Breaking:Celtics’ Larry Bird breaks silence on Bill Walton’s shocking passing

Breaking:Celtics’ Larry Bird breaks silence on Bill Walton’s shocking passing

Basketball legend and former NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Boston Celtics, Bill Walton has passed away at the age of 71 after enduring a “prolonged battle with cancer,” according to NBA Communications.

Larry Bird, Walton’s teammate from the Celtics’ 1986 championship team, remembered him on Tuesday – per Tim Bontemps of ESPN

I am very sorry about my good friend, Bill Walton. I love him as a friend and a teammate. It was a thrill for me to play with my childhood idol and together we earned the NBA Championship in 1986. He is one of the greatest to ever play the game. I am sure that all my teammates are as grateful as I am that we were able to know Bill, he was such a joy to know and he will be sorely missed. My family and I extend our sincere condolences to the Walton family.”

Chronic foot injuries prevented Walton from maximizing his true potential, and he nearly missed the entirety of four straight seasons from 1978-82. Against the odds, the talented center figured out how to stay relevant in the league and even collected more accolades. He earned Sixth Man of the Year honors for his contributions during the 1985-86 title run and helped the Celtics temporarily reclaim their spot atop the mountain.

Bill Walton decided to retire