via Getty
PISCATAWAY, NJ – CIRCA 1977: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Walton played for the Trailblazers from 1974 – 79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
via Getty
PISCATAWAY, NJ – CIRCA 1977: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Walton played for the Trailblazers from 1974 – 79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
It is a day filled with emotions for the Boston Celtics. They have a reason to smile and a reason to be dejected. The Eastern Conference Finals have come to an end, and as speculated, the Boston Celtics managed to sweep the Indian Pacers, 4-0, to get into the NBA Finals for the second time this decade. That is a reason to be happy about. But with the passing of Celtics legend Bill Walton, it was hard for owner Wyc Grousbeck to celebrate this much-deserving win.
As he took to an interview post-game, the Celtics governor was finding it hard to share a few words. His team, led by Jaylen Brown from the front put out a perfect tribute for Walton’s passing. Grousbeck shared, “All I can think about right now is we lost a great Celtics today, Bill Walton. One of the greatest Celtics of all-time. This is dedicated to Bill,” after which he let the emotions run.
The Celtics won, 105-102 after they held the Indiana Pacers pointless for the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. Jaylen Brown was the captain of the ship, who scored 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He hit some clutch shots in the last quarter to help the Celtics give a perfect tribute to Walton. Notably, he also won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP for his stellar display in this series.
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An emotional Wyc Grousbeck dedicates the ECF trophy to Bill Walton pic.twitter.com/dvPVsff8Xh
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 28, 2024
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It is not just an emotional day for Grousbeck, but also for someone from the Indiana unit. It is none other than Rick Carlisle, who was also emotional during his pre-game interview today. Not only did his team lose the path to the NBA Finals, but he also lost his former teammate and dear friend Walton.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle remembers life-changing favor from Bill Walton
Carlisle and Walton played together for the Boston Celtics after the former was drafted into the NBA in 1984. The two played together in 1986, the year which Walton won his second championship. Apart from being a fan of basketball, Walton was an ardent admirer of the band Dead Show. Carlisle, who had a date with a girl he knew was in desperate need of tickets to the show at Capital Center.
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Carlisle recalled, “I said, ‘Look, I’ve got a date with a girl I think is really cool, I’d love to go to the Dead show at Capital Centre, but I don’t have any tickets, can you help? He said, ‘Just go to the back door, ask for Dennis McNally, tell him you’re Rick Carlisle from the Boston Celtics and everything will be just fine’.“
Carlisle got the tickets to the show, which had the name of Walton and his wife on it. This gesture from the late legend helped Carlisle secure a date. The highlight is that the Pacers coach is now married to the girl, who he went on a date with. Walton has changed the lives of many, and one of them is Carlisle, who is forever grateful for it.
