https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40229031/nba-champion-hall-famer-bill-walton-dies-71

Two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Bill Walton has died of cancer at the age of 71, the NBA announced Monday.
"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.
"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. But 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."


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I was too young to remember him as a player outside of his broken down but still productive days with the mid-80s Celtics.
He was fantastic on TV, and I loved him with Marv Albert during the 1990s on NBC. He was a part of so many iconic Houston Rockets moments

Came to post this and will miss his insight combined with ramblings on various topics nothing to do with basketball
I actually enjoyed those

i ****ing hate cancer

As a lifelong Spurs fan, I liked how Walton would give props to San Antonio when playing flashier teams like the Lakers, Knicks or Heat. Plus he was just a huge fan of the game.

RIP

Even though this memory is probably 25-30 years old, a friend and I always talk about once when the Rockets were on, can't remember playing here, and the ball bounced right at Marv Albert, Steve "Snapper" Jones, and Walton. Walton snagged it while saying on live TV "Get out of here, Steve Jones, you've never got got meaningful rebound in your entire life!!"

I was on the park shuttle bus in Yosemite in 1985, and there was a tall red-headed man traveling by himself. He got off the bus and was heading off in the woods alone, and I mustered my 13 YO courage and shouted "Walton." He turned and smiled. I know, cool story. I bought his autobiography for my dad several years ago. He said it was a great read, an inspiring story about a strange man who overcame a lot.

"Throw it down big man. Throw it down!"

Heard that from him many times on NBA telecasts. RIP Bill.