Even though Bill Walton was one of the most unique men who ever lived, they were all the same. Walton was a 6-foot-11, red-haired, inquisitive Grateful Dead fan and television analyst who happened to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
But when he died on Monday, the tributes were the same because the thread through Walton’s life was his tie-dye passion for people. At times, he may seem like he lives on another planet, but he wants you and others to join him because this is a place where love and dreams come true.
That’s why the tributes on social media are all the same, summed up succinctly by the legendary Julius Erving.
“Bill Walton enjoyed life in every aspect,” Irving said in a statement posted to X.
But you don’t need to be a Hall of Famer like Dr. J to know Walton. Walton has been a part of basketball fans’ lives for decades as a television commentator.
Walton reached his greatest heights as a center, leading UCLA and the Portland Trail Blazers to championships, then becoming the Boston Celtics’ sixth man — in Walton’s words, ” Larry Bird’s Valet” — and thrived as a role player for another ring. His importance on the pitch has changed, but his attitude has not.
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Bill Walton, one of basketball’s most eccentric figures, dies at 71
He’s been through the same experience as a broadcaster, forming part of the top staff with NBC analysts Steve Jones and Tom Hammond.
In 2002, Walton teamed up with Marv Albert to participate in the NBA Finals for NBC. In 2003, he was paired with player Brad Nessler and co-analyst Tom Tolbert on ABC’s Finals.
However, these broadcasts will not remain in our memory of Walton. Walton only became more noticeable as he became more of a sixth man. Especially in the age of social media.
His work on ESPN, late night work with his beloved Pac-12, working with Dave Pasch or Jason Benetti, A wonderful experience that truly represents Walton.
That’s why after his death, social media played clips of Walton being Walton, comparing the San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw to Beethoven, or eating while describing UCLA’s early lead on Washington Light up the cupcakes, or talk about the real Bears and Huskies.
RIP Bill Walton 14 years ago was more beautiful and beautiful talking about Boris Diaw (career averages 8.4 ppg/4.4 rpg/3.5 apg) than anyone could ever talk about another human being. respect.
“When I think of Boris Dio, I think of Beethoven and the Romantic era.” pic.twitter.com/wSN5eVyOae
— Blake Wexler 🫵 (@BlakeWexler) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton lived a fearless life.
Like when he eats cupcakes live on TV with the candles still lit.
A tribute to a college basketball icon. pic.twitter.com/fDWcRGajTp
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) May 27, 2024
forever bill walton pic.twitter.com/doTKjhJcSd
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 27, 2024
Benetti shared on social media an email he received from Walton four years ago:
“Put on the music,
Once something feels wrong,
change music/station,
But don’t turn it off”
In 1981, Walton made his music-changing version. That year he overcame a stutter that had plagued his life, making his achievements as a broadcaster even more impressive.
Until Walton was nearly 30 years old, he dared not speak. That’s when Walton met legendary broadcaster and Olympian Marty Glickman. Glickman advised Walton that speaking was a skill, not a talent, and that he could improve by applying lessons learned in the courtroom, basically keeping it simple and practicing.
“When I was 28, a chance encounter with Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman at a social event changed my life forever in so many ways,” Walton wrote in an article. Nothing has ever been the same since, and it has never been better.
Basketball fans benefited greatly from this. Most people alive today have not seen Walton play in his prime, but they have all heard his views on life. It’s true both on and off television.
“Bill always ended his text messages with ‘Thank you for giving me life. Shine. Peace and love,'” ESPN content president Burke Magnus said on X.
This is his message. Everyone gets it. What a great legacy for all his accomplishments.
(Photo of Bill Walton at the 2019 Maui Invitational: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
