Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
The Portland Trail Blazers have announced plans for the special Bill Walton Tribute Night game on March 9 when the team takes on the Detroit Pistons. The game serves as a special night to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a truly beloved Trail Blazer, Bill Walton. Tickets are available for purchase at Trailblazers.com/walton and all in attendance are encouraged to wear tie-dye!
Walton will be honored throughout the night with in-game videos looking back on his historic Hall of Fame career and impact on and off the court. Members of the Walton family will be in attendance and involved in various in-game moments, as well as Trail Blazers alumni, including members of the 1977 Championship team, that played alongside “Big Red”.
Fans attending the game will receive a special Bill Walton tie-dyed headband upon entering Moda Center. Take a trip down memory lane by walking the 100-Level concourse to see special memorabilia on display from Walton’s career and capture a photo at a special tie-dye 360 photo booth to take home a Walton Tribute Night memory to cherish. Rip City Clothing will have special Walton items on sale, including the jersey patch that the Trail Blazers have worn all season long and a tie-dye wristband set, with all net proceeds going to the Maurice Lucas Foundation. Stay in your seats for halftime for a special performance from a Grateful Dead tribute band – the Garcia Birthday Band!
The Trail Blazers have aligned the night with their second annual Grateful Dead Group Ticket Offer! The ticket package includes a discounted ticket and a limited-edition tie-dyed Trail Blazers x Grateful Dead co-branded shirt. Please note inventory is extremely limited and available while supplies last.
As a Trail Blazer, Walton was a two-time NBA All-Star (1977 and 1978) and led the Blazers to the NBA Finals during the historic championship run in 1977. During his career, Walton earned the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 1978, was selected All-NBA First Team that same year and All-NBA Second Team in 1977. He was named to the All-Defensive Team in back-to-back seasons (1977 and 1978) and was awarded the NBA Finals MVP in 1977 for the Trail Blazers. Inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, Walton was also named to the Top 50 and Top 75 Anniversary Teams. His number 32 jersey was retired by the Trail Blazers in 1989. As a broadcaster, he brought the game to life with rich and lively commentary that connected fans to the game in exciting and memorable ways. Off the court, Walton was a friend, father, husband and community leader.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers