North Carolina State University Athletics
The Legend Of David Thompson Lives On
5/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
Seeing Bill Walton on an NBA telecast last weekend brought back some memories. When most people think of Walton, they reflect back on UCLA's basketball dominance of the late '60's and early '70's. Not me.
For me Bill Walton triggers memories of 1974. As The Chairman of the Board would say: "It was a very good year." That's especially true if you're a longtime NC State supporter.
Bill Walton would have been the best player in college basketball in 1974 had it not been for a guy named David Thompson. The stories of Thompson's greatness always sound embellished but in reality, they're all true.
D.T. really did trip over the 6'8 Phil Spences shoulder and fall on his head; he really did block several of the 6'10 Walton's shots in the '74 NCAA Semifinals; he really did score 57 points against Buffalo State in 1975; he really did have a vertical leap that was measured at 42 inches.
Could Thompson really pick a dollar bill off the top of the backboard and leave change? I wouldn't doubt it.
Twenty-five years have passed since the Shelby native wore an NC State uniform, yet no one would even dare challenge the assertion that Thompson is the greatest player in ACC history. That's a statement unto itself considering that the league has since produced players like Michael Jordan, Ralph Sampson and Christian Laettner.
Modern day basketball is a showcase for athletes who defy gravity by rising above the rim for rebounds, blocked shots and slam-dunks. Since they have become so routine these days, those types of acrobatic plays rarely impress us anymore.
But in 1974, those things weren't routine. So imagine how we all marveled at seeing a 6'4 (maybe) Thompson flying through the air with the greatest of ease to snare a rebound over other players who were much taller.
But Thompson also played in an age when basketball skill superseded athleticism. Basic fundamentals like shooting and dribbling were the essence of what the game was all about. Basketball in the mid 1970's had not yet completely evolved into the 'above the rim' game we're watching now.
That's why Thompson was unique. Like many of his contemporaries, he was a skilled basketball player. He just happened to be a great basketball player who was also a great athlete.
Thompson still holds seven NC State scoring records although he played at a time when freshmen were ineligible and there was no three-point shot.
The career numbers speak for themselves: 26.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, .553 fg % and .763 ft %.
In his senior season in 1975, Thompson averaged 29.9 points per game.
Statistics are nice, but in Thompson's case, they can't possibly paint the entire picture. You had to see this man play to really appreciate his greatness.
Just ask Bill Walton.
