NBA champion, Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies at 71

[SoCalDavidS]

Source: ESPN

Two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Bill Walton has died of cancer at the age of 71, the NBA announced Monday.

"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."

Read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40229031/nba-champion-hall-famer-bill-walton-dies-71

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Sad day for the world of sports, and the Grateful Dead family.

[mcar]

1. A great athlete

RIP.

[brush]

2. RIP, Bill Walton. I just watched him not too long ago on TV.

He seemed fine.

[ificandream]

3. He was also a well-known Deadhead, and a big fan of Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

&list=PLCB0bakZYPO3Pwl5MaW115nxVeJ_vNr5k

[AdamGG]

12. When I saw Elvis Costello in Boston in 1986

Bill Walton was in the crowd - he even went up on stage.

[jalan48]

4. Wow. Can't believe this.

[twodogsbarking]

7. You used the exact words I was going to write.

Funeral will be something. Sadness for a great one.
He made the game fun.

[oasis]

5. Bill Walton was a 100% class person.

Rest in Peace

[Tom Kitten]

6. Oh no!

Such sad news and a shock I didn't know he had cancer.
He was so great leading the Blazers to the NBA title. I still remember those days it's incredible so long ago. RIP Bill.

[bahboo]

8. jesus, what a shock....

great player, member of the epic 86 Celtics, and very great person. LOVED him as a color commentator. Never had any inclination he was sick. Fuck cancer...

[AdamGG]

13. When the starters rested for the '86 Celtics

Walton led the squad of bench players and the lead would usually continue to grow while the starters were out.

[KPN]

17. Bill was like the most productive player per minute played in

at least a couple of areas that year: points, rebounds, blocks. As a lifetime Celtics fan, that stat stood out and stayed with me all these years.

[Picaro]

9. RIP

Always hard to lose one of the beat ever
.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

10. Just saw that

I remember when he played for UCLA fifty years ago or so.

His commentary during NBA and PAC-12 games were funny as hell. That's what I'll remember most about him.

[mnhtnbb]

11. OMG. Bill Walton was a contemporary at UCLA

His team mate, Greg Lee, was good friends with one of my sorority sisters. (She died some years ago and G.Lee died in 2022.) It wasn't unusual to see both Lee and Walton at parties that my friend had organized. What a reunion of souls that will be!
He was a character. RIP, Bill.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

14. One Of The Best People On The Planet

Met the four winds blow you safely home 💖⚡️💖

[wiggs]

15. that hurts. Loved his zest for and appreciation of life! nt

[GiqueCee]

16. I met Bill...

... however briefly, when I worked for a magazine in Santa Barbara back in the '70s. A very personable fellow.

[KPN]

18. Damn -- what a loss. Bill Walton shined brilliantly throughout

his life. We’ve lost another great one.

[jalan48]

19. Apparently he had been dealing with prostate cancer for years.

[Evolve Dammit]

20. So inspirational. 1986 Celtics. Oh yeah.

[OverBurn]

21. RIP One of basketball's greatest players and personalities. "Throw it down big guy".