Walton died Monday at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer, the league announced on behalf of his family. He was the MVP of the NBA. Today we will discuss about NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies at 71: Gil Remembers Bill Walton.
NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies at 71: Gil Remembers Bill Walton
Bill Walton, a National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer and one of the game’s greatest broadcasters, has died at the age of 71.
The league announced Monday that Walton died after a long battle with cancer.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembered him as “truly unique”.
Walton was known for his famous college basketball career in California – and for overcoming a stutter to pursue a successful broadcasting career.
Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall, he played center for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) basketball team from 1971 to 1974.
With this team he led the Bruins to two championship wins and an 88-game winning streak.
He was then selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1974, beginning his professional career in the NBA.
Walton led the Blazers to a championship victory in 1977 – their first and only title – and won the prestigious Most Valuable Player award that season.
Nine years later, he won his second NBA championship, this time with the Boston Celtics.
In a statement on Monday, NBA Commissioner Mr. Silver said Walton was known in the league for his “unique all-around skills.”
“As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position,” Mr. Silver said.
Walton’s professional career lasted only 468 games and was cut short by chronic foot injuries.
But his basketball journey did not end here. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall, he played center for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) basketball team from 1971 to 1974.
With this team he led the Bruins to two championship wins and an 88-game winning streak.
He was then selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1974, beginning his professional career in the NBA.
“Then, when I was 28 I learned to speak. It became the greatest accomplishment of my life and everyone else’s biggest nightmare.”
Al of his entertaining commentary.
Gil Remembers Bill Walton
The basketball world reacted to Bill Walton’s death on Monday:
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“My very close friend, fellow Bruin and NBA rival Bill Walton passed away today. And the world feels so heavy now. On the court, Bill was a fiery player, but off the court he w myas never happy unless he did everything h o e could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us.” – fellow UCLA center, NBA star and Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“Bill was a special, kind and genuine man. I am incredibly grateful for our close friendship and the time we spent together in the air, for dinner after the game, or in the teepee in his backyard. A distinguished athlete and broadcaster, but more importantly, a great guy who always made me smile.” – ESPN broadcaster Dave Pasch, Walton’s longtime on-air partner.
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“Bill Walton was a brilliant, interesting, thoughtful, humorous and genuine man who loved life and cared about everyone he encountered. He will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to share his friendship.” – Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball.
.”Bill’s list of accomplishments on the court, no matter how large, are outweighed by the mere quality of his character and the beauty of his one-of-a-kind loving spirit. In the words of our friend and hero – Thank you, Bill, for our lives.” – Statement from the Pac-12 Conference.
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“From hitting jump shots to delivering incredible passes, he was one of the smartest basketball players ever. Bill was a great ambassador for college basketball and the NBA, and he will be greatly missed.” – Magic Johnson.
“What a privilege it was to know him.” – Longtime Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan.
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“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Walton, a basketball legend and incredible human being. …You will be greatly missed.” – Pau Gasol.
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“We have lost one of the greatest players and personalities of this franchise, this game and this region. Bill Walton is synonymous with.
