The news of Bill Walton’s death at 71 after a long fight with cancer sentout shockwaves throughout not just the basketball world however through all of sports.
Walton was a legend for his playing days alone, puttingtogether one of the biggest college basketball professions ever at UCLA before assisting the Portland Trail Blazers to their just NBA champion in 1977, winning NBA MVP in 1978 and playing an important function on the wellknown 1986 Boston Celtics group that provided him his 2nd champion ring.
But he is keptinmind most as a particular character who was neverever scared to be himself, and was warm, favorable and caring with everybody he satisfied. Walton’s post-playing profession as a longtime NBA and college basketball broadcaster endeared him to not just moreyouthful generations of hoops fans, however everybody from Pac-12 function gamers who he showered with appreciation as part of his precious “conference of champs,” to previous presidents.
Below is a tasting of response to Walton’s death from peers, previous colleagues, broadcast associates and more.
Fellow UCLA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Former Boston Celtics colleagues Larry Bird and Rick Carlisle
Broadcast partners Dave Pasch and Jason Benetti
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
More from around the sports world
A sports broadcasting legend
The No. 1 Grateful Dead fan
Words to live by
FOLLOW Follow your favorites to customize your FOX Sports experience
UCLA Bruins
Portland Trail Blazers
Boston Celtics
Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get details about videogames, news and more