Sometimes breadcrumbs are pretty clear, right? The champion conference said: “This is it.” The Boston Celtics are playing a game coached by a member of the 1986 title team, and Bill Walton, linked in ways big and small to them all, has passed away.
“A rain box will ease the pain and love will help you get through it.”
After this punch in the gut, love for Walton was a blinding ray of light in all directions. I started reflecting on her life and it's amazing how many chapters of it could be a standalone story.
His days at UCLA seem like a myth, a fish story. He actually went 21-22 from the floor in an NCAA title game. His reverence for John Wooden was a torch he carried every day of his life. Walton's tenure in the NBA was decorated, to be sure. Multiple rings, very different tenures in Portland and then Boston. If his body had not decomposed, who knows what he would have been? Possibly on the list of the best greats of all time.
He was certainly on the list of the tallest Deadheads in the world. Big Red was easily seen at shows around the world. Rick Carlisle shared the story on Monday that Walton got him tickets to see them not far from us at the Capital Center. He simply sent Carlisle to the back door next to the loading dock to get passes. Carlisle was far from a Deadhead, but he needed a miracle. Walton was that miracle. Carlisle's date that night is now his wife.
Rick Carlisle on the passing of Bill Walton and a great story about how he helped him on his first date with his now wife. pic.twitter.com/iCw5yQ1fBw
– Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) May 27, 2024
The final act that many of our younger viewers know and consume is Bill, the announcer. He was, to speak as he did, an intergalactic force of nature. We talked to him once after a game between Oregon and UCLA and he started talking about bears. Not the Cal Bears. But the real bears are in Banff, British Columbia. He was roaring and growling. I just let it go. Not that he could have stopped it…or he would have wanted to.
His stream of consciousness, which was the soundtrack of the sport, was an access ramp to his passions and curiosities. The world, the people, the music, the food, the culture, the wildlife, the absolute joy of living this life and doing it with unlimited energy and vigor. I admired him a lot. Like me, stories of his generosity are everywhere today.
I read about the kindness he showed. Mike Breen and his father. Pay attention to the details of how he listened as those amazed by simply being in his presence shared their stories with him. He remembered the details…because he was interested. Do you know how rare that is for people who have been the center of attention of others? In fact, caring enough to pay attention to others. Bill did it.
He closed his text messages with “Shine on. Beam on.” He was a spiritual shaman. And although our time is ending, because it is finite, the universe is not. He took a stroll through all of this and now, anywhere there's light, I'll assume it's Bill Walton bounding through the cosmos. Shine, great friend. Thank you for your life. What a joy it was that he crossed paths with ours.
