In Memoriam: Bill Walton (1952-2024)

A larger than life figure on and off the court, Hall of Famer Bill Walton was truly one of the giants of the game. An incredibly skilled big man who could shoot and pass, he helped re-invent the center position. As a collegian he had a legendary career at UCLA where he was a two time NCAA Champion. Entering the NBA, he led the Portland Trail Blazers to an NBA Title in 1977 and captured MVP honors in 1978. Moving to Boston, he won Sixth-Man of the Year honors as a key member of the 1986 Celtics Championship team. His post-playing career was equally as impressive as he became one of the game’s most beloved and respected broadcasters, where his enthusiasm and passion made him one of the sport’s great ambassadors.
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[@dburke1009]

RIP Bill. A legendary character and person. Did it your way and never apologised for it. A great player and will be missed.

[@DaveysWonderfulWorld]

I’ll always remember Bill Walton for playing a role and helping the Portland Trailblazers win their first and only championship in franchise history in 1977

[@JoeSachenbacher]

I'll remember him beaten Memphis in the championship. Shooting twenty one of twenty two.

[@gregorycaloregon3667]

Have followed you since College. This really hurts! RIP Bill!! Lasting impression on my Life.

[@BartBart22]

You're lucky, his light shone on you for a lot longer than on me but I'll be eternally grateful for every second of that light.

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

RIP. His jump shot release is awesome

[@RainSennin_ismyAlt]

The man who led the Blazers to their only championship against the legendary Julius Erving and his 76ers! RIP

[@leobertoalbano]

Rest In Peace To Bill Walton (1952-2024). #RIPBillWalton

[@BasketballJones48021]

At 26 years old he was already MVP, champion and FMVP (would’ve won DPOY too if it was already given out back then)!! Imagine what he could’ve done if it wasn’t for injuries; he most likely wasn’t even at his peak yet! And then at 33 went to Boston and was 6th Man of the Year, helping one of the GOAT teams to win a title. Ofc, he’s one of the very best college players ever! Plus, always intrepid with a charming personality, very funny and just a great commentator… RIP

[@jstinson7072]

Mr. Walton was 1 of 20 best players in Basketball history, #18 on my all-time list. RIP

[@edgardtorres6162]

RIP Bill. A GREAT PLAYER AND Will BE Missed ♥️♥️🏀🙏🏻🏀♥️♥️🕊️

[@michaelcharlesthearchangel]

This man-- this saint of basketball, Bill Walton was the highlight of the broadcast while me and my college roommates watched NBA games that he covered. He provided even more entertainment off the court and off the screen when we imitated his voice and sometimes bizarre commentary amongst ourselves. God rest your consciousness, your soul, Big Red.

[@mokeski2196]

I met Bill the first day he moved into the dorm at ucla My good friend, and Bills, Greg Lee asked me if I could help them move their stuff. Bill was the same then as he was near the end of his life. We shared many memories together. He was so good to me and allowed me into his world not only with his family but with his friends and teammates. He was the best! I'll miss him until it's my time to go. I have untold memories that I'll cherish forever. He always made everyone around him feel like they were part of his orbit. He was beyond kind. I was the luckiest guy in the world to have known him. I love you William.

[@ivan_Dingle58]

Definitely up in Heaven with Jerry Garcia enjoying the finer things in life

[@bigblu4751]

Thank You: Bill Walton.. RIP..

[@AirRusher1992]

"Throw it down!" RIP Bill. 💔🙏.

[@notorious3602]

rip bill walton....missed you nba on nbc

[@leodrosia4369]

All time great ncaa and nba player, the best year i ever had as a boston sports fan was watching bill walton and larry legend on the 86 celtics . His enthusiasm and excellence lifted celtics to their 16th nba championship just like he did at ucla and portland

[@lecleland1]

I remember when Portland drafted him and he signed a million dollar contract. When asked what he would do with all that money. He said he bought a new shirt.

[@mamster233]

@lecleland1 lol really? be great to see that interview

[@bryanpotter3882]

Rest in paradise 🙏 bill Walton 🙏 😢

[@Cliff-e8m]

R.I.P a true legend

[@bukimoore2645]

Legends never die🏀❤️🎙🙏

[@googoo-gjoob]

oh, how i loved that man.....

[@oogaboogaman13]

What a wonderful human being. A great competitor and announcer. I will miss his unhinged radio interviews and listening to the hosts find some way to get him to stop talking. An amazing storyteller.

[@Big_Spicy]

Rest in peace big fella

[@dimitrispapis634]

RIP Bill...

[@tuskentrader5172]

As a lifelong blazer fan I was crying rest in peace

[@Airestotle09]

71 years is a long time. But far too short to have someone like Bill. His kindness has made the world a better place. RIP

[@simatafaoimalo1136]

One of the giants of the game for sure

[@NormSide]

R.I.P ❤

[@regelgo5960]

Thnx for the memories bill, rest in paradise

[@805-Loc]

RIP Legend Bill Walton

[@johnbarrows1499]

Bill, I had the pleasure of drinking a few night caps with you a few times in San Diego at the Jack of Clubs across from the arena. We had some laughs. Well, you beat me to heaven you big stud! I’ll see your spirit again! Rest for now! Bless your family and close friends. RIP BIG RED!

[@ZyrixxRemigio]

REST AND PEACE BILL WALTON

[@coreyano]

Read his book! Best i ever read

[@tbyrne789]

What’s the book called?

[@OldSchoolPatrick]

I love this guy! RIP, Bill, we're gonna miss you!

[@toddshaw9441]

"Throw it down big man!, throw it down"!!!!

[@michaelengland6534]

I was sorry to hear about Bill. I did not know he was sick with cancer. I was shocked. Living in N Cali from 2-10 yrs old I was of course a UCLA Bruins fan. It started with Wooden and continued with all the great players they had. Walton was one of them. My Jr. year in HS he went 21 of 22 from the field in the NCAA championship game. I remember watching that game on TV. That was probably the greatest feat of any player ever. He was only 4 yrs older than me. Today is a sad day with this living legend passing away. He will be missed greatly!

[@tommyrawlings3046]

For my money, when totally healthy, he was the best all-around center ever! It was absolutely a sublime joy to watch this man play basketball, he played pure team basketball! If he doesn't get hurt he wins four or five more rings! As great as he was as a player he was a better human being! There's no doubt in my mind he's up in heaven with the angels now!

[@Stillhovering]

Your amazing ❤

[@Manganuimaanu]

Injures ruined his career probably would of been one of the games top centres if he wasn’t injured RIP Bill Walton

[@dreyy11]

RIP Legend

[@VivienDec]

Rip at a legend

[@joaoguerreiro5901]

Legend

[@jaysonmagsubar6600]

Rip idol

[@youngty127]

Yeah Ight

[@jomiyunun7317]

RIP Bill💔

[@luisbones6541]

RIP bill🙏

[@David99356]

I remember vividly how his blazers destroyed my Lakers in the 77 Western Conference finals, and he totally dominated Kareem. I hated him then, but as the years passed, I appreciated his play.

[@David99356]

@Jay-tq2zp you’re right, but I was a kid so you have to cut me some slack :-) as kids we take this too seriously

[@emersondemathias]

R.I.P. ripcity GOAT

[@NotRTGAmostyy]

😢😢

[@jeremiahaquino17]

ʀɪᴘ sɪʀ ʙɪʟʟ ᴡᴀʟᴛᴏɴ!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@lamontkyle5906]

Before Nikola Jokic there was Bill Walton , RIP Bill 🐐

[@RealBread13]

Rip

[@JWISKI2010]

Hell of a 2 year run. Take care of your feet big men!

[@MarcosVillanueva-ml3jq]

Smoking on a Walton pack 💨

[@christhewizrd]

unnecessary, bro. let him rest

[@luminousmidnight]

Almost totally unrelated-- this was the first year of what would become known as the Larry O'Brien trophy.

[@thetennissinologist]

The Bill Walton Broadcasting Highlights & Hijinks Playlist is now available... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jomTcp1joM2CeJI

[@bernaldestrada1991]

☝️🙏🤗

[@alexmorales1419]

What happened to Bill Walton?

[@kurifed]

I’m totally confused. Who is Larry Bird? I follow famous start not a names. I’m sorry for the loss.

[@KCWeatherWoman]

Big red was a top 10 center all time R.I.P he was a legend

[@BH-gh6qm]

lol he had like 1.5 good years....

[@benito9830]

@@BH-gh6qm So? Gave portland more glory than Dame and Drexler combined😂

[@jdfraed123]

​@benito9830 Bill was a Blazer. Blazers stick together. Ain't about who was better or more important. It's RIP CITY baby..

[@mamster233]

@@jdfraed123 what does RIP city mean?

[@jdfraed123]

@@mamster233 man great question 🙂 Bill Schonley. Who passed early last year, was doing broadcasts for Portland. Out of nowhere, and I believe it was not preconceived or planned, a huge play happened and young Billy boy yelled out "RIP CITY!!" And it's been around ever since... RIP Bills ❤️ 🏀

[@Sam-ef3bj]

Celtics great Larry Bird was among those to share a statement on Walton's passing. Here's what he wrote about his former teammate, via ESPN's Tim Bontemps: "I am very sorry about my good friend, Bill Walton. I love him as a friend and teammate. It was a thrill for me to play with my childhood idol and together we earned an NBA Championship in 1986. He is one of the greatest ever to play the game. I am sure that all of my teammates are as grateful as I am that we were able to know Bill, he was such a joy to know and he will be sorely missed. My family and I extend our sincere condolences to the Walton family."

[@neilschauer5080]

Well said by Larry..

[@yoshikigrg8]

R.I.P Bill Wanton. You will always be remembered and loved by the entire basketball community.

[@nubnitent9325]

the best portland trailblazer center to ever do it, rip bill 🙏🙏🙏

[@CollierHamilton_3]

He wasn’t just the best center to play for the blazers,he was the best blazer to ever play for them

[@KobeKing-lw1ge]

​@@CollierHamilton_3Clyde? Dame?

[@inventor432]

​@@KobeKing-lw1geDame shouldn't be in trail Blazers goat debate

[@BH-gh6qm]

@@CollierHamilton_3 lmao yall crazy.. walton had 1.5 good years

[@benito9830]

@@BH-gh6qm his short peak had more accomplishments (Gave portland a championship and won an MVP) than Dame and Drexler combined, You just hatin cuz he's white😂

[@kirkt.1596]

A great team player . A kind and decent man. A great legacy to leave. Rest in peace.

[@kashashk]

You will be missed but most importantly, be remembered. RIP

[@theofficialgreenkane9645]

I’ll never forget his famous call during the Pistons-Pacers Brawl: “This is a disgrace”

[@RellyRell-ud3iz]

He was a disgrace

[@shubhamlele5395]

@@RellyRell-ud3iz the black hood dudes fighting on coyurt were the disgrace

[@crocowithaglocko5876]

@@RellyRell-ud3izelaborate on how

[@osinachiuwaechia2198]

RIP Bill Walton a legendary player

[@larryyoder4861]

I liked him 💪🏼

[@osinachiuwaechia2198]

So did I when he was part of the nba 75th anniversary

[@KS-ov3vk]

Bill Walton would love all these comments. I hope he realized how much he was loved and admired. RIP

[@jeffdevries8538]

Rest in peace Bill. It was truly an honor to watch you and the Celts win in 86! Best damn basketball team I’ve never seen! Hands down! God bless!

[@lazeydazey921]

Bill Walton was a one-of-a-kind figure! RIP Bill!!

[@broaddusmarines]

The second greatest college basketball player in history (after Lew Alcindor). One of the five greatest “what ifs” in NBA history. A healthy Walton is a top FIVE center of all time and equals about 3-5 NBA championships in Portland. Rest in peace.

[@DemonDriver31]

I say 3 cause by say 79-80magic is in LA Bird is in Boston. So bill might have a hardtime out smarting magic and bird but who knows another thing is if say walton won 2 more by 82-83 moses malone and dr j v bill walton and another one i doubt bill would outrebound moses.

[@GeoAce777]

Drazen and Sabonis are my two biggest what ifs ;-)

[@ranmangolf]

Bill will be missed. Great guy who was so kind to everyone around him.

[@olivoil2002]

R.I.P. to the legend Bill Walton, what a player he was.

[@vernpascal1531]

Never a better person as a star NBA Player either. It was a Magical era with Walton, Wilt, and Kareem, when I was in High School. The game now is greater than then overall, but everything is so over analyzed now, and players are trashed if they have a bad game or two that some of the luster is off.

[@BartBart22]

And what a man he was as well.

[@RealThanasisAntetokounmpo]

RIP GOAT OF PORTLAND 1 MVP 1 SMOY

[@gordonshumway5933]

Most underrated player of all time, his injuries were to blame and if they weren’t so prevalent in his career, so many more ppl would see him differently. He was literally arguably as good as Kareem and the argument at times was “who was better” between the two. That’s how truly great he was, and it’s unfortunate injuries derailed a player as special as Bill Walton. He was easily one of the coolest to ever do it. He was awesome calling games and I’ll never forget him calling out bad officiating, especially that Lakers-Kings series. Walton was a real one

[@sampp44]

Maybe not the most underrated but one of the biggest what-ifs, R.I.P🕊

[@allen35315]

A travesty if he is underrated

[@allen35315]

@@elizabethchase6528 Was that the series where he dunked over Kareem? I’ve seen the replay many times, but didn’t know the timeframe.

[@seventhsonmedia]

You just couldn't help but smile every time he spoke. Rest in Peace, Big Man, Rest in Peace!

[@univang1852]

Bill Walton paints a beautiful.picture of his color commentator. The game was never boring even in a blowout, Bill Walton just knows how to entertain the listeners with his unique styles of commentating and that's why he's so special to all of us. May he RIP

[@thepoisonouspotato3631]

He is in a much better place now, may he Rest In Peace

[@RellyRell-ud3iz]

He’s resting in hell

[@MadPaperMario]

@@RellyRell-ud3izwhat How?

[@sampp44]

​@@RellyRell-ud3izStfu let this man rest

[@BartBart22]

@@RellyRell-ud3iz My god you are a repellent POS>

[@triple6wolfi]

Mr. Walton, so graceful and elegant. Watching him play was like gazing on fine art. My heart aches for our loss as well as your family. May peace be upon us all. Rest in Peace Legend. Never forgotten, all hail Big Red!

[@BlueRivers]

RIP Bill. Bill was like a loving uncle that always gave people kind and honest advice. Bill was THE GOAT not just as a basketball player but as a human being with a kindness and intelligence that affected my life. Bills number should be retired and he will always be revered. He was a great American and a great human being. He never took credit for any of his accomplishments always deferring to teammates.

[@Amick44]

Yes. And who else was like that? Other stars have given credit to other's, but certainly not like Bill did. At least not to my memory.

[@MISTYGarden-l5c]

I really believe Walton in 1977 was the GOAT. He could do it all like Jokic but faster and stronger. He could palm the ball and dish it off. 1977 was one of the most dominant seasons I ever seen. Had he not got hurt he would of won many title like Bill Russell. RIP BILL ❤

[@badlandzvic215]

Celtics nation we doing it this year for B.W rip legend 🙏🏽💪🏽💚🍀💯

[@delshawnporter4060]

R.I.P to the NBA legend former Boston Celtics player William "Bill" Walton 1952-2024

[@josegregoriomartinez7222]

RIP great Basketball player Bill Walton 🙏🙏🙏

[@Noifsnobutsnococonuts-rj4kk]

RIP bill, top 10 center oat

[@christmashake8968]

RIP, Mr. Walton. May your legacy remain iconic and beloved--more so, perhaps, than the Pac-12 Conference you loved much more than it loved you.

[@LexiSantos]

I miss his commentary. Voice of my childhood. Great man.

[@JayDawg83]

One of the greats. I'll miss him terribly. 🏀

[@DominionAnako-bb7ry]

NBA HALLS OF FAME and Legend Never Died

[@trevorregay9283]

RIP Mr. Walton........it was an honor to get to watch you play!

[@TrulyMareeYT]

Not my Generation, so I don't know much about him. R.I.P 🥀❤️

[@easymoneycroomy]

RIP to the former 6th man of the year, 2x NBA champion, 1977 Finals MVP, 1978 season MVP, UCLA legend, the greatest Trail Blazer of all-time, and a Celtics legend.

[@biongrenn8010]

Thanks for the memories Mr Walton

[@kdevinturner8778]

Bill was from UCLA from "The Conference of Champions", not a truck stop conference. Died laughing.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

What a long strange trip it's been. RIP big man, RIP!

[@BartBart22]

Very fitting homage. Well done kind sir.

[@DaleCrommie]

It was a lot of fun, having Bill take the Portland Trailblazers to the championship in 1977. Along with Maurice Lucas and company. Fun times.😀

[@Bet.ter45]

I already miss him😭

[@bhaines1980]

Rest in peace Bill and you are going to be missed by many people including your colleagues from The NBA on NBC

[@yusufsamiarslan7239]

💀 R.I.P BİLL WALTON 💀

[@ukyo2010]

I was a Sixers and Dr. J fan in the late 1970s. I remember Mr. Walton breaking my heart by slicing up my Sixers in the 1977 finals. He was a standout player, but I thought "Who is that wild man?" But I grew to really like and admire him. I found out well after the 1977 finals that he is a fellow native San Diegan. A friend of mine ran into Mr. Walton in the late 1980s in San Diego and struck up a conversation with him. Mr. Walton was very gracious and spoke to my friend as if he were an old friend of his.

[@adamdorgant9454]

RIP Bill Walton!!!!!🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@danielroshunsmith6351]

Rip Walton, we love you 🙏🙏🙏