Remembering Bill Walton

Believe me I did not know that the great player, Bill Walton, who died too young at age 73 was suffering with cancer.

Look and see I put a picture of Bill in my post, a scant 2 days before, as he was a big contributor to a great 1986 Boston Celtics title team.

Yesterday, I engaged in conversation with a man named Kyle from St. Louis, advising ordering Dr. Brown’s soda at the famed Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City. Then it happened, the ubiquitous mobile phone (his) and it/he said Bill Walton had died.

Beyond the coincidence?–Walton, when healthy was as great as any NBA center and in college, only his friend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, then Lew Alcindor was better.

Bill’s incredible title game performance in 1973 vs Memphis State, continually taking lob passes, most? from Greg Lee or turning and hitting time after time, off the glass, (44 points, 21 of 22 shooting) is certainly the best in a college title game. (That game was in St. Louis, see the third paragraph, where 5 years later Jack Givens had an all-time great title game, hitting for 42 points in Kentucky’s win vs Duke).

That ought to stop me right there and reflect, however Mr. Walton his usual outgoing and friendly self when I interviewed him very close to the end of the last century in 1999 and when on a Saturday, I called him at a New York City hotel and knew he was listening to his beloved “Grateful Dead,” was so great/”grate,” at not so important basketball, I “cite” on.

’74 with its same calendar was a “downer” for Bill, in that the great David Thompson and the North Carolina State Wolfpack (see their surprising “run” to the national semis this year) overcame a 7 point second overtime deficit and ousted the two time champion U.C.L.A. Bruins with Bill, the then Keith, later Jamaal Wilkes, and coached by the great John Wooden.

Bill’s first 2 NBA seasons, marred by injuries that would continue and inhibit a still great 2 titles pro career, were tough, but oh 1977!! Oh that Sunday #6 title clinching win in frenetic Portland, for the home team, Trail Blazers, still their lone crown.

My call: Julius Erving, Lloyd (before he was World Be) Free and George McGinnis, who as cited here at least twice-we lost within the season, all missed, Bill knocked the ball out, fans stormed the court and Bill was seen sans shirt. I am still upset CBS switched to the Kemper Open (Golf) denying us the Portland team celebration.

In 1978 Portland was even better, an incredible (41-4) but Bill got hurt. The team, a great one one of the greatest from the ’77 ‘offs until Bill got hurt ended up “quarter’d” out by an upcoming SeattleSupersonics team.

Finally just 2 days and 1 post before, I pictured Bill Walton, recalling his immense importance to a great ’86 Celtics title team.

There is much to process here–St. Louis, Memorial Day juxtaposed with Bill protesting that insane war, how about no war, rather than remembering those who died in humanity’s sick, perhaps inherent need?!

One more, maybe the straight laced, truly good human being and Bill’s college coach John Wooden will be more outgoing and hanging out with Bill in heaven.

It is all happening too fast, but on we go and I am glad, Bill Walton was and perhaps is a part of it.

Click below to view Bill’s beloved “Grateful Dead” perform “Truckin'” in a live 1980 performance.

Left to right, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and his friend Bill Walton.