NBA hall of famer and star broadcaster Bill Walton dies at the age of 71 after losing prolonged battle against cancer. NBA family was quick to pour their condolences for the big man as players, coaches and fans took to social media to share their emotions.
In his career, Walton won three consecutive college player of the year awards. He also captained Portland Trail Blazers to their first ever NBA championship in 1977. 1977-78 season he was declared as the MVP of the season. But more than his career as a player, Walton established his name from his 30 year old broadcasting career. He was known for his unique style and never dying charisma in the commentary booth.
Jimmy Pitaro, the CEO the ESPN said, “Bill often described himself as ‘the luckiest guy in the world,’ but anyone who had the opportunity to interact with Bill was the lucky one.”
Walton was part of some of the funniest moments in the basketball broadcasts. Lets take a look a some of the best quotes and moments of Walton’s commentary career:
Bill Walton explains Earth’s axial tilt during a match
In a state broadcast between UConn vs. San Diego, Walton started to explain some basic fundamentals of earth to Pasch. He explained how 23.5-degree axial tilt is the reason for seasons on Earth. He even assumed an orange to be the sun. When Pasch asked if he could eat that orange to which Walton replied, “No, that’s the sun, “That’s what gives us our energy, our life.”
Bill Walton eats cupcake with lit candle on it
During ESPN’s coverage of college basketball, the fellow commentator encouraged Walton to take a bit of the cupcake with a candle lit on it and eat it to which Walton obliged. “How about the face plant, here?” Walton said.
Bill Walton sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to Phil Knight at the zoo
Bill Walton had wished Happy birthday to number of players during his commentating career. But during Nike founder Phil Knight’s 85th birthday in 2022, he stepped up his game by wishing him happy birthday at a Portland Zoo. After the clip aired he had a message for viewers. “I love beavers,” he said.
‘Larry Bird’s valet’
While commentating on Pac-12 basketball game alongside Pasch, Walton confused his co commentator Pasch by pretending he hadn’t played for the Celtics. “You did win Sixth Man of the Year,” Pasch said to which Walton gave a hilarious reply, “Which means I was Larry Bird’s valet”
Bill Walton auditioned to be ‘Chewbacca’
Pasch asked Walton if it was true that he had auditioned to become ‘Chewbacca’ which is an iconic star war character. Walton revealed he indeed did audition for the role of famous character when he met George Lucas at a fundraising event. “I auditioned for Chewbacca,” Walton said. “They said, ‘No, but we’re gonna model the character after you.’
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
