NBA
Bill Walton dies at 71: What was the cause of death of the NBA Hall of Famer?
It has been confirmed that Walton, a two-time champion during a career that saw him play for the Trail Blazers, the Clippers and the Celtics, has died.
NBA great Bill Walton has died at the age of 71, the league has announced. Walton, who won two championships during a 14-year career in the NBA, passed away today after a long battle with cancer.
Walton named NBA MVP during illustrious career
A center who spent his college career with UCLA, Walton won the first of his NBA titles with the Trail Blazers in 1977, having been drafted by Portland as the first overall pick three years earlier. He was named Finals MVP as the Trail Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the championship series.
Named NBA MVP the following year, Walton then joined the Clippers in 1979, before moving on to Boston in 1985, to close out his career with a three-season spell with the Celtics. In his time in Massachusetts, he helped the Bostonians to the 16th of their joint-record 17 championships, as the Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
NBA chief lauds “one of a kind” Walton
“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said today. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
“Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events - always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.
“As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him. My heartfelt condolences to Bill’s wife, Lori; his sons, Adam, Nate, Luke and Chris; and his many friends and colleagues.”
NBA Hall of Famer since 1993
Walton played his final game in the NBA in the 1987 playoffs, before retiring at the end of the following regular season after failing to recover from a foot injury. Five years after calling time on his basketball career, he was inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame. A two-time All-Star, he was also named in the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Walton’s post-playing career saw him become a prominent TV analyst for networks such as NBC, ESPN and ABC, covering both the NBA and the college game. His work in the media led him to win an Emmy Award for sports broadcasting in 2001.