The Tuesday Newsletter Extravaganza pays tribute to the one and only Bill Walton ... who really believed he deserved to wear that tag even with so much justification to feel extremely unlucky
Wonderful words, Marc. It was a privilege to know and become friends with Bill and Lori. I have so many stories about Bill, but the day we randomly ran into Manute Bol after having lunch in Connecticut is my favorite .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joT4NVSNwg0 .... RIP Big fella
What an amazing human being. I wish he was still here, but I'm so glad we got to meet him.
As an aside, I always wonder why sports' major leagues don't have a streaming network for their historical content. I mean, WWE has all of their PPVs going back to the mid-80s, and all of their TV shows from the mid-90s. The NFL had NFL Films at least that far back- how is it I can't subscribe to a network and watch old Eagles games?
So here's my NBA question- let's say the NBA wanted to launch such a network. What would be the first year that the league could have a full inventory of video for every team's game for a season? Clearly, there's a lot missing in the 70s. Could the league go as far back as, say, 1990? 1995? 1985? When did the NBA realize the value of having the video of all its games?
Marc curious on your thoughts as why the NBA has done a poor job on preserving history compared with MLB in which it is such an integral part? Do you think it has to do with rule changes and league mergers mostly?
I wish I had answers. Part of it surely is that both leagues in the 1970s didn’t have anything close to the financial resources that the NBA does today. But baseball has certainly always done it better. It was my first favorite sport and I can remember as a pretty young kid learning about Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, etc., even without footage.
Wow Marc. I loved reading your memories, thoughts and reverences for Bill Walton. And the love and respect and care that shines through. Thanks for this tribute.
That's beautiful, Marc -- thanks for sharing. I never knew about his stutter until some of the tributes mentioned it just after his passing. The world -- and the sports world, in particular -- need more positivity and it sucks to lose a guy that was a walking embodiment of it.
Wonderful words, Marc. It was a privilege to know and become friends with Bill and Lori. I have so many stories about Bill, but the day we randomly ran into Manute Bol after having lunch in Connecticut is my favorite .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joT4NVSNwg0 .... RIP Big fella
What an amazing human being. I wish he was still here, but I'm so glad we got to meet him.
As an aside, I always wonder why sports' major leagues don't have a streaming network for their historical content. I mean, WWE has all of their PPVs going back to the mid-80s, and all of their TV shows from the mid-90s. The NFL had NFL Films at least that far back- how is it I can't subscribe to a network and watch old Eagles games?
So here's my NBA question- let's say the NBA wanted to launch such a network. What would be the first year that the league could have a full inventory of video for every team's game for a season? Clearly, there's a lot missing in the 70s. Could the league go as far back as, say, 1990? 1995? 1985? When did the NBA realize the value of having the video of all its games?
Great question. I am going to ask!
Marc curious on your thoughts as why the NBA has done a poor job on preserving history compared with MLB in which it is such an integral part? Do you think it has to do with rule changes and league mergers mostly?
I wish I had answers. Part of it surely is that both leagues in the 1970s didn’t have anything close to the financial resources that the NBA does today. But baseball has certainly always done it better. It was my first favorite sport and I can remember as a pretty young kid learning about Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, etc., even without footage.
So sorry for your loss, Marc. I know this hits you a lot harder than most. Thanks for this great piece of writing.
Wow Marc. I loved reading your memories, thoughts and reverences for Bill Walton. And the love and respect and care that shines through. Thanks for this tribute.
That's beautiful, Marc -- thanks for sharing. I never knew about his stutter until some of the tributes mentioned it just after his passing. The world -- and the sports world, in particular -- need more positivity and it sucks to lose a guy that was a walking embodiment of it.