Growing up on the West side of Los Angeles and being into sports, Bill Walton was our hero.... We all loved that man in so many ways. As he goes into the Heavens, I am grateful he was in our lives...
Bill Walton, in his prime and injury free, was unstoppable. Even with nagging injuries, he was a force and a game-changer...his basketball IQ was as good as anyone's - He is one of the greatest... those who think otherwise never saw him play
i just laughed outloud at 26:28 when Bill said that the New Enforcer, Maurice Lucas even told teammates, "...if they didn't play the game of their lives he was gonna kill them."
This man played only 468 games out of a possible 1066 (including 2 full missed seasons). And was still a first ballot hall of Famer and one of the 50 greatest of all time. That alone should tell you how great of a basketball player he was
Doesn’t matter what posters think the fraternity of NBA players know . The big redhead was dominate at every level even while limited by injuries that retired most . B-ball HOF is about college and pro career so he just off college should be in.
"Living Legend" is a term that gets tossed around, but Bill personifies it. Not just as a ballplayer, but as a man. He's been everywhere, seen everything, and is truly a national treasure.
The Activist Side of Bill is currently fighting for San Diego Residents and their Quality of Life. Go Bill and keep Speaking your mind whether we agree or not.
@@cacornhusker2940 not only is he a great athlete, he's intelligent and articulate and doesn't hesitate to take advantage of his background and education
It's hard not to cry watching this. Bill is such a thoughtful guy. Imagine the frustration of trying to battle through injuries with all of that ability wanting to get out.
I started to feel bad for him but then I though I would die to have been in his position… he reached heights I can only dream of. He had amazing luck and the bad luck within the great luck, lol. He’s one of my favorite players.
@@acpliegowe are all dealt a hand but he maximized his . I know I didn't this far but we all have time until we don't . Somethings don't give you time like injury in sports but Bill didn't let that stop him . And it shouldn't stop is .✌️🍻
Met him during his speaking tour at the University of Maine, 1990. He was such a gracious guy, wanted to know what I am studying and what I was doing to make me better than the average student. Such a great guy!
You could tell when his feet were hurting. When they weren't, he was jumping with his hands 2 feet plus over the rim, when they were, he was just getting his hand and wrist over the rim. I noticed this his Sr year at UCLA. It unfortunately carried throughout his professional career. Now we know why. He had congenital defects in the structure of his feet which were causing stress fractures in particular to the navicular bone. It's too bad that at the time he played they didn't diagnose the problem early in his career. Today, I'm sure they would have made the diagnosis early and could have surgically fixed it. Back then even if they had diagnosed it they probably wouldn't have known how to fix it.
Growing up in San Diego and crazy about Basketball he was a living legend and a great role model. He was very kind 😇 and was always busy helping others in our Community! Rest in Peace Bill and enjoy your after life with Family and Friends 🧡
His junior, senior years at high school he went 64-3; senior year averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds. He still holds the all time high school field goal percentage record at 79%. From high school to UCLA he went on a 142 game win streak. 86-4 at UCLA, responsible for the majority of wins in UCLA's record 88 game win streak. Three time winner of NCAA player of the year. The best NBA center that never was.
1979 I was sitting at the Jolly Roger coffee shop on Balboa Island. I see Bill walking alone across the street. Tie die shirt, headband, leaning into his walk, must have been recovering from a surgery. Didn’t want to chase him down but would have loved to just shake his hand and say hello.
For John Wooden to say what he did had to have given Walton chills. The validation Walton had already earned many times over but Wooden saying so on record, given all the great players he cultivated, had to matter big time. This was great to watch again.
A sunbeam of light who touched all he knew in a special way. Its not how long you live, but rather how you live and he embraced life in such a positive way. RIP Big Bill as heaven gained not only a great basketball player but also a greater man.
The big what if....Walton didn't have "tall white man's feet"? He might have gone down as the best ever. Broke my heart. A life-long Celtics fan I couldn't have been happier when they got him and they won a title.
I was born in 97. My grandpa was born in 47. My grandpa passed away last year 2023. He would always talk about how good Bill Walton was back in the day, I never truly understood. I stared getting into watching Basketball around 07 08 when Luke was on the Lakers with Kobe. Now that Bill has passed I’ve been watching videos about him.. never knew he was deadhead that is so fn cool. I myself have dived into some psychedelic adventures in my life. Bill was such a cool genuine human being. Wish I would’ve paid more attention to him when he was still living. John Wooden also coached Bill in college. John was from the same hometown I am Martinsville, Indiana. I even went to west middle school which before was the high school that John wooden went to and the gym is still there till this day. John won the state championships in high school in 1927. I love all the history. I’m gonna research John more too. I hope too be half as cool and live a life at least half as cool as Bills. He travels to Egypt with the Grateful Dead. What a story this guys life was. If Bill is up there and can hear me say hi to my grandpa for me. R.I.P. Bill Walton
I had the privilege of being a college student in California when Bill Walton was rocking the rafters in Pauley Pavilion. The Pavilion was mecca for college basketball. It was the place to see and be seen. But, don't forget, there was another coach in California that had taken Pasadena City College to the state championship and was lured to Long Beach State. He was Jerry Tarkanian. Tark the Shark threw the fear of God into UCLA from lowly LB State. He nearly knocked them off their perch in Western Regional playoffs. Afterward, Coach Wooden never scheduled Long Beach State.
He LOVED Lucas as a teammate. And why not? Luke allowed Bill to play his game and they made a great duo. The b ball world got shorted when they couldn't continue on with good health. Mostly Walton, but Lucas wasn't quite the same either, once leaving Portland.
I watched the '86 Celtics not to long ago in their playoff run and for everyone saying this guy could have been the goat or saying he was the best college player ever...I believe you. Watch a broken down figure of a man playing pick n roll with The Larry Bird during the Celts '86 season. It was so one-sided!?!? and ... Unfair!?! I believe. Noone, NOONE plays like that...Let alone at that level!? Stock and Karl was like slow jazz, but this ..this is something else altogether..the fire, the intensity !!?!! '86 Celts always will be in the conversation of "Greatest teams" for me
Best sports book of all time is "The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam which chronicles the 1979-80 Portland Trailblazers and the aftermath of the championship Blazers team of 76-77.
Beyond his basketball and broadcasting triumphs is the way he faced adversity. Most become angry, feel sorry for themselves, live in the past always focusing on themselves, not Bill Walton. I believe his greatest achievement was doing just the opposite of human nature and focusing on others, lifting people, with that big smile on his face. He turned around a life spiraling into oblivion after being leveled by injury and became a true giant.
What a great way to be. I wish I was much more that way. Alot more. Great comment. I take it to heart and try harder if someone says something of my negative attitude sometimes because of my physical pain that seems never to end. He was a great man ,and so interesting to listen to, the reason why I watched some games . Rest dear man
When healthy, he belonged in the discussions about the best. Too bad healthy periods didn't last long. When he first began broadcasting, I hated him and thought he was trying too hard. But then I realized he was sincere and authentic. He loved the game. His joy showed through. He took us on that joy ride. He lived life to the fullest. RIP.
Yes and Bill truly loves and appreciates the great players before, during and since his time. He raves about how he admires and loves what other greats brought to the game.
A healthy Walton may have been the best center in NBA history. He's the greatest college player I've ever seen, totally dominated the game on both ends of the floor.
this is nonsense: BW (or another, if you want) is the best center of all time because he made things in HIS time that nobody was able to get closer..he was a guard in his skills and a center in his body..doctor j or jordan, or connie hawkins? akeem or bill russell? hey, this is a fantastic game because you are able to change being in the same game. the fitness the players have now is incomparable to the '60, '70, '80, and '90 players'..larry bird NOW could probably not be playing, but he was a God on earth with the celtics..and probably, with today's fitness, he couldn't be able to do what he did in the past..this is basketball, not hulk against superman :)
Steve Jones, in a local Portland interview, takes credit for showing Bill what to eat to be a strong athlete and it certainly worked for awhile, it seems. Imagine how amazing his NBA career would've been if he had that from an earlier age. Regardless, his career is still celebrated and we all love him here in Oregon!!!
Bill could have still stuttered and still had Credibility as a Broadcaster, but Huge Props for not giving up and wanting to be the Best and not just employed.
@@KRHEE I'm sorry I got snotty, Kendrick. You didn't deserve that. I wasn't in a very good mood when I was watching, and I took it out on ya. My bad. At least you were civil in your reply, which I can really appreciate. Stay the good person you are.
I was 9 yrs old on Jan 11th 1978 when my family moved to CA from TX. Walking ahead of me was this 12 foot monster from outer space, or so it seemed to me. That was Bill Walton. Seriously, the first time you see a guy that stands 6'11" tall it's quite a trip. In that same yr I was right next to Mr Roper (Norman Fell), and that summer we had relatives out and we took a boat ride around Balboa Island in Newport Beach, and saw John Wayne who was having cocktails with friends in his back yard. All in 1978.
In 1975, while injured & wearing street clothes during a home game in Portland, Walton walked out of the locker room just before the 3rd quarter started. While the teams were in their huddles, Walton picked up a loose ball from the warm ups that just ended. He shot from 15 feet away on the baseline. The swish was met with a very loud standing ovation from the crowd, the only one that night. The fans knew Walton was their franchise. The next season, the Blazers won the NBA championship.
33:00 into the video Bill Walton is shown as a contestant on the quiz show Tic Toc Dough. I was the contestant coordinator for that show. I remember clearly (playfully) challenging Mr. Walton to a game of one on one. He looked at me with a stare that said, don't even play. After watching this I can totally understand. I did not know what was going on in his life at the time. RIP to a great person.
Bill Walton played the best game of any college player in an NCAA championship game final, scoring on 21 of 22 field goals and 44 points against Memphis State in 1973. He also had 4 "dunks" called off because of the goaltending rule in the day, otherwise he would have had 52 points with 25 for 26 from the floor. Since, I have never seen a better game from a college player in a game let alone an NCAA title game. Bill came through best when it counted most.
One wonders that if basketball shoes were better back in his high school days and so on, kinda like they area today, that he wouldn't have had the issues he had. At least not as severe. Great player.
A lot of big players still experience these kind of problems: i.e. Yao Ming. Sure, it might have helped him to play longer but growing from 6'2'' to 6'9'' in 1 year, pretty much means you are going to have problems later in life if you grind your bones too much.
@Bill Harper Back then too, NBA players would eat at the breakfast bars at the local motels. Then take commercial (really, until the 90s) so they had to worry about their own travel, tight spaces, etc.
He Cursed the organization with hopes and dreams after their championship run. It caused the Blazers to look for more Walton type centers and they took Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan a decade later. New face - even worse result - no ring from Bowie, no good season from Bowie. At least they got the 2-3 really good years out of Walton, they never really got anything out of Sam.
paysonfox88 they already had Drexler so wouldn't have picked Jordan. They needed a center. Sure easy to say now to pick Jordan but at that time they didn't know and were doing what was thought to be best for the team.
The Blazers seem to be cursed when it comes to the center position in their history . Bill Walton was truly an incredible basketball player ! The year after winning the NBA championship they were 50-10 in 78 before he had that dreadful season ending injury. They went 8-14 after and finished with 58 wins. Portland would've repeated if he didn't get hurt ! In fact had he not miss all of the 78-79 season they would've won 3 in a row ! That's how great he was ! Stats do not tell the whole story. Walton could do it all ! Fundamentally sound .The epitome of a team basketball player . He gave Kareem fits ! Swept the Lakers that year in 77 . Lakers Dynasty which started in 79-80 mightve been delayed a year or two if he wasn't hurt. Unfortunately we'll never know. What a shame.
NBA Finals MVP (vanquished Kareem & Dr. J in succession), regular season MVP, 2 X All-NBA, multiple time All Star: Bill Walton had the 18th best peak in NBA history. Walton also finished as the greatest 6MOY. He smoked the weed while earning his top 50 plaudits.
Growin up LA, diggin on the Walton gang with those blue and yellow uni's destroying teams while hearing dick enberg call it all and checkin those hot bruin cheerleaders was somethin special..
"He was known to smoke the weed...it was his way of making a statement." Yes, Mr. Walton was quite the orator. I experimented with weed and other stuff in college...it was a very thorough experiment.
I think every college basketball should have had the pleasure of coaching Walton...Could you see Walton being coached by Bobby Knight. Walton is the fascinating college basketball player ever.
Obviously some definite parallels with Kawhi Leonard's former situation in San Antonio. In each case, the player didn't trust the team's medical staff.
I feel like getting a healthy Walton for 1 year... the basketball gods took away Bias & Lewis. I’ll still never get over losing those 2 & Walton is my tunnel vision brain trying to rationalize
11:21 David Halberstam wrote the best sports book that I have ever read..The Breaks of the Game about the Trail Blazers' 1979-80 season and the aftermath of the Walton era
With the recent emphasis on 3 pt shooting, wonder how many assists he would have today? With his passing out of the post and double teams? Just a thought.
@@jeffreyhurst7231 Well .... only Kareem and Moses in his day, were truly threats. Cowens and Lanier were good, but not as skilled overall. You would DEFINITELY take Walton over them.
Bill Walton you fought through life. True to yourself till the last moment. Rest in eternal peace Mr. Walton 🕊️
Nobody rests in eternal peace. He was a Marxist Atheist dupe.
No one who watched you play or heard you broadcast will ever, ever forget you. Rest easy, big man!
Rest in Peace Bill, you were one in a million
Billion*
Rest In Peace Bill Walton
That1973 NCAA finals against Memphis was for all practical purposes perfect. God Bless and RIP Bill.
Growing up on the West side of Los Angeles and being into sports, Bill Walton was our hero.... We all loved that man in so many ways. As he goes into the Heavens, I am grateful he was in our lives...
Saw Bill play for Helix H.S. when I was stationed in San Diego. I thought he was the best high school player I have ever seen.
Bet Bill is a Nice Guy!
Probably the best college player ever tbh
RIP Bill. A true legend.
Bill Walton, in his prime and injury free, was unstoppable. Even with nagging injuries, he was a force and a game-changer...his basketball IQ was as good as anyone's - He is one of the greatest... those who think otherwise never saw him play
Bill walton only weakness injuries
i just laughed outloud at 26:28 when Bill said that the New Enforcer, Maurice Lucas even told teammates, "...if they didn't play the game of their lives he was gonna kill them."
I was a fan of Kareem and Walton... Walton was a 4 tool player of the highest level: Pass,Score, Rebound,Defend....
@@Martin-pt5on UCLA UCLA!!! Lol
Overrated is what he was......a white man with a little foot work also he was a 6,11 hipi stoner burnout half queer 🐒
Just one more, Bill. Just one more...
One of the greatest shot blockers the game has ever seen!
RIP Bill Walton
This man played only 468 games out of a possible 1066 (including 2 full missed seasons). And was still a first ballot hall of Famer and one of the 50 greatest of all time. That alone should tell you how great of a basketball player he was
Much as I love Bill and his game, he would not be in if not for his UCLA dominance. Still, it is the basketball HOF, not NBA/ABA HOF.
@Plumo Harris well how about being named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time?
Plumo Harris especially a major college program. to a lesser degree, it didn't hurt jamaal wilkes or grant hill.
i think his pro career was overrated due to injuries, not a top 50 player imho
Doesn’t matter what posters think the fraternity of NBA players know . The big redhead was dominate at every level even while limited by injuries that retired most . B-ball HOF is about college and pro career so he just off college should be in.
Barring injuries, he may very well have been the GOAT.
RIP. One of the greatest players EVER.
I am now 55 and remember all this !! Bill was a LEGEND in his own time !!
R.I.P. Bill Walton-LEGEND🕊🕊🕊
"Living Legend" is a term that gets tossed around, but Bill personifies it. Not just as a ballplayer, but as a man. He's been everywhere, seen everything, and is truly a national treasure.
The Activist Side of Bill is currently fighting for San Diego Residents and their Quality of Life. Go Bill and keep Speaking your mind whether we agree or not.
@@cacornhusker2940 not only is he a great athlete, he's intelligent and articulate and doesn't hesitate to take advantage of his background and education
It's hard not to cry watching this. Bill is such a thoughtful guy. Imagine the frustration of trying to battle through injuries with all of that ability wanting to get out.
I started to feel bad for him but then I though I would die to have been in his position… he reached heights I can only dream of. He had amazing luck and the bad luck within the great luck, lol. He’s one of my favorite players.
It's funny that I was tearing up at the end of this video and throughout (actually) as I read your comment.
@@acpliegowe are all dealt a hand but he maximized his . I know I didn't this far but we all have time until we don't . Somethings don't give you time like injury in sports but Bill didn't let that stop him . And it shouldn't stop is .✌️🍻
I'm trying hard to not cry watching this video, too. RIP Bill Walton.
Met him during his speaking tour at the University of Maine, 1990. He was such a gracious guy, wanted to know what I am studying and what I was doing to make me better than the average student. Such a great guy!
Bet Bill Walton Is a Nice Guy in General!
Saw bill at a resort I work at. He was following the Grateful Dead on tour lol
Everybody loves the Great Bill Walton.
Rip 🙏 🪦 old school 2 time NBA champion 🏆 🏆 the Legendary Mr Bill Walton 5 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Excellent. Bill Walton is truly special, truly good.
For 1-2 years Bill Walton was the best basketball player ever at both ends of the court.
You could tell when his feet were hurting. When they weren't, he was jumping with his hands 2 feet plus over the rim, when they were, he was just getting his hand and wrist over the rim. I noticed this his Sr year at UCLA. It unfortunately carried throughout his professional career. Now we know why. He had congenital defects in the structure of his feet which were causing stress fractures in particular to the navicular bone. It's too bad that at the time he played they didn't diagnose the problem early in his career. Today, I'm sure they would have made the diagnosis early and could have surgically fixed it. Back then even if they had diagnosed it they probably wouldn't have known how to fix it.
Walton is my all time favorite basketball player.
Growing up in San Diego and crazy about Basketball he was a living legend and a great role model. He was very kind 😇 and was always busy helping others in our Community! Rest in Peace Bill and enjoy your after life with Family and Friends 🧡
Rip Walton 32 trail blazers for life
His junior, senior years at high school he went 64-3; senior year averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds. He still holds the all time high school field goal percentage record at 79%. From high school to UCLA he went on a 142 game win streak. 86-4 at UCLA, responsible for the majority of wins in UCLA's record 88 game win streak. Three time winner of NCAA player of the year. The best NBA center that never was.
HeyNow...Met Bill at a Show and he was sooo nice 😊
1979 I was sitting at the Jolly Roger coffee shop on Balboa Island. I see Bill walking alone across the street. Tie die shirt, headband, leaning into his walk, must have been recovering from a surgery. Didn’t want to chase him down but would have loved to just shake his hand and say hello.
For John Wooden to say what he did had to have given Walton chills. The validation Walton had already earned many times over but Wooden saying so on record, given all the great players he cultivated, had to matter big time. This was great to watch again.
A sunbeam of light who touched all he knew in a special way. Its not how long you live, but rather how you live and he embraced life in such a positive way. RIP Big Bill as heaven gained not only a great basketball player but also a greater man.
Very well said. We have lost one of the GOOD ones. I loved his PASSION.
He was the best college player i saw. Off. Def. Passing. His oulet passes were unreal
Greatest passing center of all time
Eric Johnson ... Wes Unseld .... was pretty good
Eric Johnson Bill Russell?
Super great outlet passing center like bill russell: bill walton didn"t have a weakness
@@ricklujan8670not as good as Walton
The big what if....Walton didn't have "tall white man's feet"? He might have gone down as the best ever. Broke my heart. A life-long Celtics fan I couldn't have been happier when they got him and they won a title.
I was born in 97. My grandpa was born in 47. My grandpa passed away last year 2023. He would always talk about how good Bill Walton was back in the day, I never truly understood. I stared getting into watching Basketball around 07 08 when Luke was on the Lakers with Kobe. Now that Bill has passed I’ve been watching videos about him.. never knew he was deadhead that is so fn cool. I myself have dived into some psychedelic adventures in my life. Bill was such a cool genuine human being. Wish I would’ve paid more attention to him when he was still living. John Wooden also coached Bill in college. John was from the same hometown I am Martinsville, Indiana. I even went to west middle school which before was the high school that John wooden went to and the gym is still there till this day. John won the state championships in high school in 1927. I love all the history. I’m gonna research John more too. I hope too be half as cool and live a life at least half as cool as Bills. He travels to Egypt with the Grateful Dead. What a story this guys life was. If Bill is up there and can hear me say hi to my grandpa for me. R.I.P. Bill Walton
I had the privilege of being a college student in California when Bill Walton was rocking the rafters in Pauley Pavilion. The Pavilion was mecca for college basketball. It was the place to see and be seen. But, don't forget, there was another coach in California that had taken Pasadena City College to the state championship and was lured to Long Beach State. He was Jerry Tarkanian. Tark the Shark threw the fear of God into UCLA from lowly LB State. He nearly knocked them off their perch in Western Regional playoffs. Afterward, Coach Wooden never scheduled Long Beach State.
GENUINE HUMAN . ONE OF THE GREATEST , NOT IN SPORT ONLY .
Walton is like Griffey Jr: without injury he’s top 10 all-time
Mickey Mantle and Larry Bird also...
@@jdnotariano Birds top 7 with injuries.
@@jdnotariano no argument here!
@@jdnotariano What about Lemieux? He certainly didn't have a healthy career.
What Bill went through with his injuries alone is worthy of my respect, let alone all else he did. Rest in eternity brother Bill. Thank you 🌗
26:08 Bill Walton named his son Luke Walton after Maurice Lucas. RIP
William Harper, I only remember Lucas with his fists up ready to fight, don't remember his opponent that night
He LOVED Lucas as a teammate. And why not? Luke allowed Bill to play his game and they made a great duo. The b ball world got shorted when they couldn't continue on with good health. Mostly Walton, but Lucas wasn't quite the same either, once leaving Portland.
Should be in the HOF, Lucas.
@@clu4u Daryl Dawkins.
@@73challenger5031 Chocalte Thunder from the planet "Lovetron".
I watched the '86 Celtics not to long ago in their playoff run and for everyone saying this guy could have been the goat or saying he was the best college player ever...I believe you. Watch a broken down figure of a man playing pick n roll with The Larry Bird during the Celts '86 season. It was so one-sided!?!? and ... Unfair!?! I believe. Noone, NOONE plays like that...Let alone at that level!? Stock and Karl was like slow jazz, but this ..this is something else altogether..the fire, the intensity !!?!! '86 Celts always will be in the conversation of "Greatest teams" for me
For that one season, he was better than Parrish.
Yep
Bill walton waa my fave nba announcer. He wasnt afraid to be critical " terrible pass" " atrocious shot" he cracked me up
Best sports book of all time is "The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam which chronicles the 1979-80 Portland Trailblazers and the aftermath of the championship Blazers team of 76-77.
Unbelievable. I remember being at Berkeley. Blotches of beard not connecting on my face. I could smell colors, I could feel sounds.
you sure that wasn't the LSD?
Take a bath, hippie!
Fuck Berkeley, join the real world
@@monolithgeometry3221 look up Frank caliendo's impression of Bill if u didn't get the comment it's hilarious.
Beyond his basketball and broadcasting triumphs is the way he faced adversity. Most become angry, feel sorry for themselves, live in the past always focusing on themselves, not Bill Walton. I believe his greatest achievement was doing just the opposite of human nature and focusing on others, lifting people, with that big smile on his face. He turned around a life spiraling into oblivion after being leveled by injury and became a true giant.
What a great way to be. I wish I was much more that way. Alot more. Great comment. I take it to heart and try harder if someone says something of my negative attitude sometimes because of my physical pain that seems never to end. He was a great man ,and so interesting to listen to, the reason why I watched some games . Rest dear man
When healthy, he belonged in the discussions about the best. Too bad healthy periods didn't last long. When he first began broadcasting, I hated him and thought he was trying too hard. But then I realized he was sincere and authentic. He loved the game. His joy showed through. He took us on that joy ride. He lived life to the fullest. RIP.
Great man, great player.
Yes and Bill truly loves and appreciates the great players before, during and since his time. He raves about how he admires and loves what other greats brought to the game.
A healthy Walton may have been the best center in NBA history. He's the greatest college player I've ever seen, totally dominated the game on both ends of the floor.
Randy Bailin The best all round center maybe, ccertainly versatile.
Look at his numbers even when healthy, I don't think so.
When healthy as a pro, which was seldom, I still think Moses Malone, Jabbar, Shaq, and Wilt were better.
Randy Bailin Man what are you Smoking Dr J use to make posters dunking on Bill Walton, you never heard of Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell
Yeah Dr J had a couple of nice dunks on Walton, but Walton always won those games while scoring 22 points and getting 15 boards and 6 assists.
" Someone tell Brent Musburger to quit calling me the Mountain Man " ,... Bill Walton 1977 NBA Finals ...
I agree with John Wooden. Bill Walton, in my opinion, was the greatest center of all-time.
You think Bill Walton could beat Shaq?
this is nonsense: BW (or another, if you want) is the best center of all time because he made things in HIS time that nobody was able to get closer..he was a guard in his skills and a center in his body..doctor j or jordan, or connie hawkins? akeem or bill russell? hey, this is a fantastic game because you are able to change being in the same game. the fitness the players have now is incomparable to the '60, '70, '80, and '90 players'..larry bird NOW could probably not be playing, but he was a God on earth with the celtics..and probably, with today's fitness, he couldn't be able to do what he did in the past..this is basketball, not hulk against superman :)
A healthy Bill walton yeah I'd take that on.
jonesthecat00 basketball is soft now
Savage Tilley he would have no chance on s 350lbs pound moving truck
Steve Jones, in a local Portland interview, takes credit for showing Bill what to eat to be a strong athlete and it certainly worked for awhile, it seems. Imagine how amazing his NBA career would've been if he had that from an earlier age. Regardless, his career is still celebrated and we all love him here in Oregon!!!
Bill could have still stuttered and still had Credibility as a Broadcaster, but Huge Props for not giving up and wanting to be the Best and not just employed.
damn u can clearly tell that he truly loved the game of basketball.... respect...
Thanks, Captain Obvious. The fact that he played it all the time, not to mention a
college & an NBA career... pretty much gives it away.
Seemsayin u don’t seem like a fun guy to hang out w............
@@KRHEE I'm sorry I got snotty, Kendrick. You didn't deserve that. I wasn't in a very good mood when I was watching, and I took it out on ya. My bad. At least you were civil in your reply, which I can really appreciate. Stay the good person you are.
Fantastic career with the icing on the cake, the 1986 NBA championship.
Just saw him hang'n at the Dead & Co show at Shoreline last week having a great time.
I seen bill at the Jerry gathering in the polo grounds in 1995.
I was 9 yrs old on Jan 11th 1978 when my family moved to CA from TX. Walking ahead of me was this 12 foot monster from outer space, or so it seemed to me. That was Bill Walton. Seriously, the first time you see a guy that stands 6'11" tall it's quite a trip. In that same yr I was right next to Mr Roper (Norman Fell), and that summer we had relatives out and we took a boat ride around Balboa Island in Newport Beach, and saw John Wayne who was having cocktails with friends in his back yard. All in 1978.
cowboysfan782008 I was going to like this but I’m an eagles fan, cool story tho
He is among a few who revolutionized the game for the big man.
In 1975, while injured & wearing street clothes during a home game in Portland, Walton walked out of the locker room just before the 3rd quarter started. While the teams were in their huddles, Walton picked up a loose ball from the warm ups that just ended. He shot from 15 feet away on the baseline. The swish was met with a very loud standing ovation from the crowd, the only one that night. The fans knew Walton was their franchise. The next season, the Blazers won the NBA championship.
Shame Bill Walton Was Hurt Later in His Career After Leaving The Trail Blazers After Winning a Championship in 1977 Over My 76ers Before My Time!
A great man and a great human being. Rest in peace, Champ.
Thanks for uploading these
Rest in heaven 🙏 😢Mr Bill walton
Awesome story!
Bill Walton much love
33:00 into the video Bill Walton is shown as a contestant on the quiz show Tic Toc Dough. I was the contestant coordinator for that show. I remember clearly (playfully) challenging Mr. Walton to a game of one on one. He looked at me with a stare that said, don't even play.
After watching this I can totally understand. I did not know what was going on in his life at the time. RIP to a great person.
What a enlightened man .
Bill Walton played the best game of any college player in an NCAA championship game final, scoring on 21 of 22 field goals and 44 points against Memphis State in 1973. He also had 4 "dunks" called off because of the goaltending rule in the day, otherwise he would have had 52 points with 25 for 26 from the floor. Since, I have never seen a better game from a college player in a game let alone an NCAA title game. Bill came through best when it counted most.
I met the guy. After he lost NCCA to David Thompson- he showed up in support at basketball camp, and made an impression on me as a kid. RIP BW
Walton changed the way centers play the game.
One of a kind Joyful human being who wasn't afraid to put himself out there for his beliefs
One wonders that if basketball shoes were better back in his high school days and so on, kinda like they area today, that he wouldn't have had the issues he had. At least not as severe. Great player.
A lot of big players still experience these kind of problems: i.e. Yao Ming. Sure, it might have helped him to play longer but growing from 6'2'' to 6'9'' in 1 year, pretty much means you are going to have problems later in life if you grind your bones too much.
Walton played like a Madman. You held your breath when you watched him play full throttle. When Healthy the best all around Center I ever saw.
Zion's shoe tho
@Bill Harper Back then too, NBA players would eat at the breakfast bars at the local motels. Then take commercial (really, until the 90s) so they had to worry about their own travel, tight spaces, etc.
what a shame he was so injury prone. could have been best all around center ever
Pretty high on the list anyway.
He Cursed the organization with hopes and dreams after their championship run. It caused the Blazers to look for more Walton type centers and they took Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan a decade later. New face - even worse result - no ring from Bowie, no good season from Bowie.
At least they got the 2-3 really good years out of Walton, they never really got anything out of Sam.
@@paysonfox88 Greg Oden, later on, too.
paysonfox88 they already had Drexler so wouldn't have picked Jordan. They needed a center. Sure easy to say now to pick Jordan but at that time they didn't know and were doing what was thought to be best for the team.
The Blazers seem to be cursed when it comes to the center position in their history . Bill Walton was truly an incredible basketball player ! The year after winning the NBA championship they were 50-10 in 78 before he had that dreadful season ending injury. They went 8-14 after and finished with 58 wins. Portland would've repeated if he didn't get hurt ! In fact had he not miss all of the 78-79 season they would've won 3 in a row ! That's how great he was ! Stats do not tell the whole story. Walton could do it all ! Fundamentally sound .The epitome of a team basketball player . He gave Kareem fits ! Swept the Lakers that year in 77 . Lakers Dynasty which started in 79-80 mightve been delayed a year or two if he wasn't hurt. Unfortunately we'll never know. What a shame.
♫ In a bed, in a bed, by the waterside i will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul ♪
Fare thee well, fare thee well, I love you more than time will tell.
NBA Finals MVP (vanquished Kareem & Dr. J in succession), regular season MVP, 2 X All-NBA, multiple time All Star: Bill Walton had the 18th best peak in NBA history. Walton also finished as the greatest 6MOY. He smoked the weed while earning his top 50 plaudits.
I will never forget this game and neither will Bill Walton, To this day he says this was the lowest point in his brilliant career.
So glad I found this
Watch Bill Walton's life Story in a groovy way...Groovy Ballers that is...
Bill was his own man. Read his book. It's very good. He really suffered.
Growin up LA, diggin on the Walton gang with those blue and yellow uni's destroying teams while hearing dick enberg call it all and checkin those hot bruin cheerleaders was somethin special..
I could smell colors, I could feel sounds. Bill Walton.
Unbelievable
A healthy BILL WALTON was the best center in basketball history. Just ask those who saw him play.
Looked like TARZAN while at UCLA - making shots that defied gravity.
"He was known to smoke the weed...it was his way of making a statement." Yes, Mr. Walton was quite the orator. I experimented with weed and other stuff in college...it was a very thorough experiment.
2 Championships in between Multiple broken bones, part of the greatest passing team ever , the 86 Celtics ,
He was an 18, 13 player until his injury had him sit out several NBA seasons. Without that injury, just imagine what numbers he would have put up.
I think every college basketball should have had the pleasure of coaching Walton...Could you see Walton being coached by Bobby Knight. Walton is the fascinating college basketball player ever.
Huh?
Great guy was bill. So happy he won one in boston. His feet were so shot
He gave it everything he had. Wow
1986 Boston Celtics BEST TEAM EVER!
If not for injuries, Walton would have been 4th behind Wilt, Russell & Kareem.
No WORSE than that.
First, you mean.
Obviously some definite parallels with Kawhi Leonard's former situation in San Antonio. In each case, the player didn't trust the team's medical staff.
I'm curious to know all the OLDHEADS opinion on Walton--Is this just a "hot take" from a contemporary, or is this the truth? You be the judge @41:24
I feel like getting a healthy Walton for 1 year... the basketball gods took away Bias & Lewis. I’ll still never get over losing those 2 & Walton is my tunnel vision brain trying to rationalize
11:21 David Halberstam wrote the best sports book that I have ever read..The Breaks of the Game about the Trail Blazers' 1979-80 season and the aftermath of the Walton era
RIP Bill Walton but you were a great college basketball player and a decent NBA career
Someone asked John Wooden who was the best ball player he ever coached. He said a healthy Bill Walton.
I love Bill Walton!
With the recent emphasis on 3 pt shooting, wonder how many assists he would have today? With his passing out of the post and double teams? Just a thought.
Has a stutter problem, no problem, becomes a sideline broadcast lead
Bill Walton was NOT a Malingerer.
i agree. probably the best all around player of all time if he weren't so injury prone!
Yea... for a White guy but no comparison to the actual greatest players.
@@jeffreyhurst7231 Well .... only Kareem and Moses in his day, were truly threats. Cowens and Lanier were good, but not as skilled overall. You would DEFINITELY take Walton over them.