Greatest Trail Blazer: Walton Or Porter?

[MAS RipCity]

Since the last matchup (Drexler/Lucas) sparked some good conversation, I thought it would be interesting to see who everyone thought would take the other semifinal: Walton v. Porter. Personally, I'm a much bigger Porter fan and he was much more consistent. But Walton had arguably the greatest year of any Trail Blazer and still won the MVP a year later after only playing 60% of the season. I think it comes down to what you value more, longevity or a ring. Without Bill, there is no title for Portland but I also was eight years away from being born when it happened so there's not that connection there for me. I grew up watching Clyde and Terry.

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[BrianFromWA]

Bill, and I liked Porter a lot. But there's a difference between "steadily good-to-great" and "transcendant."

 

[KingSpeed]

Jim Jackson

 

[Mediocre Man]

Walton.

 

[e_blazer]

Best for a couple of years? Easily Walton.
Best over his career? Porter

 

[HailBlazers]

Should make for a great debate for the best Trailblazer ever between Walton and Drexler

There is no debate for the best Trailblazer Alumni in the history of the Organization, Terry Porter.

 

[jlprk]

If you think defense like Red Auerbach, you call Bill Walton the most talented center in history. There is a sense of tragedy in Walton's career, more than any other truncated career in the NBA's history. Porter lacks that aura of greatness.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

No question in my mind: When healthy, Walton was one of the greatest Centers in the history of the league, let alone our Blazers for one and a half magical seasons. It's easy!!

1. Drexler - because of greatness and longevity, 11 years with club.
2. Walton - because of greatness and a league Title, though for a short time.
3. Porter - because of good/greatness and longevity.
4. Lucas - because of good/greatness and league Title.

 

[barfo]

Jim Jackson

You got the initials right, anyway.

It's Jason Jennings.

barfo

 

[Denny Crane]

I loved Walton as a player, but I liked Kareem a lot more. And if we're talking about injuries killing a career, Sabonis was freakishly great when he was young.

 

[HailBlazers]

I loved Walton as a player, but I liked Kareem a lot more.

Walton shut him down ! Or at least hooked right over him

 

[jlprk]

The young Walton had skills just as freakish, but Wooden taught him to keep them under control.

Be quick, but don't hurry.

 

[Denny Crane]

in the 1977 Western Conference finals, the two met in their only meaningful playoff matchup. I don't see Kareem getting shut down by any stretch. I was a big fan of both in college and when they came to the pros. It's not like I don't think highly of them both.

Game 1: Jabbar outscores Walton 30-18, Walton wins rebounding battle 13-10. Portland defeats the Lakers 121-109.

Game 2: Jabbar outscores Walton 40-14, and outrebounds him 19-12. Herm Gilliam hits a last second shot to win the game for Portland 99-97.

Game 3: Walton outscores Jabbar 22-21, Jabbar outrebounds Walton 20-16. Walton did score 14 points in the final period to push Portland over the top 102-97.

Game 4: Jabbar 30 points, Walton 19. Rebounds were 18 for Jabbar, 14 for Walton... but Kareem couldn't do it alone. Portland 105 L.A. 101

 

[jlprk]

You showed why Walton's effect cannot be evaluated by his individual statistics. Wooden used to marvel at what a great unselfish team player he was. He took much more pleasure in passing than scoring. Despite being a center, he led his teams in assists from grade school until well into his pro years, where, if I recall correctly, he merely came close to leading, per minute.

I better not get started on his signature moves that no one else had before or after. Gotta get things done today.