Post#542 » by GoldenAntlers » Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:37 pm
chonestown wrote:paulpressey25 wrote:midranger wrote:He was dipping his rolling papers in acid however.
That clip of Walton was fantastic. He's pretty stoned or on a trip for the entire interview.
Always relay this story of meeting him at the Hyatt when he played for the Clippers. He was a really cool guy, very nice. But he could have cared less about playing hoops. His focus for the trip to Milwaukee was getting over to Radio Doctors to buy a handful of rare Grateful Dead albums that he had with him.
Those ten minutes with him always stuck with me, when years later he'd be the color guy always admonishing other NBA players for not being committed enough to their craft. "
You know Marv, It makes no sense to me when a guy like Stevie Francis doesn't maximize his gifts".
Bill, you didn't give a **** either, and only really focused that one year with Portland and the one year with the Celtics.
Playing for the Clips in the early 80s would stress commitment, but perhaps you should take these Westwoodian words to heart: "do not mistake activity for achievement." Basketball is not only played on the court; the real battle is within the mind.
I've made no secret of my love for Walton. He's an interesting case. He went from free spirit to broadcast scold back to free spirit and booster of both corporations and causes.
I think I've referenced this interview with Simmons before (relevant part begins around 10:00) in which Walton talks about the joy of play, with 'play' extending beyond basketball. Total immersive joyless drive leaves you with monomaniacal machines like Kobe. The real import of Bird and Magic, who I think have been clearly eclipsed in the last quarter century, is the joy and selflessness they brought. Where they fit in rankings is beside the point.
Didn't listen yet, but the "play" thing makes me think of Giannis last year when he emphasized that he "wants to have fun". Well that turned into a championship. Haven't heard him mention having fun yet this year.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using
RealGM mobile app
"Silence is a source of great strength." - Lao Tzu