Remember Bill Walton as one of basketball's great poets, on and off the court, Today's column fulfills the promise I made to Bill Walton.
It's not like we're friends or anything, or that I have any insight into his extraordinary life.
But a promise is a promise.
Walton, who was considered an idol by professional and college basketball players, passed away on Cancer Memorial Day.
Bill Walton, often celebrated as one of basketball's great poets, brings a unique blend of eloquence, enthusiasm, and insight to the sport.
His colorful commentary and vivid storytelling have captivated audiences, infusing the game with a sense of wonder and historical context. Walton's deep love for basketball and his ability to weave anecdotes and philosophical reflections into his commentary make him a cherished voice in the world of sports, elevating the narrative of the game to an art form.
By January 2023, I had written several articles about the exploits of Gonzaga's All-American big man Drew Timme.
Timme was such a charismatic and fun player, endlessly creative in the lane and baseline, and such an excellent teammate and university representative that it seemed like almost every game needed the praise for his work.
But you can't beat the same drum at the same tempo all season, so I wanted to find someone else to comment on Timme.
In some ways, with a slightly smaller font, Timme's work is reminiscent of Walton's work at UCLA in the early 1970s I received a communication from a media friend and I took a photo and texted it to Walton, asking if he could do it. take a few of your precious minutes to talk about Timme.
He answered me immediately and continued for more than half an hour in one of the most memorable, wildest, wide-ranging interviews ever.
“I love Drew Timme,” Walton said.
“She is a force of nature as abundant as few others.
He plays with boundless enthusiasm, he has an incredible skill level, he has a mind that sets him apart from the rest… he has the creativity of a genius and he has a very vivid imagination.
And he's extremely funny.
What's not to like?
" I didn't tell him at the time, because when a source starts talking like that, you'd be a fool to slow him down, but to me, his description of Timme sounds very much like a description of Walton himself.
His own overzealous, hyperbolic, and absurd comments have polarized some basketball viewers.
What critics forget is that we cannot take poets or philosophers literally.
Some people think you don't talk enough about the basketball game in front of you.
I think they didn't understand that he was talking, in a broader sense, about humanity, noble aspirations, and artistry - things he said were proven when basketball was his best sport.
Mentioning certain things to Walton added to the excitement.
“What Mark Few did there was exciting,” he said.
“It makes us feel good about the world and our future because we have a chance.
» I agree that Mark Few's coaching excellence is unquestionable.
But does it have a global impact?
“When you look at the Gonzaga basketball team, they embody everything that is good in the world in terms of style, culture, identity, player development, athleticism, the volcanic eruption begins…”
When we get to the volcanic eruption, you could say we may have passed the exit.
But why didn't Walton have a wonderful view of life and its possibilities?
He was a skinny kid with a speech impediment and a deeply introspective personality, but he became a spokesperson for social causes, a Hall of Fame athlete, and one of the country's leading actors.
The most talked about audience in all media.
He played despite injuries, illness, and pain, often facing criticism.
But he still felt an indescribable, unending joy in his world.
Yes, he makes claims sometimes.
But with a purpose.
He teaches, performs, and entertains – conveying the wonders of art, music, literature, and philosophy through the lens of basketball.
He is larger than life.
But not too big to share your time.
And in my opinion, therein lies its greatness.
The man called me back and what's more, he filled my notebook with great quotes and stunning similes.
He became the first voting member of my All-Time Interview Hall of Fame.
I was so grateful that I promised, “I will forever write only kind words about Bill Walton.
” “I appreciate that,” he said, but then asked a related question: “How old are you?
” When I admitted I was a year older than him, he laughed, as if my promise probably wouldn't do him any good when the time came for the eulogy.
So it turns out.
Thanks again, big guy.
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