bill-walton
Despite constantly struggling to keep himself injury-free after his first four seasons in the NBA, Bill Walton gave his all when he joined the Boston Celtics, significantly contributing to their title triumph and winning the Sixth Man of the Year award for averaging 7.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the regular season.
Unfortunately, during the 1986-87 season, injuries plagued the ’78 MVP again. And instead of receiving sympathy from teammates, playful jokes were dropped on the ‘Big Red’ by Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
McHale had jokes for Walton
As the Celtics aimed to secure back-to-back titles for the first time since 1969 in the 1986-87 season, Walton’s foot injury became a significant obstacle, sidelining him for 72 regular-season games.
Moreover, on December 12, 1986, when the LA Lakers defeated the Celtics and handed them a 117-110 loss, ending their stellar 48-game winning streak at home, Boston faced more upsetting reality as Bill was scheduled for yet another scan on his injured foot. Despite the tension, McHale threw playful jabs at his teammate.
“I keep hearing about Bill getting a CAT scan,” McHale said. “But what they should give this guy is a brain scan.”
Bird hilariously blamed Walton for Celtics being hit with injuries
Additionally, delving into Bill’s injury history, the three-time MVP hilariously dubbed him a ‘time bomb.’ Despite the jest, Bird emphasized that the Celtics’ best chance at defending their title rested on Walton’s return to the team, providing crucial big-man support at the rim to Robert Parish.
Bill wasn’t the sole player grappling with fitness concerns on the Boston team. Larry dealt with an Achilles injury, whereas Danny Ainge battled a troublesome back, and Jerry Sichting suffered from an intestinal virus. With a touch of humor, the two-time Finals MVP playfully attributed Boston’s run of bad luck to Walton’s arrival.
“Having Bill here was like a time bomb,” Bird said. “You know, we never had all these injuries till Walton came.”
Despite not having another championship moment to savor in Boston, Walton gave his all in resurrecting his career, clinching his second Larry O’Brien trophy when almost everyone doubted his ability to be consistent on the court.
News Related-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich until end of January
-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges
-
Israel's economy recovered from previous wars with Hamas, but this one might go longer, hit harder
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Sister Wives' star Christine Brown says her kids' happy marriages inspired her leave Kody Brown
-
NBA fans roast Clippers for losing to Nuggets without Jokic, Murray, Gordon
-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
CNBC Daily Open: Is record Black Friday sales spike a false dawn?
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
Biden’s unworkable nursing rule will harm seniors
-
Jalen Hurts: We did what we needed to do when it mattered the most
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB