Reflecting on Bill Walton
Monday evening, during the closing moments of PTI, Michael Wilbon paid tribute to the recently departed Bill Walton, stating, "Everybody’s got a story."
Indeed, I can confirm that.
In 1991, still recovering from a serious injury sustained from being hit by a car while jogging, I managed to make it to Freedom Hall to catch some Cardinal hoops. On crutches.
Struggling down the steps to my seat, I encountered Bill Walton, who was covering the game on TV. He approached me, inquiring about my condition and what had happened.
Walton, no stranger to surgeries with reportedly 39 under his belt, understood pain intimately due to his own foot, leg, and back issues. Despite his own challenges, he took the time to offer words of encouragement, genuine in his concern.
It wasn't a fleeting gesture. He engaged in conversation with me for several minutes before continuing on his way.
Everybody’s got a story.
To that, I can attest.
In the wake of his passing, the consensus is clear: Bill Walton was a genuinely decent individual. Compassionate. Intriguing. Curious. Intelligent. Always concerned about others' well-being.
And for anyone who watched him provide color commentary, especially alongside Dave Pash, Walton seemed like he hailed from an alternate universe, if not another planet entirely.
It took me a while to warm up to his broadcasting style. He was an acquired taste. Eventually, I came to appreciate his childlike enthusiasm and charm.
What a captivating personality.
What an extraordinary basketball player.
Undoubtedly, he ranks among the greatest collegiate hoopsters of all time, arguably at the top of the list.
In the NCAA title game against Memphis State, he famously made 21 of 22 shots. Yet, the full story includes four additional dunks that were nullified due to the era's no-dunk rule.
Hooks. Turnarounds. Layups.
Even against lesser competition like 6-8 Ronnie Robinson, scoring 25 out of 26 in a title game would be remarkable.
During Walton's tenure, UCLA didn’t clinch the title in one of his three years. In the insightful 30 for 30 documentary series on Walton, he offers an explanation.
In the early 1970s, like many his age, Walton and some teammates engaged in recreational drug use. When coach John Wooden got wind of it, he confronted the players, including Walton.
Point guard Greg Lee admitted to it and faced consequences. When Wooden asked Walton about his involvement, he tactfully denied any knowledge.
Walton remained convinced that UCLA would have triumphed over North Carolina State and secured the title if Lee hadn't been sidelined.
Everybody’s got stories.
Including Walton himself.
His passing, the day after the last league game in his beloved Conference of Champions, feels almost too poetic.
Bill Walton, a known attendee of Dead shows, may you dance long in memory.
— c d kaplan
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