They are all the same, even though Bill Walton was one of the most unique men who ever lived. Walton was a 6-foot-11 redhead, curiosity seeker, Grateful Dead fan and television analyst who turned out to be one of the greatest basketball players who ever lived.
But after his death on Monday, the tributes were all the same because the common thread of Walton's life was his passion for people. At times, it might have seemed like he lived on another planet, but he wanted you and everyone else to join him because it was a place where love and dreams come true.
That's why the tributes were all the same on social media, succinctly summarized by the legendary Julius Erving.
“Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way,” Erving said in a statement published in.
But you didn't have to be a Hall of Famer like Dr. J to know Walton. For decades, Walton has been a part of basketball fans' lives as a television commentator.
As a center, Walton reached the highest heights, leading UCLA and the Portland Trail Blazers to championships before becoming a sixth man – “Larry Bird's valet,” as Walton put it – on the Boston Celtics and thriving as a player. role for another ring. His importance on the court changed, but his attitude did not.
GO DEEPER
Bill Walton, one of basketball's most eccentric characters, dies
As a broadcaster, he had the same journey, teaming with NBC analyst Steve Jones and Tom Hammond on top teams.
In 2002, Walton worked on the NBA Finals with Marv Albert for NBC. In 2003, on ABC, he was paired with player Brad Nessler and co-analyst Tom Tolbert for the finals.
However, these are not the broadcasts that will live on in our memories of Walton. It was when Walton was more of a sixth man that he stood out the most; especially in the age of social media.
His work at ESPN, late into the night in his beloved Pac-12, teaming with Dave Pasch or Jason Benetti truly represented Walton's wonderful experience.
That's why, after his passing, social media played clips of Walton being Walton, comparing the San Antonio Spurs' Boris Diaw to Beethoven or eating a lit cupcake or talking about real Bears and Huskies when describing UCLA getting an early lead. in Washington. .
RIP Bill Walton, who 14 years ago spoke about Boris Diaw (career 8.4 ppg/4.4 rebs/3.5 ast) with more beauty and reverence than anyone has ever spoken about anyone else.
“When I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics.” pic.twitter.com/wSN5eVyOae
—Blake Wexler Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.(@BlakeWexler) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton lived his life without fear.
Like when he ate a cupcake live on television with the candle still lit.
RIP to a college basketball icon. pic.twitter.com/fDWcRGajTp
-Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton forever pic.twitter.com/doTKjhJcSd
—Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 27, 2024
Benetti took to social media to share an email she received from Walton four years ago:
“PUT THE MUSIC,
As soon as it doesn't seem right,
change music/station,
But don't turn it off.”
In 1981, Walton did his version of changing music. That year, he addressed a stuttering problem that had plagued his life and made his achievement as a broadcaster even more impressive.
Until Walton was almost 30, he was afraid to speak. At that time, Walton met legendary broadcaster and Olympian Marty Glickman. Glickman warned Walton that speaking was a skill, not a talent, and that he could apply the lessons of the court to improve, basically to keep it simple and practice.
“When I was 28, a chance encounter at a social event with Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman completely changed my life in so many ways that things have never been the same since, nor have they ever been better,” Walton wrote in an essay for the Stuttering Foundation.
Basketball fans were better for it. Most people alive now did not see Walton play in his prime, but they have heard his views on life. He was authentic, on or off television.
“Bill used to end text messages with 'Thank you for my life.' Shine. Peace and love,'” ESPN president of content Burke Magnus, said in.
That was his message. Everyone understood it. For all his achievements, what a great legacy.
(Photo of Bill Walton at the 2019 Maui Inivitational: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The post Bill Walton was unique in the media and in life, with a message that we all understood appeared first on Creative Format.