I lost a friend today - Stephen A. Smith on Bill Walton’s death | SportsCenter
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- Опубліковано 26 тра 2024
- On SportsCenter, Stephen A. Smith joins to pay tribute to the late Bill Walton, who died age 71.
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"Throw it down.. big man".... Bill Walton commentary was LEGENDARY
“What a HORRIBLE call! HORRIBLE!” Loved when Walton was calling a game.
Yessir... I am gonna miss that voice.
😢😭
all i keep hearing is him rn and remembering the NBA on NBC
NBA 2K5
This was the first thing I thought of when I heard the news. Oh, and the time he took his shirt off on live TV lol. Legend on the court and in the booth. Bill will certainly be missed.
I loved watching Bill Walton was calling a game. His enthusiasm, his knowledge, his passion, his humor. My condolences to the Walton family on their loss.
It was always interesting to hear his perspective whenever NBC or CBS would have him work the pre/postgames of the NBA Finals or college basketball championship game. Even as a player from the 60s and 70s, he still understood the game years later. He was staunchly opposed to UCLA joining the Big Ten, and strangely enough he didn't live long enough to see the Bruins play a game in that conference.
I also loved watching games he called! You knew who it was when you heard his voice!
@@RobbieStacks90 Big Red was amazing at calling a game, and even better playing it
I remember meeting Bill Walton in Portland while I was in the Army and he was super nice, he gave me a hug, autograph and thanked me as if he's not the legend. World lost a great man
@KolaNoe-rn1ml cap
Thank you for your services
Thank you for your service
@@aireli24tv12 stop trolling fool
@@aireli24tv12 Why is that so hard to believe? People come across famous people all the time traveling through airports or at an organized event. It happens more than people think.
I met Bill at a private event in La Jolla. He treated me with kindness and respect although I’m nobody. He was a true gentleman.
🫂
Ya and I met Micheal Jackson a few weeks ago at a hotel smh shut up liar
Absolutely. One of the best.
Man died and y’all niggas making jokes no you did not meet him
Lol Nobody.
the man had a serious stuttering problem until he was 28 years old. He overcame it and couldn't stop talking. He was so happy and had tremendous enthusiasm. an amazing genuine broadcaster. Once he was free of his stuttering he lived life to the max. an icon who will be missed.
I grew up in Portland. I saw him play live. He was a hero to me not just because of Basketball but for what he stood for. I was at the airport in Portland when the Trailblazers came back from losing two straight to Philly in the 1977 Finals and it was so cool to see Bill walking down the terminal with his son Luke on his shoulders and telling every photographer "Do Not post a photo of my son"! And he meant it. Never saw that photo. That is the respect he had. Went to the Portland Trailblazer parade after the 1977 NBA Championship a week later. Biggest Oregon parade of all time. Bill thought he could ride his bicycle behind the float and they made for the players but got mobbed and someone grabbed his custom made $4,000 bike. Built for a 7 foot person it was soon returned. I think most of us in Oregon loved everything about him. He fit us and hopefully we fit him too. Bill entire game seemed to be about setting other people up to achieve. I've never seen another player grab a rebound and within a fraction of a second throw it downcourt to create a fast-break like Bill did. Thanks Bill, you were the best.
My uncle was a custodian for Philadelphia 76ers. We went to the games often. In 1977 we were at the pre game warm up. Wally Walker knocked a basketball up in the stands. Nobody seem interested in the basketball so I covered it up with the a jacket. When I went down on the court Bill Walton ask me for the basketball . He said I saw you go get it. He said kid do you need a basketball I said yes. Bill told me to go get it. I thought he was going to keep it. Not only did he sign it . He got the whole team to sign it an he went into the Philly lockeroom an Dr.J sign it. He came back gave me the ball an gave me big hug. I was a Bill Walton fan for life.
Wow! Bill and Dr J were known for being very thoughtful toward fans.
Do you still have the ball?
Wow that is a true human I bet he would always remember that moment.
God bless you.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Amazing story, thanks for sharing...Bill won at life, not just on the court.
A death hurts more when the deceased is of such high character, humility, and filled with laughter and joy,. Bill Walton was a diamond in the rough. His commentary brought many smiles and chuckles to me over the years.
What a shame. What a player. Great personality. That 86 Celtic team won the minute they signed him.
I hope Celtics can win #18 to celebrate Bill Walton time as a Celtic as well 💚
@@Neetxisytnewt Same! Celtics and Mavs would be an epic finals.
Dude lived life the way it was supposed to be lived! An all timer who will be missed
He’s in Sheol suffering he did wickedness for the elites
@@michaeldeleon8970change your name to say some insane,batsh1t stuff like that. Your name's too close to mine and I don't want to be associated with clinically insane comments. Thank you.
@@michaeldeleon8970 hopefully you go there for disrespecting such a great man. Schedule a dental appointment with a shotgun barrel dickhead
@michaeldeleon8970 let he without sin cast the first stone. Always remember that, bud.
@@michaeldeleon8970 so you reported my comment and got it erased huh? That's ok. I'll say it again. Change your name if you're going to say insane stuff. Your name is too close to mine and I don't want to be associated with clinically insane comments. Thank you.
Met him at the '96 olympics. As nice as can be. Rest in power big man 🙏🏽😥
A real champion on and off the court.
My NBA childhood is devastated right now...He was the voice of so many Sat & Sun memories on NBC. Steve "Snapper" Jones, Bill Walton, & Tom Hammond...There will never be a better crew! 😩
My wife and I cried when we heard the news. A fine family man and of course all-time great.
Bill walton is the goat for basketball personalities.
Great comment.
And he Loved discussing the game, the history, the players who made it great.
One of a kind! a great ambassador for basketball.
He was a renaissance man if ever there was one.
His intelligence, he shared with us all during his Pac-12 games, will be cherished forever. Throw it down, big man !!
Such sad news to wake up to this morning. Bill Walton was my entire childhood when I watched NBA on NBC. Loved listening to his color commentary in those days. Rest in peace, big man.
Bill Walton, a true basketball legend.
Carried himself with grace, both on and off the court. You will be missed. Rest In Peace, sir.
Rest in peace, he was not only a great player but a great human being
He enlivened the scene. He was great.
Throw it down, big man! 😢
Rest in peace big Bill 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I met Bill Walton at a nursing conference. He was more than a guest speaker. We was a wonderful orator and incredibly motivational. I was captivated by his words and he held my attention throughout. God bless this man.
Really dude no you did not meet him
I lived in Portland iin '78 and was listening to the game when Walton injured his foot the first time. The Trailblazers were defending Champs and their record at the time was 50 and 10. It all left that night.
Going to miss Walton. He was great
Bill Walton NBA legend will be missed
I didn't like him in college, because he played for UCLA. After he became a pro player and helped take Portland to the NBA championship, and later Boston,I came to realize his talent and what he did for a team. One game that stands out in every one's mind is the clinic he put on against Memphis State in the NCAA tournament. It was unbelievable the way he turned things around for the bruins.
@stephenfletcher1579 same here. Hated UCLA, Dallas cowboys, NY Yankees. But Bill gets my vote as the greatest college player ever. With Russell and Kareem right there, too.
Bill Walton is to basketball what John Madden is to the NFL One of the greatest in any sport he truly loved what he did God Bless his family and God Bless everyone
Idk bout all that
I agree
That's true. But what made Bill great and different was that there was a world of other things besides basketball. His parents were teachers not much interested in sports.
I think think that honor belongs to Hubie brown, Bill is more Troy aikman with a since of humor.
Imagine his career with feet that didn’t cause him pain.
In college he packed his knees with ice after every game, saw him dismantle cal Berkeley bears in the Oakland Colliseum
I met Bill a few years back and had dinner with him and his crew. Totally humble and nice guy. He had a special chair to sit in, it kept him eye level with everyone and I believe it helped him with his feet. He walked very slow and seemed to be in some pain. Rest easy Bill.
The gentle giant. He was one of the great personalities in hoops
Bill Walton was a giant amongst giants. HOF player & HOF broadcaster. Championships with Coach Wooden man what a legendary career. Hate the fact Shaq & Rasheed had something negative to say about him when he paved the way for them
My favorite Bill Walton quote:
“Block a shot, play some defense!” That always resonated with me. Everyone is so focused on scoring, that they lose sight of the bigger picture, and that’s winning the game. Same thing applies to life. If something isn’t sticking for you, don’t get overly focused on that one thing. Look around and see all the other great things that life has to offer.
We lost another part of the classic 70’s n 80’s Bill walton 🙏rest in peace space ace Ron ⚡️
When he had the opportunity, he would play in my husband's Grateful Dead tribute band in San Diego. He was such a nice guy.
That's really cool stuff ..I always loved San Diego as did Bill Walton...
This came unexpectedly... condolences to the Walton family...
Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school California USA ♥️🇺🇲🙏🗽🦅
@@user-xh8ii2hj6r both of my parents are from Downey! 😊
@@jillionairess Noway! How cool ✌️
@@jillionairess Bill Walton came across to me as a Coach who cared, like it was when I was growing up...tell your husband I never made it past the parking lot at Long Beach Arena 1986ish... LoL OMG! I did however get the show of a lifetime once... Timothy Leary was in town and I seen the Brunette on the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine wearing a Vivid Green fish scales dress fly off the cover and over my shoulder and made me duck and say WHOA!
I'm sure coach wouldn't mind that much...hey we were young and we experimented but we cared about home! God bless 🙏🗽♥️🇺🇲
@@user-xh8ii2hj6r I only made it to a couple of shows before Jerry passed. I didn’t know much about the Dead at the time but it turned out to be some of the best times I ever had! My husband is having a hard time today. They’re doing a local tv spot in the morning in Bill’s honor. He’s working on “He’s Gone” right now. 😢
We lost a legend. In and outside the court. Condolences to his family and friends. 🙏
Bill Walton was wonderful, he was a great player, announcer, and all around fan of basketball, a true ambassador for the game.
Loved Bill. He played with a lot of pain in his prime.
Such a tough loss to hear today. To touch up on what Stephen A. said in regard to today’s much younger NBA audience, they simply don’t realize just how great the man really was. We’re talking about a guy who could simply do it all. When healthy, not dealing with those nagging injuries, he was untouchable. Couldn’t stop him. Not only one of the hands down greatest basketball players of all time, but also one of the greatest basketball minds to ever walk this planet. His legacy is without a doubt one to be appreciated and highly respected. A true legend and champion. Rest In Power, Mr. Bill Walton👑🏀🙏🏾
Portland will never forget Bill and all he has done for our city❤
Walton was such a joyful person. Total class!
Never saw Bill mad at anybody. Good guy.
I'm showing my age but Bill's commentary was legendary. They couldn't have him now a days but his honesty was hilarious.
Rest in peace good sir 🙏
It sure was
I was hopeful that make he'd be back calling nba games again. Loved this guy
REST IN PEACE BILL WALTON 🕊️🙏💔
thoughts and prayers for his family
Truly, a real champion on and off the court, the NBA will miss an absolute legend of the game rest in peace Bill Walton
Bill and steve snapper Jones both would have good commentary.
WALTON WAS BEST COLLEGE CENTER OF ALL TIME...WOODEN WAS AMAZED EVERY GAME...😅
He is with his brother Maurice Lucas.
Both were the best of not friends brothers.
Great blazers of all time.
Portland has the fortune to say he played for the blazers.
He will be missed not forgotten.
Bill was great man! One of the best centers of all time!😊
As a player, he was a great competitor. His ability to pass was phenomenal
Oh now he was so sweet. I saw him all of the time when I lived in San Diego he always spoke with that great big heart warming smile.
Never got to see him play but I vividly remember him calling games in the 90’s/00’s. Felt like the epitome of an NBA Dad, such an interesting person and you can tell he was good hearted. Condolences to his Friends and Family and Fans! Lost a great one today
Thanks, Bill, for all of the fun not only on the court, but off the court. You brought me and my family so much enjoyment. Such a lovely human being. Rest easy, big man.
Going to miss him bringing great energy to the announcers booth. He was always cracking jokes and making us smile.
Man, Big Walt is gone. He is gone children. A true gentlemen of the sport, a great champion, colorful, enigmatic, interesting, and an absolute joy to listen to him call games, as well as watching him when I was a kid. Rest in Peace brother.
It was an honor cooking for Mr Walton after him calling USC games. Beautiful Voice!
He was a very friendly person. I met him at a Nashville Predators game and he was so nice to me. It is a sad day.
He was a wonderful man indeed! May his soul rest in peace.
Bill Walton was a true champion. He had class honor he will be missed!
I can't begin to express how deep of a loss this is Bill Walton was always on the NBA on ESPN or abc. Phenomenal commentator, phenomenal host and very good basketball player. Thank you Mr Walton for giving me MBA as a child and thank you for your contributions off the court. You have a blessed day
Gone way too soon. I will never forget meeting him in Orlando for All-Star Weekend in 2012.
May Bill Walton rest in peace, and may each of you and his other loved ones be healed and comforted.
This hits hard because I’m a die hard UCLA fan!! My dad went to UCLA and Bill is our goat with Kareem. Rest in Peace 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽😔 I watch every UCLA game and support always. Bill will be missed
I turned 65 today, but I'll remember this day later on as the day we lost a legend. Big Bill was an icon here in San Diego; so friendly whenever I saw him out riding his huge orange bicycle; always had a 'hello' and a wave for me. Watching him on KTLA at UCLA back in 72-72 was gold. Bill Walton will be missed.
Rest in Peace
Gonna miss him on NBA TV, always smiling, has basketball knowledge he been there there never be another great guy like bill Walton. Prayers to one of his sons Luke walton
Bill Walton was one of those guys that you would hate (not literally) because he was on the other team, but you would give anything to have on your team. He would always give my Lakers all they could handle. Much respect. My heart is heavy. Yes, "Throw it down..big man, throw it down".
Rest in peace Mr Bill Walton
I learned so much about basketball and life listening to Mr Walton call games. I will certainly miss him!!!
Sheesh! I’ll be 71 this year. Cripes!
His last college game in the championship was a thing of beauty.
Huge loss for the bball world..I had a chance to meet him at the 07' NCAA final four in Atlanta and he was a very cool guy so I will salute his legacy by saying in the infamous words of the late bill Walton " THROW IT DOWN BIG GUY..THROW IT DOWN!!" 🏀 R.I.P 🕊️
Rest in peace 💔
God bless you Bill Walton, the greatest college basketball ever.
Christian Laettner has joined the chat
He is in that teepee in the sky now.
Rest in peace
Hanging w/Jerry Garcia
@@WilliamBonney-gl2qf chips cashed in my friend
I noticed him in SanÐiego and he was so sweet and nice to me. Made my Day!
Bill Walton was a great commentator he was the real deal..seemed like a good man
Walton was the greatest gift the basketball gods could have ever given us, the Celtics fans of that era - his addition to the team was almost beyond belief.
Rest in peace Bill 🙏🏽🕊️
I used to love getting in front of the television as a little boy watching him and Kareem go at. Really sad news. My condolences to his family. 🙏
My condolences to the family of the legend Bill Walton….R.I.P.
Rest in Peace Mr. Walton🙏🙏🙏
I will always remember him alongside Marv Albert and the late great Steve “snapper” Jones. May he be in paradise today!
Bill Walton- Passion- Storytelling- Historian
Loving, Caring, Super Funny, One of A Kind!
At Peace Big Red- you lived so fully...
Throw it down big fella best catch phrase
Rest in peace,you were truly one of the greatest and complete big men that played this game of basketball.God Bless your family.Anen.🙏
Rest Easy to Mr. Walton. Condolences to his family 🙏🏾🕊
Always big bill Walton
1 of the greats of nba centers
Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of All-Time! A Great NBA player as well but injuries hurt his career. He had a lot of adversity that he overcame to become a great broadcaster! Rest In Peace Bill! The Grateful Dead and basketball fans will miss you!
"You don't play defense with your head", his commentaries during games were hilarious. Truly missed.
From one deadhead to another deadhead....R.I.P Your up there with Jerry Brent Vince Keith etc...LET THE JAMS BEGIN...My prayers go out to his family and friends...
Bill Wlaton on the call with Dave Pash was great. Bill would make references from Greatful Dead to The Doors and Edward Abby. Shoe Dog as well. Keep on Truckin, Rest Easy
One of the best that ever played. Plus really good person.
Can we please get a moment of silence?....R.I.P. Mr. Walton
Growing up, Bill Walton was my favorite college basketball player of the 1970’s. Too bad his foot injuries greatly affected his professional career. I truly believe he could have led the Portland Trail Blazers to some more championships.
Indeed!
Was fortunate enough to meet Bill on several occasions, he was so respectful and gracious every time. I even have a picture with him at a Grateful Dead concert at Red Rocks. Cool Runnings Big Man, will be thinking of you Saturday when I will celebrate your Light at JRAD at RR!
I used to see Bill at Dead concerts, here and there. He was easy to spot. He smiled alot.
His UCLA days !! 44 points in a NCAA final.....he was super
Not only that, he only missed one or two shots. He was the greatest, especially when you take note of his passing. Like Bird and Magic, he made everyone else better. People have forgotten.
Rest In Peace Bill Walton You will be missed
I knew Bill. We'd have great conversations whenever he was in my arena. This one hurts. Rest peacefully legend!!!
REST IN PIECE MY FELLOW HIPSTER!
Hippie
*Peace
Rest in peace Bill Walton 💯🙏🏽🙏🏽
Rest In Peace Bill Walton My Condolences 💐 Are With His Entire Family
A true legend, on n off the court
One of the true greats on and off the court. You will be missed mr Walton. Condolences to your family and close ones