Conference of Champions and Bill Walton-all gone now. Rest in Peace.
RIP Bill Walton
7,615 Views |
59 Replies |
Last: 14 days ago by bearister
I always enjoyed Bill's unique vibe, even if a caricature at times. Really loved how Bill would geek out whenever he broadcast games at Cal and celebrated Berkeley and the Bay Area's great history from a hippy POV.
Throw it down, big man!
Throw it down, big man!
He morphed into more of a goofball college commentator late in his career, but during the NBA on NBC heyday he was the hyper-critical guy that fans loved to hate. He was good in both modes! Quite a personality.
Bill Walton was an incredible spokesman for the Conference of Champions. College basketball has lost a great one.
Donate to Cal's NIL at https://calegends.com/donation/
He was always enjoyable to listen to - and always a joy to hear play by play people try to handle him. And it does seem fitting that he would pass as the Conference of Champions has passed.
Bill Walton was one of a kind. I always enjoyed listening to him. RIP Big guy.
What a great spokesperson for the Conference of Champions. I wonder if he ever thought of playing at Cal or what his options were.
From time to time I would be critical of Bill as an announcer.
Regardless of that, he always impressed me as a great guy and a caring individual.
RIP Bill.
Regardless of that, he always impressed me as a great guy and a caring individual.
RIP Bill.
Real, real devastating news because I believe most of us had no idea. I have to believe Roxy knew and so his sign-off from the Pac-12 baseball tournament seemed like a tribute to Bill and made it extra poignant.
And he loved Berkeley as if it was his adopted town.RedlessWardrobe said:
From time to time I would be critical of Bill as an announcer.
Regardless of that, he always impressed me as a great guy and a caring individual.
RIP Bill.
One hell of a player for a mediocre announcer. No telling how good he could have been if he was healthy
Anarchistbear said:
One hell of a player for a mediocre announcer. No telling how good he could have been if he was healthy
He was a good color commentator, and his favorite color was tie-dye.
He seemed in good shape and spirits the last time he closed off the P12 season only 2 months ago, RIP.
Great video:
*I read at least two books he recommended during his stream of consciousness riffs, The Immortal Irishman and Kingfish. I shared a love of trivial facts and music with him.
This is a good book I read 30 years ago. If you love hoop, get it.
BREAKING: NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton has passed away from cancer at the age of 71.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 27, 2024
Walton was surrounded by his family when he died.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
"His… pic.twitter.com/IOKbW7krIn
*I read at least two books he recommended during his stream of consciousness riffs, The Immortal Irishman and Kingfish. I shared a love of trivial facts and music with him.
This is a good book I read 30 years ago. If you love hoop, get it.
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
An article just posted elsewhere says he did indeed. From a 1994 interview: "I wanted to go to Berkeley so badly." But no further details on why he didn't play here.cal83dls79 said:
What a great spokesperson for the Conference of Champions. I wonder if he ever thought of playing at Cal or what his options were.
I will miss his eccentric enthusiasm so much. Had no idea he was ill. Very, very sad to hear of his death.
From The NY Times
"In February 2009 he had a spinal fusion, and it not only eased his pain but also gave him a fresh outlook. It's why he was so eager to repair his relationship with the Trail Blazers, and why he once again became an avid bike rider, and once again started attending what he called "church" concerts of the Grateful Dead, of which he has attended more than 1,000 shows."
"In February 2009 he had a spinal fusion, and it not only eased his pain but also gave him a fresh outlook. It's why he was so eager to repair his relationship with the Trail Blazers, and why he once again became an avid bike rider, and once again started attending what he called "church" concerts of the Grateful Dead, of which he has attended more than 1,000 shows."
I really liked that dude. Also, when healthy, he was as good a center as anyone... and played a winning brand of basketball. His 21-of-22 from the field in the championship game, his junior year as a Bruin, was iconic.
R.I.P. Big Man.
I liked Walton a lot. I only ever knew him as a Celtic and then a sports announcer. He impressed me in both facets of his career. One of the (many) reasons I was upset with the demise of the Pac was that it meant I was unlikely to hear Bill Walton call games at Cal in the future. Still, some folks mentioned that he might end up calling ACC games on the West Coast. With his passing, that hope is gone.
Bill Walton may be the only non-Cal alum announcer (aside from Joe Starkey) who truly loved Cal. He grokked Cal, even though he had been a Bruin. More importantly, he made Cal attractive to sports fans and young people by projecting his own love of the UC flagship school.
My condolences to the Walton family and all of Bill's friends. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
I liked Walton a lot. I only ever knew him as a Celtic and then a sports announcer. He impressed me in both facets of his career. One of the (many) reasons I was upset with the demise of the Pac was that it meant I was unlikely to hear Bill Walton call games at Cal in the future. Still, some folks mentioned that he might end up calling ACC games on the West Coast. With his passing, that hope is gone.
Bill Walton may be the only non-Cal alum announcer (aside from Joe Starkey) who truly loved Cal. He grokked Cal, even though he had been a Bruin. More importantly, he made Cal attractive to sports fans and young people by projecting his own love of the UC flagship school.
My condolences to the Walton family and all of Bill's friends. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
I loved his broadcasts, even more after reading his autobiography about his speech difficulties, multiple injuries, daily pain he lived with, his love for bike riding, music, and Berkeley!
A beautiful soul
The world is a little heavier without you Bill. You will be missed
Throw it down, big man! Throw it down!
A beautiful soul
The world is a little heavier without you Bill. You will be missed
Throw it down, big man! Throw it down!
At least he won't have to watch UCLA in the Big
Dang, this is some sad news. I loved when Walton covered Cal games on the P12 network. Even when the team was terrible and the game was a blowout, Bill's commentary was reason enough to watch. His absolutely loved Berkeley. If it wasn't for a career in basketball, he could have ended up as a Sproul celebrity.
Anarchistbear said:
At least he won't have to watch UCLA in the Big
Almost like he planned it.
At a time when everybody is doing their d@mndest to take the fun out of college sports, Bill always tried to put the fun into them.
Yes, incredible in its literal meaning, e.g., not believable. His boosterism on behalf of the "Conference of Champions" was so patently partisan as to be dismissed as so much hot air. Walton was a great player, a sometimes insightful commentator on societal issues but, IMO, a waste of time as an analyst because of his near constant clown act. His legacy should be his stature as a a true peer of Russell, Chamberlain. and Jabbar, (he was perhaps the most versatile of that group). Unfortunately, there are whole generations who never saw that Walton and will most remember the caricature who pestered his on-air partners with myriad inanities.BearoutEast67 said:
Bill Walton was an incredible spokesman for the Conference of Champions. College basketball has lost a great one.
He was an incredible center. Size, mobility, shooting touch, rebounding, defense, shot blocking, passing, plus leadership and teamwork. Maybe the best all around arsenal of Jabbar, Chamberlain, Russell, Hakeem, Shaq, et al
Only problem was he couldn't stay healthy.Anarchistbear said:
He was an incredible center. Size, mobility, shooting touch, rebounding, defense, shot blocking, passing, plus leadership and teamwork. Maybe the best all around arsenal of Jabbar, Chamberlain, Russell, Hakeem, Shaq, et al
sycasey said:Only problem was he couldn't stay healthy.Anarchistbear said:
He was an incredible center. Size, mobility, shooting touch, rebounding, defense, shot blocking, passing, plus leadership and teamwork. Maybe the best all around arsenal of Jabbar, Chamberlain, Russell, Hakeem, Shaq, et al
His injuries were very unfortunate, but his UCLA years and that 1 1/2 healthy seasons with the Trailblazers were something else! Walton's game, that's what you want your center to be like. Fantasy Land: Imagine him, in his prime, on the Warriors; he would blend right in and... look out!
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/bill-walton-activism/
Quote:
Walton, now 70, wants to be all things to all people: a source of light, love, and unity. But this has not always been true. In the 1970s, he was among the most radical and polarizing athletes in the United States. That smile, so ubiquitous today, was not often shown by the young man concerned about the state of the world. At UCLA, Walton led one of the greatest college basketball teams in historyand he was also arrested for protesting the Vietnam War. Then, as a Portland Trail Blazer with a scraggly red beard and long hair, he spoke with a political edge that has been largely forgotten about amid the day's toothy grins, tie-dyed shirts, and enthusiastic color commentary.
Yes, that's a good compilation video.bearister said:
Great video:BREAKING: NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton has passed away from cancer at the age of 71.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 27, 2024
Walton was surrounded by his family when he died.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
"His… pic.twitter.com/IOKbW7krIn
I remember watching that glockenspiel game on TV.
After another game in Haas I went and asked him some basketball questions with my Dad. He was like, "Hey, what's up?" and answered whatever it was like we already had plenty of raport, which felt unusual and cool.
Sad. But thanks for posting.
I'd better go check my other thread...
Rick Carlisle just told an amazing Bill Walton…..just tremendous human 🥹🙏and of course it’s Grateful Dead related pic.twitter.com/KSoCvTKKoa
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) May 27, 2024
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
wow. Wait a day. How pathetic59bear said:Yes, incredible in its literal meaning, e.g., not believable. His boosterism on behalf of the "Conference of Champions" was so patently partisan as to be dismissed as so much hot air. Walton was a great player, a sometimes insightful commentator on societal issues but, IMO, a waste of time as an analyst because of his near constant clown act. His legacy should be his stature as a a true peer of Russell, Chamberlain. and Jabbar, (he was perhaps the most versatile of that group). Unfortunately, there are whole generations who never saw that Walton and will most remember the caricature who pestered his on-air partners with myriad inanities.BearoutEast67 said:
Bill Walton was an incredible spokesman for the Conference of Champions. College basketball has lost a great one.
Larry Bird has a keeper:
RIP to Bill Walton, who celebrated the 1986 championship by staying up all night alone in Larry Bird’s kitchen getting hammered. pic.twitter.com/Xevpxbf4jG
— Seth (@slandman33) May 27, 2024
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
59Bear with potentially the worst take of all time on this board. Go crawl back under a rock.
sandiegobears said:
59Bear with potentially the worst take of all time on this board. Go crawl back under a rock.
He's entitled to his own opinion. I agree with him
Go Bears!
oskidunker said:sandiegobears said:
59Bear with potentially the worst take of all time on this board. Go crawl back under a rock.
He's entitled to his own opinion. I agree with him
I guess you don't get it as well. There are "opinions" but Walton just died! Can you grasp that? 59 may be a buddy of yours but I have no clue who he is and it was just bad form.
Surely you can agree there.? Good lord . Note: '59s silence which speaks volumes
Featured Stories
See All
Bears Rain 3's on Grambling State, Win 86-63
by Jim McGill
The Rodcast - Cal vs USC Breakdown
by Rod Benson
Ultimate Insider Podcast E99: Syracuse Wrap-up, Stanford Preview
by Mike Pawlawski
Cal Football Weekly Presser - Big Game Week
by Jim McGill
Bears Take Down USC
by Cal Athletics