Bill Walton’s Unforgettable Basketball Journey | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons talks about Bill Walton’s incredible career and life.
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[@KentBlazemore]

This will forever be where Bill is at his best

[@TheTricktracktruck]

BS is a great historian. Thank you

[@spinblackcircles]

I just said the exact same thing to myself as the video ended. Bill has gotten very oversaturated in the last decade constantly pumping out content of varying degrees of quality, to me there is simply no one better in sports media at talking the history of the nba. He cares and knows more about it than just about anyone, and as someone that loves basketball but never even saw Walton play, he made me understand his importance truly and completely with a 20 min monologue. I don’t listen to bill much anymore but there will never be anyone that can be as passionate and eloquent while discussing the nuances of nba history than bill simmons.

[@vestanpance99]

@@spinblackcircles well said. I’m from Australia and have only discovered Bill and his content in the last few years. He’s a rare talent and yes, his role as a historian is quite unique.

[@corncornrocks]

His piece after Kobe’s death was so good.

[@hobbylottery5014]

@@corncornrocksyep, and the one he did for Bill Russell was a masterpiece

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

I'll never forget Bill and Ryen doing their Walton impressions on their Rewatchabulls podcast. "WHERE IS KARL MALONE?"

[@prod.snqwfall1347]

The enraged groan after the Jordan steal 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ryankessler9528]

I yell this from time to time lol

[@gijoey5912]

Draw Iron, Karl!!

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@gijoey5912 "What a loser, Karl Malone" 🤣

[@genemorgan736]

Bill Walton is your dad's favorite center....and him passing makes me feel that the NBA lost their dad

[@chasbo25]

Well said young man! Very well said!👍 Your dad taught you well😎

[@timhughes3684]

That’s how I felt when Bill Russell died

[@johnomalley692]

Wow. Honestly the perfect eulogy for a great man. RIP to Big Red.

[@quirkkatana217]

I went to Luke Walton’s and Richard Jefferson’s basketball camp when I was 16. Bill came by one of the days and completely unprompted struck up a conversation with my parents for the heck of it. They were email pen pals for over 10 years. World class human

[@hipstereagle6050]

I’ll never forget Bob Ryan saying that with planet earth on the line in a basketball game he would want Walton as the center

[@JJ-Toreddie]

So he was a big Space Jam fan

[@diatribeUS]

My mom was good friends with Bill Walton's mom and got to know Bill quite well. He was amazing. The kindness he showed towards others was truly inspirational. Bill's teams winning 142 games in a row from high school into his senior year at UCLA is simply astounding. Has anyone else ever done that? Bill S: BW would want you to know that black cats are not bad luck and it's harmful to keep perpetuating that mythology. It leads to people mistreating them and not adopting them from shelters. RIP BW....and shine on.

[@spoogtastic]

Im too young to have watched Walton play but he was my all time favorite announcer. Seemed like a genuinely amazing human being. He will be missed.

[@blaketindle4703]

As a kid watching Jordan dominate the nineties, I loved watching Bill Walton call games on NBC!

[@lorenbowser7681]

I live in the Portland area. Portland has been a sad place for the past few years. This was a gut punch for Portland peeps...he's a legend here. Probably deserves a statue outside Moda

[@angryfish9976]

Also from Portland. We definitely need a bill walton mural at least

[@timrhughes]

What a true original. I am a couple years older than Bill - I remember just being crushed by the Sixers going up 2-0 and then getting eaten alive by the Blazers. Walton personified Wooden's teachings and style of basketball. He was so athletic, so mobile, such a good scorer, but more than anything he was the best passing big man until maybe Jokic (hattip to peak Sabonis which I never really saw). Even a shell of himself as a post injury sixth man on the Celtics was a joyful impact and simply great player. Pre-injury, he was just beautiful to watch. RIP and thanks for giving this legend the send off he deserves.

[@eriknewton4656]

the world is a lesser place without him. he was a good human being and a great basketball player. r.i.p bill walton

[@drjcup3228]

For a basketball fan who admittedly knew Bill Walton more from his commentator days and only a dim awareness of his on-court performance - this was a great eulogy from Bill Simmons. Thank you for the history lesson on Walton’s legacy and a snapshot of him as a person.

[@blaketindle4703]

RIP Bill Walton The big guy always made me smile when I saw him calling a game or just on someone’s podcast or on anything. Such a big warm personality! The world is less nice of a place in his absence. We all miss you big guy, but we’ll never forget you. ❤️☮️

[@lrod2004]

Go Bruins! As a Double Bruin, I want to highlight how much Bill Walton was a supporter and great resource to UCLA athletics and in particular the Men’s Basketball team. He arguably is one of the best ever college basketball players and arguably had the best game of any college bball player ever. We will miss you Bill and you leading the 8-clap at home games.

[@danielandrewgrant]

With all due respect, there is no “arguably” about it. The college basketball Mount Rushmore has only two players on it, Bill and Kareem. That’s it. End of list. Just like the list of greatest college basketball coaches only has one name on it, John Robert Wooden. It is not a coincidence that those three men were forever bound together as Bruins, as winners and as wise and willing teachers.

[@joefried6604]

RIP BILL WALTON Thank You for helping me falling love with the game when I was a kid when you were on the Blazers Thank you for making each game RIVETTING when you were an announcer

[@angryfish9976]

He can smell colors in heaven now. RIP Bill and thank you for our only championship in Portland.

[@jonncockrell3606]

A true counter-culture hero who left a positive impact on everyone and everything he touched. There will never be another.

[@nateshugrue5101]

I read Bill's Book of Basketball right when it came out my senior year of high school. At the time, Bill Walton was simply a commentator who spoke highly of the "Conference of Champions (the Pac 12)" and while watching the FIBA tournament in 06, he filled the empty space talking about Puerto Rico s Gross Domestic Product. I later learned of his greatness and the tragedy of his foot injury along with his stance on Keeping Austin Weird and the Grateful Dead. Truly an iconic personality like Bill describes.

[@420bengalfan]

Met bill several times over the past 20 years at dead shows. He always had a smile on his face and took the time to talk to or take a picture with anyone who asked

[@FrankDonoghue-cy9dl]

That was the best eulogy for Walton I've heard. Great memory. I went to Boston Garden in the 70s just to watch him play, but his wife was having a baby so he missed the game. My loss!

[@DocSkirv]

Native Oregonian. Cannot even quantify his impact on our city, state, and region. I watched the 77 championship at my babysitters house. Met him when I was 7, walking trails along the Willamette River, while my dad and I were walking the dog. He talked to us for 10-15 minutes and he was radiant vibrations. We saw him again in the same general area a week later and he recalled my dad’s name, mine, and even the dogs. Amazing human.

[@11riehldeal]

Exactly the same experience for me. Talked with him twice and each time he was generous with his time and made it seem like the most important conversation he’d have that day. Amazing man.

[@JJ-Toreddie]

777

[@willymontes6692]

Truly an amazing man.

[@BartBart22]

Nice tribute, Bill was truly a great man and a huge character.

[@fexcab]

“Throw it down big man!” Bill Walton explained and taught me bball over the tv when I was kid…he also taught me what the Grateful Dead were…RIP 🫡🙏🏼

[@hobbesthegoblin]

One of the craziest anecdotes from "Breaks of the Game" is the Blazers drafting Moses Malone from the ABA, then trading him because they already had Walton, then 16 months later Walton is pretty much done with the team.

[@Riles3152]

Even though I’m technically a millennial, ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a strong interest in older era of sports. So I started watching game footage of Bill Walton decades ago. Obviously, because of injuries, you can’t make a serious case of him being the greatest center NBA history from a longevity or resume standpoint. But I remember watching the Bill Walton who outplayed young David Thompson, prime Kareem and prime, Dr. J for that 1977 Blazers title team. The 1977 version of Bill Walton is right up there with any peak version of any all-time NBA Center.

[@Amick44]

I was fortunate to see him and you are absolutely right.

[@chasbo25]

The world could use a whole lot more of men such as Bill Walton and John Wooden! These days in particular, a move to decency! Godspeed gentlemen😇 RIP Bill and I'm sure your buddy was there to hug you.🥰

[@scandelez]

I absolutely hate losing basketball legends. Sad day.

[@ThrowDaLobHun23]

well said

[@gringostarr7858]

This is when Mr Simmons is at his best, reading from his book, engaging current and future fans that give the people an absolutely contagious imagination and reminiscent feeling that yeilds basketball jones turned into a basketball jones. I might sleep next to my basketball tonight like i use to, dreaming & trying to make the varsity team in high school. Thanks Mr. walton & mr simmons for their enduring basketball legacies

[@mahorio2]

Saving this video…thank you Bill

[@ishetrying]

A love letter and a eulogy. Well done and Well deserved.

[@tforan4093]

Bill, this is one of the best things you've done . Thanks.

[@themissn]

Thank you Bill!!

[@SomeChink]

“Flow + Meaning” What a quote

[@jtrix34]

Bill Walton is basketball Forest Gump. When I say that, I mean that if you look at some of the most pivotal moments in basketball on/off the court, Bill Walton was somewhere around it. Thats the kind of gravity he produced. The kind of energy is gave off to the world.

[@magdiamin6069]

A wonderful tribute and eulogy, full of meaning and flow. Yes, Walton will be missed, for his athletic greatness, but also his irreverence and one-of-a-kind character. Even as a UCLA and Walton fan, I learned a lot from this, as it came from profound appreciation. Thank you.

[@StocktonSmurf]

I won’t lie I’m too young for Walton but Bill is the only media guy I’m interested to learn about him from, thanks!

[@johnclarkbrost]

"watching bid and walton was as happy as ive been as a basketball fan".....me to

[@andresgirardo8481]

I really enjoyed listening to this piece. Love Bill's retrospectives.

[@dannysprucebank2451]

Thank you Bill!

[@brotherless]

Bill Simmons is the GOAT of basketball history.

[@JCreole]

Vaguely remember watching him play at UCLA I was (5-7years old)….Do remember his role with the hated Celtics. Loved listening to him calling games…RIP Bill Walton.

[@aidzearceo9768]

If there was a basketball guru, Bill Walton would have been the closest thing to it. He may not be the most gifted or athletic, what we had was wisdom for the game. A wisdom which seems to be missing in the today’s game. RIP Bill W.

[@Gnofg]

HE WAS THE MOST GIFTED ATHLETICALLY. Go watch the 30 for 30 with him dribbling on the fast break with UCLA. He is as fast as the guards He jumped really high. He was very quick. You must have not watched him.

[@douglasbell8408]

​@@Gnofgjumped too high for those feet. Also a soft touch left or right, a mid range shot, and a crazy IQ. People confuse not being flashy with being unathletic.

[@Gnofg]

@@douglasbell8408 I am one year older than Bill. We wore con's. I remember buying the Adida's superstars that he wore. They cost $23.00 a small fortune. Early in the 1982. I bought a pair of Nike's. I was playing 5 day's a week 2 hours per day. I was in the locker room and I turned to my friend who was wearing the same Nike's. I said "do your feet hurt"? He said my feet are killing me. I have always thought that the first run of new shoes did not protect your feet. Andrew Toney's lost his career to broken feet and MJ broke his foot. Metta world peace said that it was the sneaker technology that ruined Walton's feet.

[@MrTwardak]

Ty Bill❤

[@christopherlavallee9836]

I got to meet Bill byt T stop after the celts got killed by the nets he was so nice and genuine to everyone great moment

[@EJD339]

Watch the Clayton Crowley video on Bill Walton. It’s great.

[@brysonlozano7]

great stuff bill

[@yosefdil]

Your Bill Walton comparison to comedy reminded me of Chappelle. Peak of his powers and dissappears for 8 years

[@natetran]

That was fantastic. Thanks Bills.

[@Bacalao2929]

It’s funny my favorite book is the summer of 49, i always reread it

[@thebosspresentsvlogssavage2229]

And he spoke at Abbie Hoffman’s funeral in Worcester, Mass.

[@amk5196]

Simmons never makes this touching of a tribute had Bill Walton not been on the Celtics. The 30 on 30 was epic

[@Gnofg]

We fellow Deadheads love Bill. I remember Bill vividly. Bill is one year yoinger than me. I have watched every NBA finals since 1965. I saw the UCLA dynasty. Walton is a great player. He would dominate Jokic. Remember he is much taller than Jokic and way more athletic. I was playing 5 times a week. Up to that point I wore Con's. I bought Nike's and one day I said to my friend "do your feet hurt"? He had the same Nike's. He said my feet are killing me. I have always thought one they moved from Con's the new shoes offered no protection to your feet. To this day I have always thought it was the shoes. Toney, MJ, Walton and others broke their feet.

[@jamescirell7646]

he was the commentator for malice at the palace

[@mjwbulich]

Fare thee well, brother. May the four winds blow you safely home.

[@spinblackcircles]

NFA

[@drumdude3]

Nicely done, Bill.

[@eternalcowboy224]

Whenever Simmons starts quoting Walton all I can think about is Kevin Nealon in Happy Gilmore

[@andu1854]

His 86 run with the Celtics is amazing due to him staying healthy (also I think he is the only one to ever block the Sky Hook)…

[@Amick44]

A few guys blocked it. Wilt several times. Parish, Walton got it. Perhaps Thurmond.

[@markunak6593]

RIP Bill Walton. Talk about the Portland Trailblazers' championship and Maurice Lucas.

[@markprice5651]

RIP Big Red

[@3030hp]

legendary.

[@juanarreche9862]

I always felt he did not like the Spurs so I vouldnt stand him when I was younger, as an adult I respect him 😢

[@nocturne311]

Bill, did you not see the 2001 Lakers in person? They’re #3 in your book, aren’t they?

[@jarrodmcdermott9109]

Haha when he was young in that pic he looks like teen wolf michael j fox

[@northernassassin6056]

How good was prime healthy Walton?

[@slobberkissintl3548]

I think the deal was Walton for Maxwell and the draft rights to Arvydas Sabonis!

[@northernassassin6056]

I have three words. GET A REBOUND

[@JCreole]

I blame the shoes those guys were wearing back in the day…and the lack of proper medical diagnosis. That doesn’t happen today.

[@jtaco4101]

Loved woogie. He would have beaten anderson circa 2006.

[@biblebelter9772]

Great job Bill. Your greatest talent is with the written word. So sad that the spoken word has supplanted the written word. I thought you were spot on using the term over-qualified role player to reference the players that you referenced with that term. IMHO, your ability with the written word makes you an over qualified pod caster.

[@Biz613]

Throw it down big man. Throw…it…down

[@macenblu6]

now tell us simmons, why walton should like kg have his hof induction as a celtic, despite barely playing in boston.....then tell us how the celtics have so many hofers, most during russells time, and yet also tell us how russell didnt have better teams than wilt

[@MarvinMonroe]

He's Gone

[@DaBaltimoron]

I'd put Vlade over Russell

[@Biffcutwtright]

>Calling San Diego the most beautiful city in America lol

[@thewalruswasjason101]

Lebron? He statistically would lose a finals rather than win. He’s overall a loser in the finals, losing record overall and 4-6

[@thebigwagyu]

Do you have holes in your brain or are you purposely ignoring what was said. Bill said greatest performances in a close out game and listed LeBron’s game 7 in the 2016 finals where he had 27-11-11 and played 47 minutes, what part of that is “statistically trying to lose a finals”

[@uberneanderthal]

if Walton ate carnivore instead of vegan he wouldn't have been so injury-prone, had about 20lbs more muscle and be in the GOAT conversation. a tragic victim of the vegan cult

[@JCreole]

Not the diet…did you notice the shoes those guys were wearing?

[@spinblackcircles]

Not sure how adding more weight would have helped his feet from breaking, my man. Let people be vegan if they want to worry about yourself

[@uberneanderthal]

@@spinblackcircles stronger muscles = better coordination preventing injuries, for one thing. he had brittle bones and collagen deficiency from malnutrition for another. also immunodeficiency which may have been the underlying cause for his cancer as well as hampering his recovery from injuries.

[@uberneanderthal]

@@JCreole Kareem played with the same shoes and was just as tall. I agree, the shoes didn't help, but they aren't the reason.

[@spinblackcircles]

@@uberneanderthal that’s a hell of a lot of assumptions doctor 😂

[@nicoalexander774]

As a 31 year old millennial, listening to the old heads like, Bill Simmons, Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon and yes, even Skip Bayless talk about the greatness that is/was Bill Walton is the best advice I can give you all! RIP Bill, you were a great man! ❤😢

[@meatusshaft300]

Don’t forget about, Bob Ryan. He’s the oldest old head!

[@TheChamrod04]

​@@meatusshaft300I'd also add Jackie McMullen

[@fexcab]

Uncle Tony molded me🫡😎

[@claywhisman9721]

Wait, Bill Simmons is an old head now, but I'm just a few years younger than him so that...oh hell.

[@Airestotle09]

Also 31, and his death struck me hard. We lost a good one

[@nickthedestroyer]

This was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful human being.

[@ctwwtc8761]

Walton in 77 and the first 60 games of 78 before the inju was as good as any big man ever

[@Amick44]

Wilt said "he was the other center besides myself, who also did it all."

[@Joshuatribe]

Thank you Bill. Thank you Bill.

[@alanrosenbach]

I usually don't like Celtic homer Bill Simmons. But I saw this clickbait about Walton and went for it. Such a beautiful, elegant, meaningful, and intelligent podcast. Simmons nailed it. On another note, years ago I heard Bill Walton talking about Wooden's Pyramid of Success. "Going off about it" is probably more accurate. I found it online and decided that these principles could make me a better father. If my kids asked for something I thought was reasonable, I would say, "No problem but memorize one of those Pyramid blocks." The Pyramid hangs on my wall to this day. Thanks, Bill W. One last point about Walton. When someone is in constant pain for decades but makes everyone around them feel better, they live in rarefied air.

[@scandelez]

Went from a massive speech impediment to getting paid to talk for a living. What an amazing man. We’ll miss you Bill. ☮️☮️

[@woody5581]

Walton was the man !

[@bangz_]

Excited to share this with my grandpa who’s a lifelong blazers fan and Portland resident. this was great. RIP Bill. “The bridge - the ultimate metaphor for life”

[@stevenswayze]

I watched Gil's arena yesterday and watching those guys talk on Bill Walton and Josiah legit getting choked up, it got me choked up. Thats is all any of us can hope is that we leave this world having truly touched so many people in a genuine way, that they will miss us. RIP Legend.

[@TheBookofBasketball]

'77 BLAZERS FOREVER. '86 CELTICS FOREVER. BILL WALTON FOREVER.

[@DrDetfink]

And a very solemn, “That’s just terrible…” RIP Bill Walton 😔

[@blitztim6416]

That was beautiful. Bill was great at UCLA and Portland. Best overall center I’ve seen play. Being from LA I hated the Celtics, but I rooted for Bill when he would come in.

[@burtwest2750]

Well done Bill Simmons

[@upbeat_paradiso6773]

I’m waaayyy too young to have watched Walton live or in person, but he was always such a joy to watch discuss basketball. I still remember his interviews in the Lakers vs Celtics 30 for 30’s and he’d be talking about how he’d prepare for the 86 season with nothing on his mind but “Jabbar, Jabbar, Jabbar!”😭 Homie’s on the mountain bike trails, he’s swimming laps, he’s bench pressing, saying out loud the entire time, “Jabbar, Jabbar, Jabbar!” You’ll be missed, Bill but I’m glad you finally get to rest💛

[@marcusmurphy5505]

Throw it down Big Man Rest Well

[@David-iv6je]

Thanks BS. This is what was needed. Also, screw Shaq.

[@mikeyfightz]

Growing up in Portland Walton was as much as a mythical legend as Hercules was to Ancient Greek. You mean to tell me at one point we were on top of the basketball world being led by a guy like Bill who was everything my city represented He was told down generation from generation like timeless story Walton and Portland should’ve have been like Kobe and the Laker Jordan and the Bulls Dirk and the Mavs. And in his short stint he did become that.

[@alecl9430]

Although I hate when they have to be uploaded, the Simmons tribute videos are always so phenomenal. RIP Bill Walton.

[@JMatthewJohnson]

Bill, thanks for sharing this great remembrance of Bill Walton with us

[@spinblackcircles]

I always wondered why Bill Walton always appeared as a Celtics fan and loved talking about the Celtics but never seemed to mention Portland when he won the mvp and was the best player on a title team there. I didn’t know about the doctors misdiagnosing his injury that ruined his career and that he sued the team. I’m guessing he still held some resentment for that and that explains why you never see him at blazers games or wearing a blazers shirt.

[@GregHalvorson]

Well done, Bill… You did this great man - great human - proud.

[@Jimmydai-k7d]

This eulogy to one of the all-time greats Bill Walton is why there is absolutely no one like Bill Simmons in the industry.

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

Thx for this, for Bill..... him and Bird together was epic. This is a HUGE loss for basketball and for humanity 😢 💔

[@Overlord0303]

Amazing player and person. His outlet passes were on a different level. Like he could control time 2-3 seconds ahead.

[@qrste81]

This is a wonderful heartfelt eulogy.