Bill Walton Dies: NBA Legend & Grateful Dead Fan – 71

Bill Walton, the gregarious NBA star who became an ESPN commentator and was well known as a dedicated fan of the Grateful Dead, has died after battling cancer, the NBA confirmed Monday. He was 71.

A towering figure who stood 6 feet 11 inches, Walton played for three NBA teams and won two championships during his 13 years in the league, which ended in 1987 after numerous injuries. He was a college superstar at UCLA and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals Mvp, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting,…