The Portland Trail Blazers honored one of their all-time greats, Bill Walton, Sunday night with video tributes, tie-dye shirts abound and former teammates present at the Moda Center.
Walton, who led the Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship, died in May 2024 at the age of 71.
He left behind a legacy as both a dominant center and often outrageous but entertaining NBA broadcaster, whose love for the game propelled his enthusiasm and on-air persona.
The Garcia Birthday Band, a Grateful Dead tribute band, performed at halftime. Walton was known to be a longtime fan of the Grateful Dead, with drummer Mickey Heart calling him the “biggest Deadhead in the world.”
Former teammate Lionel Hollins, who spoke to media before the Blazers hosted the Detroit Pistons, said Walton’s personality and talent set him apart.
“Bill was not somebody who was above everybody,” Hollins said. “He was just a regular guy who had unbelievable talent. He had talent to be one of the greatest players that ever played. And if he had been able to stay healthy, he would have been one of the greatest players that ever played. He still was a great player and Hall of Fame player.”
Walton played five seasons (1974-1979) with the Blazers appearing in 209 games. He was named MVP following the 1977-78 season. At the Moda Center from the championship team were Hollins, Dave Twardzik, Bobby Gross, Johnny Davis, Lloyd Neal and Wally Walker.
That group, along with Maurice Lucas who died in 2010, could have won multiple titles if not for Walton’s debilitating foot injury.
Their lone title still resonates as a crowing sports moment for the city 48 years later.
“The legacy is that we put Portland on the map,” Hollins said.
The championship ignited Blazermania and led to continuous sellouts for years to come.
“It raised the franchise to a level of adoration by the fans that can’t be compared,” Hollins said.
The teammates from that era got together before Sunday to reminisce about the past.
Hollins said that even though the group doesn’t see one another often, when they do talk or get together, their bond picks up right where it left off.
“That’s a bond that is like cement,” Hollins said.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)