Calkins: Bill Walton and Memphis will be linked forever — and that’s a tribute to both
UCLA center Bill Walton (left), who died Monday, is helped off the court by Memphis State’s Larry Finch, during the final stages of the 1973 NCAA Men’s National Championship game in St. Louis. Walton, made 21 of 22 shots and scored 44 points to lift UCLA over Memphis State, but one of the lasting images of the game was when Finch helped Walton, in a show of sportsmanship, off the floor. (AP File Photo)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Bill Walton hit 21 of 22 shots to defeat Memphis State in the 1973 national championship game. But he never became a villain in this city. There was too much mutual respect.
Related story:
Topics
Bill Walton Memphis Tigers Basketball Memphis Tigers 1972-73 Subscriber Only Bill Laurie Hank McDowell Larry Finch2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
Will you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news? Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization, today.
Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening in Memphis. Thank you for investing in our community’s trusted local news source.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Final Four Memories: Gene Bartow ‘loved being the head coach’
Surviving members of Memphis State’s 1972-73 basketball team that reached the NCAA Tournament championship game are being honored when the Tigers face No. 1 Houston on Sunday, March 5, at FedExForum.
Final Four Memories: Lee Hunt left his mark on the 1972-73 Tigers
Fifty years ago, the Memphis State assistant coach was both a tactician and a friend for an NCAA Final Four team.
Tigers Basketball Insider: A ‘Welcome to Memphis’ moment at FedExForum
The scene at FedExForum on Sunday is what Memphis basketball is all about.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.