RIP- Bill Walton and Jerry West
The Obituary section of the newspaper was frequently labeled the “Irish Sports Pages”. I never truly understood the cultural backdrop for this reference, but I do recollect my Dad musing at Sunday dinner on the unfortunate celebrities who had died that week. Eventually, you recognise that major, but distant figures, those who qualify for long obituaries in our major newspapers, did not have any genuine impact on your own life. Occasionally there are exceptions to the rule. The past two weeks have seen the passing of two all time great basketball players, Bill Walton and Jerry West. They DO deserve a fond farewell from us all. They were special people and I, as a sports nut, include them in a special pantheon. Walton was 71 and West was 86. Two icons leaving the scene in such a narrow window causes you to reflect on why they had garnered your admiration. They had three traits in common: One gifted athletes- two big personalities- formidable and charismatic- three, overcoming enormous obstacles on the path to excellence. Otherwise, they were radically dissimilar- hard to think of two people more different on how they went about their business. They were great, but attacked daily life from wildly different angles. You learn there is more than one way to skin a cat. A tribute to these gentleman is fitting and appropriate.
BILL WALTON
Bill died too young- after a years long battle with cancer. As a player, he was the ultimate winner. He led his high school team to two state championships with a 60-0 record. He then played under John Wooden at superpower UCLA and won two national championships and lost only three games in 3 years. He was three time National Player Of the Year and was the driving force behind an historic 88 game winning streak. He had the greatest individual national championship game ever- scoring 44 points on 21 for 22 shooting against Memphis State. He then led the Portland Trailblazers to an NBA Championship and was on the way to a second when he suffered the first in a line of catastrophic injuries. He sat out a year as a matter of principle in a dispute with Portlands’ ownership. He then played several injury riddled seasons with the Clippers and remarkably won a second NBA championship with the Celtics in 1986. He was named the Sixth Man of the Year. He was the total package at the center position: An accomplished scorer, outstanding rebounder, first rate shot blocker and a slick passer. A team guy who made his teammates better. Sadly, he suffered a legion of injuries. He had 36 orthopedic surgeries and his back, legs, ankles and foot are a marvel of medical science. He actually missed a total of 9 years of playing time over a 14 year career. He was gangly and goofy looking, enjoyed marijuana, was an anti-war protestor and an original Grateful Dead “head.” A flower child who loved to win. His joy and energy never receded in the face of obstacles.
He then reinvented himself as a broadcaster. He was controversial in that role- loved by many and absolutely hated by others. I found him entertaining, emotional and hyperbolic. Other descriptions which ring true are hilarious, colourful, wonderful, nuts, unique, spiritual and humorous. Non sequiturs and untimely personal anecdotes were common. The internet overflows with memorable Walton quotes in the booth.
1) “ A thing of beauty, Einstein, Da Vinci. Jobs and now Tyreek Evans.”
2) "John Stockton is one of the true marvels, not just of basketball, or in America, but in the history of western civilisation.”
3) "When you look at Boris Diaw, you think of Beethoven and the Age of the Romantics- this guy has it all”
What a treasure. Rest in peace and keep listening to the music!
JERRY WEST
And now, for something completely different. Walton was from sunny California but West was trapped in the unhealthy coal fields of West Virginia. He was often depressed and always moody and temperamental. West hated losing more than he loved winning. His father was abusive, and his brother died in Korea. He struggled in personal relationships and was tough and incommunicative with his first wife and children. Don’t trust me on the psych stuff- read his magnificent autobiography- West on West; My Charmed, Tormented Life, He lays out his story with brutal candor and the book rates with the Andre Agassi’s life story as the best sports autobiographies in the last 20 years. The coolest thing about West is his evolution. He ultimately became more self confident, more self aware and trusting and at his 80th birthday party described himself as “The Luckiest Person in the World.” He stayed humble throughout his life and never lost his intense work ethic. A noble warrior in my book.
West was one of the BEST basketball players of all time. His silhouette is the model for the NBA logo. He played 14 seasons and was an All Star 14 times. He won an Olympic Gold Medal, was an NBA finals MVP and won two championships as a player. He was Mr Clutch known for his late game heroics and buzzer beaters. He was smooth, electric and competitive, but he LOST a lot! His Laker squads lost in the Finals seven times, often in 7 game series. Bill Russell’s Celtics beat him 6 times. West did ok as a three year coach, but made an enormous impact when he transitioned to the executive wing. He was the organiser of 7 championship Laker teams, coached by Pat Riley and Phil Jackson and led by players Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. He later saved the Memphis franchise and was a super consultant for the Warriors. A great run- relentless and a role model.
A final PS on my West memories. Anecdotes can tell the story best. When I was a senior in high school, I did a service project which involved leading a group of underprivileged African American grammar school students on a week long field trip to the country. The counsellors had responsibility for 12 kids in their cabin. Gaining their attention and respect was challenging. One of our breaks involved playing basketball on the outdoor courts. I could play a little and hit three jump shots in a row. All of the sudden one of the boys from my cabin yelled to the group- “Our teacher is Jerry West!” I never had a discipline problem the rest of the week. The value of the story is threefold. One, it shows how universal West’s reputation was. Second, it made me feel very good when it happened that March day in 1971. Third, I remember it vividly today. Mr West was a true superstar. RIP.
