Bill Walton - Special Guest Announcer

[j804]

I forgot where I read it but is it true he called KG out saying that mans old he wish he were 25 or something to that sort 

[jasail]

Love Walton and am excited for him to be on this west coast trip. His rants and stories I find very amusing.  Anyway, even if I didn't like Walton, he sure is better than the non-Tommy alternative: Donnie Marshall. 

[the TRUTH]

Had to watch the game on TNT last night, so I didn't get to hear Walton's return to broadcasting. I'm glad he helped us win the title in '86...

However, he is honestly one of the worst announcers in all of sports. He can be funny from time to time because he's so OUT THERE, but he generally has no clue what he's talking about.

I'll never forget a comment he made about Pierce during a broadcast (probably in 05-06 or 06-07). He said Pierce, AT BEST, is a 3rd or 4th option on a championship team, and that the only reason he looks so good at times is that the Celtics are so bad.

Once he said that, I lost all respect for him as a broadcaster.

That rivals the comment Jim Armstrong made on Around the Horn at the beginning of the '08 finals that this is easily the biggest mismatch in the history of the NBA Finals (in favor of the Lakers).

[galen]

While Bill was pretty out of touch with the how the Celtics have been playing this season, I thought he was really fun.  No fear about criticising players.  Lots of funny hyperbole.  Just a different way of doing color that was a nice change of pace.

I'd definitely not want him doing every game, but every once in a while he is a lot of fun.

[thirstyboots18]

Bill Walton is recognized as one of the best centers to ever play a game of basketball.  His career was cut too short by injuries.

Another side of him, which he has written about, is that he suffered from a serious stuttering and stammering problem that he finally conquered in adulthood.  This could be why he is so enamored with the sound of his own voice now.

I didn't know he is going to be on the whole west coast trip.   I don't get comcast, but if he is on a League Pass away channel, I will definitely give it a look.  I agree that he is very knowlegable, and can be funny...but I find him hard to listen to for long periods...reminds me of Howard Cosell.  I really haven't listened to him for a few years...so will try again.

[Celtics999]

my thoughts on bill has changed.  Since his son started playing for the Lakers and Luke winning it there in LA all I hear from Bill lately is alot of Laker support.  I understand his son is there but I just dont believe the hype that hes a true celtic.

Born n raised in SOCAL
went UCLA
Played in SOcal
went to Laker Parade with his son luke and stood on the bus...

YA....  hes a Flaker fan.. so glad we didnt retire his number

[KCattheStripe]

my thoughts on bill has changed.  Since his son started playing for the Lakers and Luke winning it there in LA all I hear from Bill lately is alot of Laker support.  I understand his son is there but I just dont believe the hype that hes a true celtic.

Born n raised in SOCAL
went UCLA
Played in SOcal
went to Laker Parade with his son luke and stood on the bus...

YA....  hes a Flaker fan.. so glad we didnt retire his number

He rooted for Arizona too when his son was playing there, does that mean he betrayed UCLA or that he's a good father?

[Celtics999]

my thoughts on bill has changed.  Since his son started playing for the Lakers and Luke winning it there in LA all I hear from Bill lately is alot of Laker support.  I understand his son is there but I just dont believe the hype that hes a true celtic.

Born n raised in SOCAL
went UCLA
Played in SOcal
went to Laker Parade with his son luke and stood on the bus...

YA....  hes a Flaker fan.. so glad we didnt retire his number

He rooted for Arizona too when his son was playing there, does that mean he betrayed UCLA or that he's a good father?

college is different.  Bill is a good father but I think he is Los Angeles fan more than a Boston fan.  He could care less about the C's

[ejk3489]

my thoughts on bill has changed.  Since his son started playing for the Lakers and Luke winning it there in LA all I hear from Bill lately is alot of Laker support.  I understand his son is there but I just dont believe the hype that hes a true celtic.

Born n raised in SOCAL
went UCLA
Played in SOcal
went to Laker Parade with his son luke and stood on the bus...

YA....  hes a Flaker fan.. so glad we didnt retire his number

He rooted for Arizona too when his son was playing there, does that mean he betrayed UCLA or that he's a good father?

college is different.  Bill is a good father but I think he is Los Angeles fan more than a Boston fan.  He could care less about the C's

Come on it's his son! Of course he's going to support him, no matter what team he plays for.

Plus I'm pretty sure in 08', he was openly rooting for the Celtics.

[birdbrady]

Walton has stated many times on some documentaries and Celtics specials that growing up in SoCal, he was actually a Celtics fan because his idol was Bill Russell.  He also refers to himself as a "Celtic" despite only playing with the team for one season.  He admires this franchise.  Lately, people dont think that because his son is on LA, but what the hell is he supposed to do? Root against his own son because his favorite player was Bill Russell growing up?

And, "so glad we didn't retire his number?" Dude, I don't think there was ever a debate his jersey was getting retired.  In fact, that was something that was pushed around 88 and 89 by RAPID Walton fans in Boston.  When we got Walton in 86, he was the second most popular player on the team.  In fact, his popularity was another spark to the "Boston is a racist town" because he was a bench player (albeit a GREAT one) but was as popular as any athlete in Boston.  The guy was loved.  But there was never a serious debate the Celtics would retire his jersey.  My God, I actually can't believe I'm talking about it.  The guy basically put together one healthy season in Boston.

And even so, that's telling.  Here's something that just about sums it up. I believe this was written in 2004 too, when the Celtics were the pits:

"All I ever wanted in life was to be a Boston Celtic. Everything else that I ever tried has been terribly depressing and a major disappointment."

http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/WhereAreThey_Walton.html

[Greenbean]

Bill Walton is recognized as one of the best centers to ever play a game of basketball.  His career was cut too short by injuries.

Another side of him, which he has written about, is that he suffered from a serious stuttering and stammering problem that he finally conquered in adulthood.  This could be why he is so enamored with the sound of his own voice now.

I didn't know he is going to be on the whole west coast trip.   I don't get comcast, but if he is on a League Pass away channel, I will definitely give it a look.  I agree that he is very knowlegable, and can be funny...but I find him hard to listen to for long periods...reminds me of Howard Cosell.  I really haven't listened to him for a few years...so will try again.

That is a pretty interesting take and it makes sense.

If I all of a sudden could dunk a basketball I probably would never leave the gym.

[scaryjerry]

I forgot where I read it but is it true he called KG out saying that mans old he wish he were 25 or something to that sort 

Nah, thats taking it a bit out of context..after an alley oop dunk by Aldridge he jokingly said KG remembers when he was 25! ... he praised KG all night

[birdbrady]

my thoughts on bill has changed.  Since his son started playing for the Lakers and Luke winning it there in LA all I hear from Bill lately is alot of Laker support.  I understand his son is there but I just dont believe the hype that hes a true celtic.

Born n raised in SOCAL
went UCLA
Played in SOcal
went to Laker Parade with his son luke and stood on the bus...

YA....  hes a Flaker fan.. so glad we didnt retire his number

He rooted for Arizona too when his son was playing there, does that mean he betrayed UCLA or that he's a good father?

college is different.  Bill is a good father but I think he is Los Angeles fan more than a Boston fan.  He could care less about the C's

I don't think you should make assumptions.  Seriously, do you have a son?

Walton for about 30 years has publically expressed admiration for the Celtics.  Whenever someone asks him, he admits he is a Celtics fan.  I posted one quote above and here is another:

"When I was a young boy in San Diego (the heart of Laker Country), I always wanted to be a Celtic. Bill Russell was my hero, role model and idol. And even though I'm adamantly opposed to smoking of all kinds, when Red lit up that victory cigar there I was, little Billy Walton, with his red hair, his freckles, his big nose, his goofy/nerdy looks and his speech impediment, jumping up and down yelling, "Go Celtics Go." There is nothing on earth like the dreams of a young boy coming true. I got to sit on the bench and wear a Celtic uniform. What could be better than that?"

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Wasn't the game blacked out on CSNNE due to the game being televised on a national broadcasting station (TNT)?

[CDawg834]

Wasn't the game blacked out on CSNNE due to the game being televised on a national broadcasting station (TNT)?

Nope, I watched it on CSN.  I still don't understand the blackout rules.  If it was a Celtics home game, I assume only TNT would have aired it?