When I was 14 I did a book report on Bill Walton - When I was 44 he signed it at a card shop. Now that I'm 64 - he's passed away. A part of me passed with him - he was my idol from my youth.
Incredible. I'm 42 and he always struck a chord with me. Mostly from his time as a commentator and in the studio. We both have similar free spirited personalities. Maybe that's why I felt connected to him. Awesome you had that experience and met him years later.
I grew up in the 1970s. We got sports illustrated in the mail . I remember Bill at UCLA with coach Wooden . His hair was cut short and conservative. I got a kick of how he could be more himself when he got to Portland and the NBA . Long hair and a beard along with the headband. Felt bad about his bone issues in his feet. He was a great player and huge music fan . I also loved his take on life. RIP.
As a Portland fan, thank you thank you thank you Bill Walton for starting Blazermania, winning us our only championship in dramatic Star Wars-esque fashion, and for being a positive awesome dude. "Shine The Light, Be The Light." #legend
I met Bill at a John Fogerty concert and he couldn’t have been nicer. RIP Bill, you were a class act and one of the greatest basketball players to ever walk this earth. My deepest condolences to the Walton family.
I knew Bill since 1973 because I attended over 300 Dead shows (71-95) and I got to know him pretty well. We shared a love of music and never discussed basketball. I only saw him a few times after Jerry Garcia died and he always remembered me and even the specific songs in the shows we saw together.
I remember those times when Bill would call in and we would not hear you for the longest time because you couldn’t get a word in. The funniest one was when he started talking and he began to run over the time. You were desperately yelling out “Bill! Bill!” He kept going and we could hear the Danette’s laughing so hard that they were crying, which I found myself doing as well. Thank you Bill Walton for being you and making life that much more enjoyable and funny. Thank you Dan for sharing Bill with the rest of us, you have made memories that I will cherish and enjoy playing over and over in my head.
I saw Bill at many Bob Dylan concerts, and was lucky enough to catch a photo with him at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach for a Grateful Dead cover band. He was so gracious, as was his wonderful wife who orchestrated and took our picture. I, like most, walked away INVIGORATED from his natural enthusiasm and energy. Bill was a great example for us all and is already missed by Planet Earth.
I wept in my car all the way from work to home listening to your tribute . I wondered why it moved me so much about a man I never met, only watched his highlights and listened to his interviews? Then it dawned on me that the sheer goodness bill Walton exuded all his life has to move anybody in their tracks. Thank you DP for dedicating the show to a wonderful soul. Bill, you finally get to hang out with jerry Garcia again.
You can see and hear the hurt in Dan here. I too am very emotional of this, more so than any other athlete I can remember. As incredible as Bill was a player, everyone is talking about what a truly great human being Bill was. Rip City Bill. Rest in peace.
I never met Bill Walton but as a UCLA alum I followed him closely. I will miss him very, very much. RIP, Bill. There are thousands of us Bruins who will miss you very much but at the same time will appreciate every single second that you were in Westwood.
I got to walk through the parking lot in San Diego to a UCLA / SD State football game many years ago with Bill and he was such a great guy, so friendly and positive. RIP Bill, we will miss you so much!!
God bless Bill Walton! I was 10 years old and living just outside of Portland when Bill led the blazers to their only world championship. I dreamed of being the next Bill Walton and leading the blazers to another championship, I marveled watching this man’s greatness on the court and his zest for life.
I blew out my L4 and L5 in the Navy. I cannot fathom the levels and timeframe of pain Bill endured. It saps everything from you... Everything you have. This man dedicated every ounce of his being to making Others feel Happiness, love, and support. This is a shining example of how good you can be, no matter your circumstances. Throw it down, big man. Today is a lot less Great without that Wonderfully special man. Love you, Bill. Rest easy, sir. 💔
Bill's death hit me hard I actually cried when you talked about him not committing suicide and being so awesome to ppl making them laugh. I perked up when he spoke and was a kindred soul we just never met
Great commentary Dan as always. Living in San Diego now I never got the chance to meet Bill Walton but 2 years ago I went to see Pearl Jam. They took the time to put the spotlight on Bill in the crowd during the show because he was friends with the band (and everyone). It was really cool!
Thank you Dan , and Thank you Bill Walton for everything. I was not born during his playing era. , but what he has done for basketball game is tremendous and you cannot stop loving his passion.
When I heard the news yesterday I reflexively went to RUclips to find the most recent Bill full interview with DP. I came across one from 1/24/23. It was so quintessentially Bill and the chemistry with DP so strong I told a friend that if it wasn't the last one I wanted it to be. There is another video that says it's an appearance just a few days before he passed. He was so alive and enthusiastic and present that you would just never guess in a million years he was so close to the end. Bless him. May God rest his soul, forever pain free.
Thank you Bill Walton, for blessing us all on this Earth with the tremendous gift of your life, and always leaving wherever you went better than you found it! R.I.P.
I was keen to hear Dan’s reaction, I loved all the moments Dan shared with Bill and this was a beautiful recollection. This one hurts but there’s just so much positive to remember ❤
Thanks DP, so many great memories. I grew up in the Portland area and was 9 when they won the championship in 1977. That Blazer team was such a part of the community and I've got so many great memories from those years. It's really heartwarming to see so many people remembering Bill as not just the basketball player or the broadcaster, but as just the good person that he was.
I was 8 when that happened and I've been a trailblazers fan ever since. I lived in Bend and so I was never able to go to the game because of their sell out streak. But I was constantly watching or listening to Blazer games.
Bill made this call once during a Bulls Finals game. The Bulls were down a little, the crowd was quiet, and Bill said something like "All you can hear is silence and the rattling of jewelry." AMAZING!!!
I played college basketball at Arizona from 2005-09 and luke Walton would come back every summer to play pick up with us when he was with the lakers. All of us from socal would all tell him stories of meeting bill as kids and how he was always so nice to us and he would always tell us the importance of fundamentals but he also made sure to tell us to make sure we were enjoying the game and enjoying life as kids. Dude was such a legend and always so kind to everyone. RIP Bill, thanks for always being so nice to us as kids. Thinking of Luke and the rest of the Walton family 😞🙏🏽
The tradition since 1959of the pac 12 kills me as a cougars fan . Bill was with Ucla . But having a whole conference canceled to me is crazy . The cougars president of athletics should be canceled for non action
Brilliant man. Many times I wished I could sit down with him and have a good listen. There really isn't anyone else quite like him in sports or anywhere else for that matter. RIP.
Great tribute, Dan!!! I met Bill a few times in San Diego at social events and it is true, Bill ALWAYS left people smiling and wow was he smart! He had an exceptional memory and would "do" this name memorization routine where he would ask people their names at the beginning of a speech and then at the end, some 45 minutes later, he would repeat everyones name. In my case, the audience was about 40 people strong and he perfectly named ever single one without error. An exceptional person doesn't even come close to encapsulating Bill's impact on others throughout his life.
What a player one of a kind grew up watching UCLA 86-4 he was if he was healthy forget about it he dominated I'm gonna miss em when he beat Philadelphia 77 finals game 6 20 pts 23 reb 7ass 8blks I could go on forever RIP
Thank you DP for another moving and awesome town square meeting time. I am 67 and eady to recall how Bill was an inspiring enervating presence with his creative athletic journey. It was about sharing. 🌟🗾🦋
Glad Dan talked about how good that Blazer team was that beat that 76ers team i was 16 and lived about a hour from Portland and Blazer mania was a real thing to this day i still haven't seen anything like it. I was actually rooting for the 76ers but the basketball that Portland played in that series was some of the best team basketball i have ever seen. They took apart a team of all stars and made them look ordinary. If Walton had stayed healthy they would have been a dynasty.
Big Red I will not forget you! You were a creative broadcaster and I loved it. This guy cherished the human spirit!😊😊😊😊 This man was full of life! This guy was a true 'Warrior' for life. I wish The Walton's family the very best during this tough time. I had to lay rest a friend recently too. Peace to the whole basketball community of this great loss we have incurred.😢😢😢
I saw so many of those games in 1976-77 In Memorial Coliseum. That team was like watching great ballet. I could go on and on about the playoff run to the title but I wanted to say that I was at that game between the Blazers and the Lakers when Walton drove the lane when it mattered most and dunked on Kareem! I was up on a bench seat in the rafters but I had a great view of the drive and slam. My recollection of that moment was that it was the loudest crowd moment I have ever experienced at a sporting event. Remember Dan, Bill Walton wrote a book and it was called “Back From The Dead.” 🤙
Dan thank you for your thoughts each and every day. I can feel your pain and love for the Bigman. I appreciate your insight each and every day on everything you’ve taught us thru your journey of life. Thank you again sir and to your team, much love to all of you. Joe P. In Port Richey Florida.
Thanks for that, Dan. Bill Walton was just great fun to listen to. He was always enthusiastic and positive about basketball and about life. He had such a big personality. What a character. I'll miss him. RIP Bill o
San Diego native In between the ‘Blazers and the Celtics was 7 forgettable years with his hometown Clippers. He missed more games than he played. He blamed himself for the team’s move to LA, thinking if he played more, they wouldn’t have moved. Bill Walton loved San Diego and we loved him
As a millennial, I’m too young to actually know bill beyond his announcing, but as a fellow enlightened weirdo - his messages of living his life with selfless purpose are squarely in my heart. Shine on bill.
One of my favorite storied about Bill Walton is that he went to the playground where Larry Bird played at growing up. Mr. Walton took a jar and put some dirt from Larry Bird's basketball playground into the jar.
Dang it.... the story of Bill and Dan riding in the car listening to Bob Dylan got me tearing up. He seemed to be at peace and loving life ALL the time. He will be missed. Throw it down, Big Man, throw it down.
Love Bill watching a game he called was an adventure you never knew what he may pontificate on he was hilarious.One of the greatest all around players ever even though injuries limited his career.Truly the second greatest college player ever.Kareem being the first which Bill always deferred to.
I was 8 years old when Bill was at UCLA. I like Bird, McHale, Bilas, and many others just loved the guy. Richard Jefferson said he was in 5 Hall Of Fames. They don't have a HOF for being a good person. Bills various charitable works outside of hoops like working with challenged athletes and any person in need. Watch the video on "a gas station meeting with Bill Walton changed this paralyzed mans life." Who does this for a stranger? A Hall Of Fame human being does. The San Diego area and all of us lost a truly special human being by his acts of service to others.
I interviewed Bill and Luke years ago. He was there for 1-800-FLOWERS. I made the mistake of trying to have an organized interview. Bill went full Bill and Luke was a guest in theory. “Happy wife, happy life and she’ll be happy when she gets the greatest flowers in the universe from 1-800-FLOWERS.” It was a thrill to interview him and I wish I had more than 10 minutes and had enough experience so I didn’t feel like I was a rodeo cowboy that had been bucked off the bull during the interview. He and Tom Arnold are the two celebrities that have made me struggle during an interview to keep things together and laugh during the struggle.
Bill Walton was so funny...I was sad to hear of his passing and will miss him as a fan of his broadcasting, just made you laugh, and not take the game as seriously when watching a game.
In 1972 at UCLA, we students demonstrated against Nixon’s Vietnam War by first occupying the Franklin Murphy Administration Building and then had a mass sit-down demonstration at the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran. Bill Walton was always there standing up for what he believed in. Thank you BW.
May Bill Walton RIP. He was a great player in college and his play during 1976-77 and much of the 1977-78 with the Portland Trailblazers was exemplary. I wish he had not sued the Portland Trailblazers in 1978 because his relationship with the city was ruined. Bill Walton was injured too much in his pro years. But he was very enjoyable to listen to and apparently did not have the body to sustain long term and consistent play in the NBA.
Portland forgave Bill a long, long time ago. It was business and not personal against the city or fans. It’s always debated the greatest Blazers of all time. Clyde, Dame, or Bill? I was always in the Bill camp.
A friend of Walton's the yr. before PDX won the championship, was a KGW weekend sports reported name Pat Stuckey. They went up the Clackamas River on a swimming trip and flipped a coin to see who'd dive off the bridge 1st - Pat won the toss and hit a rock - died instantly. i drank beer with Stuckey in the Goose Hollow tavern a few blocks from KGW's studio. Pat was 5'6' and and also an athlete, it was fun seeing Bill and Pat hanging together
When I was 14 I did a book report on Bill Walton - When I was 44 he signed it at a card shop. Now that I'm 64 - he's passed away. A part of me passed with him - he was my idol from my youth.
Incredible. I'm 42 and he always struck a chord with me. Mostly from his time as a commentator and in the studio. We both have similar free spirited personalities. Maybe that's why I felt connected to him. Awesome you had that experience and met him years later.
I grew up in the 1970s. We got sports illustrated in the mail . I remember Bill at UCLA with coach Wooden . His hair was cut short and conservative. I got a kick of how he could be more himself when he got to Portland and the NBA . Long hair and a beard along with the headband. Felt bad about his bone issues in his feet. He was a great player and huge music fan . I also loved his take on life. RIP.
That’s an amazing story!
Same here and I’m also 64 .Bill was my sports idol growing up
That's very cool. Rarely you meet a hero of yours and they are cool. That happened with me an Drew Breeze
One of the nicest and coolest guys that ever walked earth.
We used to see Bill at Dead concerts for years. He was easy to spot. He always had a smile on his face.
Bill Walton had all the qualities that make a special person, joy, empathy, curiosity, selflessness. RIP.
This one hit me hard. Bill Walton was a shining light. He will be missed.
RIP Bill. One of the great characters, players and persons in all of sports history.
As a Portland fan, thank you thank you thank you Bill Walton for starting Blazermania, winning us our only championship in dramatic Star Wars-esque fashion, and for being a positive awesome dude. "Shine The Light, Be The Light." #legend
I knew Bill since HS. Just a great guy. Never had a bad word to say about about anyone. Just a wonderful basketball player. He loved the game.
I met Bill at a John Fogerty concert and he couldn’t have been nicer. RIP Bill, you were a class act and one of the greatest basketball players to ever walk this earth. My deepest condolences to the Walton family.
I knew Bill since 1973 because I attended over 300 Dead shows (71-95) and I got to know him pretty well. We shared a love of music and never discussed basketball. I only saw him a few times after Jerry Garcia died and he always remembered me and even the specific songs in the shows we saw together.
Beautiful tribute Dan.
RIP to the great man and more importantly, to this beautiful soul.
Thanks, DP. This segment is why this show is special.
I actually sat next to him at a Bob Dylan concert in Costa Mesa back in 93. It was an awesome experience. RIP big fella! 🙏
That is awesome
I remember those times when Bill would call in and we would not hear you for the longest time because you couldn’t get a word in. The funniest one was when he started talking and he began to run over the time. You were desperately yelling out “Bill! Bill!” He kept going and we could hear the Danette’s laughing so hard that they were crying, which I found myself doing as well. Thank you Bill Walton for being you and making life that much more enjoyable and funny. Thank you Dan for sharing Bill with the rest of us, you have made memories that I will cherish and enjoy playing over and over in my head.
I could listen to Bill Walton talk for hours and hours...he had soooo many interesting stories and interesting thoughts.
What a great tribute to such a great man! God bless you DP!
“shine the light! be the light” God Speed 🙏🏽
RIP, Bill !! 😭😭😭
We will always love you here in Oregon ...
Wilsonville - in the house!
RIP Bill..A true legend in all phases
I saw Bill at many Bob Dylan concerts, and was lucky enough to catch a photo with him at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach for a Grateful Dead cover band. He was so gracious, as was his wonderful wife who orchestrated and took our picture. I, like most, walked away INVIGORATED from his natural enthusiasm and energy. Bill was a great example for us all and is already missed by Planet Earth.
Wonderful tribute. I was fortunate to be around Bill for 2 hours, 47 years ago, and I feel like I lost a dear friend. Rest easy, Bill.
Sad day indeed, Bill Walton was truly one of a kind, I miss him already.
I wept in my car all the way from work to home listening to your tribute . I wondered why it moved me so much about a man I never met, only watched his highlights and listened to his interviews? Then it dawned on me that the sheer goodness bill Walton exuded all his life has to move anybody in their tracks. Thank you DP for dedicating the show to a wonderful soul. Bill, you finally get to hang out with jerry Garcia again.
You can see and hear the hurt in Dan here. I too am very emotional of this, more so than any other athlete I can remember. As incredible as Bill was a player, everyone is talking about what a truly great human being Bill was. Rip City Bill. Rest in peace.
I never met Bill Walton but as a UCLA alum I followed him closely. I will miss him very, very much. RIP, Bill. There are thousands of us Bruins who will miss you very much but at the same time will appreciate every single second that you were in Westwood.
Wonderful tribute to Bill Walton, Dan. RIP Bill. A true sports legend.
Rest in peace Bill.
Dan this is one of the greatest segments you have ever done. Thank you.
Well said Dan….. RIP Bill
May the Four Winds blow you safely Home... Rest easy, Big Red
I got to walk through the parking lot in San Diego to a UCLA / SD State football game many years ago with Bill and he was such a great guy, so friendly and positive. RIP Bill, we will miss you so much!!
Thank you for this Dan. I was a young teenager here in the PNW when Bill played for the Blazers. AW, the memories. I to will miss him
God bless Bill Walton! I was 10 years old and living just outside of Portland when Bill led the blazers to their only world championship. I dreamed of being the next Bill Walton and leading the blazers to another championship, I marveled watching this man’s greatness on the court and his zest for life.
Dan will definitely miss him, you can hear it in his voice. Bill was an awesome "person". RIP
Very Nice tribute Dan....Thank You !!!
I met Bill in 1984 in Iowa. Charming dude. RIP to his "conference of champions."
Loved BW. Great player, broadcaster and human being. Nice, heartfelt tribute by DP.
He was such a a genuine dude. Rest in paradise Mr. Walton
I blew out my L4 and L5 in the Navy. I cannot fathom the levels and timeframe of pain Bill endured. It saps everything from you... Everything you have. This man dedicated every ounce of his being to making Others feel Happiness, love, and support. This is a shining example of how good you can be, no matter your circumstances. Throw it down, big man. Today is a lot less Great without that Wonderfully special man. Love you, Bill. Rest easy, sir. 💔
Dan Patrick, thank you for helping a lot of us out today. We needed you today. All that Bill Walton was, he is still. Amen
Bill's death hit me hard I actually cried when you talked about him not committing suicide and being so awesome to ppl making them laugh. I perked up when he spoke and was a kindred soul we just never met
DP is a top 5 all time personality at ESPN... Dan knows his stuff....he is the GOAT.. so was Bill Walton....
Great commentary Dan as always. Living in San Diego now I never got the chance to meet Bill Walton but 2 years ago I went to see Pearl Jam. They took the time to put the spotlight on Bill in the crowd during the show because he was friends with the band (and everyone). It was really cool!
Thank you, Dan. Appreciate your narrative on the great Bill Walton.
Thank you for the great Bill Walton Stories. I’m sorry you lost your friend. What a great person
Thank you Dan ,
and Thank you Bill Walton for everything.
I was not born during his playing era. , but what he has done for basketball game is tremendous and you cannot stop loving his passion.
I love u Dan. U have the best stories (& friends) ♡
When I heard the news yesterday I reflexively went to RUclips to find the most recent Bill full interview with DP. I came across one from 1/24/23. It was so quintessentially Bill and the chemistry with DP so strong I told a friend that if it wasn't the last one I wanted it to be. There is another video that says it's an appearance just a few days before he passed. He was so alive and enthusiastic and present that you would just never guess in a million years he was so close to the end. Bless him. May God rest his soul, forever pain free.
Wonderful heartfelt tribute
Thank you Bill Walton, for blessing us all on this Earth with the tremendous gift of your life, and always leaving wherever you went better than you found it! R.I.P.
I was keen to hear Dan’s reaction, I loved all the moments Dan shared with Bill and this was a beautiful recollection. This one hurts but there’s just so much positive to remember ❤
Bill was probably the only real professional American hippie athlete. And to me that's high praise.
Man that was great!! Thank you for that reflection!!
Thanks DP, so many great memories. I grew up in the Portland area and was 9 when they won the championship in 1977. That Blazer team was such a part of the community and I've got so many great memories from those years. It's really heartwarming to see so many people remembering Bill as not just the basketball player or the broadcaster, but as just the good person that he was.
I was 8 when that happened and I've been a trailblazers fan ever since. I lived in Bend and so I was never able to go to the game because of their sell out streak. But I was constantly watching or listening to Blazer games.
I'm from Austin and can imagine how Portland was back then. Wish I could've visited.
Bill made this call once during a Bulls Finals game. The Bulls were down a little, the crowd was quiet, and Bill said something like "All you can hear is silence and the rattling of jewelry." AMAZING!!!
I played college basketball at Arizona from 2005-09 and luke Walton would come back every summer to play pick up with us when he was with the lakers.
All of us from socal would all tell him stories of meeting bill as kids and how he was always so nice to us and he would always tell us the importance of fundamentals but he also made sure to tell us to make sure we were enjoying the game and enjoying life as kids.
Dude was such a legend and always so kind to everyone. RIP Bill, thanks for always being so nice to us as kids. Thinking of Luke and the rest of the Walton family 😞🙏🏽
How poetic and sad that Bill died one day after the PAC12
I was thinking the exact same thing!!!
Yeah..that was a very underrated conference .You know Bill absolutely hated the breakup of the Pac12..
❤️ pac ten conference & ❤️ bill Walton very very sad both are passing
The tradition since 1959of the pac 12 kills me as a cougars fan . Bill was with Ucla . But having a whole conference canceled to me is crazy . The cougars president of athletics should be canceled for non action
@@kevinbrooks1104 It's absolutely filthy that Washington State & Oregon State are stuck in a state of suspended animation..
Brilliant man. Many times I wished I could sit down with him and have a good listen. There really isn't anyone else quite like him in sports or anywhere else for that matter. RIP.
Great tribute, Dan!!! I met Bill a few times in San Diego at social events and it is true, Bill ALWAYS left people smiling and wow was he smart! He had an exceptional memory and would "do" this name memorization routine where he would ask people their names at the beginning of a speech and then at the end, some 45 minutes later, he would repeat everyones name. In my case, the audience was about 40 people strong and he perfectly named ever single one without error. An exceptional person doesn't even come close to encapsulating Bill's impact on others throughout his life.
waited for this. knew Dan would have great stories.
I was at Helix High (1965-1969) with Bill and his brother Bruce. Even then he was a GREAT guy, always friendly, helpful, and humble.
What a player one of a kind grew up watching UCLA 86-4 he was if he was healthy forget about it he dominated I'm gonna miss em when he beat Philadelphia 77 finals game 6 20 pts 23 reb 7ass 8blks I could go on forever RIP
❤you Dan
Loved Bill Walton
It hit me hard too
He radiated a joy of life
Thank you DP for another moving and awesome town square meeting time. I am 67 and eady to recall how Bill was an inspiring enervating presence with his creative athletic journey. It was about sharing. 🌟🗾🦋
Just thinking of him makes you smile and chuckle over the things he said and did. May we all have a bit of Bill Walton in us
Glad Dan talked about how good that Blazer team was that beat that 76ers team i was 16 and lived about a hour from Portland and Blazer mania was a real thing to this day i still haven't seen anything like it. I was actually rooting for the 76ers but the basketball that Portland played in that series was some of the best team basketball i have ever seen. They took apart a team of all stars and made them look ordinary. If Walton had stayed healthy they would have been a dynasty.
❤. Bill. Walton
Hit me hard too
He gave more than he got
Big Red I will not forget you! You were a creative broadcaster and I loved it. This guy cherished the human spirit!😊😊😊😊 This man was full of life! This guy was a true 'Warrior' for life. I wish The Walton's family the very best during this tough time. I had to lay rest a friend recently too. Peace to the whole basketball community of this great loss we have incurred.😢😢😢
Love Bill. That game against Memphis in the NCAA tournament was amazing. RIP.
I saw so many of those games in 1976-77 In Memorial Coliseum. That team was like watching great ballet. I could go on and on about the playoff run to the title but I wanted to say that I was at that game between the Blazers and the Lakers when Walton drove the lane when it mattered most and dunked on Kareem! I was up on a bench seat in the rafters but I had a great view of the drive and slam. My recollection of that moment was that it was the loudest crowd moment I have ever experienced at a sporting event. Remember Dan, Bill Walton wrote a book and it was called “Back From The Dead.” 🤙
DP, thank you for sharing these memories of Mr. Bill Walton. The world lost a great one. Be kind to others, and most of all, be kind to yourself.
Truly one of a kind. RIP
Dan thank you for your thoughts each and every day. I can feel your pain and love for the Bigman. I appreciate your insight each and every day on everything you’ve taught us thru your journey of life. Thank you again sir and to your team, much love to all of you. Joe P. In Port Richey Florida.
Bill's bright presence and joy for life leaves a hole in humanity today I miss simply knowing he is on this earth.
Bill Walton made me want to watch basketball 🏀. Throw it down, Big Man...Throw it down!! RIP Mr. Walton 💔
Thanks for that, Dan. Bill Walton was just great fun to listen to. He was always enthusiastic and positive about basketball and about life. He had such a big personality. What a character. I'll miss him. RIP Bill o
San Diego native
In between the ‘Blazers and the Celtics was 7 forgettable years with his hometown Clippers. He missed more games than he played. He blamed himself for the team’s move to LA, thinking if he played more, they wouldn’t have moved.
Bill Walton loved San Diego and we loved him
Great tribute Dan. Thank you!!
As a millennial, I’m too young to actually know bill beyond his announcing, but as a fellow enlightened weirdo - his messages of living his life with selfless purpose are squarely in my heart. Shine on bill.
Great comments and stories on an amazing man! Thank you
One of my favorite storied about Bill Walton is that he went to the playground where Larry Bird played at growing up. Mr. Walton took a jar and put some dirt from Larry Bird's basketball playground into the jar.
Awesome testament to a great human. Thank you Dan!
Thank you Dan.
I called Bill for an interview. He called back, left a 10-minute voice mail, which served perfectly as the interview.
LEGEND. One GREAT MAN. 😢❤
Dang it.... the story of Bill and Dan riding in the car listening to Bob Dylan got me tearing up. He seemed to be at peace and loving life ALL the time. He will be missed. Throw it down, Big Man, throw it down.
Love Bill watching a game he called was an adventure you never knew what he may pontificate on he was hilarious.One of the greatest all around players ever even though injuries limited his career.Truly the second greatest college player ever.Kareem being the first which Bill always deferred to.
Well Stated! Thanks.
Those are beautiful recolections thx
Always loved Bill. He was great as a commentator on NBC
Great stories Dan, sorry for your loss…
Love you, Bill!
RIP Bill Walton
I was 8 years old when Bill was at UCLA. I like Bird, McHale, Bilas, and many others just loved the guy. Richard Jefferson said he was in 5 Hall Of Fames. They don't have a HOF for being a good person. Bills various charitable works outside of hoops like working with challenged athletes and any person in need. Watch the video on "a gas station meeting with Bill Walton changed this paralyzed mans life." Who does this for a stranger? A Hall Of Fame human being does. The San Diego area and all of us lost a truly special human being by his acts of service to others.
Rest in peace Bill Walton 👍
I interviewed Bill and Luke years ago. He was there for 1-800-FLOWERS. I made the mistake of trying to have an organized interview. Bill went full Bill and Luke was a guest in theory. “Happy wife, happy life and she’ll be happy when she gets the greatest flowers in the universe from 1-800-FLOWERS.”
It was a thrill to interview him and I wish I had more than 10 minutes and had enough experience so I didn’t feel like I was a rodeo cowboy that had been bucked off the bull during the interview. He and Tom Arnold are the two celebrities that have made me struggle during an interview to keep things together and laugh during the struggle.
Bill Walton was so funny...I was sad to hear of his passing and will miss him as a fan of his broadcasting, just made you laugh, and not take the game as seriously when watching a game.
In 1972 at UCLA, we students demonstrated against Nixon’s Vietnam War by first occupying the Franklin Murphy Administration Building and then had a mass sit-down demonstration at the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran. Bill Walton was always there standing up for what he believed in. Thank you BW.
May Bill Walton RIP. He was a great player in college and his play during 1976-77 and much of the 1977-78 with the Portland Trailblazers was exemplary. I wish he had not sued the Portland Trailblazers in 1978 because his relationship with the city was ruined. Bill Walton was injured too much in his pro years. But he was very enjoyable to listen to and apparently did not have the body to sustain long term and consistent play in the NBA.
Portland forgave Bill a long, long time ago. It was business and not personal against the city or fans.
It’s always debated the greatest Blazers of all time. Clyde, Dame, or Bill? I was always in the Bill camp.
A friend of Walton's the yr. before PDX won the championship, was a KGW weekend sports reported name Pat Stuckey. They went up the Clackamas River on a swimming trip and flipped a coin to see who'd dive off the bridge 1st - Pat won the toss and hit a rock - died instantly. i drank beer with Stuckey in the Goose Hollow tavern a few blocks from KGW's studio. Pat was 5'6' and and also an athlete, it was fun seeing Bill and Pat hanging together
One fine man honoring another fine man..