry, Bill has no self worth deficiencies. But he does have room to think highly of Dr. Jack.
     

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