Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies of cancer at 71
Hall of Fame center and legendary broadcaster Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 due to a prolonged battle with cancer, it was announced Monday.
Walton played with three organizations across 14 NBA seasons, though he did not play a single game in four of those seasons with a foot injury. He played with the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers–including two with the San Diego Clippers, before moving to Los Angeles in 1984-85–and the Boston Celtics.
He won one MVP in 1977-78 and the Six Man of the Year award in 1985-86. He won two NBA Titles in 1976-77 with Portland and in ’86 with Boston, in addition to earning two All-NBA and All-Defensive honors apiece. In 468 career games, he averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game.
Walton was also a two-time champion at UCLA with three Naismith Awards in three eligible seasons, averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Most importantly, however, there was arguably no larger-than-live personality in sports than Walton. After his playing career, he commentated for CBS, the Clippers, NBC and ABC/ESPN, including frequently being on Pac-12 basketball broadcasts alongside Dave Pasch, who he formed immaculate chemistry with. Walton could take the most dire subject and paint with sunshine and rainbows in the best way imaginable. There was arguably no voice that you want to hear on late-night basketball broadcasts more than Walton, who was also famous for dubbing the Pac-12 the “conference of champions.”
Send any and all forms of cancer to the absolute sun. Rest in peace to a forever legend in the basketball and broadcasting community.
Fly high, Bill.
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