The NBA world was left stunned by the sudden news of the demise of Bill Walton. The 2-time NBA champion was fighting a prolonged battle against cancer and finally succumbed to it on Monday.
The NBA announced on Monday the passing of the legend and commentator, but the type of cancer was not revealed in the announcement.
Walton’s basketball journey began with immense promise. He led UCLA to two consecutive NCAA championships under Coach John Wooden, earning National Player of the Year honors each time. Drafted first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1974, his talent was undeniable. However, chronic back injuries marred his career, which led to immense frustration and a sense of isolation. During his collegiate basketball career at UCLA, he sustained his initial significant back injury.
In his book Back from the Dead, Bill Walton wrote about the problems he was having because of his back injury. “I had lost everything including my dignity my self-respect and I had no hope and dream that I was going to be better…”
Walton’s on-court career was cut short, and the injuries he sustained later in life haunted him. His mental health was said to have been affected by his constant physical failures. He struggled with anxiety and melancholy because he believed that his disabilities would always limit his potential.
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“One day in early 2008, after 18 years of chasing that dream, I was getting off yet another flight when I literally couldn’t move anymore.” Walton said to AdvaMed. He considered suicide as the only way to escape his nightmare due to the constant suffering.
Since the news of his demise broke, messages poured in from all corners of the NBA community and the Pacers had the perfect opportunity to honor the legacy of Bill Walton.
Pacers Honor Bill Walton Before Celtics Game
On Monday night, the Pacers hosted game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Before the game, a moment of silence was observed for Walton following the announcement of his passing.
The crowd sounded their appreciation of the Hall of Famer after a minute of silence as the eliminator game started right after. The Pacers had their backs against the wall after three straight defeats. Even NFL-inspired play in game 3 couldn’t save them in the narrow loss that made game 4 a must-win. Despite that, the Celtics ended the night with a fitting tribute to their beloved center as the Boston side swept the Pacers 4-0 with a 105-102 win to advance to the NBA Finals.
After Mike Gorman‘s final game as a commentator during the first round of playoffs, Walton’s passing creates a massive void in the world of sports commentary as the NBA world mourns the loss of a true legend.
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