I'm not sure if I've ever watched anyone play a sport with as much joy as Walton did in '86.Incredibly sad. The best 6th man on the best team ever & probably my fav sports announcer ever. What a passer.
Apparently you haven’t been watching Haliburton.I'm not sure if I've ever watched anyone play a sport with as much joy as Walton did in '86.
The pick Boston traded to LAC along with Cedric Maxwell was used to select Sabonis.Wow, a one of a kind player and personality.
Everything about Walton's career up until his foot injuries screamed that he was going to be one of the five best players of all-time. Dominant high school career, legendarily great college career, and then quickly dominated the NBA, emerging as one of the two best players in the league (alongside Kareem) by his third season, leading Portland to a title. The following season he led Portland to a 50-10 start before he got hurt, and his peak was over.
Walton was the perfect center. He had everything you would want in a big man. Incredible size, athleticism, defensive instincts, intelligence, a soft touch around the basket, superb passer, and the ability to rise to the occasion. A supernatural understanding of how to run a team and get the most out of all of his teammates. The kind of leadership and playmaking ability that only Russell, Bird, Magic and Jokic really have proven to possess in terms of doing exactly what his team needed at all times, and the knowledge, skill and athleticism to diagnosis and execute the correct play, at any time.
He's also a legendary commentator, for better or for worse. ESPN ended up putting him on late-night PAC-12 basketball games which was perfect, as his vibes were a great match for late-night basketball. Anything was on the table when he was on commentary, he could be talking about pick and roll action one minute, and then rambling about Russian literature on the next possession.
I was recently watching a playoff game between Portland and Dallas from 20 years ago, and Walton was on commentary. Walton was disgusted in the weak performances being put forward by Rasheed Wallace, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley, but he LOVED the performance by an ancient Arvydas Sabonis, who was still able to influence the game with his passing and soft-touch around the basket despite being perhaps the slowest player in NBA history. At one point he started lecturing the third man in the booth (another former player, not sure who it was) about how great Sabonis once was, and getting mad that the other player wasn't showing enough awe and appreciation for Sabonis.
Once again, KAJ gets underestimatedThe GOAT of college basketball.
I think KAJ is a close second followed by Laettner and Danny Manning. The 21of 22 title game performance separates Bill IMO.Once again, KAJ gets underestimated
Yeah, the 30 for 30 on him was great! Stuff like watching never before seen clips of that amazing '86 team practicing and laughing, and he and Bird arguing over which was the best white player ever.This is a gut punch. If you've never watched the 30 for 30 on him, you should check it out. It's four parts and it was tredmendous.
Rest in peace, Bill.
Look at Kareem's college career and it overwhelms a one-game performance.I think KAJ is a close second followed by Laettner and Danny Manning. The 21of 22 title game performance separates Bill IMO.
I watched a LOT of Pac 12 broadcasts since my son goes to Arizona. Loved his infectious pride every time he said "conference of champions". Sad that the conference collapsed before he died.Wow. I know he had health problems but am kind of stunned. RIP and yeah, win it for Bill.
With foul trouble throughout.Yeah, the 30 for 30 on him was great! Stuff like watching never before seen clips of that amazing '86 team practicing and laughing, and he and Bird arguing over which was the best white player ever.
Still remember watching his incredible 21 for 22/13 rebound/7 block performance in the college championship game in 1973, once and maybe still considered the greatest NCAA bball perfomance ever.
On a persoannl note, my wonderful and beautiful late wife told me he tried to pick her up at I believe the Watertown Mall back in the day. All good as when she explained her love and marriage to me, he end up giving her a picture of him with a personalized autograph message to me
Still the greatest all round center ever?
What part of the Island did he live on? My parents are in Maui and I never knew Walton was there!We crossed paths many times here on Maui. He was equally engaging in person and loved being Bill Walton. What an incredible life lived.
When the Lakers came to Boston in January for their first meeting with the Celtics that season they actually had a better record than Boston. 32-7 vs 30-8. Walton played 16 minutes: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 blocks, 1 steal. Celts by 15When I told a friend of mine, a Laker fan, that the Celtics had gotten Walton, he said something like “what the heck, why?” Sure enough, he was great insurance for a title run.
RIP big man.