Bill Walton had an extraordinary college career, winning two NCAA championships (1972 and 1973) while being named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in both tournaments. He also won three National Player of the Year awards, while leading the UCLA Bruins to an 86-4 record in three years.
There wasn’t much doubt about Walton being selected first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft. Well, one person wasn’t aware of this, and it was Bill Walton himself.
Walton was backpacking during the 1974 NBA Draft and had no clue that the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the No. 1 pick. He only found out when he hitchhiked over to a grocery store to buy some food.
The cashier at the store heard about Walton’s draft selection over the radio and decided to tell the future Hall of Famer. Once told about the news, Walton gave a calm and direct answer, stating that he was ready.
This is yet another story of why Bill Walton was such a beloved figure in the game of basketball. His nonchalant attitude, along with his colorful commentary during basketball games, has made him a fan favorite for eternity.
Bill Walton Was A Real NBA Unicorn
Bill Walton entered the NBA looking to repeat the success he had in college. If anyone could do it, it was Walton, as he brought a unique perspective to the center position at the time. From scoring, rebounding, and playing great defense, Walton could do it all.
These attributes weren’t unheard of for a center at the time, but Walton possessed one skill that possibly only Wilt Chamberlain held as a center at the time. That skill was passing the ball. Yes, Walton was the Nikola Jokic of his time, as he was an incredible passer, especially for a big man.
In his career, Walton won an MVP award in the 1977-78 season and two NBA championships. The first came in the 1976-77 season, where he led his Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals to face the Julius “Dr. J” Erving-led Philadelphia 76ers.
Walton averaged 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.7 blocks per game against the 76ers. The Trail Blazers defeated the 76ers 4-2, and Walton was rightfully named the Finals MVP.
Walton’s second title came in the 1985-86 season when he won the Sixth Man of the Year Award as a member of the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics. This time, Walton’s team faced the Houston Rockets. The Celtics won the series 4-2 and Walton averaged 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
By the end of his career, Walton won two NBA championships, an MVP award, and a Sixth Man of the Year award while being named to the All-NBA Team and All-Defensive Team twice. Walton was also named an All-Star twice, and he led the NBA in blocks and rebounds during the 1976-77 season.
Bill Walton’s Failed Attempt To Turn Danny Ainge Into A Grateful Dead Fan
There’s no secret that Bill Walton was a huge Grateful Dead fan. It’s been reported that Walton attended 869 concerts by 2016. So, the total could possibly be even higher.
Walton even tried to turn his teammates into Grateful Dead fans and it worked on many of them… but not all. Danny Ainge, who was Walton’s teammate on the Boston Celtics, did not find the hype in the rock band that Walton saw.
“When Bill first got here he gave me a disc of some sort to listen to the Grateful Dead, so I told him I’d try. I came back the next day and told him I wasn’t feeling it, but asked for his favorite song. He tears the thing out of my hand and says, ‘When you’re a Dead fan, it’s all one song,'” Ainge said.
“We didn’t even have any music in the locker room those days. Now you have guys with earplugs in shooting on the court, speakers throughout the practice facility and the weight room. We didn’t have any of that.”
Even if Walton couldn’t turn everyone into a fan of his favorite rock band, he certainly turned us all into fans of him. Walton gave the world of basketball so much joy, on and off the court. The basketball world will never be the same without Bill Walton in it, but remembering his greatness is enough to keep his spirit alive and smiles on our faces.
Credit for the story: Maddy
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