Greatest Trail Blazers: #1 Walton vs. #2 Robinson - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 10/18/2011 2:23 PM

Who should advance?
#1 Bill Walton (21)
70%
#2 Cliff Robinson (9)
30%

BURNSIDE REGION
#1 Bill Walton vs. #2 Cliff Robinson

No. 32 Bill Walton | Center | 6-11 | 225 lbs

Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 33.7 mpg, 17.1 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.6 bpg, .510 FG %, .674 FT %
Written By Casey Holdahl

Today's matchup between Bill Walton and Clifford Robinson seems like a mismatch, but it all depends on how you define a player’s value to an organization.

On one hand, you got Walton, likely the most well known Trail Blazer of all time. Without Walton, there is no 1977 championship parade through the streets of downtown Portland. When at his best, Big Red ranks as one of the best centers to ever play the game, and you could easily make the case he's the best passing big man ever and one of the NBA's most cerebral players. He's one of a handful of players who have won the regular season MVP, Finals MVP and Sixth Man of the Year awards.

But for all of his talents, Walton played just four seasons in Portland thanks to injury and acrimony. He played an average of 48 games per season during his 10-year career, so even though he was undoubtedly talented, durability, or lack thereof, tarnishes Walton's legacy, though through no fault of his own.

Schonely Speaks:
"What more can I say about that guy? The leader of that championship team. Made everybody else on that team much better. He could do it all. And that team, was a team."

Photo Gallery: Bill Walton Through The Years

No. 3 Cliff Robinson | Forward | 6-10 | 225 lbs

Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 30.8 mpg, 16.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg 44.6 FG%, 34.9 3PT %, 68 FT %
Written By Casey Holdahl

On the other hand, you have Uncle Cliffy. He played in just one All-Star game and won just one award of note, the 1992-93 Sixth Man of the Year. He'll never be named to the Hall of Fame, unlike Walton, whose inclusion was a no-brainer.

But what Robinson lacked in talent (at least relative to Walton), he made up for with durability and longevity. He played 18 seasons! And that's not 18 seasons straight out of high school; that's 18 seasons after playing four years at Connecticut. He was 40 when he played his final season in the NBA! He missed just 10 games during his eight years in Portland, and he didn't miss a game until his sixth season in the league. Impressive stuff.

But Uncle Cliffy could play as well. He averaged at least 15 points per game in his last five season in Portland. He worked diligently on improving his game, most notable his three-point shooting, making him a valuable cog in the powerful mid-90's Trail Blazers teams.

Schonely Speaks:
“Uncle Cliffy. Great hands, long arms and a vital part of the Blazers while he was here.”

Photo Gallery: Cliff Robinson Through The Years

Your decision between Walton and Robinson says something about what it is you value as a fan of the Portland Trail Blazers. If you base your decision strictly on talent, then you're probably voting for Walton. But if you're more apt to look at the totality of a player's career, maybe you give the nod to Robinson. The choice is yours.

The polls will stay open for one week. The player with the most votes will move onto the next round. Who should advance in this matchup and why?

Bracket: The Greatest Trail Blazer Of All-Time

I am a fan of

Who should advance?
#1 Bill Walton (21)
70%
#2 Cliff Robinson (9)
30%

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 10/19/2011 2:54 PM
Against better judgment I went with Cliff. I was all set and ready to vote for Bill until I read Casey's piece on both players. Yes, Walton delivered a ring, but I was eight years away from being born, so I couldn't really enjoy it as much as I could if it happened during my lifetime. Also, Walton was hurt. A lot. Cliff spent much more time in Rip City and was apart of the those early 90's teams which made me into the Trail Blazers fan that I am today. I remember needing to get a headband to wear for basketball because Uncle Cliffy wore one. It may be the wrong vote, but its my vote. Cliff!

I am a fan of

daveschedin
Posts: 44

Posted 10/20/2011 3:52 PM
if not for Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas, we may not even have a team in town..come on people

I am a fan of MY TEAM NO MATTER WHAT, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE A BLAZER BELIEVER!

Kassandra
Posts: 448

Posted 10/20/2011 7:55 PM
Robinson is the only one left in this bracket i remember watching play. he was an exceptional and exciting player and helped us to two finals appearances, as well as a long string of playoff appearances. despite playing fewer games in fewer seasons for the blazers, Walton is a portland legend. obviously, along with Lucas, he was a major force in bringing home the championship trophy. while i'm not quite impressed with his point average (relatively speaking), his 13.5 rebounds per game is incredible. if this came down to comparing entire careers, i think Robinson would win. i almost want to give him the vote just for "helping" to get Mike Rice get ejected from a game! however, as a blazer, Walton just had more impact.

~ KMM

I am a fan of my team fighting to win each and every game.

Blazerguy45
Posts: 1

Posted 10/21/2011 8:13 AM
There has never been a Blazer who has epitomized the total team concept better than Bill Walton. He could dominate a game while making sure his teammates were involved. An anchor on defense, he could also score on anyone the other team would put on him. Opposing players would have to alter their shots because Big Bill was in the middle. Once he got the rebound, the Blazers were Red Hot and Rolling. He was the most complete player in Blazer history and one of the best in the NBA of all time. Just a tragedy he wasn't healthy enough to have a longer career.

ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 10/21/2011 1:16 PM
I value longevity during these matchups more than most so I went with Cliffy. Yes Walton delivered a ring, but Cliff was apart of three teams who won no fewer than 57 regular season games, won two Western Conference Championships, and was really one of the first players to show versatility in the front court by being able to guard multiple positions as well as play inside and out.

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1599

Posted 10/21/2011 10:37 PM
Bill Walton rained confetti on downtown Portland, after helping win the NBA championship.

Cliff Robinson rained paintballs on downtown Portland, out the windows of his Hummer.

I'll be voting for Walton in this matchup

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

BlazerBear
Posts: 97

Posted 10/24/2011 11:26 AM
I think some of you are over thinking this; it's Bill Walton. Who cares if he only played 4 years, he delivered the trophy! It was a team led by him that made the mighty Lakers look like a rec league team as they demolished them in sweeping fashion. How many times in history can we say that a great Blazers team went up against a great Lakers team and completely destroyed them?

I am a fan of J.J. Hickson Making SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays On A Nightly Basis!

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 10/26/2011 1:06 PM
Walton wins 21-8! No surprise there but still a little closer than the experts thought. Good fight Cliffy.

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