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PORTLAND, Ore. — The infectious enthusiasm came through with his smile and voice. It always does for Hall-of-Fame center Bill Walton, who was a color analyst for the Warriors’ 123-117 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
“What a privilege and an honor,” Walton told Bay Area News Group. “Look, I don’t belong here.”
After all, Walton normally has served as a color analyst for the the Pac-12 basketball games. But Walton was asked to call the action with ESPN’s Dave Pasch, Doris Burke and Cassidy Hubbarth. So, of course, Walton obliged.
“I’m a fan. It was a thrill. I love the Warriors,” Walton said. “I’m a Warrior with Golden State myself. I’m also a Trail Blazer. The Trail Blazers played better tonight and the crowd had a huge impact on the game. I love crowds. I love the enthusiasm, the spirit and the power of the crowd. Tonight, these Blazers fans are awesome.”
Many NBA fans would say the same thing about Walton, who provided colorful commentary as an NBA analyst on NBC in the 1990’s and on ESPN in the early 2000’s.
https://twitter.com/dkurtenbach/status/963988172521664512
Bill Walton, calling the GSW-POR game for ESPN, joking around when Luke’s ejection came up just now: “I have failed as a father.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 15, 2018
Bill Walton on Steve Kerr: "A giant among shriveling midgets out here who are cowering and afraid."
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) February 15, 2018
Walton: "Steph and KD what a show! Mozart and Steve Jobs together!
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) February 15, 2018
Walton: "I hate flopping. Come to play ball. Don't come to abuse the rules of human decency."
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) February 15, 2018
Walton: "On Oregon's 159th birthday the Blazers take down the world champions. More beer for everybody!"
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) February 15, 2018
“Behind the mic, whether you love him or hate him, or whether you want to go into that wild journey he always takes you when he’s calling the games,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said, “it’s always fun.”
It also became fun for the Warriors to see Walton at their morning shootaround on Wednesday. In preparation for ESPN’s broadcast, Walton attended the morning shootaround to gain more insight about the NBA’s defending champions. Walton’s visit turned into something bigger. When shootaround ended, Walton had extended conversations with Warriors forward Kevin Durant and Curry.
“I felt like I was talking to my shrink or something,” Curry said, smiling. “He was breaking down my whole life story from the time I was five and playing basketball all the way to today.”
Walton has quite a life story, too. After having 37 orthopedic operations to treat the chronically troublesome back, knees and ankles that cut his 10-year NBA career short, Walton rides his bike every day. As part of his work with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Walton also spends a week every fall riding his bike from San Francisco to San Diego, while making stops in Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Dana Point. So naturally, Walton invited Curry for a bike ride in the East Bay.
“He knows all the different routes you can take. He told me a great story about him and Chris Mullin riding a bike in Maui,” Curry said. “I had to remind him I’m in the middle of my career. So probably getting on the bike is not a smart thing to do.”
But that is okay. Walton sounded excited enough just to talk to the Warriors.
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“It was fantastic. The guys could not have been nicer,” Walton said. “They have to do this every day. But they could not have been more accommodating from top to bottom with the entire franchise. This is their job, but they are inspirational and incredibly rewarding. I learned a lot. But that’s why they’re the standard of excellence in today’s NBA, from the top to everybody.”
Walton then praised several members of the organization, including co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, president Rick Welts, general manager Bob Myers, spokesperson Raymond Ridder, the team’s training staff, coach Steve Kerr and the players.
“They are driving the economics of the NBA,” Walton said of the Warriors. “I’m a fan and I love the NBA. And I love to watch the Warriors play. When I’m sitting at home, I’m screaming for Steph and KD to shoot threes at halfcourt.”
Walton often screams about a lot of things.
“He’s obviously a little nuts in a really good way,” Kerr said, smiling. “He has a really good outlook on life. He has a lot of spirit and a lot of joy. He’s fun to be around.”
Kerr has fond memories about Walton through various chapters of his life. Kerr’s favorite memory entailed watching Walton play at UCLA (1971-74), including a one-point win against Maryland in 1973 that left Bruins fans grumbling that it wasn’t a blowout. Kerr also crossed paths with Walton when his son, Luke, was a Warriors assistant coach (2014-16). Both Kerr and Walton grew up in San Diego and often run into each other in their native city.
“I love Steve Kerr. He is the perfect coach for this team,” Walton said. “There’s never been a great team without a great coach. And he is a great coach.”
Walton then cited Kerr’s history that entailed playing for accomplished coaches at the University of Arizona (Lute Olston), the Chicago Bulls (Phil Jackson) and the San Antonio Spurs (Gregg Popovich).
“Steve is such a class act and a stand-up guy. His comments before the game about the shooting in Florida, that’s what is great about the NBA,” Walton said. “The NBA gives to people like us. It gives us hope. It gives us opportunity. It gives us purpose. All of those things give us pride, loyalty and gratitude. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I got to be here tonight.”
Walton also considered himself lucky to play for the Blazers (1974-78), where he helped the organization win an NBA title in 1977.
“This crowd made me the best player I ever was,” Walton said. “To see it all come together in this magnificent building, it’s just perfect.”
On Wednesday, NBA fans also saw things come together with Walton in the broadcast booth.
“I’m just a fan. I’m lucky to be here and lucky to be a part of the NBA,” Walton said. “I’m a guest here. I don’t know what I’m doing. I was honored and humbled to be here and to see such a wonderful game. SportsCenter will not have to edit this game. The excellence came prepackaged.”
