Remembering Bill Walton with Stephen A., Michael Wilbon, Chris Paul & Bob Myers | NBA Countdown 

THROW IT DOWN BIG FELLA - one of the best on call EVER

His voice and commentary was great. Rest in paradise

Man, some people forget how nice Big Bill was back in the day. In that 1977 NBA finals run, he swept Kareem, beat the David Thompson led Nuggets and came back down 2-0 against the Julius Erving, George McGinnis, World B. Free, and Darryl Dawkins Sixers. And then he reinvented himself as a crucial role player on the 1986 Celtics. He was one of the premier passing big men of the era! Bill Walton, if he stayed healthy, would be a Top 5 Center of All-time.

I followed him since his college days, what a great player and person! The world has lost a great man! Rest in peace Bill and thaks for All the memories.

Bill Walton was part of my first sports heartbreak. I was 6 years old and a Sixers fan. 1977. It was tough. Then he became a Celtic and when he wasnt coming of the bench like some folk hero and breathing life into the Celtics , he was cheering on the bench and just killing my 76ers. But I grew to love his unbridled joy for the game and life. I loved his hyperbole and tangential speeches. He conveyed happiness and felt fortunate to live his life. And I can never forget, " Throw it doowwwwwnnn, BiG FELLA!!!

Great player Greater broadcaster Greatest human

I moved to Portland with my family as a 15-yr. old in 1968, the Blazers first year in the league. Such an exciting time, a big-league team in our little town! After enduring so many losing seasons in those early years It's hard to overstate the impact Big Red made on our community. Even we in progressive Portland weren't quite sure what to make of this scraggly bearded, long-haired Deadhead who hung out with radicals like Jack Scott - maybe even the SLA! - He stuttered, stammered and eventually played his way into our hearts. The '77 championship was surreal, and the following season even more dreamlike - until the inevitable occurred, followed by the unthinkable. But in that short period of time, what a team and what a player. It is enough. All we have are memories, and Bill's beautiful soul will live with us always.

THROW IT DOWN BIG FELLA !!!! Man Bill was the best of the best to ever do it really sad that he’s gone from our lives

His battle with a speech impediment early in his life, his chronic injuries, and his battle with cancer(that few knew about) hit home for me. I admire Bill, his passing isn't going to change that. Authenticity and joy at it's finest. My condolences to Luke.

Bill Walton will be missed. We all grew up on NBA on NBC and mimicked his famous lisp.

Omg Bill was a legend. Unique player with a great love for life. He will greatly be missed. Condolences to his family!!

Say what you want about ESPN but this was great of them. Bill will be missed.

REST IN PEACE BILL WALTON🙏🕊️💔 Thoughts and Prayers for his Family

Our/My - Beloved Bill Walton: 1952-2024 & just a few months younger than i, passed on to his new Adventure this Memorial Day Weekend, succumbing to Cancer; BUT, did he really die from "Cancer?" - more rather most macabre, from a Broken Heart! As was this not also, the final weekend of the Official fully Pac 12 Competition - of ALL the Sports. I actually met Bill one time & got a chance to shake his hand, & it was just before Game 6 of the 1977 Finals. A call had been put out, by someone in the Media, just after our Blazers had won their first Game in Philadelphia & turned a 2-2 tie when they left Portland, into a 3-2 lead, after defeating them - on the road -in Game 5. We were encouraged to go meet them at the Airport as they arrived home & provide both gratitude for turning an otherwise dismal start to the Series, into a Lead & chance to finish them off, here at Home with perhaps some extra inspiration to carry them to that Finish Line. I knew i wasn't going 2B able to go to the game, or probably EVER have the Opportunity to Thank him personally for what he had given Portland; so out i drove, with the plane arriving super late, expected some time between 11-12mid. & was able to accomplish both objectives. He could not have been more Gracious! He & the entire Team were just so humble & down to Earth! I had no idea at that time, that Bill would soon endure so many health issues & never have the opportunity to give us another Championship; and so in hindsight, i realize that meeting & thanking him, in Person, was far more gratifying, than had i actually been able to attend that Title Winning - Game! You will always hold a special place in my Heart, Bill! And yes, i and so many of us like you, also bemoan the dismantling of the Pac12 - the Conference of CHAMPIONS, & even half suspect, that in your own karmic way & with the knowledge of also your own imminent fate, found the best way you could think of, for the Legacy of your Life, to be 4ever interwoven - with that of the Pac12. And Alas you may now also be rejoined with the Grateful Dead! MAZEL TOV BILL!!

I remember seeing him at a Grateful Dead concert in Hartford Connecticut back in the 90s.

Rest in Peace to Bill Walton, his energy was always palpable through the screen. A true icon, salute to that gentleman

I loved Bill Walton’s commentary, he made the games so much more enjoyable to watch..😢

Sending prayers and condolences to da Walton family 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

A player and person from out of the 60's, he transcended sports through his personality and character.

Bill Walton guided the Portland Trailblazers to their lone NBA championship. I remember that Portland team, and Bill Walton was the master of the jump hook. And, yeah, his numerous injuries cut short his NBA career.

Bill was a National Treasure

Sleep in basketball heaven Mr.Walton may your soul rest in peace

Rest in peace Bill Walton😢😢😢

Man if walton never got injured. Could've accomplished more. Definitely a great big man.

The World is a truly lesser place without Bill. He was a unique, brilliant wonderful human.

Rest in Peace Legend. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends .

Bill Walton's passing, defense, and competitive drive are unparalleled by any center in basketball history

Bill was my GUY. Loved his energy and passion!

Perks days are numbered! Thank goodness yall got some HOF players back on the network.

Loved when he called the bulls Knicks game where Pippen dunked on Ewing.

The myth, The Legend, one of the best to ever do it, Greatest College Basketball player all time, Lakers sending much Love may you rest in peace Hall of fame 🍾.

Gonna miss him doing commentary for Arizona Wildcats Basketball games

When I was 13 Portland drafted Bill Walton. Living in Portland I longed-for Bill to move in next door to us - se we could be neighbors and I could mow his lawn for him. I was his biggest fan for 50 years.

R.I.H. Bill All love for what you gave to this world and the game lived the dream condolences to his family

One of the best big man players all time college and pros and always was one of my favorite players even though bill played before I was even born 🙏 forever missed

Please espn have a collection of the games bill walton was the commentator @espn

I was lucky enough to be at the Memorial Coliseum in June of 1977 when the Trailblazers, led by Bill and Maurice Lucas, won their only NBA championship. Walton was a one off both on and off the court. If you look up the meaning of the phrase, "They don't make 'em like that anymore," the definition should be accompanied by a picture of Bill. He was something special.

I had a collage of newspaper clippings on a big cardboard. One picture had UCLA Walton standing at the post. Bill Cartright behind him Phil Smith on his left hip and another player on his right hip and he's standing upright with one arm up calling for the ball. 3 players two of them future NBA players guarding him. An LA Times Headline "Bill Walton: Down to earth view of a living legend". He was still in college! He had a king size bed in his living room because his back got real bad and I thought I may never see him again. He rebounded, started calling games again and we were lucky to get several more glorious years from him

Man this makes me sad….

Bill Walton; one of the greats for sure.

Excellent tribute to Bill Walton. Worth a listen!

Especially in the second MJ 3peat and Shaq-Kobe 3peat era on NBC… Throw it down!

I was in Memorial Coliseum in 1974 and during a game between the Blazers and the Buffalo Braves coached by Jack Ramsey when a few minutes after halftime there was a commotion down near the court when a bunch of Secret Service men brought in several VIPs including then President of the United States Gerald R Ford and the governor of the state of Oregon to sit courtside to watch Bill Walton and the Blazers play. It was a big deal and Bill Walton was that good. The commander-in-chief was there to see “The Chief.’ “Back from the dead…“ We’ll find out

Awesome compliment from Stephen A, MUCH RESPECT!!!

Rest in peace Bill Walton. You will be deeply Missed.

Rest easy bill! Godbless you and fam in this difficult moment

I remember watching a game, and Walton was one of the commentators. A memorable line was, "In order to win this game their going to have to score more points." Bill obviously had an amazing grasp of the game...lol

Damm bill Walton r.i.p a real jewel too young to watched him play but his announcing games was very entertaining ❤ rest in peace bill 🙏🏽

Playing Grateful Dead music missing the great Bill Walton. First longhair headband NBA player I saw and followed. He was a character.

I remember watching Bill Walton beat the 76ers in the 77 NBA Finals as a kid.

Fly high legend 🕊️🙏🏾

What a wonderful tribute.

HE WILL BE MISSED. HE WAS GREAT AND I LOVED HIM WITH THE BIRD. WOW

Im so sad I can't believe Bill pass way im hurt God bless you bill

Such a wonderful human.

Bill was sooo great

Celtics don't win a championship in 1986 without Walton.

🙏🏼 Legend.

Throw it down big Man!

Legend❤

A True Legend

I am not old enough to have seen him play but remember those NBC broadcasts with Steve "Snapper" Jones on NBC (usually the lesser of the doubleheaders that Marv Albert would head) and for a long time was the color commentator for Ralph Lawler for the Clippers during the dreadful 1990s for them at the Sports Arena. But nothing made him happier than talking about college basketball, after losing all his major gigs, he was doing basketball games for Pac12 and even could be heard on Big West or West Coast Conference broadcasts, but the man loved college basketball.

Rising up to paradise, I know I’m gonna shineeeeee 🥀

Legend.

Bill Walton always made me laugh. You will be missed 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Larger than life. Almost like a Saint, silly-walking amongst us fellow mortals. Rest in Peace.

"...Basketball is a celebration of life..." -Bill Walton

BILL WALTON LONGER AND TALLER THEN LIFE...UNIQUE GAME CALLER FULL OF FUN...

THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN!!

🙏🏽💙🙏🏽 wish i would've had a chance to meet him 🙏🏽💙🙏🏽

☮️PEACE OUT BILL ✌️ R.I.P 🙏

Skillwise. Top 5 center ever. Period!

Rest well big red

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Be water my friend ❤

throw it down big man

Oh no!!

So why isn't Malikas name in the caption

I am having a difficult time processing this.😢

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

❤❤❤

"I think that ball just blew up and yes, my hair is aflame." - Bill Walton

Bill Walton is so lucky he's got the chance to commentate bronny james jr games in ncaa before dying

💐💐💐

From one "Dead Head " to another, keep on truck'n!" Eest in peace.

The Lakers missing the 86’ Finals was such a let down bc the 86 Celtics is the most dominant team all time imo and they didn’t have the opponent to prove it

It happens in 3s! OJ Simpson, Bill Walton, who is next? Only the universe knows.

Walton was Tim Duncan before Tim Duncan. A healthy and prime Walton will give you 18 pts 12 rebs 5 ast and 3 blks per game with great efficiency and decent ft shooting.

david robinson taking charges!!!

To illustrate Stephen a's point on the 86 Celtics, you need look no farther than 2k. Turn stamina and injuries off and that's the greatest team of all time, spearheaded by his defense and playmaking

88-4, nuff said

I love that he was a nice buy, but he was tough too. Not a modern baby like most these guys.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Stephen A mistake, Bobby Jones wasn't on the Sixers team that lost in 77

Of course Malika gave her all in this conversation. She never mentioned his drug use smh

I can't take this girl Malika serious

Chris Paul getting ready for retirement

Wilbon is only 66? I thought he was like 80 lol

SHAQ WILL READ THE EULOGY

Shaq somewhare don't know what to feel