Buck Williams

Buck Williams was the kind of player coaches trusted and opponents dreaded on the glass. Drafted third in 1981, he was named Rookie of the Year in 1982 after averaging a double-double, then spent eight seasons making the New Jersey Nets respectable, finishing among the league's top three rebounders in six of them. A three-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA second-team pick, he was equally prized on defense, earning four All-Defensive selections through low, wide positioning rather than shot-blocking flash. Traded to Portland in 1989, he became the interior backbone of Blazers teams that reached the Finals in 1990 and 1992. Over 17 seasons he compiled more than 16,000 points and 13,000 rebounds, ranking among the top 20 rebounders in NBA history while twice leading the league in field-goal percentage.