Walton asked for a jar to collect dirt from Bird's court to take to San Diego. "I thought Bill was kidding.
He wasn't," Bird recalled.
Bird provided the jar and suggested taking dirt from a neighbor's yard, noting the area's limited topsoil.
Bird also advocated for Boston to trade for Walton after the 1985 Finals loss, calling him essential.
"If we get Bill Walton, we're gonna be three times the team we were this year," Bird said, as recorded in Dan Shaughnessy's book "Wish It Lasted Forever."
Walton helped Boston win the 1986 championship. When Bird entered the Hall of Fame, he chose Walton as his presenter, surprising the center.
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"He said he had no idea I thought that much of him. I guess I'm not the best at telling people, I just assume they know," Bird said.
