NBA Legend Bill Walton Dead at 71

Remembering Bill WaltonBill Walton -- the NBA legend who delighted fans for decades both on the court and in the commentary booth -- has died, according to the NBA.

The league put out a press release Monday morning announcing the sad news ... saying Bill passed away at his after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family when he passed.

Bill Walton Getty

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembers Bill as a dominant force on the court and a colorful personality off it ... while also lauding Bill for his positive, upbeat personality at league events.

Walton played college basketball at UCLA from 1971 to 1974 before the Portland Trailblazers drafted him with the first overall pick in…