Danny Ainge reflects on Bill Walton's influence throughout his NBA career 💚 | SC with SVP
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- čas přidán 26. 05. 2024
- Danny Ainge joins Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter to reflect on the life and legacy of his former Boston Celtics teammate Bill Walton after the NBA announced the two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer died of cancer at the age of 71 on Monday.
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I loved Bill Walton, just a beautiful human being.
Yes! Saw all his games on TV(UCLA)
❤
I’m glad that Big Bill is getting the respect from the NBA media and sports personalities that he truly deserves!
Now he can go to heaven and be alongside other great big men like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain!
Amen! 🙏🏽
I hope youre not a lib cause they dont believe in heaven
It's Great! Most loved? Think so.
And Jerry Garcia...
He's been getting it all of his career where u been
Bill Walton invented the Point Center. Look at his passing and defense was incredible for a big man
Wilt did it 1st
@@pimpmastaa101no he didn’t. RUSSELL. Did it first and wilt and Wes Unseld followed suit, which then led to bill Russell.
I know you want to compliment him, but he didn’t.
Please state facts when discussing Walton.
Mikan did it before all of them!
Aw stop no he didn't
I remember after game 6 of the 2002 WCF, Walton was furious with the officiating and said the NBA did not want the Kings in the finals. He was the only person with the guts to say that.
YEP
I will always respect him for that. That series bothered me like nothing else in sports….that was back when I cared about the NBA. They robbed Sacramento.
@@jordan-xe2ybBut the Kings still had game 7 in Suckramento. That game 7 was decided at the FT line. Kings were 16/30; Lakers 27/33. There are no excuses.
LA haters.😂🤣
@@alfredodistefanolaulhe2212 I was PULLING FOR the Lakers and even said it. This Tourette's response to anything that runs counter to what you choose to believe has ruined all social discourse.
Bill was a cyclist and had expensive custom bikes made for his big frame; they looked ridiculous, but he also had a charity “Bikes for Humanity” that raised $4 million and donated over 100,000 bikes to kids in third world countries.
Met him riding bycicle on PCH smoothe stand party in the back. Didn't really follow basketball, probably starting college, yep biggest bycicle id ever seen, cool guy
I grew up down the road about an hour from Danny in Oregon, a few years younger but I remember how beloved Bill was to everyone in Oregon, those couple of healthy years when he won the championship with Portland and the league MVP were magical. My dad's cousin played against him in the NBA and said he was the nicest guy in the league. Rest in Peace Big Guy, you will be missed greatly.
Your dad's cousin, is your cousin as well.
Good old days, the 70's and the 80's.
Shocked and very sad that Bill Walton has left the earth (His spirit and presence will be ever present), and I'm an LA guy, a long time Lakers fan, but the 86 Celtics is the classic NBA team I enjoy watching the most on videos.
Definitely. What a player!❤️❤️❤️
The Portland Trail Blazers where Blessed By God and Blazers mania was wild World Champs 500 ,000 Blazer fans in dowtown POTLAND OR having a BLAST in 1977 baby
Rest in peace, Bill . Your smile will always lighten us, and your game was second to none.
Bill Walton was himself a great basketball player, broadcaster, coach of life. Great Big Man in the paint. Smart player
Rest in peace Bill Walton, our thoughts and prayers with you
He should go down in history as someone who lived life to the fullest. Right until the end he was going to enjoy working and playing, with his omnipresent laugh and smile. He will be missed.
I have been a Celtics fan since 1960, so I have seen a lot of great teams. That '85-86 team was the best I have ever seen. 50-1 at home, regular season and playoffs. Nobody is breaking that record. That didn't happen without Bill.
Could be the greatest team of all time.
@@waynejohanson1083
It was the greatest team of all time. The 84 team that beat the Fakers was incredible but Walton at the 6th man was the key for keeping Parish and McHale fresh.
The 96' Bulls were better
@@bobbenbrown123 🤣🤣🤣🤣
You can tell this is a big one for Danny.
1986 Celtics is the most dominant team ever
I'm thinking it was the 1977 -1978 (pre Walton injury) era
Definitely my favorite amazing chemistry
I would say that was the best Celtics team of my life. I don’t know about the teams before the 80s but that team was unstoppable. I just wish Houston did not beat the Lakers. That title did not feel the same. You know we hate the Lakers and Houston meant nothing to Boston.
Then what about all of those Celtic teams before them that won all of those straight championships
I was playing pool with a buddy at a little pub in N.W. Portland when Bill Walton cruised in on his bicycle, smiled and laughed with everybody, just the greatest guy, really humble and approachable.
I grew up one city over from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was fortunate enough to be able to do an internship there when I was in college, work there, and go to various occasions that were held there. One that I went to was a function they had involving the 1993 enshrines which Bill Walton was one of. While waiting to go into the theater for a press conference he sat at a table and signed anything and everything of whatever it was that was presented to him. Julius Erving who was also enshrined that same year and had ties to Western Massachusetts in that he attended the University of Madvhuett in Amherst for a bit stayed on the floor above where the theater was until it was time to go inside so he didn’t have to sign any autogra[phs. I also got to meet Bill Walton’s parents. Bill was DEFINITELY an example of their upbringing because never a nicer couple I have ever met. They were about to have a photo taken with Ray Meyer who was, in my opinion, the greatest coach the University of DePaul ever had. Mr. And Mrs. Walton asked if I would be in the photo with them and Ray Meyer.. I had aspirations of moving out to California at that time and they said if they could help me in any way to let them know. The Walton family is a class act in every say, shape, and form. Rest in peace, Bill. You sill DEFINITELY be misserd by me!!!
Danny Ainge, the greatest triple sport supestar of all time, paying tribute to Bill Walton, the greatest center and broadcast analyst of his generation despite his foot injuries. 🏀
I know he played basketball and baseball, what was the third sport?
Football
Was great at golfing to as a youth
What was the third sport?
Danny played in Eugene when Bill played in Portland!
Good job Danny
Rest in peace Bill Walton🙏🏿
The world will miss you bill
I wish the kids today could understand just how dominating Walton was before the injuries. He's sometimes forgotten but he was a monster in his prime.
He's never forgotten and the heck with the kids they think nothing happened before they were born anyway
Facts
As great a college player that ever played. Complete player. Serious foot injuries greatly affected his pro career.
Bill Walton went 21 for 22 field goals and 2 free throws for 44 points in an NCAA championship game, a record that stands to this day. For me, he was the best college center ever and, for at least one season, the best center in the NBA. It’s a testament to his character as a person that his basketball career was only a relatively small part of his legacy. The world is a less interesting place now that he’s gone.
His two varsity years in high school he shot 78% and they went 62-2.
With BW Portland was fantastic with out him not so much BUUUT He and the PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS WERE WORLD CHAMPIONS JUNE 5TH 1977,I use to brag on Bill WALTON SO MUCHas a Blazers fan in the 1970s I was 16 years young in 1977 I did meet David Twordzik in Sea Side Oregon Rrght after they won And Merice Luckus in Astoria Oregon at the fish Canney i was working at BOTH very nice gentle Men
I read that he had 4 dunks wiped off since the dunk was outlawed by the NCAA. Could have been 25 of 26 and 8 more points. It was great being a Bruin fan back then.
Bill was a National Treasure
💯
♬ Roll away... the dew ♪
How do you summarize someone that big in a few words? You will be missed, Bill.🙏🏽
I love Danny ❤
And I’ll miss Bill ❤
Thanks Danny, your comments make a tough loss a bit easier.
Bill Walton has gone home 🕊️
A friend of mine was a Walton fan boy. He ran into Bill Walton about 35 years ago in San Diego. Mr. Walton was gracious and chatted with my friend for awhile.
God bless Mr Walton , class act
This man made great friendships where he went. He has a great friendship with Maurice Lucas from his time withthe Trailblazers, that Bill named his son Luke after him. Loved watching the Trailblazers Champion team.
Walton was one of the most decent human beings to ever play never mind being such a talented player. How could you not love this man?
Facts
Bill Walton was revolutionary - don't know how else to describe how he played...blessings to all
The NBA needs more hippies, or whatever the modern version is. The Phil Jacksons, Bill Waltons, Kareems. You can get along with most people, show the world respect, while still being a badass at what you do.
Facts
Great comments from Danny about his friend and teammate Bill Walton. I grew up watching him play for Wooden at UCLA then in the Pros and he was one of a kind indeed!
Bill was the first player I followed in the NBA when I was kid in a small town in Ohio. Thank you Mr. Walton for the great memories. And IMO the '86 Boston team was the greatest NBA team ever ❤
Another great tribute from one of the best to ever play the game!
That 1986 team will live on in our memories. We had Bill Walton - point center, Larry Bird - point forward and DJ - point guard. All pointed to a championship. We were so blessed to have him as part of the Celtics even for a short time. He was truly one of a kind.
I remember watching Bill playing for UCLA and there after (Go Blazers and Celtics!). When he was healthy, he was an amazing basketball player. Today, I appreciate him more so for his outlook on life and his views on the world that we live in.
San Diego native.
In ‘79 Bill came to his hometown team, the then SD Clippers. He missed more games than he played. ( he always said if he had played more, they would’ve never moved to LA) When he joined the Celtics, it was like we adopted them because of Bill. This town went crazy. He was proud of his home town and we were proud of him.
Bill Walton was a San Diegan
Closest on the court to Bill imo was Arvydas Sabonis.
Yes, a young Arvydas before his injuries, the closest we have today in the NBA to Walton's skill set is his son Domantas, who was born in Portland when his dad played for the Blazers. Jokic has his passing and rebounding but Bill was so athletic for a big center and he utterly dominated on both sides of the ball, that playoff run I think he averaged over 4 blocks per game and something like 15 boards?
Funny enough when Walton was traded to Boston from the Clippers, the draft pick traded to LA eventually became Sabonis
Ironically, Walton was one of the first, if not the first to alert the West, about Sabonis. He couldn’t stop talking to everyone about this kid he saw play in Europe, when Walton was doing bike races there. Bigger than Olajuwon, shoots like Bird, drives to the basket like Jordan, and passes like Magic, was how he described him. Too bad injuries took away from both their careers.
How many nba championships did sabonis win in college and in the NBA? And is he in the Hall of Fame?? Nope!! So it's a dumb comparison
@@anthonytaylor7928 Skill set, dipstick.
I always loved Johnny Most the late great Celtics broadcasting/ radio announcer when he would call the 1986 Celtics games and would say "Lays it off to Walton who lays it up and in". Or "What a shot by Bill Walton".
Hugh Bill Walton fan, starting with his time at UCLA. As a basketball fan it’s very hard not to appreciate his ball talent, especially on D. His off court personality was just as interesting and fun.
Also an incredibly intelligent, well read man. During a broadcast he made reference to "The Overstory", Richard Powers' latest novel. I remember thinking there probably weren't 15 people listening who even knew who Powers is.( I do because my mom taught him high school creative writing. (MacArthur genius, National Book Award, Pulitzer for Fiction.) You are a pretty philosophical thinky person if you read Powers. (I can't:)
I think he got a Philosophy degree from UCLA, and I know he was in the top 10% of his high school class academically.
I went to a bunch of the Clipper games in San Diego, what I remember about Bill was his exuberance on defense, running around and just dominating in the paint.
Danny Ainge, one of the best all-around athletes EVER!
Along with all these great NBA players, I also remember DA's sure baskets, what a thrill it was.
❤️ & ✊ Big Bill……..thanx for the memories
Danny was and is very special too.
He was an awesome dude...
Whenever Bill was on the sidelines watching Larry Bird he looked like he was tripping on LSD with a giant smile. What a team that was. wow. amazing.
I can’t imagine a world without Bill Walton
Perhaps the best passing center of all time.
I met Bill Walton 7 years ago.. He was the nicest guy but he loved to talk. He also disliked people wearing hats indoors.
I wonder if that was something Coach Wooden instilled in him?
He was one of the best big men I ever seen in college basketball
A true 1 of 1....
Loved your 3s Danny you and Stockton
Started with Bill Walton, then lead to guys like Arvydas Sabonis, Vlade Divac and Nikola Jokic...passing big men from Europe adopted his game.
Yep, I would put in Domantas Sabonis as well, like 8 assists per game?
@@deanfirnatine7814His dad Arvydas like Bill is one of the great what if stories. Both suffered horrific injuries early in their careers and couldn't play much but if they had full long careers both could have been an all time greats and still are Portland legends. Domantas could carry both their legacies in the NBA.
Started with bill Russell actually. Russel was the archetype for Walton and Wes Unseld a games.
@@TheIcemanthomasthat's quite the learning tree to be under. Bill Russell was one of the very best. In fact, weren't they teammates as well?
@@MentalLiberation Bill Russell was retired for 5 years already before Walton joined the NBA with Portland Trailblazers in 1974. He won one ring with the Blazers in 1977. Bill Russell played his entire career with the Boston Celtics from 1956-1969 and won 11 championships. Almost 20 years later Bill Walton was playing for Boston in 1986 -1987 and won another championship (his 2nd) and ended his career there. So yes, they both played for Boston but almost 20 years apart.
In one of his NCAA championships, I watched in awe as he played the low post almost to perfection. I think he shot 19 of 21, or something like that. One can only imagine how great he would have been without all the injuries.
For a year and a half Bill Walton was the best center I ever saw. Those who only saw him after his injury filled years in the late 70s just didn’t see him at his best. Still pretty darn good, but, just not the same.
He was definitely a Point Center anyway may he rest in peace
I am a couple of months older than bill walton. Yes, he was a great player when healthy. Seldom was he healthy after he left ucla. Most 7-footers have leg and foot problems. The rumors were very strong for decades that bill Walton’s drug use were substantial, perhaps even at UCLA under john wooden. I don’t know if his drug use contributed to his poor health in adulthood, but it certainly didn’t help.
I am not perfect and have made a ton of mistakes in my life, but I am one of the few boomers who never did drugs of any kind.
I watched the game live when david thompson, tom burleson, Monty towe and tim stoddard beat ucla.
I watched the notre dame game when John shumate and company stopped the 88-game winning streak.
I have known the name bill walton for 53 of my 71 years.
He was a character. May he Rest In Peace.
Thanks Danny and Scott for doing this.......
Bill Walton was probably my favorite NBA commentator because of his hilarious and cheeky remarks. He was a hoot!
Great interview!
I love Danny
REST IN PEACE BILL WALTON💔🕊️🙏
Does anyone remember when he took up bicycling after his injuries and how he excelled in that sport?
We lost one of the most beautiful human beings with the loss of Bill Walton.
He was a great player, a great broadcaster and of the greatest dudes to ever walk the planet.
☮️PEACE OUT BILL ✌️ R.I.P 🙏
Remember the headline "TREE BITES MAN!" after the dust up between Tree Rollins and Danny Ainge, but to this day people accuse Ainge of doing the biting!
The late great Dr. Jack Ramsey coached that Portland team.
Oh gawd! Danny Ainge! A BYU graduate he was DESPISED by most of us in Utah. When he was with the Boston Celtics he came to play for my Utah Jazz. We Jazz season ticket holders would hang with the Celtic players, referees, and coaches.They never understood why we all HATED Danny. "Because he went to Mormon BYU"!
Walton was unique, and myfavorite Bruin.
Thank you Danny Ainge. I hope to hear from Larry Bird’s comments & memories of Bill Walton!
This is life. It’s sad . I’m from old Boston growing with Bill Russell ,John Havlicek ,Jo Jo White ,Bird ,Walton. Thank you Bill Walton. Danny Ainge Thank You.
I've been giving this a lot of thought since Bill passed away. If I had to pick a starting 5, a healthy Bill Walton would be my center.
I liked Walton and as a Celtics fan, enjoyed his short time in Boston. I did not like when he was announcing college games. Seems like each early season during pre-season tourneys, he always called one of my Heels games. I always wondered when he was going to actually talk about the game he was announcing. But the man had a great career with National and NBA titles followed by years of being involved in the game.
Spoken like a true Heel.
He was Unbelievable!
I was hideously referred to as "Scar". You never bought in. All the best DA.
He was a real hippie
Bill is one of my favorite announcers. I tend to like the ones that a little on the weird side. Another one I liked that apparently wasn't liked was Dennis Miller. He was hilarious that one year on Monday Night Football. But some want to keep their football serious.
If you are about retirement age and we’re living in Portland & Oregon in 1977 you know what Bill Walton meant to this city and I believe Danny Ainge understood that.
You can even hear it in Scott’s voice in the intro 😢
If he had stayed healthy, he would have been on of the greatest of all time. He was amazing injured.
first thing? love.
Seemed like he was a good person
Great content, GOD is good. Rest in peace, Bill Walton!
At his best, Walton could compete with any center in any era. Incredible passer, rebounder, shot blocker, and a very strong offensive player.
Very, very, very sad news. I was a huge fan of Bill Walton as a player but more as a man. Go with God, Bill Walton, via con Dios.
I use him on 2K myteam GOAT
Great year when they won the championship i was ruting for him
When asked in an interview "How good is Larry Bird" Walton's response was "We don't know how good Larry is, and we won't know until we get better!"
Walton played right after I left UCLA (where I saw most of Jabbar's college career, including freshman games). Walton's one team three away a 7 point lead near the end of the finals, on their national championship streak would have been quite a bit longer. But Walton was too slender to dominate the post like Alcindor did.
It wasn't just a phone call to Robert Parish, according to Robert Parish. Bill Walton went to Robert Parish's home, paid him a visit.
'" Fare Thee Well " Bill .
Jesus, can’t believe how he’s aged. But then so have I.
Bill was a OG hippie till the end