Bill Walton dies at 71: 'Truly one of a kind' Basketball Hall of Famer succumbs to cancer
Walton was a two-time NBA champion, MVP and Hall of Famer
NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who won the 1978 MVP Award and two championships with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, has died at 71, the league announced on Monday. Walton passed after a prolonged bout with cancer.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a press release. "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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 32 | June 3, 2024 2:12 AM
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Walton's first season in Boston was magical, as he missed just two games, won Sixth Man of the Year and helped the Celtics win the title. His presence is why the 1986 Celtics are still regarded as one of the best teams of all time.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | May 27, 2024 6:06 PM
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Such beautiful natural teeth!
by Anonymous | reply 2 | May 27, 2024 6:07 PM
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Aw, man. He was such a a likable nut.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | May 27, 2024 6:09 PM
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A shocker. Next to the then-Lew Alcindor, the most dominant center in US college basketball.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | May 27, 2024 6:48 PM
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If not for an injury-curtailed pro career, he would have been on the Mt. Rushmore of NBA centers.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | May 27, 2024 6:58 PM
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A very good guy, although pretty much a kook.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | May 27, 2024 7:09 PM
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During one of his injury-shortened years, he was admitted to Stanford's law school, finishing year one before returning to the NBA. He was a longtime liberal.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | May 27, 2024 7:10 PM
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A Deadhead from way back when.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | May 27, 2024 7:14 PM
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A good man. May he Rest In Peace
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 10 | May 27, 2024 7:17 PM
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[quote] How large was his penis?
By reputation, enormous.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | May 27, 2024 7:18 PM
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As has been said, but for his serious feet injuries he would be one of the top 5 basketball players of all time. His performance in college championship game against Memphis State was the most dominant basketball performance I ever saw, college or pro. Yep, I'm old. I was at UCLA with him, took a course in the History of American Racism with him and sat down in the streets of Westwood with him protesting that war. Infinite number of times I saw him standing head and shoulders about the other Deadheads. And I was always amused by his stream of consciousness commentary.
A one-of-a-kind.
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
by Anonymous | reply 12 | May 27, 2024 7:26 PM
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He never lived down his defeat in the 1974 semifinals to Tommy Burleson & NC State. All that stood in the way of a three-peat national championship.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | May 27, 2024 7:34 PM
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R13 Are you high? (If so, Bill would approve..)
We twice won NBA champion (1977, 1986), and twice won the NCAA championship (1972, 1973), was NBA Finals MVP (1977), NBA Most Valuable Player (1978), Twice NBA All-Star (1977, 1978), Three times National college player of the year (1972–1974) - his game against Memphis State in the 1973 championship was the greatest, most dominant by a college player ever - 44 points, 21/22 shooting, 20 rebounds. three time consensus first-team All-American (1972–1974)
But he'll be remembered for his 1974 loss to NC State. Right. Sure.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | May 27, 2024 7:50 PM
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I’m serious, R14. Decades later, he would still speak of how much that ‘74 loss stung.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | May 27, 2024 8:04 PM
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Kareem, whom - with his past health issues - I thought we would lose before Bill, pays tribute to his friend.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 16 | May 27, 2024 11:48 PM
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Befitting his status, his death warranted front page coverage in today’s Times’s print edition.
by Anonymous | reply 17 | May 28, 2024 10:39 AM
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This Mike Breen story about Bill Walton (and Breen's father) is really great. Long, but absolutely worth the listen (4:10).
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 18 | May 28, 2024 11:46 PM
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Thanks for sharing, R18. What a lovely story.
by Anonymous | reply 19 | May 28, 2024 11:57 PM
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A more light-hearted story from Rich Eisen (about shooting a Katy Perry video with Bill). Also very long...but with a great pay-off at the end. What an incredible treasure Rich Eisen has!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 20 | May 29, 2024 1:01 AM
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Ah, another great story. Thanks, R20.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | May 29, 2024 1:30 AM
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R12 your anti-war protests were several years late….
by Anonymous | reply 22 | May 29, 2024 1:41 AM
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Walton had arches like a woman in high heels. He would fracture the bones of his feet running up and down the court.
He was a great Deadhead. When Kevin McHale (Frankenstein's ballplayer) had foot problems Walton convinced him that if he went to see the Dead and put his feet up to the speakers he would be healed. He wasn't but it was a good try.
Best sixth man I've ever seen. Walton was great.
by Anonymous | reply 23 | May 29, 2024 1:44 AM
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Thanks r20, I enjoyed that story and tribute!
by Anonymous | reply 24 | May 29, 2024 2:01 AM
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R12 Was Sam Gilbert your hook-up too? 😂
by Anonymous | reply 26 | May 30, 2024 7:48 AM
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Are there no hoop fans at CBS?!
by Anonymous | reply 27 | June 2, 2024 11:15 PM
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^ Oops. Bill's merely listed as "Sportscaster, NBA player."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 28 | June 2, 2024 11:16 PM
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Fire on the Mountain indeed...
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 29 | June 3, 2024 12:33 AM
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A white guy played basketball? Quit lying to us
by Anonymous | reply 30 | June 3, 2024 12:43 AM
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Are Doncic & Jokic not white?
by Anonymous | reply 31 | June 3, 2024 12:58 AM
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