Best college big man, ever. (17-for-18 from the field? In an NCAA tournament game?)

Walton was a great college player and would have been a great pro if he stayed healthy. I am giving him four stars because when healthy he did do some good things in the NBA.

Two rings.  In his prime, before the foot injury (injuries) that had him out of the league for a substantial length of time, he was among the greatest centers of all time.  In the season following Portland's championship season, Walton was having an even better season before being struck by injury.  The greatness of baseball's Sandy Koufax, as a parallel,  is really based on the last 5 years of his career.  During his first 7 years, he won 54 games and lost 53 and never had an ERA below 3.00.  But in those last 5 years,  he won 111 and lost 34; his ERA was below 3.00 all 5 years, below 2.00 in three of them.  He also struck out over 300 in 3 of the 5 years.  Greatness should be recognized, not for longevity alone. 

I don't consider him a great NBA player. College? You bet he was. He only had a few of good seasons in the pros. Injuries prevented him from becoming great. When healthy, he was one of the best rebounders, defenders and passers of his time.

College career = phenomenal... unfortunately, a lot of folks don't remember just how good Walton was in the NBA when he was healthy. He was the best passing center in the game, one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers (led the league in both categories in '78) and an offensive threat. Walton had some serious hops and could dunk with the best of the big men in his day. A total team player who played with a fire not seen amongst today's centers. Let's not forget that he was league MVP in '78 when the voting was conducted by his fellow players in the NBA and led Portand to its only title in '77.

Bill Walton was the Tim Duncan of his time. He played team basketball and had great individual skills. It wasn't his fault he couldn't stay healthy.

Walton could score, rebound, and play defense. And he was an outstanding passer. Too bad he preferred being a vegetarian over taking care of his body. But he is being rated to low on this RateIt channel. He was easily better than David Robinson, for instance.

this guy was almost as bad a player as he is as a broadcaster. this guy was at his best being a six man on boston team. he was at his best when he was at UCLA. how could the NBA allow this scrub on the list and live a constant score like dominique wilkins off.

The most overrated player in NBA history. He has three great seasons with Portland and one so-so year with Boston and he's one of the 50 Best? No way. He's one of the 50 because he brownnosed with his media work. 80 percent of Walton's career was on IL. He was a stud in college, but that shouldn't carry over to a career of injuries.

HE STINKS!

Holy Over-Rated. I'm sorry he had problems with injuries as a pro, because he was a fantastic college player. But potential should not get you anywhere. He was the Purvis Ellison of the 70's as far as I'm concerned.