"Walton can do it all" - Ex-Blazers coach believed Bill Walton was better than Russell and Wilt
The late Bill Walton stands out as one of the most gifted big men in NBA history. Before injuries hampered his illustrious career, Walton showcased a remarkable array of skills that set him apart from his peers.
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In his prime, Big Red was a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating exceptional versatility both offensively and defensively. Bill's ability to control the game was nothing short of mesmerizing as he could score, rebound and stop his opponents.
Walton's presence in the paint was a game-changer, leading many fans and analysts to draw comparisons to legends such as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. In fact, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Dr. Jack Ramsay even considered Bill a superior version of the iconic big men.
"Bill Russell was a great shot blocker. Wilt Chamberlain was a great offensive player. But Walton can do it all," Ramsay told Sport magazine.
"I was with the Boston Celtics when Russell came into the league," Lakers Coach Bill Sharman told the Los Angeles Times. "Walton is the same type of player. Extremely intelligent — but besides that, he has tremendous basketball instinct."
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Walton's legendary transformation
Prior to turning pro, Big Red was already an exceptional player. He led UCLA to two national championships and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year three times during his college years.
As expected, many anticipated Walton's arrival in the NBA. In 1974, after averaging 19.3 points and 14.7 rebounds in his junior year, Bill was drafted by the Blazers as the No. 1 overall pick.
Walton quickly established himself as one of the most dominant centers in the league. In 1977, he was named an All-Star for the first time. That same year, Bill also made history and led the Blazers to their first NBA championship. The following year, he was crowned the NBA's MVP.
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Unfortunately, Walton suffered multiple injuries after his MVP season. However, along with his recovery, Big Red also showed his maturity as a player. He reinvented himself and embraced a different role on the court.
By transforming his game, Walton won one more NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 1986 as a role player. Bill's efforts did not go unnoticed as he was also named the league's Sixth Man of the Year that season.
Related: Pippen once missed a layup to prevent MJ from getting a triple-double in the 1997 Finals: "I didn't want him to tie me"
Walton is arguably the NBA's GOAT center
Some may argue that Russell, Chamberlain or any legendary big man shouldn't be compared to Walton, as each of them had distinct greatness and legacy. However, for renowned sports writer and host Bill Simmons, Bill was just different. In fact, Simmons even once assessed that Big Red may have become the greatest center of all time.
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"As you know, I love Bill Walton," Simmons once said. "He was the epilogue of my book. I think he is the greatest what-if guy of the last 50 years. He was the best player on the planet for 18 months. How we feel about [Nikola] Jokic right now, we felt about Bill Walton. ... On paper may be the greatest center ever in terms of total package. Russell is the greatest center, and Kareem's the second-best center. But if you're just talking about tools and ceiling and what a center can do on both ends, doing the stuff Jokic did in the playoffs combined with shot-blocking and rebounding."
In 1993, Walton was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame as a two-time champion, two-time All-Star and Finals MVP, among others. He was also named one of the NBA's greatest 75 players. Today, Bill's impact on the game still leaves an indelible mark that continues to resonate with fans and players alike.
Related: 'They talk about Jokic being the most skilled center, but Bill Walton was first!' - Magic Johnson pays tribute to the late Bill Walton
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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