Charles Barkley reacted emotionally to Bill Walton’s death on Tuesday, saying “the world is not a good place” after the NBA Hall of Famer died of cancer at age 71.
Speaking on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” Barkley added to the many tributes from around the sports world for the former Blazers and Celtics star.
“When I got that news yesterday, it hurt,” Barkley said. “Because you’re talking about [someone who was] great at basketball, great at life, great as an announcer. But just a great person. I’ve never seen someone so happy to be around, who was always in a good mood.
He continued, “I’ll explain it this way, Ernie,” speaking to host Ernie Johnson.
‘The world is not a good place [as] it was yesterday. The world was a better place because Bill Walton was in it… we lost a legitimate person.”
Charles Barkley paid a moving tribute to Bill Walton on Tuesday evening after his death
Shaquille O’Neal also detailed his “up and down” relationship with the NBA Hall of Famer
Meanwhile, Barkley’s colleague Shaquille O’Neal gave an honest look at his relationship with Walton, saying it had been “up and down” due to Walton’s criticism of him on the court when he was an NBA analyst.
However, O’Neal acknowledged that he had been “sensitive” and came to appreciate Walton’s tough love.
He also said he called Bill’s son Luke (O’Neal’s former teammate and current assistant with the Cavs) to express his condolences.
“I had to learn to listen to what these legends said,” he said of Walton. ‘Because if you want to become a legend, shouldn’t you first listen to a legend?
“He was hard on me, and I’m glad he was hard on me.”
O’Neal said he saw Walton at the Final Four last year, and the pair shared a hug, with the UCLA legend telling O’Neal he just wanted to make him better with his criticism.
Barkley said on “Inside the NBA”: “The world is not a good place [as] it was yesterday’
Walton unfortunately lost his battle with cancer on Monday. The NBA great turned 71 years old
Fellow UCLA standout Reggie Miller, who started playing at the school nine years after Walton finished there, also explained how Walton would visit campus and mentor him and his teammates.
Miller also said he and Walton bonded over their love of cycling.
Walton was also remembered by his former teammate Larry Bird, fellow NBA legend Julius Erving and even former US President Barack Obama.
“I’m sure all my teammates are as grateful as I am that we got to know Bill. He was so much fun to know and will be greatly missed,” Bird said in a statement. “My family and I extend our sincere condolences to the Walton family.”
His death came hours before the Celtics defeated the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals.