Kareem Abdul-Jabbar honors Bill Walton in heartfelt tribute

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, both centers, were linked throughout their lives despite never being teammates. They achieved national stardom at UCLA, helping sustain the Bruins’ basketball dynasty in the 1960s and 1970s. Both were No. 1 overall NBA draft picks, won multiple titles, and were enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Walton passed away at 71 after battling cancer, leading Abdul-Jabbar to pay tribute to his friend and fellow legend. Abdul-Jabbar described Walton as a fierce player on the court but a kind soul off it. They won five NCAA championships together at UCLA but never played for the Bruins at the same time. They both became known as two of the greatest college basketball players ever. Throughout their NBA careers, they faced off several times in the playoffs, most notably in the 1977 Western Conference finals, where Walton’s Blazers swept Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers on their way to an NBA title. They met again in the 1987 NBA Finals, with Walton playing for the Celtics at that time. Aside from basketball, Walton was mentioned by Abdul-Jabbar in the movie “Airplane,” showing their enduring connection. Abdul-Jabbar, along with others like Julius Erving, remembered Walton as a gregarious and friendly soul, making his passing all the more impactful. Their deep bond, forged through basketball success and mutual respect, will be remembered by fans and the basketball community.

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