Bill Walton RIP

Just came over ESPN, Bill Walton has passed away cancer

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/27/us/bill-walton-death/index.html



Bill Walton, NBA Hall of Famer and colorful commentator, dies of cancer at 71


By Kevin Dotson and Eric Levenson, CNN

Published 1:36 PM EDT, Mon May 27, 2024



Bill Walton died on Monday at the age of 71.



Bill Walton died on Monday at the age of 71. David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
CNN
—


Bill Walton, the Hall of Fame center who won a record 88 straight games at UCLA, won two NBA championships and later put the “color” in color commentator, died Monday following a prolonged battle with cancer, the National Basketball Association announced.

Walton was 71. He was surrounded by his family, according to the NBA.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.


“Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans.

“But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events – always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”


Bob


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Bob
MY NOTE:  The only other center I've ever seen that, in my opinion, should even be mentioned in the same breath as Bill Walton when talking about elite passing centers is Arvydas Sabonis, and he didn't play in the NBA until he was 31 years old and injuries had already taken a toll on his body.

There are players that make their game a truly beautiful sport, whose play makes their game coherent to a newbie.  In hockey I think of The Great Gretsky, the game became coherent to me when I watched him play it.  Back when Walton was with the Trailblazers he did that for me.

Despite being the MVP of a Championship team in Portland in '77 he was always proudest of being a Boston Celtic.  He played 80 games in 1986, 10 games in '87 and then was done and that meant more to him than the 4 years in Portland because he bought into the Celtic mystique.  He idolized Larry Bird and begged Red to give him a chance because he wanted to play with Bird.  Bird was in Red's office when he was talking to Walton.  Red covered the phone and asked Larry what he thought.  Larry said "does Walton think he can play?".  Red asked Walton, who said 'yes'.  Larry then said "sign him".  No try out, if Big Bill said he could that was good enough for Larry.  So, Red made the trade.  He traded Cedric Maxwell and a 1st round pick to the Clippers for Walton.  That next season we won the Championship. In a "the universe works in mysterious ways" sequence of events, the 1986 draft pick Red sent to the Don Sterling-owned Clippers for an oft-injured 33 year old Bill Walton was traded by them to Walton's original team, the Portland Trailblazers, who used that pick to draft an oft-injured 31 year old, and arguably 2nd best passing center of all time, Arvydas Sabonis.


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Wow. Did not see this coming even after the ESPN (30 for 30?) they did on him recently.

What an amazing human being. Wasn't with the Celtics long but left a lasting impression, left us one of the gutsiest championships on not only one of the universally accepted greatest Boston championship teams of all time but by the NBA and sports world as well.

I got an earlier taste of him as when I was 10 years old, NC State played UCLA in the 1974 NCAA Tournament Semifinals in one of the greatest college games of all time. Didn't like him then! He was an incredible force. Boy, I didn't know what was coming!!

Just a great human being. So, So, So VERY glad he came to Boston. He loved everything about Boston but loved Larry Bird and the opportunity to end his career with him.

My college fraternity was full of Dead Heads that would travel whenever and wherever the Dead played. My fraternity turned me off the the Grateful Dead but I probably would have become one had they just told me there was this huge guy at all their concerts that used to play basketball!

Thank you, Bill, for just being who you were. Larger than life, loved to laugh and loved you back.

db

Watching the passing was just a joy, he was such a terrific ballplayer. I am so glad Red took the flyer on him, that one year was worth twenty! He was one heck of a guy too, I met him at a mall locally after the season started. I made one comment to him and he kept me there chatting away for 10 minutes or more, big smile on his face. I truly enjoyed that championship season, Joy period

Bill Walton was a great example of a truly authentic and unique human being. True to himself and happy to put his full character on display.

From UCLA to Portland, a stop on the intramural basketball team at Stanford Law School and on to a comeback with Boston, Walton was as iconic off the court as he was on it. His flower child, Rolling Stone worthy persona often reflected the writings of Rolling Stone gonzo reporter Hunter S. Thompson.  

He led a life to the end that would fit Thompson’s ideal…

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

― Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967

What a ride indeed, Bill. Thanks for taking us along on the trip.

So sad to hear this. His passing was fun to watch, particularly between him and Bird. His enthusiasm was infectious. I will never forget his comments after in the loss of the first game in 86 to NJ  (i think) “Today, I was a disgrace to the game of basketball “ That tells it all.

Pete

NYCelt wrote:Bill Walton was a great example of a truly authentic and unique human being. True to himself and happy to put his full character on display.

From UCLA to Portland, a stop on the intramural basketball team at Stanford Law School and on to a comeback with Boston, Walton was as iconic off the court as he was on it. His flower child, Rolling Stone worthy persona often reflected the writings of Rolling Stone gonzo reporter Hunter S. Thompson.  

He led a life to the end that would fit Thompson’s ideal…

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

― Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967

What a ride indeed, Bill. Thanks for taking us along on the trip.

Anybody who quotes Hunter Thompson has been touched by the gods,  in my books.


Bob


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Truer words were never spoken

Bill Walton, in the face of so many severe injuries, had a zest and joy for life that was amazing. Watching Bill describe his love for the Celtics and city of Boston is one of my all time favorite things.

He will be missed.

I still remember that stretch in 86 McHale missed a couple weeks and we started Wedman and Walton still came off the bench. I remember that stretch because the team didn’t miss a beat without McHale and loved seeing the frontline of Bird Walton and Parish. We tortured teams even without McHale and still remember a big game in LA without McHale and Walton had his best game all season with like 7 blocked shots, a bunch of dunks in traffic, just completely taking it to Kareem. Talk about getting up for big games, that was Walton and he had that quality in abundance.

Our friend on the board Steve had a relationship with Bill Walton, what a gentle giant with a heart of gold and a true giant of the game and life.

Walton's passing on the day of our sweep of Indy makes me more certain the stars are in alignment for the Celtics this year.

Warm regards and love to his family. Bill was a truly great person of the finest character and humor.

RIP Bill Walton.

He was born to be a Celtic and although he did not arrived until his career was just about ready to close, he helped up win the 1986 banner.

Bob


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bobheckler wrote:

NYCelt wrote:Bill Walton was a great example of a truly authentic and unique human being. True to himself and happy to put his full character on display.

From UCLA to Portland, a stop on the intramural basketball team at Stanford Law School and on to a comeback with Boston, Walton was as iconic off the court as he was on it. His flower child, Rolling Stone worthy persona often reflected the writings of Rolling Stone gonzo reporter Hunter S. Thompson.  

He led a life to the end that would fit Thompson’s ideal…

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

― Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967

What a ride indeed, Bill. Thanks for taking us along on the trip.

Anybody who quotes Hunter Thompson has been touched by the gods,  in my books.


Bob


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Maybe more representative of a lifetime of going where we're told we shouldn't just to see what happens. Adventures worth having might just await.

RIP Bill Walton, seemed like a great guy by all accounts.

Never forget that 86 team, possibly the best of all time. Walton was best passer I have ever seen from the low post, a true artist and basketball genius.

Love the Hunter Thompson quote and loved Bill Walton. Who didn't? No one.

The inimitable Bill Walton: An accomplished champion, a passionate Celtic, a great friend to have
By Bob Ryan Globe Correspondent,Updated May 31, 2024, 6:00 a.m.


Were Planet Earth to receive a one-game basketball challenge from an alien invader, the loser going into servitude for all eternity, my first pick for Team Earth of all players who have ever laced up a sneaker would be a healthy (key word) Bill Walton.

Yes, that’s correct. Bill Walton.

Of course, in terms of NBA career achievement, he will go down as the greatest “what-if?” of them all. His career spanned 14 seasons, but he was able to participate in only 468 games. He missed three full seasons and was restricted to 10 games in his final year. But when he was healthy enough to play, he played his position as well as anyone ever has.

Only once did he play more than 67 games, and the Celtics were the happy beneficiaries of his relative good health. In 1985-86, he played in 80 of the team’s 82 regular-season games and 16 of 18 playoff games. And how he played . . .

When he arrived in Boston, he was 33 years old, eight years removed from his championship season in Portland and seven past his MVP season of 1977-78. He had just spent six unfulfilling seasons with the Clippers, and he was overjoyed at the prospect of being a Celtic.

One of his first moves was to visit the home of Robert Parish to reassure the Chief that he had not come to take his job, but to do whatever he could to help the team. There would be no issues about coming off the bench.

I firmly believe the 1985-86 Celtics were the best team in NBA history. And the trump card in my argument is that no team in NBA annals ever brought a force such as Bill Walton off the bench.

The traditional Sixth Man winner is either a multi-position player such as John Havlicek or a specialist, usually a shooter. Bill Walton became the Sixth Man of the Year by impacting games from the center position. He teamed with Parish to give the Celtics by far the greatest 1-2 center punch any team has ever had.

As anyone with half a basketball brain should have realized, Walton and Larry Bird were a pair conceived in Basketball Heaven. The height of their artistry was their collaboration on an ancient basketball maneuver known as the “Give and Go.”

As soon as Walton entered the game, we all knew it was just a matter of time before they’d pull it off, and it wouldn’t have mattered had they announced their intentions over the PA. Opponents were helpless to stop it.

What really fascinated me was his rebounding technique. It took me a while to catch onto it, but in time I realized that he simply had extraordinary timing. He could snatch the ball the instant it hit the rim. He flirted with goaltending by sweeping the ball off the rim in the manner in which you or I would sweep crumbs off the table. But what was truly extraordinary was that very often he would launch an outlet pass before hitting the ground. No one else did that.

Walton didn’t prioritize scoring, but he could score. You remember his 21-for-22 performance in the 1973 NCAA championship game, correct? And though Bird busted him daily by saying, “Don’t bring that 1965 jump shot around here,” he was a 52 percent career shooter. Let’s get that straight.

Walton was a champion, a Finals MVP, and a league MVP in Portland, but until he day he died, he identified himself as a Boston Celtic. The reason was twofold.

Yes, he loved the city of Portland, and indeed the entire Pacific Northwest. He loved his teammates, even naming his first-born “Luke” after Maurice Lucas. He loved coach Jack Ramsay. He loved the fans. But he did not love the Trail Blazers organization, which he thought was penurious. Nor was he happy about his medical treatment.

As for the Celtics, start with the fact that this native of La Mesa, Calif., a San Diego suburb, grew up idolizing Bill Russell. He properly worshiped at the shrine of Red Auerbach. He was beyond ecstatic to be playing with Larry Bird. He really liked K.C. Jones. He just liked everything about being a part of the Celtics tradition.

Most of all, he liked the camaraderie and the daily competition between the starting five and his second unit, known as the “Green Team.” I’ve never known a player happier to be a Celtic.

Many athletes have a difficult time adjusting to life in the Real World once they retire, but that was not going to be an issue for Bill Walton, a man of many interests. The 21-year-old Walton, however, would have been shocked to hear that he would have a very successful career as a broadcaster.

This was a few years before he was able to conquer a serious stutter. The everlasting joke among those who knew him is that once he got past the stutter, he felt it necessary to make up for lost time. He will forever hold the record for longest acceptance speech at the Basketball Hall of Fame. He not only ran past the third base coach’s stop sign once, he re-ran the bases and did it again.

If there is one word to describe Bill Walton, it would be “passionate.” He was passionate about basketball. He was passionate about cycling. He was passionate about politics. He was passionate about the Pac 8/10/12/Whatever conference, which he invariably referred to as the “Conference of Champions.” He was, of course, passionate about family.

Oops. Almost forgot. No one on Earth was more passionate about the Grateful Dead, having attended, by his count, 1,000 performances, give or take, including the famous one at the Pyramids. I’m quite sure he was the only person in the world with bona fide Grateful Dead drum sets and guitars in his living room.

Walton's house in San Diego was replete with Grateful Dead memorabilia — including their instruments.

He was well-known for perpetually referring to himself as “the luckiest man in the world.” This from a man who at one point had such debilitating and demoralizing back pain that he admitted to having seriously considered suicide. Fortunately, he got the medical help he needed.

I’m sure countless people have their Bill Walton remembrances. When our son passed away 16 years ago, imagine my surprise upon looking out from the church pulpit at the funeral Mass to see a certain 7-foot redhead sitting in a pew.

But the classic Walton moment for me came in 2015 when I was privileged to receive the Red Smith Award from the Associated Press Sports Editors. The ceremony was in San Diego, and I asked Bill to introduce me. There being no gray in his Crayola box, he soared to hyperbolic heights to the point where I said to myself, “Is he talking about me?”

When the event was over, I got on the elevator along with two other guests. One of them said, “I didn’t know we had come to honor Gandhi.”

Who wouldn’t want a friend like Bill Walton?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/31/sports/bill-walton-celtics-tribute-bob-ryan/

Great addition, Steve. Thanks for posting this.

A sadder world without such a terrfic guy in it. Great story to add to the legend. I will miss seeing him every now and then pop into a Celtics game with a Green tshirt on relishing the applause he got from the fans. RIP red head. You will be missed