“Bill Walton was truly unique.” It is with these words that Adam Silver began his tribute to Bill Waltonand it is difficult to contradict the “commissioner”, as the former pivot of the Blazers and the Celtics was apart.
A basketball player with immense talent, dominating when he was healthy in a pivot role capable of doing everything, he was unfortunately weighed down by injuries in the NBA. Nothing to prevent him from becoming a Hall of Famer, 1978 MVP, 1977 Finals MVP and member of the Top 75 best players in history after two NCAA championship titles, three trophies for best university player and two MOP trophies of the Final Four!
Radiant and psychedelic
NBA champion in 1977 with the Blazers and in 1986 with the Celtics, he then retrained as a television consultant, his radiant and psychedelic personality making a lasting impression with each appearance.
“What I will remember most about him is his zest for life”, continues Adam Silver. “He was a regular presence at league events, always cheerful, smiling from ear to ear and eager to share his wisdom and warmth. I cherished our friendship, envied his boundless energy, and admired the time he took with each person he met. As a beloved member of the NBA family for fifty years, Bill will be deeply missed by all who came to know and love him. »
Many legends also reacted to the news of Bill Walton's death, like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
“I am so sorry about my good friend, Bill Walton. I love him as a friend and teammate”said “Larry Legend”. “It was a pleasure for me to play with my childhood idol. Together we won an NBA title in 1986. He is one of the greatest players of all time. I'm sure all my teammates are as grateful as I am to have gotten to know Bill, he was a joy to be around and will be greatly missed. »
“The world seems so much heavier now”
Despite the ordeals he went through, and in particular the unbearable back pain which made him consider committing suicide in 2008, this big fan of the rock group “Grateful Dead” never lost his smile.
“My very close friend, Bruins comrade and NBA rival, Bill Walton, passed away today”posted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on X/Twitter. “And the world seems so much heavier now. On the field, Bill was a fierce player, but off the field he wasn't happy unless he was doing everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us. »
Always in the spirit of this alternative California of the 1960s in which he grew up, Bill Walton remained a legend apart from the NBA. Both on the pitch and behind the microphones.
“In life, I was so shy, with red hair, a big nose, freckles and a goofy, nerdy-looking face who couldn't say a word. I was incredibly shy and never said anything. Then, at 28, I learned to speak. It became the greatest accomplishment of my life and everyone else's greatest nightmare.” he joked a few years ago.
There will never be another quite like Bill Walton.
His ESPN family will miss him dearly ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvS0Sh5iWZ
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
