Blazers break silence on passing of Bill Walton

Portland releases a statement on the passing of arguably the greatest player in franchise history.

Portland Trail Blazers legend and one of sports’ biggest personalities, Bill Walton, has passed away at the age of 71 after enduring a prolonged battle with cancer.

The Blazers have released a statement on the passing of the man that led the team to their only NBA Championship in 1977:

“Bill Walton was a true legend – and extraordinary player, talented broadcaster, and vital part of the Blazers organization. His mastery of the game not only established him as one of the greatest centers in history, but also led the Blazers to a championship in 1977, where he earned NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. But Bill was so much more than basketball, he was larger than life. His upbeat and vibrant personality will forever be remembered and cherished, and he will be deeply missed by our organization, Rip City and all who experienced him. Our love and condolences go to Bill’s wife Lori and his sons Adam, Nate, Luke, and Chris.”

Bill Walton’s ample accolades with Blazers

In Portland, Walton was a two-time All-Star and led the Blazers to the NBA Finals during the historic championship run in 1977. During his career, Walton earned the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 1978, was selected All-NBA First Team that same year and All-NBA Second Team in 1977. He was named to the All-Defensive Team in back-to-back seasons in 1977-78 and was award the NBA Finals MVP in 1977 with the Blazers.

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, Walton was also named to the Top-50 and Top-75 Anniversary teams. His number 32 was retired by the Blazers in 1989.

“Bill Walton was an icon,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Blazers. “His leadership and tenacity on the court were key to bringing a championship to our fans and defined one of the most magical moments in franchise history. We will always treasure what he brought to our community and the sport of basketball.”

Chronic foot injuries prevented Walton from maximizing his ample potential, as he nearly missed the entirety of four consecutive seasons from 1978-82. Against all odds, the big man figured out how to stay relevant in the league and even collected more accolades. He earned Sixth Man of the Year honors for his contributions during the 1985-86 title run and helped the Boston Celtics temporarily reclaim their spot atop the mountain.

Bill Walton decided to retire just a couple years later, finally acquiescing to his body at the age of 34.

The gentle giant re-introduced himself to hoops fans in a manner few could have anticipated, settling in as one of the most unpredictable voices in professional broadcasting. He worked NBA games for many years and even won an Emmy award in 1991, but it is his time calling college basketball for the Pac-12 that many will remember over the last decade.