NBA
Did Bill Walton ever win an NBA championship? Teams, awards, titles and honors
Hall of Fame center Bill Walton, a two-time national champion at UCLA and two-time NBA champion, died Monday after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 71.
The world of basketball was in morning on Monday with the news that Bill Walton had passed away at the age of 71 after losing his battle against cancer.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver paid a tribute to the California born player stating: “Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. “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”.
Blaze of glory
After impressing with UCLA, Walton was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 1974 but struggled with injury in his first few years in Oregon.
Walton was instrumental in the Trailblazers first and to date, only NBA Championship win in 1977 as Portland overcame the highly fancied favored Philadelphia 76ers. After losing the first two games, the Blazers won four straight to win the NBA championship with Walton scoring 20 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the clinching Game 6 victory.
His performance prompting 76ers coach Gene Shue to comment after the series: “Bill Walton is the best player for a big man who ever played the game of basketball.”
Move to the Clippers
In 1979, Walton moved to the, then San Diego Clippers but as before, injury hampered his regularity with a foot problem ruling him out of both 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons.
He finally recovered and started to perform on a more regular basis as the Clippers made the move to Los Angeles and with apparent interest from the Lakers, it was arch rivals, Boston Celtics who made a move for the flame haired player in 1985.
Celtics NBA win
Walton was a hit with Celtics fans and a year after his arrival in Beantown, he helped steer Boston to the 1986 NBA Finals, the Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets with legendary “Twin Towers” Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson 4–2 to win the NBA Championship.
Injury came back to haunt Walton and were instrumental in his decision to call time on his career.
Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and leaves behind wife Lori; his sons, Adam, Nate, Luke and Chris.