RIP: Bill Walton (1952-2024)

95pro

ASFN Icon
Joined
May 10, 2007
Posts
12,749
Reaction score
4,209
Unexpected news and surprising news.

Personally I just could not stand listening to his commentary. But he did seem genuinely passionate about the sport and overall a cool guy.

Shaq has to be the most disrespectful person i can remember. He tore down Jokic of his 3 MVP's, and iirc he also said Walton was not a HOF. Debatable but you just don't come at someone like that.
 

ASUCHRIS

ONE HEART BEAT!!!
Joined
Sep 2, 2002
Posts
16,662
Reaction score
14,982
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Not afraid to tell the truth. RIP.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

I'm better than Mulli!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
64,032
Reaction score
58,912
Location
SoCal
This makes me legitimately sad. A larger than life human and being and he was tall.

As a five year at the madhouse my father told me that I had to tell a guy he was sitting in my courtside seat. It was bill Walton. When he stood up I swear he just kept going up. To a 5 year old he wasn’t the giant, he was the whole damn beanstalk.

RIP Big Fella!
 

Raindog

I didn't come here to be liked!
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Posts
5,439
Reaction score
6,915
This makes me legitimately sad. A larger than life human and being and he was tall.

As a five year at the madhouse my father told me that I had to tell a guy he was sitting in my courtside seat. It was bill Walton. When he stood up I swear he just kept going up. To a 5 year old he wasn’t the giant, he was the whole damn beanstalk.

RIP Big Fella!
My first day on campus as an undergrad at Stanford, tallest redheaded dude I've ever seen rides by on a ten speed. It was Bill Walton, who happened to be attending Stanford Law School at the time. Excitedly pointed it out to my parents who were with me, and they had no idea who he was and couldn't have been less impressed. :D
 

Yuma

Suns are my Kryptonite!
Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Posts
22,825
Reaction score
12,579
Location
Laveen, AZ
I don't know a bigger booster of UCLA than Bill Walton. Almost every broadcast he worked in a reference to his alma mater.
 

Cheesebeef

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
92,040
Reaction score
70,102
Went to The Sphere this weekend to catch the Saturday night show for Dead and and Co. and they did a beautiful tribute to Big Red that almost brought a tear to my eye.

Or maybe that was just the mushrooms.

Either way, Bill must have been looking down on us from above with a big grin on his face.

RIP
 

Yuma

Suns are my Kryptonite!
Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Posts
22,825
Reaction score
12,579
Location
Laveen, AZ
Went to The Sphere this weekend to catch the Saturday night show for Dead and and Co. and they did a beautiful tribute to Big Red that almost brought a tear to my eye.

Or maybe that was just the mushrooms.

Either way, Bill must have been looking down on us from above with a big grin on his face.

RIP
He nd Jerry Garcia have probably already met in Heaven.
 

ajcardfan

I see you.
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
38,820
Reaction score
26,136
I don't know a bigger booster of UCLA than Bill Walton. Almost every broadcast he worked in a reference to his alma mater.
And no one loved the PAC 8, 10 or 12 more. It is symbolic that he died the day after the PAC 12 had it's final championship determined.
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,712
Reaction score
960
Location
Goodyear
He and Tom Tolbert were my favorite pair of announcers of all time. I’d enjoy watching a garbage game just to listen to those guys banter.
 

ajcardfan

I see you.
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
38,820
Reaction score
26,136
He and Tom Tolbert were my favorite pair of announcers of all time. I’d enjoy watching a garbage game just to listen to those guys banter.
A lot of people couldn't stand them. Or, Wolfley in football. But, they were/are great to listen to because they were NOT cookie cutter color guys spouting the same old cliches. They were funny in addition to having good points about the play of the game. Yes, Walton in particular could wander out into the weeds, but so what?
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,712
Reaction score
960
Location
Goodyear
A lot of people couldn't stand them. Or, Wolfley in football. But, they were/are great to listen to because they were NOT cookie cutter color guys spouting the same old cliches. They were funny in addition to having good points about the play of the game. Yes, Walton in particular could wander out into the weeds, but so what?
Yeah, agree completely. Bill was the ultimate goofball and a fantastic story teller. Tolbert was the expert at making fun of him, but in a playful manner.
 
Top