BOSTON -- Bill Walton spent only one full season with the Boston Celtics. His impact was unforgettable.
The franchise paid tribute to the sixth man on their 1986 championship team before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Walton's family was in the crowd for a pregame moment of silence that was interrupted by a fan yelling, "We love you, Bill!"
"Bill was a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play," the public address announcer said, while both the Celtics and Mavericks players applauded. "He derived great joy from basketball and music, and deeply cherished his moments with teammates and friends.