Cancer was the cause. Excellent player in his time.
Bill Walton Dead at 71
- Thread starter Whart
- Start date
Hall of Famer Bill Walton, 71, dies of cancer
Bill Walton, who won two NCAA titles with UCLA and two NBA championships during a Hall of Fame career, died Monday at age 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
www.espn.com
Damn. I know his commentary was not always appreciated, but I enjoyed it.
However, I still hate him for the 1977 NBA finals against the Sixers.
RIP, Bill. What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.
However, I still hate him for the 1977 NBA finals against the Sixers.
RIP, Bill. What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.
His performance in the NCAA 1973 Championship game was legendary where he made 21 out of 22 field goal attempts and ending up with 44 points for the game.
Yeah, he went lame late in the game and the Memphis players helped him off the court.
“Going to Haiti in a bucket but at least he enjoyed the ride.” One of my favorite call of his on air. You could find him around 10 row center at most west coast shows. RIP Bill.
Luscious Luke got him beat and he's about to get richer.
Remember to have your eyes checked.
RIP Bill Walton. He was my favorite basketball players and personalities of all time. I read his memoir a couple years ago, Back From The Dead. Obviously a take on his life as a Deadhead. It’s a good read that details his many injuries and recoveries as well as his times at UCLA and in the NBA.
You are correct @hohmadw1978 , his performance against Memphis is legendary.
You are correct @hohmadw1978 , his performance against Memphis is legendary.
What is not to love about Bill Walton? RIP Bill and say hi to Jerry when you get to your next stop.
It was always fun to see him in the lot or right up front in the crowd at a show. Loved his BBall commentary as well.
It was always fun to see him in the lot or right up front in the crowd at a show. Loved his BBall commentary as well.
I thought his commentary was hilarious and will miss him. The last thing I need to hear is the likes of Doris Burke constantly spew her X's and O's drool.. RIP Hippie.Damn. I know his commentary was not always appreciated, but I enjoyed it.
However, I still hate him for the 1977 NBA finals against the Sixers.
RIP, Bill. What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.
PAC 12 late hoops games were can’t miss with him at the mike.
RIP Bill and hopefully you are listening to Eyes, Terrapin, and any other jams you want.
RIP Bill and hopefully you are listening to Eyes, Terrapin, and any other jams you want.
and he was always a convenient land mark "yea I am about 10 rows behind Walton and to the left a little...."
It’s interesting that when you think of all time NBA greats, most trend towards more recent players. But when you think of great College players, you think of the old guys. Obviously, the one and done’s don’t resonate as much. For me, the best I ever saw at the college level-
1- Alcindor (Kareem)
1b - Walton
3- David Thompson
4- Maravich
5- This one is tough. It’s easy to say Bird or Magic. Maybe Hakeem. For one year, Ken Durrett was other worldly and was as good as anyone. But I will say my #5 was Len Bias.
The Big Redhead though was as skilled a player that I ever saw. What a career, what a life.
1- Alcindor (Kareem)
1b - Walton
3- David Thompson
4- Maravich
5- This one is tough. It’s easy to say Bird or Magic. Maybe Hakeem. For one year, Ken Durrett was other worldly and was as good as anyone. But I will say my #5 was Len Bias.
The Big Redhead though was as skilled a player that I ever saw. What a career, what a life.
Wow, a great top five. I think you have tabbed Lenny Bias just about right. He was a force at both ends of the floor. Actually, I’d put him above Maravich and if you give this some careful thought you can make a case towards Bias being above Thompson as well. Thompson was more spectacular, though.
SkyWalker gets my nod since he won a title and dethroned mighty UCLA in doing so. For youngins, there might not be all the talk about Jordan if Bias had lived. Just imagine Bias and a healthy Bird together for 6-8 years. Bias was that good.
It’s a different sport, but Bill Bradley should not be forgotten. He was the perfect college player. A tad more recent, Grant Hill was a spectacular college player.
Intersting factoid....even though UCLA had a great run starting in the 1960s, the University of Seattle put more players in the NBA in teh 1960s than any other program - including the vaunted UCLA Bruiins.
As a broadcaster, he was unconventional, bizarre, goofy, and sometimes inappropriate. It was great!
