A Return to Full-Time for the Mountain Man?

January 21, 1983

Center Bill Walton officially became a full-time San Diego Clipper Thursday after getting approval from his orthopedic surgeon.

The announcement came after Walton, who is attempting a comeback after a two-year absence, had met with Dr. Tony Daly, who last operated on the former UCLA star's thrice-broken left foot.

"No X-rays were taken because Walton has not had any problems with the foot," a Clipperspokesman said. "He seems to be fully recovered and now will practice daily with the team. His foot seems to be perfectly healthy -- as healthy as it has ever been." 

Ironically, Walton, who played in games Sunday and Wednesday, sat out Thursday night's 100-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers at San Diego as Jerome Whitehead scored 18 for the winners.

Walton also will not play Feb. 3 at Detroit, the second of three road games in as many nights.

"It's purely a precaution," the spokesman said.

Until recently, Walton, 30, had been playing one game a week with the Clippers and attending law school at Stanford University the rest of the week.

Walton signed a seven-year, $7-million contract with the Clippers in May 1979 as a free agent after leaving the Portland Trailblazers. But he played in only 14 games before the foot gave out again.

After 16 games this season, he is averaging 14.5 points and 10.1 rebounds and is second in the NBA with an average of 3.8 blocked shots.