Walter Davis, former North Carolina star and one of the best players in Suns history, has died at age 69 due to natural causes, as reported by the University. The 1.98 meter forward was six times selected for the All Starwas twice in the second best quintet in the NBA and after 15 seasons he retired with averages of 18.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists in 1,033 games.
The former player was highlighted by Michael Jordan as his idol when in 1984 he was asked who was the best player he had seen. Although the NBA already had stars of the stature of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Julius Erving…the then rookie opted for Davis. “I played against him in the summer and I thought he was excellent”said.
After a brilliant stage in North Carolina, where Jordan also played, Davis was drafted by the Suns fifth overall in 1977. His impact on the NBA was immediate, as He averaged 24.2 points per game and was named rookie of the year. Most of his career was spent in Phoenix, where he spent 11 seasons. Despite leaving the franchise poorly, he would be finished retiring the shirt with the number 6.
His last years with the Suns were dominated by back problems and a drug scandal. He entered several times in rehabilitation clinics and in 1987 he was called to testify about illegal drug use by other players on the team in exchange for receiving immunity.
34 points without failure
In February 1983, Davis established an NBA record when, at a Suns game in Seattle, scored his first 34 points without error before missing a throw. He made his first 15 field goals and four free throws in a row. With 55 seconds left came his first failure. He finished with 36 points after shooting 15/16 from the field and six hits from the line..
He also spent three seasons in los Nuggets and had a brief period in los Blazers before returning to Denver, where he retired in 1993. Among his great achievements, the gold at the Montreal Games in 1976 with the United States team.
2023-11-02 20:15:53
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