Read Larry Bird’s statement on the death of his ‘childhood idol,’ Bill Walton

Larry Bird expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Bill Walton, whom he admired since childhood. Bird stated, “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 ever to play the game. I am sure that all of 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.” Bird highlighted Walton’s remarkable contributions to basketball and the joy he brought to his peers, emphasizing the deep personal and professional impact Walton had on his life and career [[❞]](https://sports.yahoo.com/larry-bird-shares-heartfelt-statement-000321247.html) [[❞]](https://nesn.com/2024/05/larry-bird-remembers-celtics-teammate-good-friend-bill-walton/) [[❞]](https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-larry-bird-breaks-silence-bill-walton-passing).