ESPN analyst Michael Wilbon told a moving story of how the late Bill Walton calmed his nerves before his 2021 NBA Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
The network honored the NBA legend’s memory after it was announced Monday that he died at age 71 following a battle with cancer.
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Wilbon, 65, joined the NBA Today panel to honor Walton, with whom he worked at ESPN for years.
And the sportscaster recalled how the 1978 NBA MVP stopped by while practicing his acceptance speech alongside fellow Class of 2020 inductee Tim Duncan in the morning.
“Bill sticks his head in the room,” the former Pardon the Interruption co-host said before impressing the former No. 1 overall pick.
“And in that voice, it just says, ‘Take as long as you want. There’s no bell, there’s no [Tony] Kornheiser.
“’That’s not forgiveness for the interruption. Make them drag you off the stage.’
“And at that point, it relaxes you.
“Tim Duncan and I were terrified. But Bill put us at ease.”
Wilbon emphasized the amount of research and preparation Walton did before appearing on ESPN shows.
And the former Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers and Boston Celtics provided unbelievable insight despite often being in pain on set, the veteran sportscaster added.
Walton dealt with chronic back and leg pain until complex spine surgery in 2009.
“He sometimes had to lie down on the floor during commercial breaks because he was in so much pain,” Wilbon said.
Walton he said he was “the luckiest guy in the history of the world” — a phrase he often used to describe himself — after his back procedure left him pain-free.
This nickname inspired the title of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary about his career and life.
The network aired The Luckiest Guy in the World as part of updated programming aimed at celebrating the legacy of the two-time NBA champion on Monday afternoon.
“Bill Walton was a legendary player and a singular personality who truly cherished every experience along his extraordinary life’s journey,” ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. an affirmation.
“Bill often described himself as ‘the luckiest guy in the world,’ but anyone who had the opportunity to interact with Bill was the lucky one.
“He was a truly special and generous person who always made time for others.
“Bill’s unique spirit captivated and inspired audiences during his second career as a successful broadcaster.
“We at ESPN extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s loved ones, including the entire Walton family.”
Walton joined ESPN in 2002, serving as an NBA analyst before beginning calling college basketball games for the network in 2012.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
