OT R.I.P. Bill Walton

[RHODEY]

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[MrDollarBills]

Rest well, Big Man

[thebuzzardman]

Awww man. This sucks. RIP.

[thebuzzardman]

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[RHODEY]

I just remember the long rambling stories, his favoritism for Big Men, and his exchanges with Steve Snapper Jones on NBC . Never knew he was sick...I'm very sad to hear this .

[WargamesX]

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RIP

[HarthorneWingo]

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Along with Kareem and Wilt, Bill was the best center I got to watch on a consistent basis. Great defender and great passer. The best college player I ever saw and had the best NCAA Finals performance in the history of the game.

For Bill, he's up there with Jerry and Keith now.

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[F N 11]

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RIP

RIP was always good on television and good guy.

[HarthorneWingo]

Mike with a really beautiful eulogy of Bill

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[duetta]

Guys, get your prostates checked regularly, as annoying as it might be. I know, I hate it too - but it saves lives.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Rest in peace. A legend on and off the court. Throw it down big fella!

[Chanel Bomber]

I loved him as a color commentator, especially during the 2002 playoffs with Marv Albert. The threepeat Lakers remain the most fascinating team to watch for me, and Bill was the soundtrack to a lot of their playoff games, including the infamous 2002 WCF.

He was insightful and he would make me smile in the most effortless way. Him and Barkley. He was a genuine character who never seemed to force it. He was oddly inspiring from that standpoint.

I remember cracking up at this play/reaction in particular:

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As far as his playing days are concerned, I never watched him play live, but a passing big man who played great defense is something I can imagine rooting for.

[HarthorneWingo]

Bill had a bad case of stuttering growing up that continued through college. He eventually overcame it and got his law degree from Stanford University.

[Deeeez Knicks]

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"I’ll fight anybody, to the death, who says anything bad about Bill Walton," Breen said at the mention of nis name. "And here’s the reason why. I’ve told this story maybe 20 times, and 18 of them I wind up crying."

John Breen had started exhibiting signs of Parkinson’s, and by 2008 had also started to withdraw, not wanting to ask for help or be seen as weak. "My brother called me and said, ‘Did you know that the USS Midway is stationed in San Diego?’" Breen said. Their dad had served on the Midway, but hadn’t seen it since his discharge in 1955. They decided to go see the vessel, which had been turned into a museum, while their father could still travel. Breen called Walton, who lives in San Diego, to get hotel recommendations.

"Bill says, ‘Oh that’s great, but you’re not staying at a hotel, you’re staying at my house,’" Breen said, making his voice sound oafy and generous, like a cartoon bear. "I said, ‘Bill, that’s so nice of you, but I think my dad would be a little embarrassed.’ To my surprise, my dad said, ‘That’s great!’"

The Breens planned to buy tickets, but Walton called ahead and informed the museum that he was bringing "one of the heros that served on your ship." The Midway’s commander greeted them personally. "Bill walked every step of the way of the tour," Breen said. "Those knees and back — a 7-footer does not belong on an aircraft carrier."

If this were a broadcast, this would be the point when Fried would slide over a stat note. "Mike Breen," it would say, "now 19-for-21."

They stayed for three days. "And for three days," Breen said, "he did not leave my father’s side. When we left, Bill was not my friend, Bill was his friend. And it really was like, three of the best days of his life in those last couple of years."

Breen’s mother, Mary, who still lives in that house in Yonkers ("She’s a stubborn Irish Catholic," Breen said) has a big photo from that trip that her late husband loved: him and Bill Walton, chilling in a teepee. "Oh, he has a teepee on his property," Breen said, his smile coming back.

During Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the broadcast team paused to mention the passing of Muhammad Ali. "He lived with dignity," Breen said, "with a disease that leaves you undignified."

https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/8/16037814/mike-breen-2016-nba-finals-new-york-knicks-tv-voice-5ec2f8f2a1cb

[HarthorneWingo]

Guys, get your prostates checked regularly, as annoying as it might be. I know, I hate it too - but it saves lives.

It’s not that bad.

[HarthorneWingo]

Read on Twitter

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"I’ll fight anybody, to the death, who says anything bad about Bill Walton," Breen said at the mention of nis name. "And here’s the reason why. I’ve told this story maybe 20 times, and 18 of them I wind up crying."

John Breen had started exhibiting signs of Parkinson’s, and by 2008 had also started to withdraw, not wanting to ask for help or be seen as weak. "My brother called me and said, ‘Did you know that the USS Midway is stationed in San Diego?’" Breen said. Their dad had served on the Midway, but hadn’t seen it since his discharge in 1955. They decided to go see the vessel, which had been turned into a museum, while their father could still travel. Breen called Walton, who lives in San Diego, to get hotel recommendations.

"Bill says, ‘Oh that’s great, but you’re not staying at a hotel, you’re staying at my house,’" Breen said, making his voice sound oafy and generous, like a cartoon bear. "I said, ‘Bill, that’s so nice of you, but I think my dad would be a little embarrassed.’ To my surprise, my dad said, ‘That’s great!’"

The Breens planned to buy tickets, but Walton called ahead and informed the museum that he was bringing "one of the heros that served on your ship." The Midway’s commander greeted them personally. "Bill walked every step of the way of the tour," Breen said. "Those knees and back — a 7-footer does not belong on an aircraft carrier."

If this were a broadcast, this would be the point when Fried would slide over a stat note. "Mike Breen," it would say, "now 19-for-21."

They stayed for three days. "And for three days," Breen said, "he did not leave my father’s side. When we left, Bill was not my friend, Bill was his friend. And it really was like, three of the best days of his life in those last couple of years."

Breen’s mother, Mary, who still lives in that house in Yonkers ("She’s a stubborn Irish Catholic," Breen said) has a big photo from that trip that her late husband loved: him and Bill Walton, chilling in a teepee. "Oh, he has a teepee on his property," Breen said, his smile coming back.

During Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the broadcast team paused to mention the passing of Muhammad Ali. "He lived with dignity," Breen said, "with a disease that leaves you undignified."

https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/8/16037814/mike-breen-2016-nba-finals-new-york-knicks-tv-voice-5ec2f8f2a1cb

[thebuzzardman]

Guys, get your prostates checked regularly, as annoying as it might be. I know, I hate it too - but it saves lives.

This is true. Also, please tell Wingo that hiring Asian masseuses with a strap on doesn't count.

[RHODEY]

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[HarthorneWingo]

Guys, get your prostates checked regularly, as annoying as it might be. I know, I hate it too - but it saves lives.

This is true. Also, please tell Wingo that hiring Asian masseuses with a strap on doesn't count.

What if they say they went to medical school?

[Clyde_Style]

Guys, get your prostates checked regularly, as annoying as it might be. I know, I hate it too - but it saves lives.

This is true. Also, please tell Wingo that hiring Asian masseuses with a strap on doesn't count.

What if they say they went to medical school?

You tell them Bill Walton sent you then climb on the table