Challenges in the Life of Bill Walton in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Bill Walton faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Bill Walton was a celebrated American basketball player and sportscaster. He achieved collegiate success with the UCLA Bruins, followed by a professional career in the NBA, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics. His accomplishments led to his induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in basketball.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1970: Negative Coaching Experience at World Championship

In 1970, Bill Walton had a negative experience at the FIBA World Championship, which exposed him to negative coaching and berating of players.

1972: U.S. Loses to Soviet Union in Controversial Olympic Final

In 1972, the United States controversially lost to the Soviet Union in the men's basketball final at the Olympics. Some believe that Bill Walton's absence from the team contributed to the loss.

January 19, 1974: UCLA's 88-game winning streak ends

On January 19, 1974, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a 71–70 loss at Notre Dame. Walton played with a back brace due to an earlier injury.

1974: UCLA's title streak broken

In 1974, North Carolina State defeated UCLA in double overtime in the NCAA semi-finals, breaking UCLA's record seven consecutive national titles. Walton scored 29 points in the loss.

1974: Walton's last year at UCLA

In 1974, during Walton's senior year, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a loss to Notre Dame.

1977: Foot Injury with the Trailblazers

In 1977, Bill Walton suffered a foot injury while playing for the Trailblazers, which later led to a lawsuit against the team doctor for negligence in diagnosing and treating it.

1978: Walton sits out the season

After his MVP season, Walton sat out the 1978–79 season due to foot injuries.

1978: Walton Wins NBA MVP Award

In 1978, Bill Walton won the NBA Most Valuable Player award and the Sporting News NBA MVP. He also played in his only NBA All-Star Game and was named to both the NBA's First All-Defensive Team and the All-NBA First Team. During the season, a broken foot sidelined him.

1978: Walton Injured in Playoffs, Never Plays for Blazers Again

In 1978, during the NBA playoffs, Bill Walton was injured in the second game of the Western Conference Semifinal series against the Seattle SuperSonics, and was lost for the remainder of the playoffs. After receiving a painkilling injection to play, X-rays revealed a broken navicular bone in his left ankle. Walton would never play for the Trail Blazers again.

1978: Injuries Limit Career

In 1978, injuries and surgeries started to severely limit Bill Walton's NBA career.

1979: Walton Demands Trade, Sits Out Season

In 1979, Bill Walton demanded to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers, citing issues with the treatment of injuries by the team's front office. As a result, he sat out the entire season in protest. He eventually signed with the San Diego Clippers as a free agent later that year.

1979: Walton's Holdout Year

In 1979, Bill Walton had a year-long holdout. This was one of the factors that limited the number of regular season games he played in his 13-year career.

1979: Walton's First Season with Clippers, Suffers Injury

In 1979, Bill Walton played 14 games for the San Diego Clippers in his first season. However, he re-fractured the navicular bone during the exhibition game.

1979: Initial Injury with Clippers

In 1979, during his first season with the San Diego Clippers, Bill Walton re-fractured the navicular bone in the fourth exhibition game, leading to extensive rehabilitation.

1980: Walton Misses Seasons Due to Injury

In 1980, after re-fracturing his navicular bone during the exhibition game in 1979, Bill Walton missed all of the 1980-81 and 1981-82 NBA seasons, undergoing several surgeries on his injured foot.

1981: Walton Undergoes Foot Surgery

In 1981, Bill Walton underwent surgery to restructure his left foot. His high arch, which made the foot bones susceptible to breaking, was lowered to relieve the stress on the bones.

1986: Walton Injured During the Regular Season

In 1986, Bill Walton was injured again during the 1986-87 regular season.

1987: Walton on Celtics Injured List

In 1987, Bill Walton spent the 1987-88 season on the Boston Celtics' injured list.

November 2009: Leaves ESPN Due to Back Problems

In November 2009, Bill Walton left ESPN after 19 years due to back problems dating back to a college injury.

2009: Spinal Fusion Surgery

In 2009, Bill Walton underwent an eight-hour spinal-fusion surgery, requiring titanium rods and bolts in his back, leaving him unable to move freely for a year.