Remembering Bill Walton: From On-Court Dominance to the Voice of a Generation

Growing up, my weekends had a rhythm: cartoons in the morning, a questionable amount of sugary cereal, and then the main event — the NBA on NBC. The John Tesh-composed theme song still plays in my head sometimes, like a soundtrack to my youth. And right there, alongside the superstars dominating the court, was Bill Walton, the Big Redhead himself, dropping lines so wild, passionate, and offbeat that even Marv Albert couldn’t help but chuckle.

Walton was a vibe as a commentator. Super honest. Incredibly passionate. Always polarizing. He made you feel like every game was a journey, not just for the players but for anyone watching. His takes were part poetry, part philosophy, and part “Did he really just say that?” Whether he was waxing poetic about Charles Barkley’s raw power, calling Hakeem Olajuwon “the artist in the paint,” or marveling at David Robinson’s athleticism, Walton’s voice turned basketball into an epic saga.

And then, of course, there was Michael Jordan. MJ at his peak was basically a weekly lesson in greatness, and Walton was the perfect hype man. He’d alternate between reverence and hilariously bold predictions, somehow making you laugh and nod in agreement at the same time. Walton wasn’t just calling games — he was part of the reason I fell in love with basketball. Here’s a little sample of what he was like on TV, as he accurately predicts Michael Jordan’s return to basketball:

It wasn’t until much later that I realized how great a player he was before I started watching.

A Career Like No Other: Bill Walton’s Journey

UCLA Glory: The Original Big Man on Campus

Before Bill Walton was a beloved NBA legend, he was the guy in college basketball. Under iconic Coach John Wooden at UCLA, Walton led the Bruins to two NCAA championships and an unreal 88-game winning streak in the early ’70s. He controlled games by scoring at will, swatting shots, and dropping dimes like a 7-foot point guard. Walton was so good that opposing teams probably felt like they’d lost before the opening tip. If you want to understand why Walton is a basketball deity in Los Angeles, just start here.

Portland Trail Blazers: Triumph and Tragedy

In the NBA, Walton’s rise to greatness continued with the Portland Trail Blazers. He hit his peak during the 1977–78 season, winning league MVP and leading the Blazers to their first (and only) NBA championship the season before. Walton wasn’t flashy, but his basketball IQ was off the charts. He played the game like a chess master, making the right pass, the perfect block, or the key rebound at exactly the right time. He anchored Portland’s defense and orchestrated their offense, showing the world how dominant a cerebral big man could be.

But just as quickly as the Blazers became contenders, Walton’s body began to betray him. Injuries to his feet and legs cut his time in Portland short, robbing the league of what could have been an even greater career.

The Wandering Years: San Diego/LA Clippers

The late ’70s and early ’80s were the darkest period of Walton’s playing days. After leaving Portland, he joined the San Diego Clippers, hoping to resurrect his career close to home. Instead, injuries kept him sidelined. From the end of the 1978 season to the start of the 1982 season, Walton played just 14 games. Fourteen.

(Ironically, the Walton card I recently picked up is from these wilderness years.)

Even when he did suit up, he was far from the dominant force he’d been in Portland. And yet, fans in San Diego still adored him. Walton’s love for the game and his unshakable optimism made him a fan favorite, even during the roughest times. This was Walton in his “wilderness” phase — a struggling player, but a basketball purist at heart.

Celtic Renaissance: The Ultimate Sixth Man

If Walton’s career had ended with the Clippers, it still would’ve been memorable — but he wasn’t done yet. In 1985, at age 33, he joined the Boston Celtics and proved he still had magic left in him. Transitioning to the sixth-man role (Kevin McHale had just stepped into the starting lineup), Walton flourished.

The 1985–86 season was nothing short of miraculous. Walton played 80 games — yes, you read that right, the most of his entire career — and was the heart of the Celtics’ second unit. His rebounding, passing, and defensive presence helped Boston win 67 games and an NBA championship. Walton capped the season by being named Sixth Man of the Year, a testament to his resilience and adaptability.

It’s hard to overstate how improbable this comeback was. After nearly a decade of watching from the sidelines, Walton reclaimed his place in basketball history, ending his playing career on the highest of notes. It was a full-circle moment, the perfect bridge to his next role as one of the game’s most colorful voices.

Here’s a look back at Bill Walton trading cards through the years, tracking his progress from young buck in Portland to world champion in Boston:

Walton’s Post-Playing Career: The NBA on NBC and Beyond

After hanging up his sneakers, Bill Walton didn’t just fade into the background — he became the voice of basketball itself. As a commentator for the NBA on NBC, Walton brought the same passion, quirkiness, and flair that defined his playing days. His on-air style was a mix of Shakespearean drama, basketball genius, and downright hilarious tangents. No one else could go from describing a fast break as “a symphony of movement” to critiquing a player’s shot as “the stuff of nightmares” without missing a beat.

In his later work with ESPN, Walton leaned even further into his philosopher-commentator persona. From waxing poetic about the Grateful Dead to delivering off-the-wall observations about players, games, and life itself, Walton made every broadcast an experience. Love him or scratch your head at him, there’s no denying he’s one of the most unique voices in sports history.

Here are some of the highlights from his career, both on the court and in the booth, from when Walter passed away in 2024 at the age of 71:

Conclusion: The Big Redhead’s Lasting Legacy

Bill Walton’s journey is one for the ages — a transformative player who redefined what a big man could do, a broadcaster who brought humor and heart to the game, and a cultural icon whose love for basketball and life is downright contagious. For me, his career has always felt like a mirror to my own love of the game. From idolizing stars as a kid to appreciating the nuance and history of basketball as an adult, Walton’s story has been a constant companion.

So now I’ll toss it to you: What’s your favorite Bill Walton memory, either on the court or behind the mic? Let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate a legend who’s truly one of a kind.