![Boston Celtics]()
Prior to the 2024 NBA Finals tipping off, the Boston Celtics didn't let the moment pass before acknowledging a key contributor to one of their 17 championships.
Bill Walton passed away almost two weeks ago at age 71 after battling cancer, leaving behind a towering legacy that the NBA and the Celtics weren't going to miss the opportunity to highlight.
League commissioner Adam Silver announced at a press conference that Boston players would come out with Walton's surname emblazoned on their warmup uniforms, which was awesome to see.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1798865157520822309
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1798872580104855923
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1798874547615387815
Then, TD Garden and ESPN/ABC TV audiences were treated to a video tribute that in particular nodded to his prominence on the Celtics' 1986 championship squad:
https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1798876451904569710
Walton was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year that season, roaring back from multiple career-derailing injuries to shine on basketball's biggest stage nine years after leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a title.
Fans in attendance could also snag some tie dye Walton pins — an homage to his favorite band, the Grateful Dead.
https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1798853960436191436
Couldn't do much better than this to give Walton a collective salute. Say what you will about TV ratings, or the state of the NBA, but Silver has always had a keen understanding of the history of the game and is all class. The Celtics and Boston in general may have obnoxious supporters. However, when you play in Beantown and win at the highest level, you're cherished forever. It's unlike just about anywhere in all of sports, or at least in America.
Just ask Tom Brady.
Philly is similar in that way. The 76ers just can't get past the second round of the playoffs. Oops. Don't shoot the messenger! Sorry for the stray, Philly!
Anyway, it's quite fitting that on a night where Walton is given the ultimate gesture of respect, it's rather poetic that Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is returning to the court after missing the last 10 postseason games. If you're a neutral observer, how can you not root for Porzingis to have a monster performance on Walton's behalf?
https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1798874065278775703
