Celtics, NBA legends remember the late, great Bill Walton
BOSTON -- Tributes for Bill Walton began shortly after news broke Monday that NBA Hall of Famer had died at the age of 71. Walton, who won a pair of NCAA Championships at UCLA and two NBA titles during his pro career, is being remembered as a game-changing player and a fun spirit who absolutely loved the game of basketball.
Walton played only two seasons with the Celtics in Boston, but was the sixth man for the 1985-86 championship team that is considered by many to be the greatest team in NBA history. He may have been at the end of his career during his time with the Celtics, but he had a massive impact on that team off the bench.
The Indiana Pacers honored Walton with a moment of silence at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics on Monday night. Here's a look at all the tributes that poured in for the NBA legend throughout the day on Monday.
Celtics call Bill Walton "one of the most consequential players of his era"
Here is the statement the Celtics issued about Walton.
"Bill Walton was one of the most consequential players of his era. A Hall of Famer, Most Valuable Player, and two-time NBA Champion, Walton could do it all, possessing great timing, complete vision of the floor, excellent fundamentals, and was of one of the greatest passing big men in league history. He derived great joy from basketball and music, and deeply cherished his moments with teammates and friends. As a Celtic, Bill overcame years of debilitating injuries, regained his zest for the game, and helped guide the 1986 Boston Celtics championship with both his play and his spirit. The Boston Celtics celebrate Bill's wonderful life and legacy, and send their deepest sympathies to the Walton family."
An emotional Wyc Grousbeck dedicated Boston's Eastern Conference Championship to Walton after the Celtics completed their sweep of the Pacers on Monday night.
An emotional Wyc Grousbeck dedicates the ECF trophy to Bill Walton pic.twitter.com/dvPVsff8Xh
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 28, 2024
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown sent out a post about Walton on X ahead of the Celtics-Pacers Game 4 on Monday night.
Rest in peace Bill Walton 🤍
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) May 27, 2024
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who was teammates with Walton in Boston, spoke of Walton's ability to live life to its greatest.
A thoughtful and emotional Rick Carlisle - who played on the great 1986 @celtics World Championship team with Bill Walton reflected on the life of his good friend. Walton passed away Monday at the age of 71 - @wbz pic.twitter.com/8eEMIQw4Vd
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) May 27, 2024
Rick Carlisle was asked if he remembered the first time he met Bill Walton - who passed away Monday at age of 71.
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) May 27, 2024
Carlisle said it was when Walton joined the @celtics in 1985 and spoke about the impact Walton had on that 1985-86 World Championship team! @wbz pic.twitter.com/WOdGpTyoG2
Statement from Celtics ownership group on passing of Bill Walton
"Bill Walton was a great person: generous of spirit, always quick to compliment his teammates, a multi-time champion and of course a Hall of Famer. We are proud to call him one of the greatest Celtics who ever lived."
A larger-than-life personality with a love for the game like no other 💚#ForeverGreen pic.twitter.com/Sn7GuCzZa5
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 27, 2024
Trail Blazers, Clippers remember Bill Walton
After his stellar career at UCLA, which included two titles and an 88-game winning streak, Walton was the first overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1974. Injuries hampered his first three seasons in the NBA, but he led Portland to a championship in 1977, earning Finals MVP honors. He followed that up by winning NBA MVP in 1978.
Trail Blazers Statement on passing of two-time NBA Champion and Hall of Famer, Bill Walton.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 27, 2024
📝: https://t.co/nbKqN4cIgN pic.twitter.com/SbHkFD1vH4
After four seasons in Portland, Walton signed with his hometown San Diego Clippers (who became the L.A. Clippers in Walton's final year with the team), but injuries kept him from flourishing on the court.
We have lost one of the greatest players and personalities that this franchise, this sport and this region have ever known. Bill Walton is synonymous with Southern California basketball: a San Diego native, a UCLA phenom, a Clipper icon.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 27, 2024
He defined the game as a player, a… pic.twitter.com/KAXvnG8Mkk
ESPN shares some of Bill Walton's best on-air moments
While one generation remembers Walton for his play on the court, another remembers him for his work as a colorful color analyst. Walton absolutely loved his job and had loads of fun talking hoop -- an other things, like his love for the Grateful Dead -- on TV.
One of our favorite Bill Walton memories 😆 RIP to the hilarious big man (via @espn) @DavePasch pic.twitter.com/mztN8m2rSD
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) May 27, 2024
There will never be another quite like Bill Walton.
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
His ESPN family will miss him dearly ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvS0Sh5iWZ
There will never be another Bill. Love you & miss you my friend. pic.twitter.com/JiVJyQHIO4
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) May 27, 2024
Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, other NBA legends remember Bill Walton
Though they were never teammates, Walton and Abdul-Jabbar are synonymous with the UCLA dynasties of the 1960s and 1970s. Abdul-Jabbar sent a heartfelt tribute to his friend on X Monday afternoon.
"My very close friend, fellow Bruin and NBA rival Bill Walton died today. And the world feels so much heavier now," Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote. "On the court, Bill was a fierce player, but off the court he wasn't happy unless he did everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us."
Today I had to say goodbye to
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) May 27, 2024
a great friend that I will always miss….@UCLAAthletics @UCLAMBB @NBA pic.twitter.com/JIA3sORJgY
In a statement shared by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Celtics legend Larry Bird called Walton "one of the greatest to ever play the game."
Larry Bird has issued a statement about the passing of his teammate on the 1986 champion Celtics, and longtime friend, Bill Walton: pic.twitter.com/xF2T7zs9Cj
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 27, 2024
I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
Rest in peace to a friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most skilled centers we’ve ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis is by far the most dominate NCAA Championship performance ever - he shot 21 for 22 and had…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2024
Other tributes for Bill Walton
When someone dies there’s always a hole to be filled… but sometimes that hole is just too big. RIP Bill.
— Mike Gorman (@celticsvoice) May 27, 2024
UCLA mourns the passing of two-time NCAA champion Bill Walton, a Naismith Hall of Fame inductee (1993) and charter member of the @UCLAAthletics Hall of Fame (1984).
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 27, 2024
𝑰𝑵 𝑴𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑴: https://t.co/VwZwd9uVDs pic.twitter.com/6GrCWvplK7
Today we mourn the passing of legendary Hall of Famer Bill Walton. He was a true friend to the Hall and a persistent champion for what the sport can accomplish in the lives of those who play.
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) May 27, 2024
Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Bill’s contributions to the NBA and… pic.twitter.com/E96su9O9fJ
Bill Walton has passed away at the age of 71.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 27, 2024
2x NCAA Champion
2x NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
3x National College Player of the Year
3x First-Team All American
1993 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
A legend of the game forever. pic.twitter.com/t8Bk16dpdx
.@JayBilas remembers Bill Walton ❤️
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
"He may have been the greatest college basketball player of all time. He was an all-time great pro as well. ... But more than that ... He was an absolutely magnificent, beautiful person that you just loved to be around at all times." pic.twitter.com/oolIQZxrbu
Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time – a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play. He was also a wonderful spirit full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are poorer for his passing, and Michelle and I send our deepest…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 27, 2024
There is so much I could say about my friend, Bill Walton. He loved Life, and lived it on his terms. What a privilege to know him.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) May 27, 2024