Hall of Famer Bill Walton passes away at 71 from cancer

[jibron]

x.com/wojespn/status/1795140943034667461?t=T9uquZ736Mpvc3DkHIxemw&s=19

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40229031/nba-champion-hall-famer-bill-walton-dies-71

[Den60]

Damn. Advocated for SDSU. RIP.

[bobcooper84]

I was never a fan of UCLA or the Celtics accept vs. the Lakers......

But, I always liked him!

[PAC12 Aztec]

This is terrible news! RIP Bill and 🙏🏻🙏🏻 to the family.

[docmm]

I always thought he was hard to listen to as a color commentator because he rarely talked about that game. But, he was a great guy and strong supporter for SDSU and San Diego in general. And man, he played basketball the way it was meant to be played.

[sleepy]

Whoa. There's a handful of memories I have of him. First: I was 8 when the Blazers won it all, and at 8 you just have sort of a "mystic chords of memory" going on -- but I remember shirtless and heavily-bearded Bill celebrating on-court with his teammates on our living room Zenith. It's the first NBA Finals I recall watching.

After that, Walton sort of disappeared from my radar as Magic became my universe until he popped up with the Celtics again -- I believe beating my Lakers in the Finals, pumping his fists on the sidelines as Bird's Celtics put it away. Later, of course, with Chris as an Aztec -- he was announced at Cox Arena and seated about 2-3 rows above the floor, where he and his wife always sat for games. When announced... Same fist pump. I sat one row in front of him at a USD-SDSU game at JCP and I turned to ask him about his role in installing beach volleyball courts at South Mission -- which he flatly denied. Finally, at that atrocious USD-SDSU game at PetCo, he was the "sponsor" and took to the court during breaks and pushed the mop around the court with a big goofy grin, waving like a ham to the crowd.

And, of course, all of those "What are the (insert your team here) DOING?!"-broadcasts. Throw it down big fella. Throw it down...

[soccer94]

Very sad, I had no idea he even had cancer or was sick. I realize there are a lot of people who did not like his style as an analyst, but I thought he was great and very entertaining, even if he was often off topic. As the dad of an Aztec basketball player, he was always very supportive and a big advocate for our program. He will be missed.

[RiffelBooks]

Far too young, but he battled health issues most of his life. What an incredible NBA career he might have had if not for his injuries.

I had the pleasure of getting to know him a little bit in the early 2000s when his kids were playing ball. He loved San Diego, SDSU and the Pac-xx. RIP.

[jibron]

I personally always enjoyed hearing his broadcasts, even if he wasn't always on topic. He brought a lot of positive energy, and he was always a huge advocate of SDSU. In a way a bit poetic that this happened after the PAC-12's final event yesterday.. I always wondered what he would do with the Pac-12 going away. RIP.

[junior]

He grew up next door to my aunt and uncle. Some pickup games in the driveway at holidays or birthday parties, but those Walton boys were just too big - just like their mom and dad, though, they were always very nice to everyone. A "jolly" family. They'd always make sure they were on different 'teams' for these driveway games, but it hardly mattered. Dominating then, and that followed him to Helix, UCLA and the NBA.

His mom used to frequent The Trails Restaurant in San Carlos - Bill would sometimes be with her for lunch. Our little part of the world is a lesser place without them in it.

RIP Bill.

[Fishn'Aztec]

I was always impressed to see Bill Walton, Bill Freider and Tark attending an AZTEC BB game. I can only wonder what they talked about. RIP Bill, San Diego and college basketball has lost a great ambassador.

[KickAztec]

Such a sad day for all of basketball. The accolades will come pouring in, and rightly so. Condolences to the family.

Bill was about my age and one year ahead of me in school, and both our schools played in the San Diego CIF section. Luckily my high school team never had to play Helix High in those years (’68 to ’70), as they were so dominant they absolutely destroyed teams wherever they played. All because of Bill. Quite simply the best high school and college player to ever play the game. Maybe pros too. In my humble opinion.

A couple of things that stick out for me. First, his fundamentals were unbelievable. At 6’11” he was a great shooter, passer, playmaker, defender, and rebounder. Walton was (with apologies to Bill Russell), the best outlet passer the game has ever seen. He would rebound a missed shot, turn his body and fire the ball downcourt, all before his feet even hit the ground. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but THAT skill is a lost art for sure; nobody does that anymore.

His high school coaches had the foresight to schedule Helix in the top 1970 holiday tournaments in Los Angeles. You’ll have to look it up, but Helix beat the best LA teams that year by 25 or more. Dominant. I think Walton never lost a high school game his junior and senior years of high school (and maybe sophomore year too)?

In January 1971 through January 1974, UCLA never lost a game with Bill at the helm. 3 years with no losses. Think about that. An 88 game winning streak that will probably not be matched.

Off the court, a super scholar who, among other things, could recite John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success forwards and backwards. RIP Bill.

[uwphoto]

so sad to hear this! Always loved big Bill. Best college basketball player I ever saw. Shared his taste in music as well. I was at many Winterland shows, and so was he. Throw it down big man...and Fire on the Mountain.

[aztecdan8]

This one hit me by surprise. Selfishly I wished I had a clue he was sick, as I would've went out my way to watch some games he did this past season.

I think he was just a treasure and will be greatly missed. We are better with guys like him that are so positive, intelligent, enthusiastic.

Lots of great stories circulating about people who had personal interactions with him. I'll throw mine in ...

... my final semester at SDSU, I'm working out at the Family Fitness on Balboa ... Spring of 83. I'm doing legs curls and wrapping up my first set and a guy - who I can't yet see as I'm laying face down on that machine - asks me if he can "work in".

As I'm getting up after that first set, I say "sure, no problem" to then see its Bill Walton. So we alternate back and forth for about 3 more sets - he could barely fit into the machine to use it properly - which he was barely able to.

Surreal for me then. I was a bit in awe, so was a little intimidated and therefore didn't strike up much conversation.

But he asked me a few questions about who I was and what I did ... he was VERY nice, humble ... and appreciative to me for letting him work in.

I have a couple of other friends that have had more recent circumstances to be in his presence and they said he was incredible to everyone ... with his time, conversation and taking selfies.

RIP Bill. You, Coach Wooden and Jerry G should be having some great conversations about basketball, life, the world ... and the Dead.

[azdick]

Easily the best all-around college big man ever. Good guy. Good heart. Great family. Thanks, Bill. You left the world a better place for you having been an important part of it.

[aztecking]

Usually in death people try to sugarcoat your life. But even while alive I never heard anyone say a negative thing about him. He was beloved by all that met him and an all around great person. He’s someone I will truly miss. The world is a lesser place without him in it.

[zurac315]

Very sad. I really liked listening to him and how he praised the Aztecs. I feel the loss.

[Frantic]

Just two or three months ago he was biking down my residential street. I drove by slowly, rolled down my window, and said: "Throw It Down Big Fella!" He laughed and responded "Throw It Down!"

Just a great guy with a fantastic attitude on life.

[aztecs76]

Another "Walton Biking" story...
So we live on a bicycle friendly street and one afternoon our neighbor was over for some afternoon "adult beverages" on our front porch that overlooks the street. After a brief period of time (or heavy sips) I noticed that a giant of a bicycle rider rolling down the street and it turned out to be Bill. So as he rolled by the house I yelled out "Hey Bill...wanta beer" and he quickly yelled back "no I'm good" so then I yelled back "how about a bottle of water" and to our amazement he gave the thumbs up and turned his bike around. He parked the bike at the bottom of our steps and then walked up as both the neighbor and I were amazed how tall he was. He stayed with us for perhaps 15 minutes or so. I certainly don't remember what we talked about, but it was just a memorable memory and of course when the neighbor and I talk about it now the story gets better and better!!

[Section T(urn Up)]

A favorite of ours was fairly recently, at Loma Club in Liberty Station. We were at Dirty Birds for a ballgame of some sort. That ended, turned our attention to the live band playing at Loma Club and who’s on the bongos but Bill Walton.

Definitely lived to the beat of his own drum, but Maui broadcasts won’t be the same without him.