The tributes came Monday after the NBA announced the death of Hall of Famer Bill Walton who died at the age of 71 after his battle with cancer.
Among the countless memories shared, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, Walton's former teammate, shared the most treasured one, and it wasn't winning the NBA championship along with the Boston Celtics in 1986.
Celtics team members, from left, Danny Ainge, Rick Carlisle, Larry Bird and Bill Walton, celebrate with the NBA championship trophy at Boston City Hall Plaza on June 10, 1986. (Bill Greene/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“He's kept in touch with me, he's been texting me a lot during our playoffs,” Carlisle told reporters before the game. Pacers Game 4 Loss to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night.
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“And I probably also have him to thank for being married to my wife, Donna.”
With a smile, Carlisle recalled asking Walton for a favor in 1987. He had recently met his future wife and hoped to impress her with tickets to see the dignified death – Walton's favorite band.
“Our first date was to a Dead show in Washington, DC, and I called Bill and said, 'Look… I have a date with this girl who I think is great. I would love to go to the Dead show in Capital.'” . Center. I don't have tickets. You can help? And he said, 'Just go to the back door, ask for Dennis McNally, tell him you're Rick Carlisle of the Boston Celtics and everything will be fine.'”
Carlisle explained that he did as he was told the night of the concert, but had to assure his future wife that they did indeed have tickets to the show.
Grateful Dead member Bill Walton and Mickey Hart entertain the crowd before the Sacramento Kings take on the Dallas Mavericks on February 9, 2011, at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
BILL WALTON, DEAD FROM THE NBA HALL OF FAMOUS, AT AGE 71 AFTER A BATTLE AGAINST CANCER
And Walton did not disappoint.
“Everything ended up working out. I came back to the loading dock ramp with two all-access laminates: one said Bill Walton and the other Susie Walton. So we were ready for the show and we were on stage watching “And during the break, we just “We walked back, opened a door and ended up sitting with Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart for about 15 minutes just filming the s—.”
“I mean, it was an amazing night,” he continued. “Obviously, it was a good first date.”
Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers speaks to the media after the playoff game against the Boston Celtics on May 25, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Pepper Robinson/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Carlisle celebrated Walton not only as a teammate and athlete, but also for his impact on the world.
“To me, he was a living, breathing event in history, just walking around,” Carlisle added. “He played drums for the Grateful Dead in the Pyramids of Egypt. He was a guy who did everything and there's been a lot of talk today about how he talks in hyperbole and stuff, but he just defiantly competed to make every moment of life the greatest.” What could it be.”
“What an amazing man. There will never be another.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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