BILL WALTON

Remembering Basketball Icon Bill Walton

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bill walton

Basketball legend Bill Walton, who guided the UCLA Bruins to two national championships and later secured two NBA titles, has passed away at 71 following a long struggle with cancer.

Walton passed away on Monday, surrounded by his loved ones, according to a statement released by his family via the NBA.

During his illustrious career, Walton was named the NBA’s MVP for the 1977-78 season and was honored as a member of the league’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams. His college career was equally remarkable, earning him two championships at UCLA and three national Player of the Year awards under the legendary coach John Wooden.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement to ESPN. “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.

“As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him.”

In the vibrant tapestry of NBA history, few figures loom as large or leave as indelible a mark as Bill Walton. Renowned for his towering stature on the court and his unmatched basketball IQ, Walton’s impact transcends mere statistics. He dominated the game during his prime and reshaped the way basketball was played and perceived.

Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers as the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft, Walton immediately set the league ablaze with his exceptional skill set. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 11 inches, Walton possessed an innate ability to control the game from the center position. His deft passing, impeccable footwork, and uncanny court vision revolutionized the big man’s role, turning him into an offensive fulcrum and defensive stalwart.

Walton’s zenith came in the 1976-77 season, when he led the Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA championship, a feat that solidified his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. His virtuoso performance in the NBA Finals earned him the Finals MVP award, capping off a season marked by unparalleled excellence. However, injuries plagued Walton throughout his career, preventing him from reaching even greater heights.

Despite his injury, Walton’s impact on the NBA extended far beyond his playing days. His basketball acumen and passion for the game led him to become a respected analyst and commentator, providing insightful commentary and analysis that enriched the viewing experience for fans worldwide. His eloquence and encyclopedic knowledge of the game endeared him to audiences and cemented his legacy as a basketball sage.

Moreover, Walton’s advocacy for various social and environmental causes showcased his commitment to making a positive difference on and off the court. He used his platform to champion issues such as environmental conservation, social justice, and the importance of education, embodying the values of empathy and altruism.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, further solidifying his place among basketball’s legends. His legacy is a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

Today, Bill Walton’s influence continues to reverberate throughout the NBA landscape. His innovative playing style has inspired generations of big men to expand their skill sets and embrace versatility. His advocacy for social and environmental causes reminds us that athletes have a platform and a responsibility to effect positive change in society.

In the annals of NBA history, Bill Walton stands as a towering figure whose impact transcends the confines of the basketball court. His legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with basketball fans for generations to come, a testament to the enduring power of his influence.

The post Remembering Basketball Icon Bill Walton first appeared on The Source.

The post Remembering Basketball Icon Bill Walton appeared first on The Source.

Bill Walton Passes Away From Cancer At 71

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Multiple sources state that Bill Walton, a former NBA MVP and Hall of Famer who went on to become one of the game’s great commentators, has passed away from cancer. Walton was 71 years old. Before being chosen first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft, Walton was a standout player at UCLA under John Wooden. He played for the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Celtics for ten seasons, missing five due to foot problems. If not for his health problems, Walton’s career might have placed him among the top echelon of Basketball players. Walton passed away on Monday, the NBA said in a statement, surrounded by his loved ones.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.” The NBA commish added, “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.”

Read More: NBA News: TNT Loses NBA Rights, “Inside The NBA” Is Coming To An End

Bill Walton Passed Away From Cancer At 71

Prior to switching to college basketball in 2012, Walton worked as a main analyst for NBA games for ESPN and ABC when he first started there in 2002. In 2009, the American Sportscasters Association listed him among the best 50 sportscasters of all time. Additionally, he also worked for CBS and NBC. The 6-foot-11 Walton, selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft, spent ten seasons in the league, winning titles with both the Blazers (1977) and the Boston Celtics (1986). Over his career, he recorded 6,215 points (13.3 per game), 4,923 rebounds (10.5 per game), 1,034 blocks (2.2 per game), and 1,590 assists, all of which contributed to his double-double average. Additionally, Walton was a two-time All-Star who finished first in the NBA in blocks and rebounds in 1977. In 1986, he was named Sixth Man of the Year.

“What I will remember most about him was his zest for life,” Adam Silver said in his statement. “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.” He concluded his statement by saying, “As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him.” Overall, it is a sad day for the NBA as it grieves one of its seminal figures in Walton.

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The post Bill Walton Passes Away From Cancer At 71 appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Bill Walton Under Fire After Using Inappropriate Word For Little People

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Bill Walton is a legend when it comes to the world of basketball. Overall, he is someone who is an NBA champion. Moreover, he was a legend during his college years. These days, he is one of the voices of college basketball as he does color commentary for ESPN. Whenever you watch a high-profile NCAA Basketball game on ESPN, you can pretty well expect to hear Bill Walton’s voice. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no doubt that he has a larger-than-life personality out there.

Unfortunately, when you talk on television for so long, eventually you can wind up saying something that you regret. We live in an age where everything you say is clipped and put on social media. Moreover, there are more opportunities to offend people, whether purposely or accidentally. Bill Walton certainly found that out as he said “He does not need a little chair because he is a giant in a world full of shriveling m*****s.” on the broadcast. In the clip below, you can see him use the slur for little people twice.

Bill Walton Called Out

Consequently, Walton drew the attention of Little People of America. According to TMZ, they were appalled by his actions, and are immediately calling for him to apologize. “Those who use the term m***** or any terminology that further stigmatizes people born with dwarfism are asked to educate themselves to eradicate this word,” they said in a statement. “Little People of America is asking Bill Walton to issue an apology and vow to use appropriate terminology rooted in respect and dignity going forward.” As it stands, Walton has not commented on the matter.

This is one of those controversies that ESPN probably does not want on its hands. It feels like every single week, ESPN is dealing with something one of its broadcasters said. This can be difficult to manage, and the network is finding that out the hard way. Overall, it will be interesting to see how they handle this. Let us know what you think, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.

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Tyler The Creator Directed A Hilarious Converse Commercial Featuring Bill Walton And Vince Staples

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Converse

Tyler The Creator is a longtime fan of Converse and has collaborated with the brand on a number of fascinating releases, including his Golf Le Fleur line. It’s likely his love of the brand stems from his roots as a skater in LA, where the kicks are a symbol of multiple different subcultures — and often, a connector of those cultures, bringing together punks, skaters, and gangbangers over their shared love of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe.

When the brand tapped Tyler to create a short film (a commercial, really) highlighting this connection, they say they had no idea what they were going to get. Knowing Tyler, though, they were sure it’d be a reflection of his off-the-wall sense of humor and unique worldview and it’s probably safe to say they weren’t disappointed in the result, a minute-long spot titled “The Really Cool Converse Club.”

The hilarious ad depicts a group meeting of various subcultures tied to the shoe full of members of Tyler’s own wildly diverse friend group and Converse’s longtime brand partners like NBA legends Bill Walton and Marques Johnson, stand-up comic Josh Johnson, actor Tim Meadows, rapper Vince Staples, punk icon Henry Rollins, and Odd Future member Jasper. Converse skaters Milton Martinez and Louie Lopez and actors Errol Chatham, Arsenio Castellanos, and Jackson Randall also make appearances.

Tyler explained his vision in a press release: “I instantly thought about the many pockets of people that wear Chucks – like skateboarders, soccer moms, kids down the street, guys in the neighborhood I grew up with – and I wanted to put them in one place, that was important to me. Everyone wears Chucks…including pirates.” I won’t spoil it for you here but I will say The Really Cool Converse Club has some pretty strict rules.

Watch Converse’s Tyler The Creator-directed “The Really Cool Converse Club” ad here.