1986 NBA 6th Man of the Year: BILL WALTON with Bob Ryan

[@brianjensen7985]

Walton's basketball IQ was off the charts. He was a perfect fit for the Celtics.

[@michaelengland6534]

I still can't believe he is gone. I am so sad this happy unique man is not with us.

[@richardpare3538]

I remember one game where, in the 4th quarter, on the court were DJ, Bird, McHale, The Chief, and Walton. It was such a blowout that we just could not help but laugh.

[@sardonicus76]

That was a real rarity. I wish I could have seen that because KC never played Parish and Walton, together. Man, talk about an embarrassment of riches. Five future Hall of Famers on the court and one on the sideline. Ridiculous…

[@richardpare3538]

@@sardonicus76: KC did actually put them together in one playoff game for most of a quarter. On the floor were Parish, Walton, Bird, McHale, and DJ. It was a blowout!

[@hughkingsley8631]

@@richardpare3538 How do you beat a tandem like that. Everyone except DJ is nearly 7ft tall, with high IQ's that can play off one another gracefully. That team was beyond talented in 86. There is no team that can beat that team. You can argue Jordans Bulls, but Larry had Jordans number, even with Scottie by Michaels side.

[@luapbopbop]

Growing up in L.A. in the 70s I absolutely loved Walton and I’m grudgingly happy for his success in ‘86. I think the Celts saw the success of Bob McAdoo as 6th man on the Lakers for the few years prior and emulated it. It worked out for both teams.

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Walton was mi favorite player ever! But, McAdoo never got enough credit for his incredible talent and team success in his remarkable career!

[@kenneth7826]

He was excellent that year....

[@tommyrawlings3046]

When perfectly healthy, Walton was the best center ever! A bill Russell with better offense! A winner in every aspect!

[@libertydrive4388]

Great video. And a great chapter in Walton's career after so much injury and disappointment on his previous teams.

[@wmden1]

Yes, 86 was a great year for watching the Celtics play the most entertaining, but serious, basketball I have ever seen.

[@jeffross9683]

The 1986 Celtics were the best basketball team ever assembled. They were so good they would get bored thumping teams night after night. Larry would decide to play games left handed just to keep himself interested. He would say, “I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers.” Unfortunately, the Lakers didn’t hold their end of the bargain that year as the Houston Rockets had an improbable win.

[@mellissamccadden3142]

It was a sweet year. I really loved watching them play. The only way it would have been better...playing. And beating L. A. Lakers

[@garymaccagnone3669]

It was a magical season.

[@rockmonroe1754]

Imagine what could have been if the 1987 Celtics would of had a healthy Walton and Len Bias coming off the bench?

[@JakeTheSnake500]

I also imagine what could have been if the Warriors didn't trade Parrish and the draft pick that was McHale, for Joe Barry Carol. It's a damn shame that guys like Len Bias died, and guys like Michael Ray Richardson and Chris Washburn succumbed to crack/cocaine.

[@Alphasports576]

Best team ever Lakers got lucky

[@UpChuckTheBoogie]

Even without bias they beat LA in 87 if they are healthy

[@crumdoggy]

They would have crushed the lakers had Walton been healthy and Bias contributed. McHale would have rested his foot as well and not let to the permanent foot injury that shortened McHales career.

[@patrickroy3380]

Wharf Rat was his favorite dead song , smile smile smile

[@chrismagsmags]

He's Gone

[@DrJohnnyJ]

The Lakers had MacAdoo as backup center the next year with much better averages but Walton had a lot more fun. I saw him play at UCLA and seeing him so slow and unable to jump hurts.

[@Dman216]

i seen the 84 to 86 celts in teh garden ..best games i ever seen

[@Spider-Complexion]

I really appreciate these videos. I think the league does a very poor job of educating younger fans like me on the game of the past and these videos help.

[@richardoconnor5979]

The Best

[@scotttyson7970]

Bill was starting to do some good things at his hometown in his retirement.I was hoping he would get elected for Mayor or something

[@MrNaturalSez]

♬ Roll away... the dew ♪

[@radar0412]

Hmm..Walton reinjured his foot on the exercise bike before the beginning of the 87 season. He use to train on a road bike when he played with the Trailblazers. I wonder if that's how he started grinding down that fragile foot.

[@roycehuffman399]

1:21 So beautiful!!

[@jefflawver971]

Too bad he couldn't do it one more year. He finally had a chance to go head to head with Kareem in the finals, but he was back to his broken down self. They really could've been tough to beat if he had been healthy.

[@tonyfreeman1339]

Ambidextrous

[@kevinhennessey3189]

Always wished Walton, Tiny Archibald and Maravich had spent their entire careers with Boston they were meant to be Celtics.

[@cliffordyamasaki3899]

Only guy to play one and half season in hof.most injury prone player in NBA

[@kingthlaroonth]

Rest In Peace

[@PInk77W1]

I love Walton I’m pretty sure he was super happy about his Portland title. Boston is great too. But saying it’s better than Portland is A stretch. Portland Bill was the team leader and Boston he was not.

[@googoo-gjoob]

that music is too loud.... and completely unnecessary.

[@dalegriffin6768]

I was bowling one night at Don Carter lanes and this black guy told me about the Celtics signing Bill Walton and he told me the Celtics would definitely win the championship that year and boy was he right.Walton was a great fit with Larry Bird and Kevin Mckale

[@massimilianobergamaschi7434]

Last american white big man?

[@privatepenguin3137]

Porzingis may have something to say.

[@PInk77W1]

I wonder how much Walton got paid for 1986 ? Minimum wage ?

[@BuckFiden-bl7kv]

400k for 86

[@fuzzybwill75]

I don't think Walton should've been named 6th man of the year, but he was good energy off the bench.

[@roryjohnston6567]

Who do you think was more deserving of the honor over Walton that year?

[@dalegriffin6768]

Alot of great White guys on the same team

[@RoofDoctorsJoanne]

Everyone says what a great passer Walton was....Wilt messed around & was double the rebounder....double the scorer...double the blocks...& was a better assist man

[@RoofDoctorsJoanne]

Walton was highly overated

[@rodneybjornstad9016]

Hmmmm I do t think so. I was cheering for my team….. Dr. J and the 76ers In 1977. Amazing talent. Walton and coach Jack Ramsey beat ‘em bad with old school team play. You learn to respect someone who picks apart your hero’s team. He was a horse