We Have a Bill Walton Sighting

February 1, 1983

We Have a Bill Walton Sighting

If nothing else, the scene at Hellenic College yesterday whetted the appetite. San Diego coach Paul Silas, who is no stranger to the Celtics' practice floor, seemed perfectly at home blanketing the free-throw lane. Like a ghost of the past, he threw his 240-frame around the key, bouncing players about like bowling pins.



The thought came to mind of how devastating a team the San Diego Clippers would be if they had a youthful Silas to go along with rookie star Terry Cummings, and, of course, Bill Walton. Instead of bringing up the rear of the NBA's Pacific Division, the 14-32 Clippers could be legitimate contenders while drawing huge crowds.

But was an illusion. Silas, with only nine men available, was filling in for Walton, a full-time player these days and the object of full media scrutiny because of his once-glorious exploits and the history of his left foot, which still isn't right. Walton didn't practice yesterday because of a new problem, which was described as a strain of the left foot, but in a different area than his troublesome tarsal navicular bone.

If Walton is unable tomorrow to make his first appearance at Boston Garden since January 1977, it will be a major disappointment, not only to the fans, but for the improving Clippers.

Walton started the season as a Stanford law student and a part-time player, seeing action once a week. The arrangement created more problems than it solved, and the Clippers went 0-8 before they won a game with Walton in the lineup. He did not even practice with the club.

Two weeks ago, however, it was decided the foot was strong enough for Walton to play regularly, and he has appeared in six of the last seven games. Silas says Walton is only about 70 percent of what he can be, and has averaged 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocked shots in 20 games. The Clippers, in fact, come to town off victories over Atlanta and New York.

"I'm just beginning," said Walton. "I haven't played much at all in the last four years. I'm on the fringe of the athletic world. I'm very optimistic that I can get back all the way to the top. But it's going to take a long time.

The Bill Walton story has two intriguing facets. One is that the former UCLA star, now 30, just might again become one of the finest centers ever. The other is that the whole NBA would like to see him shake his injury and become the centerfold of a contending NBA franchise in San Diego.

The Clippers have adopted a pressure defense, and stress a passing game. Cummings, a force inside, has impressed Silas with his outside shooting. And with veteran guards Randy Smith and Lionel Hollins, and forward Tom Chambers, they are no longer NBA patsies.

Walton attends practices, meetings and consultation, and Silas makes no bones about the fact that he sometimes leans heavily on the thinking of his prize center.

"We've been through a lot," said Silas, "And any lesser group of guys might have been destroyed by the situation. The fact that Bill could play only once a week was tough on everybody. But it has been different since he's joined us full time. He's quite a competitor. All he talks about is winning.

"The thing that surprises me is that after not having played in four years, he can come back and play as well as he's playing. You watch his legs and he can still explode to get rebounds."

Silas added that it will take time for Walton to get his offensive timing back to what it was. But as far as defense, shot-blocking ability, rebounding. That's all there."

Says Walton: "I came back full time because I got to the point that I was stronger, able to run more. It was a slow process. I went from doing nothing for year and a half because of injury to a period of playing basketball once a week. Then running on other days, riding my bike, walking. ect. I reached a point where I was physically stronger and finally able to compete against the top athletes in the world.

"When my basketball career is no longer happening, I can go back to law."

Walton is looking forward to his return to the Garden.

"It's an honor playing in the building where over the years the best basketball has been played," he said, adding . . . "with the possible exception of Pauley Pavilion."