Editing Kermit Washington (section)

==Professional career==

===Los Angeles Lakers (1973–1977)===
Washington was drafted fifth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the [[1973 NBA draft]]. A week before the team began training camp, Pat and Kermit were married. They invited neither of their families; they just drove together to LA's city hall for the ceremony.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 180</ref> He had a difficult time making the transition from college center to NBA power forward.<ref>Halberstam. pgs. 265–266</ref> Washington also had played in a primarily [[zone defense]] system in college and was not versed in [[man-to-man defense]], which is more common in the NBA.<ref>Lazenby. pgs. 170–171</ref> He arrived on a team which had legend [[Jerry West]], who was in the waning stages of a career that would result in his becoming the silhouette seen on the NBA's logo.<ref>[http://wolves.nba.com/history/players/west_bio.html Jerry West bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307174142/http://wolves.nba.com/history/players/west_bio.html |date=March 7, 2012}}, nba.com, accessed December 16, 2010.</ref> Washington admits that he was terrified of West, and felt anxiety every time he made a mistake in front of him.<ref>Feinstein. 180</ref> Though healthy,<ref name="halb266">Halberstam. pg. 266</ref> he played in only 45 games and averaged 8.9 minutes a game his rookie season.<ref name="bref" /> He hurt his back that year but kept quiet about it, fearing he would be "labeled soft."<ref name="Fn181">Feinstein. pg. 181</ref> The injury would bother him the rest of his career.<ref name="Fn181" /> He continued to struggle in his second season, and discovered that finding individual coaching in the professional game at that time was difficult.<ref name="halb266" /><ref>Feinstein. pg. 187</ref> Between the rigorous schedule, and the coaches assuming players already knew how to play for the most part when they entered the league, no one, including head coach [[Bill Sharman]], was willing to work with him on a one-on-one basis.<ref name="halb266" />

[[File:Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|Los Angeles acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. "He was my hero", Washington later said. "It was a dream come true."<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 26–7</ref> Abdul-Jabbar would later play an important role in the fight that changed Washington's life.]]
Entering his fourth season, Washington knew the only thing keeping him in the league was his guaranteed contract and that the Lakers had essentially written him off.<ref name="halb267" /><ref>Feinstein. pg. 182</ref> The organization felt he had the requisite physical skills, so they ascribed his failure to excel to mental deficiencies.<ref name="halb267" /> Washington was particularly disturbed when in a game against [[Golden State Warriors|Golden State]], he got into an awkward collision with [[Rick Barry]], upon which Barry remarked: "Listen, you better learn how to play this game."<ref name="halb267">Halberstam. pg. 267</ref> The criticism especially bothered Washington because he felt Barry's rebuke was correct. Desperate to improve, he contacted [[Pete Newell]] at the recommendation of an agent.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 27–28</ref> Newell was a retired pro and college coach who worked in a front office position with the Lakers,<ref name="halb268" /> and had drafted Washington when he was then the team's GM.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 25–26</ref> In truth, while Newell says he felt some responsibility considering he drafted him, he was involved in many player transactions over the course of his long career, and was not especially attached to Washington.<ref name="halb268" /> He was surprised by this request, however, and unhappy with his new highly marginalized job within the organization, so Newell agreed to meet Washington for individual drills.<ref name="halb268" /><ref>Feinstein. pg. 28</ref> He scheduled the practices very early in the morning to test Washington's dedication, thinking a professional athlete would not bother to get up at that hour every day.<ref name="halb268">Halberstam. pg. 268</ref> Washington showed up without complaint and Newell put him through intense training sessions. Newell is often seen as a kind, gentlemanly person, who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the game of basketball.<ref name="gf">Bucher, Ric. [https://www.espn.com/magazine/vol4no19bigmancamp.html The Godfather], espn.com, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://collegehoops.scout.com/2/558707.html Pete Newell Still The Footwork Master] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021133/http://collegehoops.scout.com/2/558707.html |date=July 16, 2011}}, scout.com, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Ortiz, Jorge L. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2001/12/28/SP190250.DTL Another legacy at Newell Many coaches with links to Heathcote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806044946/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2001%2F12%2F28%2FSP190250.DTL |date=August 6, 2009}}, December 28, 2001, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Chin. pg. 135</ref><ref>Mandelbaum. pg. 329</ref> In private practice, however, he could be an intense, unforgiving teacher, and he was even more unforgiving than usual with Washington as he felt that if he were to offer his services for free he would only do so if the player was willing to train maniacally.<ref name="halb268" />

Newell had Washington watch tapes of [[Paul Silas]], who was a rebounding forward for the [[Boston Celtics]], and convinced him to have more confidence in his offensive game.<ref name="halb269">Halberstam. pg. 269</ref> He reworked Washington's game from the ground up, and in so doing established a name for himself as a tremendous coach of big men—he would later conduct a yearly "Big Man Camp" in Hawaii which was attended by hundreds of NBA players.<ref name="gf" />

Los Angeles had acquired [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], and Washington's style of play complemented him, as Abdul-Jabbar was not an especially physical player.<ref name="halb269" /><ref>Feinstein. pg. 38–39</ref> Washington played well, averaging 9.7 points and 9.3 rebounds;<ref name="bref" /> however, he struggled with [[tendinitis]] in his knee the entire season. His wife pleaded with him to sit out some games, but he took painkillers and kept playing.<ref>Halberstam. pgs. 269–270</ref> Washington finally tore the patella tendon in a late season game against [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]].<ref>Halberstam. pgs. 270–271</ref> "I could feel it tearing inside. I looked down, and my kneecap was hanging on the side of my leg."<ref>Feinstein. pg. 30</ref> Doctors covered his entire leg in a cast and told him his basketball career was most likely over.<ref name="halb271">Halberstam pg. 271</ref>

Newell was the person to bring Washington out of the despair Kermit felt when he heard his playing career was probably over. Newell forced him through even more grueling training sessions the following summer, after some of which, Washington strongly considered quitting.<ref name="halbNe">Halberstam. pgs. 271–272</ref> His leg had [[atrophy|atrophied]] from the injury and he was scared of re-injuring it during their training sessions. Newell ignored his pleas and told him that if he ever wanted to play again he had to train more than before and work even harder.<ref name="halbNe" /> Washington came back to play the following season and performed well; through the first 25 games he was averaging career highs in points (11.6) and rebounds (10.8).<ref name="bref" /> He had been featured in the NBA preview edition of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' (which was dedicated to enforcers that year) before the season and was praised therein for his intimidating nature and fighting skills.<ref name="BS89">Simmons. pg. 89</ref> The magazine had posed Washington shirtless in a boxing stance as part of a picture layout entitled, "Nobody, but Nobody, Is Gonna Hurt My Teammates."<ref name="BS89" /><ref>Papanek, John. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092961/index.htm 'nobody, But Nobody, Is Going To Hurt My Teammates'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905103555/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092961/index.htm |date=September 5, 2010 }}, ''Sports Illustrated'', October 31, 1977, accessed December 16, 2010.</ref>

===The Rudy Tomjanovich incident===
On December 9, 1977, during an NBA game between the Lakers and the [[Houston Rockets]], a scuffle broke out among several players at midcourt.<ref name="flak" />

The events that precipitated the fight have been frequently debated, and variously interpreted.<ref name="flak" /> Two months earlier, on opening night of the season, the Lakers played the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. Bucks center [[Kent Benson]] elbowed Abdul-Jabbar in the stomach, and Abdul-Jabbar appeared to be in intense pain. Abdul-Jabbar then punched Benson from behind, breaking Benson's jaw and his own hand.<ref name="BS89" /> Washington got into a brawl with several [[Buffalo Braves]] players a few games later.<ref>Lazenby. pgs. 171–2</ref> In the December game, at the beginning of the game's second half, Lakers guard [[Norm Nixon]] missed a shot. Houston's [[Kevin Kunnert]] and Washington both contended for the rebound, which Kunnert eventually got and passed out to teammate [[John Lucas II|John Lucas]]. Their battle for the rebound was more physical than usual, however. Abdul-Jabbar became involved and wrestled with Kunnert. As a result, Kermit Washington stayed behind in the backcourt in order to watch over and make sure nothing happened. After the two disengaged, Washington grabbed Kunnert's shorts in order to prevent him from getting back over on offense quickly. Kunnert threw an elbow that hit Washington on the upper arm and this move spun him around so that he was facing Washington. What happened next is disputed: Washington, several Lakers, and Rocket forward [[Robert Reid (basketball)|Robert Reid]] insisted that Kunnert punched him, Kunnert said Washington swung first after he attempted to free himself from Washington's grasp. The referee who saw the action saw merely a "scuffle" between Kunnert and Abdul-Jabbar followed by the one between Kunnert and Washington then Washington's punch.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 78, 266</ref><ref name="halb273" /> Both Washington and Abdul-Jabbar reject this account.<ref name="flak" />

Abdul-Jabbar then ran up behind Kunnert and grabbed his arms to try to pull him away from the scuffle.<ref>Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OpAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HeEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=973,5148642&dq=kermit-washington&hl=en Washington Down and Out] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131042905/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OpAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HeEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=973%2C5148642&dq=kermit-washington&hl=en |date=January 31, 2021}}, ''[[Kentucky New Era]]'', December 10, 1977, accessed November 19, 2010.</ref> But this only left him defenseless for Washington's first punch, which hit Kunnert in the head and brought him down on one knee.<ref name="BS89" />

Washington saw Tomjanovich running toward the altercation. Not knowing that he intended to break up the fight, Washington hit Tomjanovich with a short right-hand punch. The blow, which took Tomjanovich by surprise, fractured his face about {{convert|1/3|in|mm|adj=pre|of a|spell=in}} away from his skull and left Tomjanovich unconscious in a pool of blood in the middle of the arena. Abdul-Jabbar likened the sound of the punch to a melon being dropped onto concrete.<ref name="halb273">Halberstam. pg 273</ref> Tomjanovich had a reputation around the league as a peacemaker.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093182/index.htm A Roundup Of The Week Dec. 5-11] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103174225/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093182/index.htm |date=November 3, 2012}}, ''Sports Illustrated'', December 17, 1977, accessed December 16, 2010.</ref> Players involved say that right after Tomjanovich collapsed, the absence of sound at the arena, which was filled with shocked fans, was "the loudest silence you have ever heard."<ref>Moore, David Leon. [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ccovtue.htm New start from old wounds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204120513/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ccovtue.htm |date=February 4, 2012}}, November 26, 2002, usatoday.com, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> Reporters heard the sound of the punch all the way in the second floor [[press box]], and some rushed to the playing floor in disbelief.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 6–7</ref>

Tomjanovich was able to get up and walk around, however, and on the way into the locker room he saw Washington. Tomjanovich says that he became aggressive and asked Washington why he punched him. Washington yelled something inaudible about Kunnert, and they were broken up by two security personnel.<ref>Feinstein. pgs 53–54</ref> Tomjanovich was in no condition to fight despite his aggression; besides having the bone structure of his face detached from his skull and suffering a [[cerebral concussion]] and broken jaw and nose, he was leaking blood and [[spinal fluid]] into his skull capsule. His skull was fractured in such a way that Tomjanovich could taste the spinal fluid leaking into his mouth.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 13</ref><ref name="SIpunch" /> He later recalled that at the time of the incident, he believed the scoreboard had fallen on him.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 5</ref> The doctor who worked on Tomjanovich said "I have seen many people with far less serious injuries not make it," and likened the surgery to [[Scotch Tape|Scotch-taping]] together a badly shattered eggshell.<ref name="halb273" />

====Aftermath====
Worsening matters for Washington, the only available replay of the incident showed just his punch, not the scuffle that preceded it. This made the attack appear unprovoked,<ref name="BS90">Simmons. pg. 90</ref> and ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', then watched by an average of 30 to 35 million people, replayed the punch countless times as a gag, having cast member [[Garrett Morris]] comically defend the punch.<ref>Simmons. pgs. 90, 107</ref><ref>Feinstein. pgs. 91–2</ref> It was also the subject of a ''[[New York Times]]'' editorial and investigated on [[CBS News]] by [[Walter Cronkite]].<ref name="SIpunch">Kirkpatrick, Patrick. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093209/index.htm Shattered and Shaken] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119030727/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093209/index.htm |date=January 19, 2010 }}, ''Sports Illustrated'', January 2, 1978, accessed December 16, 2010.</ref> Washington was fined $10,000,<ref name="Daily">[[United Press International]]. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19771213&id=gxIsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BscEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3185,2769930 Kermit Washington Draws Stiff Penalty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131042844/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19771213&id=gxIsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BscEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3185%2C2769930 |date=January 31, 2021 }}, ''Times Daily'', December 13, 1977, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> and suspended for 60 days, missing 26 games; then the [[List of players banned or suspended by the NBA|longest suspension for an on-court incident in NBA history]].<ref>[http://www.everything2.com/title/The+Punch%253A+Kermit+Washington+vs.+Rudy+Tomjanovich The Punch: Kermit Washington vs. Rudy Tomjanovich] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518121530/http://everything2.com/title/The+Punch:+Kermit+Washington+vs.+Rudy+Tomjanovich |date=May 18, 2010 }}, everything2.com, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> Tomjanovich missed the rest of the season, and the Rockets felt Washington should have been suspended for the same period of time.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 219–20</ref>

On-court fights had been all too common in the 1970s, often including [[bench-clearing brawl]]s.<ref>Simmons. pgs. 89–90</ref> In the season opener, when Abdul-Jabbar punched Benson, no suspension had been levied.<ref name="SIpunch" /> However, Washington's punch resulted in the league enacting strict penalties for on-court fights. Former NBA commissioner [[David Stern]], then the NBA's chief counsel, later said that the incident made NBA officials realize that "you couldn't allow men that big and that strong to go around throwing punches at each other."<ref name="Kahn" /> Currently, any player who throws a punch at another player—even if he misses—is automatically ejected from the game, and suspended for at least his team's next game.<ref name="Kahn">Kahn, Mike. [http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/5822258 Ripples still felt from infamous punch 25 years later] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021212122534/http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/5822258 |date=December 12, 2002 }}, [[CBSSports.com]] October 22, 2001, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> The league added a third referee to its game crew after the season; this referee would have trailed the play and could have called a foul when Washington grabbed Kunnert's shorts, thereby potentially stopping the play and preventing the melee that succeeded it.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 20, 22</ref>

Washington received no support from the Lakers front office, aside from a single call the day after the fight from Cooke,<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 82, 92</ref> and was sent torrents of [[hate mail]] filled with racial epithets.<ref name="cady">Cady, Steve. [https://archive.today/20130124171334/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1ZEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qOsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1254,4343693&dq=kermit-washington&hl=en Kermit Washington explains his version of 'the punch'], ''The New York Times'', reprinted in ''[[The Miami News]]'', December 31, 1977, accessed November 19, 2010.</ref> He was advised by police not to order room service when he played again, as it was feared he would be poisoned.<ref name="BS90" /> Larry Fleisher, head of the Players' Association, wanted Washington to appeal his suspension, an idea which he originally considered,<ref name="Daily" /> but ultimately rejected.<ref name="halb274">Halberstam. pg. 274</ref> Although many players around the league sympathized with Washington and said that he had a good reputation off the court,<ref name="SIpunch" /> he and his wife became ostracized.<ref name="halb275" /> They had a two-year-old daughter, and Washington's wife was eight months pregnant with the couple's first son at the time of the punch.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 62, 104</ref> His wife recalls she and her children were treated like pariahs after the incident. Her obstetrician refused her service because she was Washington's wife,<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 90–1</ref> and her friends asked her what kind of person Washington was that he could commit such an act.<ref name="halb275" /> The only person who contacted them was Newell. Later in the year Washington went to Newell's home with a big-screen television which he insisted Newell accept.<ref name="halb275">Halberstam. pg. 275</ref>
[[File:Bob Ryan.JPG|thumb|Bob Ryan wrote a column on Washington in 1978. Ryan later said, "You couldn't not like the guy when you sat down and talked with him. ... He never wanted to hurt Rudy the way he did. ... I felt bad for him."<ref name="Fn2256" /> The article endeared Washington to Celtics fans.<ref name="Fn2256" /> The relationship was short-lived, however; he was traded after playing just 32 games for the team.<ref name="bref" />]]

On December 27, 1977, just two weeks after the incident, Washington was traded to the Boston Celtics.<ref name="bref" /> [[Red Auerbach]], Boston's general manager, lived in the Washington, D.C. area, and had been a longtime fan of Washington's.<ref name="halb276">Halberstam pg. 276</ref> His wife, Pat, stayed behind as the couple had two young children, and Washington would be staying in a hotel.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 222–3</ref> While he waited for his reinstatement, which he thought would not occur until the next season, he became depressed and fell out of shape.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 220</ref> He pulled himself together, and began running up and down the flights of stairs of the 29-story hotel.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 223</ref>

Years later, [[Jerry West]], who was the Lakers coach at the time, told [[John Feinstein]] he still wanted Washington on the roster. Then-general manager [[Bill Sharman]] said he was "on the fence."<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 92–93</ref> Cooke, however, decided to move on.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 100–101</ref>

Washington started alongside Hall of Fame center [[Dave Cowens]], who enjoyed playing with Washington, remarking, "It's great fun, you can always hear him grunt when he's rebounding."<ref name="halb276" /> Auerbach said, "Kermit was fighting a battle he couldn't win. Nothing he could say or do was going to change the way people perceived him because of that moment. I wanted him to feel at home with us, to feel wanted."<ref>Feinstein. pg. 225</ref> Washington won Boston fans over immediately.<ref name="BS90" /><ref>Feinstein. pg. 226</ref> His acceptance was aided by a glowing article [[Bob Ryan]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' wrote on the player after researching his life and spending some time with him.<ref name="Fn2256">Feinstein. pgs. 225–226</ref> After the season, Washington took less money to re-sign with the Celtics over the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref>Feinstein. pg. 229–230</ref>

===Boston Celtics (1977–1978)===
Kunnert signed with Boston before the 1978–79 season even though Washington was on the team because the Celtics offered him the most money.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 247–248</ref> There remained a mostly quiet discord between the two as Washington felt Kunnert never properly acknowledged his role in the fight.<ref name="halb273" /><ref name="AP">[[Associated Press]]. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WbssAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4969,1342232&dq=kermit-washington&hl=en Washington in Awkward Position] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131042907/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WbssAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4969%2C1342232&dq=kermit-washington&hl=en |date=January 31, 2021}}, ''[[Star-News]]'', September 7, 1978, accessed November 19, 2010.</ref>

===San Diego Clippers (1978–1979)===
Washington and Kunnert were involved in one of the more unusual player transactions in NBA history. Celtics owner [[Irv Levin]] wanted to move closer to his home, and business interests, in [[California]] but also wanted to continue to own an NBA team.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html 1970s Boston Celtics history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209150820/http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html |date=February 9, 2012}}, nba.com/celtics, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> To solve this problem, he and [[John Y. Brown, Jr.]], owner of the [[Buffalo Braves]] NBA team, exchanged franchises.<ref name="halb276" /> Washington and Kunnert were two of four Celtics sent to Buffalo as part of the deal.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SDC/1979.html San Diego Clippers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232335/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SDC/1979.html |date=March 25, 2018}}, basketballreference.com, accessed October 9, 2010.</ref> Levin then moved the Buffalo Braves to San Diego, where they were renamed the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]].

In November 1978, San Diego played in Houston. Tomjanovich scored 26 points and collected 11 rebounds while Washington had six and two.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 251</ref> Before the game, the Clippers coach, [[Gene Shue]], had suggested to the Rockets coach, [[Tom Nissalke]], that the players shake hands at center court prior to tipoff. Tomjanovich rejected the idea.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 249–250</ref>

===Portland Trail Blazers (1979–1982)===
After a year in San Diego, Washington was traded again. Levin decided to acquire Portland center [[Bill Walton]] even though Walton had missed the entire [[1978–79 NBA season|1978–79 season]] due to broken bones in his foot. Since the Blazers and Clippers could not agree on compensation, the commissioner's office made the final decision, sending Washington, Kunnert, and [[Randy Smith (basketball)|Randy Smith]] to Portland in exchange for Walton.<ref name="bref" /> This became the second time Washington and Kunnert were part of the same trade.

Portland had strongly desired Washington, and their general manager [[Stu Inman]], was a close friend of Pete Newell's. Inman had worked hard through Newell to let Washington know that they intended this to be the last time he was traded, which Washington desired since the media coverage and re-locations had been hard on Pat and the children.<ref>Halberstam. pgs. 76-77</ref> To his great relief, the city of Portland welcomed Washington with open arms.<ref>Halberstam. pg. 81</ref>

During the same off-season, Tomjanovich and the Rockets' civil suit vs. the Lakers occurred. Houston's side argued that Los Angeles had failed to control Washington. During the trial, numerous players and coaches who were at the game testified.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 265</ref> Kunnert testified during the trial and contradicted Washington's testimony, angrily branding him a liar.<ref>Feinstein. pg. 266</ref> While the two were playing for San Diego their wives became close friends, but their relationship only worsened over time; Washington believed the NBA was keeping Kunnert on the team to prevent him from suing him.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 261</ref> [[Jack Ramsay]], Portland's coach, however, said that he chose Kunnert over San Diego center [[Swen Nater]] when his team was asked by the league to submit a list of players they considered fair compensation for Walton.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 260–261</ref>

Washington shared time at the Trail Blazers power forward spot with [[Maurice Lucas]] at first, but after Lucas' trade to the [[New Jersey Nets]], he became the full-time starter.<ref name="Fn262">Feinstein. pg. 262</ref> He played three seasons in Portland, during which he earned a spot in the [[1980 NBA All-Star Game]], after some of the top players sat out due to injury.<ref name="Fn269" /> During that All-Star weekend, which was held in [[Landover, Maryland]], nearby American U. held a halftime ceremony in which they retired Washington's number. He was named a team captain for the following season.<ref name="Fn269">Feinstein. pg. 269</ref> In his post-punch career, numerous players, coaches, and officials noted that he became less aggressive on the court out of fear of getting into another fight; something he never did.<ref>Feinstein. pgs. 228–229</ref> Washington started experiencing pain in his back and knees during the [[1980–81 NBA season|1980–81 season]]. The pain became unbearable during the [[1981–82 NBA season|1981–82 season]], and he retired in January 1982 after missing all but 20 games.<ref name="bref" />

===Golden State Warriors (1987)===
In 1987, after more than five years out of the league, Washington attempted a comeback with the Warriors, but lasted only eight games on the roster (playing in six of them) before being cut.<ref name="bref" />