Bill Walton hanging em up

23 · 11-02-2009, 06:57 PM

due to back problems, he wont be broadcasting anymore

Quote:


	http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/i...ticleID=134572 Citing persistent back problems, Bill Walton has decided not to appear on ESPN’s NBA telecasts this year, ending a relationship that started in '02. The Basketball HOFer missed most of last season because of back pain. His deal with ESPN expires after this season. “As I return after a grueling multi-year, life-threatening, life-changing ordeal with back problems, it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service,” Walton said in a statement released by ESPN. “It is great to be back in the game. Thanks everybody -- for everything.” ESPN Exec VP/Studio & Remote Production Norby Williamson: “Bill is a Hall of Fame talent, both as a player and broadcaster. NBA fans will miss his distinct personality. We appreciate all of his contributions to ESPN and share best wishes toward continued health and happiness.”

BlueNGold · 11-02-2009, 07:00 PM

He seems like a really nice guy but I ain't gonna lie, he annoyed me during broadcasts. I hope he can stay healthy and injury-free.

23 · 11-02-2009, 07:47 PM

I liked Walton man.. stayed out of the over homer crap alot of those guys do and did his own thing, even if he wasnt talking about basketball.

SPTO · 11-02-2009, 08:20 PM

Walton has PERSONALITY but doesn't slobber over all the big stars like most analysts do. I really loved his days at NBC where he and Snapper Jones would go at it in the booth during games. I can't imagine the amount of back pain he's had to suffer throughout most of his life so I wish him good luck and hope that he stays pain free for the remainder of his days.

I always liked the guy and thought while he wasn't the greatest broadcaster he kept me entertained.

dopeboy206 · 11-02-2009, 09:28 PM

I used to hate Bill Walton when he was with NBC maybe because he was tough on my Sonics and made some bad comments about the 90s Sonics. As I got older he didn't annoy me as much and it is true he isn't biased towards the big stars I've heard him say great stuff about benchwarmers too.

J.R. Locke · 11-02-2009, 09:58 PM

He was great with Ralph Lawler calling Clipper games a few years ago. For those of you that only remember him on NBC/ABC he was at his best calling those Clipper games. Funny dude.

I also loved him and Snapper Jones. They were the best announcing team of my childhood.

jmood88 · 11-02-2009, 10:02 PM

Throw it down, big man!

The C · 11-02-2009, 11:02 PM

Best announcer to listen to.

jmood88 · 11-02-2009, 11:12 PM

I loved him during the Olympic exhibition games, his random stories were great.

Taur3asi3 · 11-02-2009, 11:51 PM

Walton always had the best random stories. I loved it when he'd get going on Sabonis and say something like "1 time in Europe, Sabonis killed a Bear with a pitchfork and had a quadruple double by half time. Needless to say the other team refused to return for the 2nd half!". I'll always love Walton he was far and away my favorite guy to listen to, no one has ever had as much unbridled uncontainable passion for basketball. Who else can compare Boris Diaw playing in the NBA to Beethoven living in the age of romanticism and actually make sense? No one but Bill Walton.

When he called games most of the time i'd watch them just to hear him talk. I'd tune in to hear Walton call rock paper scissors contest. It's a shame that his snake bit NBA career carried over to his broadcasting career. How many athletes have had both playing and broadcasting careers ruined and ended by injury?

11-02-2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlueNGold MVP OVR: 18 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,389	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up He seems like a really nice guy but I ain't gonna lie, he annoyed me during broadcasts. I hope he can stay healthy and injury-free. __________________ What I'm Playing (360): GTA 4 - Madden 10 - All Pro Football 2K8 CFL: Winnipeg Blue Bombers NFL: San Diego Chargers -- Atlanta Falcons NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins -- Toronto Maple Leafs

11-02-2009, 07:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
23 Players league or not? OVR: 67 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 30,323	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up I liked Walton man.. stayed out of the over homer crap alot of those guys do and did his own thing, even if he wasnt talking about basketball.

11-02-2009, 08:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
SPTO We need Cowher Power OVR: 57 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The 905 Posts: 43,837	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up Walton has PERSONALITY but doesn't slobber over all the big stars like most analysts do. I really loved his days at NBC where he and Snapper Jones would go at it in the booth during games. I can't imagine the amount of back pain he's had to suffer throughout most of his life so I wish him good luck and hope that he stays pain free for the remainder of his days. I always liked the guy and thought while he wasn't the greatest broadcaster he kept me entertained. __________________ Member of the Official OS Bills Backers Club "We all gonna die...Living like we bulletproof" - Raheem DeVaughn May you live in interesting times - Old Chinese Proverb

11-02-2009, 09:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
dopeboy206 MVP OVR: 13 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle "Tha 206" Posts: 1,029	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up I used to hate Bill Walton when he was with NBC maybe because he was tough on my Sonics and made some bad comments about the 90s Sonics. As I got older he didn't annoy me as much and it is true he isn't biased towards the big stars I've heard him say great stuff about benchwarmers too.

11-02-2009, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
J.R. Locke DC's gone. Come on! OVR: 31 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 3,767	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up He was great with Ralph Lawler calling Clipper games a few years ago. For those of you that only remember him on NBC/ABC he was at his best calling those Clipper games. Funny dude. I also loved him and Snapper Jones. They were the best announcing team of my childhood. __________________ I root for the Chicago Bears and the NBA. NCAA Football 2011 I ask for three things 1) Playbook Editor/Creator 2) Formation Subs 3) Chew Clock option for the CPU "On Always"

11-02-2009, 11:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
The C Special Teams? OVR: 30 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,800	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up Best announcer to listen to. __________________ BOLD and Italics Cleveland, is in Ohio- Braylon Edwards.

11-02-2009, 11:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Taur3asi3 MVP OVR: 16 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Badstreet last house on the right Posts: 3,716	Re: Bill Walton hanging em up Walton always had the best random stories. I loved it when he'd get going on Sabonis and say something like "1 time in Europe, Sabonis killed a Bear with a pitchfork and had a quadruple double by half time. Needless to say the other team refused to return for the 2nd half!". I'll always love Walton he was far and away my favorite guy to listen to, no one has ever had as much unbridled uncontainable passion for basketball. Who else can compare Boris Diaw playing in the NBA to Beethoven living in the age of romanticism and actually make sense? No one but Bill Walton. When he called games most of the time i'd watch them just to hear him talk. I'd tune in to hear Walton call rock paper scissors contest. It's a shame that his snake bit NBA career carried over to his broadcasting career. How many athletes have had both playing and broadcasting careers ruined and ended by injury? __________________ As Shaquille O'Neal left the Suns practice court, he yelled out, "Alvin's the coach. We must be the Clippers. And I must be Olowokandi. Nooooo!"

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