Remembering the Walton Gang

“Wasting away again in margaritaville”   - Jimmy Buffett 

Friday June 3^rd, 1977.  It was the day after graduation and time for our Senior Class Party.  I joined my classmates for the final good bye as a matter of course.  It was still light outside when someone said the Blazers were up big in the fourth quarter.  Listening to a pick-up truck radio as Bill Schonely described the action is still etched in my memory.  Amazing.   The lead was too large to blow but a desperate Dr “J” made it interesting.  He finished with a game high 37 points scoring many as the faithful filed out.  The other story was Bobby Gross.  He was seemingly everywhere – constantly moving, defending, cutting and flying out on the break.  In many ways the Erving/Gross match-up was a metaphor for the series. The Blazers were selfless and nameless, tightly structured around the fanatically fundamental Bill Walton.  Every Blazer understood and embraced their roles. The Sixers had star power. They were free flowing, flamboyant and at times spectacular but they had problems cohering - especially on defense.   After game five the better TEAM was one win away.   110-104 Trail Blazers.  I should have stayed home with the folks.

“Its been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise” - Queen

Sunday June 5^th 1977.  The Sixers started with purpose led by Erving who would score 40 that afternoon.  After a tightly contested first quarter.  the Blazers exploded.  Their pressure defense and coordinated fast break were relentless and the Blazers raced to a 15 point lead at the half.  Memorial Coliseum was deafening.  Gross again led Portland with 24 points (he had 25 on Friday).  Bill Walton had 8 blocks, 7 assists, 20 points and 23 boards in an epic all-around performance.  It looked and felt like a fourth straight blow out win – then things changed. The combination of Blazer turnovers, missed free throws and George McGinnis FINALLY getting hot, turned a premature celebration into a mini panic.  The Blazers were up by 2 when McGinnis tied-up Gross on the inbounds and won the jump-ball with 16 seconds left!   Erving missed a long shot (contested by Walton).  Lloyd Free rebounded but his follow was blocked (by Gross) out of bounds. After a long tense re-set - McGinnis missed a surprisingly great look (that he’d been hitting).  Walton tapped the miss to Johnny Davis and it was over. Portland 109-107! 

“I closed my eyes only for a moment and the moment’s gone”  - Kansas

The crowd enveloped the floor.  Walton pulled off his jersey.   A couple of fans climbed on top of the backboard.  Champagne poured in the locker-room.  Speeches were made.   Erving muttered that he still thought they (the Sixers) were the better team.  A parade downtown would soon be announced.  Later that summer Star Wars would change cinema forever. Son of Sam would be caught and Elvis would die.  Time has a way.

 

“So many people have come and gone, their faces fade as the years go by” – Boston

It all moved too fast, the cap, gown, tassels, senior pics – (mine was air-brushed perfectly –oxy-5 failed me on picture day) and year book signings.  There were a few poignant moments but honestly it felt like another summer break.  My march to high school graduation will forever be tied to the Portland Trail Blazers Championship run of 1977.  It was the best graduation gift ever.     Gold sun, blue sky, Bend, Bend, Bend High!