Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson honoured the late Bill Walton with heartfelt tributes on his Instagram stories on Tuesday. Paying homage to the Basketball Hall of Famer’s love of nature, Thompson, who grew up a Trail Blazers fan in Lake Oswego near Portland, shared his admiration for Walton and his profound impact on basketball.
The Tributes
Thompson’s first post featured a photo of Walton, acknowledging his significant contributions to basketball in the region. This was followed by a video of Thompson embarking on a hike, an activity dear to Walton, who was an avid outdoorsman.
“What’s going on, everybody?” Klay Thompson began the video. “In honour of Mr. Walton, the outdoorsman he was, I’m going on a hike today. I got my Kyrie Irving-esque walking stick, which is crucial to outdoor exploring, and it was a wonderful day for it. The whole time, I will be thinking of Bill and how much his nature walks meant to him.
“And I want to give my condolences to Luke [Walton] and the rest of the family. Shout-out to the city of Portland; the only MVP in our history is Mr. Walton. So, wish me luck; it’s hot out here, but it’s beautiful.”
Bill Walton’s Legacy
Bill Walton passed away at 71 from cancer on Monday, prompting an outpouring of condolences from the basketball community. As one of the greatest college basketball players ever, Walton led UCLA to two national championships before the Trail Blazers selected him first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft. Despite a professional career marred by injuries, Walton won the MVP award in 1978 and guided the Trail Blazers to their only NBA title in 1977.
Beyond his playing career, Walton was celebrated as an NBA and college basketball broadcaster, renowned for his expert analysis and distinctive commentating style.
Walton’s Family and Connection to the Warriors
Walton’s son, Luke Walton, also has strong ties to the NBA, both as a player and a coach. Notably, Luke coached the Warriors during Steve Kerr’s absence, leading them to a 39-4 record at the start of the 2015–2016 season.
A Fitting Tribute
Thompson’s decision to honor Walton by enjoying the outdoors underscores the late star’s love for nature. This tribute not only reflects Thompson’s respect for Walton but also his deep connection to the Trail Blazers’ legacy and the broader basketball community.
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