Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, and other NBA players pay tribute to Bill Walton following his passing.
Former champion Bill Walton has passed away after a long battle with cancer. This prompted Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, and other NBA stars to come together to honor the late legend and his significant impact on the league.
Walton, a former UCLA star, made his mark in the NBA when the Portland Trail Blazers selected him as the number one pick in the 1974 Draft. Despite his injury-plagued tenure in Portland, he led the team to a championship.
After his time in Portland, Walton played for both the San Diego and Los Angeles Clippers, and finished his career with the Boston Celtics. During his stint with the Celtics, the former Portland star won his second championship ring and was named Sixth Man of the Year in the 1985-86 season.
After retiring, the two-time champion worked as a commentator and analyst for ABC, ESPN, and other networks. His final role was as a commentator for PAC-12 games in the NCAA.
Walton’s passing has prompted tributes from various personalities both on and off the court, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and sports analyst Charles Barkley. Among those who expressed their condolences online are Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, among others.
Stephen Curry on Bill Walton: Rest in peace to a legend both on and off the court. He always brought the best energy and humanity to every room he entered. A true example of living his values, always with a smile! My prayers go out to the entire Walton family.
“Rest in peace to a friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most skilled centers we’ve ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis is by far the most dominate NCAA Championship performance ever – he shot 21 for 22 and had us all mesmerized! That’s when I first fell in love with his basketball game.
They talk about Jokic being the most skilled center but Bill Walton was first! From shooting jump shots to making incredible passes, he was one of the smartest basketball players to ever live. Bill was a great ambassador for college basketball and the NBA, and he will be sorely missed. Cookie and I send our condolences and prayers to his wife Lori, kids Luke, Nathan, Chris, and Adam, and all of his loved ones,” Johnson reacted.
