Walter Davis, the great UNC basketball player, died on November 2. I remember the highlight of his famous buzzer-beater against the Blue Devils in 1974 was shown before every UNC-Duke game throughout my childhood.
In 1974, the boys from Raleigh would win the N.C.A.A. title with the high-flying David Thompson and human-skyscraper Tommy Burleson. But UNC’s team was good. The Tar Heels were heavily-favored against Duke thanks to Bobby Jones (the best defender you may not remember), Darrell Elston and freshman phenom Davis. The Blue Devils were struggling after Coach Bucky Waters’s abrupt resignation and had won only two ACC games coming into Carmichael Auditorium.
The visitors, however, raced out to an early advantage, then built an eight-point lead with only seventeen seconds left in the game. Carolina cut the deficit to two points, thanks to ferocious defense from Jones. Duke’s Pete Kramer could have effectively ended the game at the foul line. But Kramer choked. The Tar Heels rebounded his miss and called time out. The stage was set.
UNC sophomore Mitch Kupchuk inbounded the ball at the far end of the court. He pump-faked a deep pass, then threw a strike to Davis racing to midcourt.
Davis caught the pass with just three seconds on the clock. He took two dribbles downcourt and one more bounce to gather himself. As a Duke defender leaped toward him, Davis launched his shot.
Reports vary on his distance from the basket. Some say 25 feet, others up to 35 feet.
What’s clear is that Davis held up his right hand after releasing the shot, striking a pose as the ball flew through the air. The crowd held its breath.
Davis went on to a terrific NBA career. He was Rookie of the Year in 1978 and a six-time All-Star. He remains the leading scorer in Phoenix Suns history. Davis was also caught in a drug scandal with the Suns. No one is perfect, including athletes.
His legacy includes his nephew, Huebert, the current UNC basketball coach as well as another UNC graduate who played ball for the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan credits Davis as a mentor, a reminder that even the G.O.A.T. stands on the shoulders of those before him.
But memory of Walter Davis was sealed in the minds of Tar Heel faithful on March 2, 1974 when his 25-to-35-foot shot kissed the glass and went in. Woody Durham, the radio broadcaster, lost his mind: “UN-BE-lievable!” Like many kids growing up in our state, I pretended to play for Coach Dean Smith and launch my own buzzer-beaters in the backyard, striking the pose with my right hand in the air.
Rest in peace, Walter Davis. I appreciate your humility. Instead of calling for a bank shot, you readily admitted to aiming for the rim. You might say that it’s better to be lucky than good. Such is grace …
Unless, of course, you’re a damn Blue Devil.
(featured image via UNC Athletic Communications)
Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the author of “Little Big Moments,” a collection of mini-essays about parenting, and “Tigers, Mice & Strawberries: Poems.” Both titles are available most anywhere books are sold online. Taylor-Troutman lives in Chapel Hill where he serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church and occasionally stumbles upon the wondrous while in search of his next cup of coffee.
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