Remembering Bill Walton with Stephen A., Michael Wilbon, Chris Paul & Bob Myers | NBA Countdown
Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Chris Paul and Bob Myers join Malika Andrews on NBA Countdown to share thoughts on the life and legacy of Bill Walton after the NBA announced the two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer died of cancer at the age of 71 on Monday.
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46 Comments
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
A True Legend
Bill Walton was part of my first sports heartbreak. I was 6 years old and a Sixers fan. 1977. It was tough. Then he became a Celtic and when he wasnt coming of the bench like some folk hero and breathing life into the Celtics , he was cheering on the bench and just killing my 76ers. But I grew to love his unbridled joy for the game and life. I loved his hyperbole and tangential speeches. He conveyed happiness and felt fortunate to live his life. And I can never forget, " Throw it doowwwwwnnn, BiG FELLA!!!
Rest well big red
Sleep in basketball heaven Mr.Walton may your soul rest in peace
Shaq somewhare don't know what to feel
Walton wasn't take great in the NBA. Please stop it. Yes, he had a few great moments but not a HOF player.
A player and person from out of the 60's, he transcended sports through his personality and character.
What a wonderful tribute.
Wow this one sucks condolence to his family
Bill was my GUY. Loved his energy and passion!
I followed him since his college days, what a great player and person! The world has lost a great man! Rest in peace Bill and thaks for All the memories.
Perks days are numbered! Thank goodness yall got some HOF players back on the network.
Of course Malika gave her all in this conversation. She never mentioned his drug use smh
His battle with a speech impediment early in his life, his chronic injuries, and his battle with cancer(that few knew about) hit home for me. I admire Bill, his passing isn't going to change that. Authenticity and joy at it's finest.
My condolences to Luke.
The World is a truly lesser place without Bill. He was a unique, brilliant wonderful human.
Celtics don't win a championship in 1986 without Walton.
Our/My – Beloved Bill Walton: 1952-2024 & just a few months younger than i, passed on to his new Adventure this Memorial Day Weekend, succumbing to Cancer; BUT, did he really die from "Cancer?" – more rather most macabre, from a Broken Heart! As was this not also, the final weekend of the Official fully Pac 12 Competition – of ALL the Sports.
I actually met Bill one time & got a chance to shake his hand, & it was just before Game 6 of the 1977 Finals. A call had been put out, by someone in the Media, just after our Blazers had won their first Game in Philadelphia & turned a 2-2 tie when they left Portland, into a 3-2 lead, after defeating them – on the road -in Game 5. We were encouraged to go meet them at the Airport as they arrived home & provide both gratitude for turning an otherwise dismal start to the Series, into a Lead & chance to finish them off, here at Home with perhaps some extra inspiration to carry them to that Finish Line. I knew i wasn't going 2B able to go to the game, or probably EVER have the Opportunity to Thank him personally for what he had given Portland; so out i drove, with the plane arriving super late, expected some time between 11-12mid. & was able to accomplish both objectives. He could not have been more Gracious! He & the entire Team were just so humble & down to Earth!
I had no idea at that time, that Bill would soon endure so many health issues & never have the opportunity to give us another Championship; and so in hindsight, i realize that meeting & thanking him, in Person, was far more gratifying, than had i actually been able to attend that Title Winning – Game! You will always hold a special place in my Heart, Bill! And yes, i and so many of us like you, also bemoan the dismantling of the Pac12 – the Conference of CHAMPIONS, & even half suspect, that in your own karmic way & with the knowledge of also your own imminent fate, found the best way you could think of, for the Legacy of your Life, to be 4ever interwoven – with that of the Pac12. And Alas you may now also be rejoined with the Grateful Dead! MAZEL TOV BILL!!
❤❤❤
His voice and commentary was great. Rest in paradise
"I think that ball just blew up and yes, my hair is aflame."
– Bill Walton
Bill Walton is so lucky he's got the chance to commentate bronny james jr games in ncaa before dying
BILL WALTON LONGER AND TALLER THEN LIFE…UNIQUE GAME CALLER FULL OF FUN…
Walton was Tim Duncan before Tim Duncan. A healthy and prime Walton will give you 18 pts 12 rebs 5 ast and 3 blks per game with great efficiency and decent ft shooting.
Let's tune into tnt to watch Shaq lie to America on tv about walton😂😂😂 I'm ready.
Shaq, draymond and chuck. 3 taco bell dogs barking at each other. It gets unbearable after a minute.
Damm bill Walton r.i.p a real jewel too young to watched him play but his announcing games was very entertaining ❤ rest in peace bill 🙏🏽
I moved to Portland with my family as a 15-yr. old in 1968, the Blazers first year in the league. Such an exciting time, a big-league team in our little town! After enduring so many losing seasons in those early years It's hard to overstate the impact Big Red made on our community. Even we in progressive Portland weren't quite sure what to make of this scraggly bearded, long-haired Deadhead who hung out with radicals like Jack Scott – maybe even the SLA! – He stuttered, stammered and eventually played his way into our hearts. The '77 championship was surreal, and the following season even more dreamlike – until the inevitable occurred, followed by the unthinkable. But in that short period of time, what a team and what a player. It is enough. All we have are memories, and Bill's beautiful soul will live with us always.
Bill Walton always made me laugh. You will be missed 🕊️🕊️🕊️
Such a wonderful human.
I love that he was a nice buy, but he was tough too. Not a modern baby like most these guys.
☮️PEACE OUT BILL ✌️ R.I.P 🙏
I loved Bill Walton’s commentary, he made the games so much more enjoyable to watch..😢
Bill was a National Treasure
88-4, nuff said
Awesome compliment from
Stephen A,
MUCH RESPECT!!!
To illustrate Stephen a's point on the 86 Celtics, you need look no farther than 2k. Turn stamina and injuries off and that's the greatest team of all time, spearheaded by his defense and playmaking
Bill was sooo great
WHEN WALTER DAVIS DIED HE GOT VERY LITTLE ATTENTION FROM ESPN AND SIRIUS NBA RADIO. I GUES RACE MATTERS.
WHEN LOU HUDSON DIED HIS DEATH GOT VERY LITTLE ATTENTION FROM ESPN AND SIRIUS NAB RADIO. I GUESS RACE MATTERS
WHEN JOJO WHITE DIED HIS DEST GOR VERY LITTLE ATTENTION FROM ESPN AND SIRIUS NBA RADIO. I GUESS RACE MATTERS
WHEN DENNIS JOHNSON DIED HIS DEATH GOT VERY LITTLE ATTENTION FROM ESPN AND SIRIUS NBA RADIO. I GUESS RACE MATTERS
Throw it down big Man!
The Lakers missing the 86’ Finals was such a let down bc the 86 Celtics is the most dominant team all time imo and they didn’t have the opponent to prove it
Playing Grateful Dead music missing the great Bill Walton. First longhair headband NBA player I saw and followed. He was a character.
Rest in peace Bill Walton. You will be deeply Missed.
Stephen A mistake, Bobby Jones wasn't on the Sixers team that lost in 77