Trail Blazers Honor Bill Walton with tribute, tie-dye shirts and memories

Portland Trail Blazers honored one of their big times, Bill Walton, Sunday night with video tribute, tie-dye shirts abound and former teammates present in Moda Center.

Walton, who led Blazers to the NBA Championship in 1977, died in May 2024 at the age of 71.

He left a legacy as both a dominant center and often scandalous but entertaining NBA-TV company whose love for the game propelled his enthusiasm and on-air persona.

Garcia -Birthday Band, a Grateful Dead -tribute band, appeared at the break. Walton was known for being a long -time fan of Grateful Dead, where drummer Mickey Heart called him the “biggest deadhead in the world.”

Former teammate Lionel Hollins, who spoke with media before Blazers hosted Detroit Pistons, said Walton’s personality and talent separates him.

“Bill wasn’t someone over everyone,” Hollins said. “He was just an ordinary guy who had incredible talent. He had the talent to be one of the greatest players ever played. And if he had been able to stay healthy, he would have been one of the greatest players ever played. He was still a great player and Hall of Fame player. “

Walton played five seasons (1974-1979) with Blazers who performed in 209 matches. He was appointed MVP after the 1977-78 season. In Moda Center from the championship were Hollins, Dave Twardzik, Bobby Gross, Johnny Davis, Lloyd Neal and Wally Walker.

This group along with Maurice Lucas, who died in 2010, could have won several titles if not for Walton’s debilitating foot injury.

Their lonely title still resonates as a curved 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 sale in the coming years.

“It raised the franchise to a level of worship of the fans that cannot be compared,” Hollins said.

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The teammates from that era met before Sunday to remind you of the past.

Hollins said that although the group does not see each other often when they speak or meet, their bond collects equally where it left off.

“It’s a bond that is like cement,” Hollins said.