Today in Sports History: May 23

In 1978, Bill Walton received MVP honors. He averaged 18.9 ppg and 13.2 rpg before foot injuries sidelined him. Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 50-10 season. The previous year, he led the team to victory in the Finals and won Finals MVP. Walton was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft and made an immediate impact on the Blazers. After five seasons, he was signed by the San Diego Clippers where he played only 169 games during to injuries. Walton finished his career with the Boston Celtics and earned his second championship and the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 1985-86 season. Walton played 468 games over his 13-year career and averaged a career double-double of 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, with 3.4 assists and 2.2 blocked shots, averaging 28 minutes. The Blazers retired his no. 32 jersey.