Thank you Bill Walton

[GoZags]

The Bill Walton “Double - Double”

AP (Top 5) All American and Academic All American (Top 5) in the same season.

Walton did it three times.

 

[two3zone]

The Bill Walton “Double - Double”

AP (Top 5) All American and Academic All American (Top 5) in the same season.

Walton did it three times.

I never realized how good he was, he was a little bit before my time, he was so freaking good, sad what injuries did to his career but he truly never let that mess with his attitude.

 

[orange44]

Great book to read about Bill: Back From The Dead.

 

[SUOrange44]

Recently I rewatched the Lakers/Celtics 30 for 30. I literally LOLed at Kevin McHale talking about how for like 3 years after 1986, whenever Bill Walton would answer his phone he would say "hello this is Bill Walton of the 1986 World Champion Boston Celtics."

Hilarious. For a couple of years after SU won the title in ‘03, my answering machine outgoing message was Mark Johnson’s entire call of the final seconds of the championship game. Probably 90 seconds or so and would aggravate some of my friends having to wait so long to leave a message.

On the flip side, I discovered that if they were willing to wait they either really wanted to speak to me and/or it was important.
SUOrange44

 

[tbonezone]

rather surprised it was his first S.U. game. someone please tell him they grow killer weed at cornell.

 

[shermstheman]

Once, teamed with Shiambi, after one of Bills long, weird and wild observations on a broadcast full of them, Shiambi deadpanned, “I’d going to sleep well on the red eye tonight”. Lucky I wasn’t drinking something, it would have come out my nose.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I never realized how good he was, he was a little bit before my time, he was so freaking good, sad what injuries did to his career but he truly never let that mess with his attitude.

He’s one of the best college players ever. Injuries totally killed his career in the NBA probably more than any other player.

 

[MikeSU02]

At Basketball HOF Enshrinement Reunion Dinner in Springfield, MA, in 2019. Bill is as delightful in person as he is on the air. (He was sitting, and I was standing in this picture).

Saw him at the HoF year w/ Kobe, Duncan and KG getting inducted.

He didn’t refuse a single conversation and held court all over the casino/hotel (that was the COVID year that changed location).

He was moving relatively gingerly and he’s definitely showing his age physically, but man could he hold a crowd.

 

[jncuse]

I really like him .. in small doses though. A game here or there. In this world of generic commentators or Cory Alexander or Mike Gminski its nice to have something different.

I like hearing him every now and then when I tune in to a Pac-12 game.
I think its great that he is able to do a Syracuse game.
That being said wouldn't to have Bill do 5+ Syracuse games a year, or hear him multiple times per week, or have him to do a really important tournament game.

My feeling about "small doses" are somewhat similar to Dick Vitale, although they are extremely differnt. Like listening to him now and then, but too much can wreck it. At least with Bill his praising of the Pac-12, intentional or whether he believes it, its amusing. Dick's obsession with Duke is annoying and the opposite of humour.

 

[djcon57]

Bingo! Also can't forget Lawler's Law: first team to 100 wins!

I still say OH ME OH MY frequently.

 

[elimunelson]

He’s why we love sports. A character broken out of a mold and was mvp level.

1986 Celtics gave me the most satisfying season of basketball in my life. I could go on for hours but his season was indescribable

When you get peak Larry bird and bill walton it’s the peak of how the game should be played.

 

[The Ack]

Did he drop any lyrics this afternoon?

Any West [of] L.A. Fadeaways?

Any Lost Sailors out there?

Love the guy.

I have the replay on now, but after the first 10 minutes I could tell it wasn't going to be close.

Lol confirmed. In the second half heading to commercial. "Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world!"

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Bill Walton is incredible and some of you clearly reject joy in your lives.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Great book to read about Bill: Back From The Dead.

My dad’s favorite player. Did everything right. 21-22 in a national championship game against a pretty good Memphis front line.

One of my favorite stories of him was by Swen Nater, who backed up Bill at UCLA and had a pretty long NBA career. Nater said he would work his butt if every summer, and Bill would just go hang out in the mountains and would come back to school, and would be even better than last season.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Bill Walton is incredible and some of you clearly reject joy in your lives.

If you need the commentary to understand and follow the game, or take the games too seriously, he is not for you.
I could listen to Walton any time. I also enjoy listening to Hubie Brown. He teaches basketball every time he is on the air.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

I’m not saying you need to like Walton doing games ..it’s personal preference. But I will say if you don’t want to watch a game because he’s broadcasting, I probably wouldn’t wanna watch a game with you .

 

[br801]

He’s one of the best college players ever. Injuries totally killed his career in the NBA probably more than any other player.

He was an all time great at both levels until the injuries derailed him. His arc as a basketball player was similar to football's Gale Sayers. Absolute beasts.

 

[81South]

I love Bill as well. I love to laugh and he makes me laugh. Just a gentle, loving soul.

 

[SWC75]

Met him years ago when he was the guest speaker at the SU Sports Auction.

Gives a great speech.

View attachment 233515View attachment 233517

He's bigger than those other people in the first shot. The guy next to him looks as if he's kneeling and praying.

 

[SWC75]

Bingo! Also can't forget Lawler's Law: first team to 100 wins!

Works in football, too.

 

[storange]

He is good man, original, positive outlook always, need more like him on this earth.

 

[kcsu]

Love Bill we need more people like him in this world

 

[hoopsupstate]

Bill’s an American treasure. Fir a blow out game he kept it very entertaining. He loves to do PAC 10 games. As he calls it “ the conference of champions.”

 

[Nicknack]

I found Bill Walton almost unlistenable. At one point, he was talking about defense just being a standard and it's all about offense. Okay, Bill. Lay off the shrooms before the game. He offered absolutely zero. He clearly didn't spend any time learning about the teams beforehand, and he essentially told us that. To me, he is the modern version of Dickie V. However, the difference is that Dickie V offered a "little" commentary besides rainbows and other crap spewing from his mouth. Not a fan of Bill.

 

[HoustonCuse]

I did get a kick out of his “This is closing in on being the greatest 7th place consolation game in history!”