PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Sunday in the Moda Center was Bill Walton Tribute Night to honor the life and legacy of the legendary Trail Blazer as Portland hosted the Pistons.
A touch of gray and a ton of tie-dye to remember a one-of-a-kind guy, Bill Walton - never to be forgotten here in Rip City, where the spirit of ‘77 never fades.
The headband, the hair, the dominance downlow to propel Blazermania to the highest of highs.
“June 5th, 1977 at 2:20 in the afternoon. That’s when they won it,” said Blazers fan David Harris.
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Wednesday’s sold-out showing of “Fast Break” at the Hollywood Theatre brought reel-to-reel smiles of those cherished times in Rip City.
No. 32 played to a different beat, and Walton’s Blazer buddies from ‘77 miss him dearly. Just ask L-Train - Lionel Hollins.
Hollins was a Trail Blazers guard from 1975 to 1980.
“The older I get, the more I understand that they are still here in spirit. You mourn, then you move forward and know that you’re going to have conversations and you’re always going to talk about them, it’s always going to be about their life. The funny moments, the silly moments. Bill was not somebody who was above everybody,” Hollins said. “He was just a regular guy who had unbelievable talent.”
Big Bill earned that big MVP trophy nearly 50 years ago and the NBA Hall of Famer remains the greatest Blazer of all time.
“Bill and mighty Mo \[Maurice\] Lucas,” Harris said. “Those are the ones who got us that championship so, Dame \[Lillard\] is great but no championship. It’s all about the rings, baby.”
A throwback night to honor a true great of the game. Peace, love and Trail Blazer basketball.
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