Bill Walton quotes

Bill Walton was an American basketball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in the sport’s history. A two-time NBA champion and NCAA champion, he was known for his dominant play and vibrant personality on and off the court. He inspired many through his resilience in overcoming injuries and his later work as a broadcaster. Here are 30 of his quotes:

I can think. I can sleep. I can move. I can ride my bike. I can dream.

Bill Walton

I lived to play basketball. Growing up as a kid, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were my favorite team. The way they played, the teamwork, the sacrifice, the commitment, the joy, the camaraderie, the relationship with the fans.

Bill Walton

Life is easy when you're hot. But what happens when the ball bounces the other way? You just keep getting back up and climbing up.

Bill Walton

You don't win championships by just being normal, by just being average.

Bill Walton

Basketball is one of those rare opportunities where you can make a difference, not only for yourself, but for other people as well.

Bill Walton

I've had 36 orthopedic operations, have two fused ankles, my knees, hands and wrists don't work, I now have a fused spine, other than that, everything is great.

Bill Walton

I had the only beard in the Western Hemisphere that made Bob Dylan's look good.

Bill Walton

My life changed irrevocably four-and-a-half years ago when my spine failed and collapsed. I spent two years on the floor, in excruciating, debilitating and unrelenting pain. I can only describe the pain as being submerged into a vat of scalding acid that has an electric current running through it. And you can never get out, ever.

Bill Walton

A lot of people understand what not saying anything means, so, in effect, not saying anything is really saying a lot.

Bill Walton

Bill Russell was my favorite player of all-time.

Bill Walton

The great thing about being a broadcaster is you have this incredible responsibility to the people that make it all happen, the people that turn on the television set.

Bill Walton

We can never thank David Stern enough. His vision to use basketball to improve the quality of our lives to make this world a better and saner place, that guy, is the most important man in the history of basketball.

Bill Walton

I have nothing but respect for the Lakers. So many of their legends shaped who I am as a person and player.

Bill Walton

Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old.

Bill Walton

Being a broadcaster encompasses the business of sport, which is my life today, and it encompasses the skills of being a history student, and the ability of being a performer.

Bill Walton

I grew up in an non-athletic family, where my parents were interested in music, in literature, in education and art.

Bill Walton

Without question, no hesitation, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the best player I ever played against.

Bill Walton

My bike is my gym, my wheelchair and my church all in one. I'd like to ride my bike all day long but I've got this thing called a job that keeps getting in the way.

Bill Walton

I've had 37 orthopedic operations. I ground my feet up into dust. I've got a new knee. I‘ve got a new spine. I'm the lucky one... I never thought going through all of it that I would be healthy at the end. And I almost wasn't.

Bill Walton

Music is critical in our lives and culture. It's the inspiration that drives us. It's also the window to our souls. It's a reflection as to who we are, what we stand for and where we're going.

Bill Walton

But you have to understand, my beard is so nasty. I mean, it's the only beard in the history of Western civilization that makes Bob Dylan's beard look good.

Bill Walton

Chick Hearn was my favorite broadcaster ever - he's the one who taught me to think basketball, how to love basketball.

Bill Walton