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

[MarAzul]

I actually agree with you on Oden (assuming you were serious), because he was already a great defensive player and rebounder, and an efficient offensive player, other than the turnovers, with the tools to be excellent with some further development. It's pretty interesting how many very talented centers have come through Portland but unable to fulfill their destiny as long-term amazing centers in Portland (though in Sabonis' case, it's just because he got to Portland too late in his career).

WTF? Oden? In this conversation!

I remember Bill Russell putting a quarter on top of the backboard in Gill Colosseum rather than submit to a vertical jump measurement. Then ask if there was anyone there that could go get it. If Oden had been there,
I suspect he sure would have tried. But I fear he would have torn down the backboard, missed the quarter and would need help finding it, if he didn't break an appendage in the process.

 

[Minstrel]

WTF? Oden? In this conversation!

Yeah, Oden was really talented and displayed it in the brief time he had before injuries essentially ended the competitive phase of his career.

I have no problem inserting Oden into "what if?" discussions, which is what this is...what if Walton had had a healthy prime. I think the same about Oden. Obviously, in the real world, Walton still occupies a major place in NBA history while Oden does not (outside of the ill fatedness of that draft for Portland).

 

[MarAzul]

Did you ever see Bill Russell or Walton play?