When it comes to the most historic players of Portland Trail Blazers history, Bill Walton He has every right to be at the top of this list. He was the best player on Portland’s only championship team in 1977. The following season, he was named league MVP.
Unfortunately, almost three months ago, Walton has died after a fight against cancer May 27. He was known to generations as either a dominant player or an entertaining announcer for the NBA and later college basketball.
The Trail Blazers have announced a date for the upcoming season where they will celebrate Walton’s life.
Trail Blazers Announce Date for Upcoming Concert Honoring Bill Walton
Walton’s life celebration to take place in March
It is on March 9, 2025 that the Trail Blazers will celebrate the life of the great Bill Walton. They will play the Detroit Pistons that day. The choice of that date makes sense. On Detroit’s assistant coaching staff under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is Luke WaltonBill’s son Luke had his own 10-year NBA playing career, winning two titles with the The Los Angeles Lakers.
A legendary playing career at the college and NBA levels
Walton was selected with the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers. Prior to that, Walton spent four incredible years playing collegiately for UCLA. He was named National Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior. The Bruins won back-to-back national championships in 1972 and 1973. Playing for legendary head coach John Wooden, Walton and UCLA had already won the NBA Player of the Year award in 1974. won 88 matches in a row.
Although Walton only played four seasons for the Trail Blazers, his impact will never be forgotten by the city. His third season in 1976-77 brought Portland its only championship title. Walton was a finalist for MVP that season, as he led the league in rebounds (14.4) and blocks (3.2). He would be named the 1977 Finals MVP after the Trail Blazers defeated the The Philadelphia 76ers in six games.
In 1977–78, Walton was voted NBA MVP. That season, he averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 blocks. Additionally, he was also named to the All-Defensive First Team for the second consecutive season.
Treated a multitude of foot injuries
Unfortunately for Walton, foot injuries have kept him off the field often. In 2016, Walton said he had “37 orthopedic operationsHe missed the entire 1978-79 season, which was his last with Portland. After his stint with the Trail Blazers, he played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.
Although he didn’t have as much of an impact as he did with the Trail Blazers, Walton was still a very useful player on the court. In 1985-86, he was named Sixth Man of the Year with Boston. That season, Walton won his second title after the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets in six games.
After his playing career ended, Walton was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Prior to that, the Trail Blazers retired Walton’s No. 32 jersey in 1989, just after his playing career ended.
