April 1977 Remembering the Walton Gang

Part Two of Five:

April - forty years ago.

The NBA/ABA merger in the summer of 1976 created a tremendous displacement of players. Essentially the NBA conducted two player drafts – one for college players and the other for ABA players (only four teams from the defunct ABA were merged into the NBA). Virtually every team ended up with ABA talent. The Trail Blazers maneuvered the draft rights for Maurice Lucas of the defunct Kentucky Colonels and Moses Malone of the St. Louis Spirits (story for a different day). The Blazers also signed David Twardzik formerly of the Virginia Squires. The popular but dysfunctional nucleus of Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks was broken up overnight. New coach Dr. Jack Ramsey was an established winner but he faced the same challenge of his predecessor: Will Bill Walton remain healthy? 

     

“It feels like the first time, it feels like the very first time” – Foreigner

With talent came opportunity and coach Ramsey took full advantage of his “inside straight” by adopting the Bill Russell Celtics model. In addition to low post scoring, Bill Walton assumed the primary role of rim protector and rebounder alongside trusted partner Maurice Lucas.  The two of them dominated the paint which allowed the “others” to sprint down court creating an unstoppable fast break offense.  Second year players Lionel Hollins and Bobby Gross were a custom fit for the attack. So were newcomers Twardzik (see above) and rookie Johnny Davis.  Holdovers Lloyd Neal and Larry Steele and veteran Herm Gilliam found consistent roles as well. Soon a pattern emerged in which the Blazers would overwhelm opponents with whirlwind runs created by pressure defense and speed, often blowing teams out - especially at home.  Accustomed to losing, Memorial Coliseum crowds dressed in flared jeans and flannel shirts became the loudest in the league. Blazermania was born and Portland had a national identity. A few injuries (Walton primarily) led to a mid-season slump which left the Blazers trailing the LA Lakers and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Walton recovered down the stretch enabling the Blazers to finish second in the Pacific. They were finally a winning team and in the play-offs! 

“You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd” – Billy Joel 

Blazer fans initially focused only on the hot Chicago Bulls led by longtime protagonist Norm Van Lier. Why not? This was their first dance and just being invited seemed enough. Besides, the Bulls were veterans, big and physical featuring ABA giant Artis Gilmore plus Mickey Johnson and Scott May. Many Blazers would later call the opening “suicide” (best of three) series with Chicago their toughest test. It was a tense, grueling home court war featuring the clash of titans, Walton and Gilmore. Luckily the decisive game was in Portland because Walton fouled out and the Bulls made a late run. Lionel Hollins buried the season’s biggest shot in the final minute and the bruising Bulls were gone. The Portland Trail Blazers won their first ever play-off series, but a rested Nugget team was waiting in Denver. 

“Leavin’ home, out on the road, I’ve been down before” – Steve Miller Band