There was nothing Bill Walton couldn't do. Pass, shoot, rebound, block shots, play defense, lead, clutch play. People forget how great he was before his injury.
By the way, what a great scene at the end with three Memphis players helping Bill Walton hobble off the court. That was terrific sportsmanship--a rarity today.
Bill Walton 21 of 22 for the game.. People just dont realize just how good " A Healthy" Bill Walton really was... Respect to the MS players helping Walton off the court...
amazing seeing a game called so tightly by the refs - violator's hand goes right up - any challenge, immediate T - no drama - no BS - pure athletes - spectator sports today are so pathetic
i was fortunate to attend many games at Pauley Pavilion in my earky teens thanks to the generosity of my neighbor Bob Koenig. pre alcindor and the alcindor and walton years 10 NCAA championships in 12 years every gane was on television in Socal this was the greatest performance by any Bruin durinf thise years.
Gene Bartow, who would later coach at UCLA himself, one of the many who couldn't escape the shadow of John Wooden, actually has the 2nd highest winning percentage in Bruins history.
I was a young lad of 14 yrs old and I remember watching this game in the Spring of 1973 on a black n' white TV. Bill Walton was VERY GOOD and damn near IMPOSSIBLE to STOP!!
Walton was such a complete player. My dad was a huge UCLA basketball fan. I was fortunate enough to see the Wicks and Rowe years prior to the Walton gang era. All Wooden teams were talented and fundamentally sound. This is a great watch! Would love to see the UCLA vs Jacksonville final 3 years before.
In 1973 the NCAA had a no-dunking rule, otherwise it would have been 25-of-26 for Bill Walton and 52 points. People forget that Walton had 4 baskets nullified for offensive goaltending and thus "settled" for 44 points on 21-of-22 shots. Walton's 44 was, AND STILL IS, a championship game record.
