Take Us On That Magic Ride, Bill

Normally, were not too big on devoting posts to other people’s work, particularly that of the Sports Guy, given that it has pretty much been done to death. It’s not a high road thing or a criticism of anyone who likes to use members of the sports media for material, but it’s more a function of not really having as well polished opinions as the blogs that really bring an informed background to the table on that type of thing.

What the hell though, today is different. If there is one member of the sports media that is by no means off limits around here; it is Bill Walton. At the recommendation of Wes Coast Bias from the Empty the Bench fantasy hoops league, I listened to the entire podcast with Simmons and Walton yesterday… and what a treat.

Walton is a definitely one of the more hallowed sports personas around here. Having spent our fair number of years coming up with awkward ways to incorporate Dead references into our terrible email addresses and removing paint at our parents house from slapping stickers on any empty surface in the house, we eat it up when he crams Dead references into every nook and cranny of airtime. Hell, Stan even has a Jerry tattoo on his leg and named his dog, Stella. We understand that Walton is not for everyone, but he’s definitely an icon around these parts.

Anyway, since it’s a little tough to find the time to listen to a long chunk of audio like this podcast and can particularly tough to check out audio files at work, I thought it would be fun to discuss a few of the more interesting snippets of the conversation here.

• For starters, the overall tone of the conversation is damn funny, because Simmons consistently tries to keep Walton on track and actually focus on the basketball conversation, particularly that of his beloved ’86 Celtics. Walton definitely answers the questions, but in typical fashion, he answers them in the way an alcoholic picks his kids up from school, forgetting where he is headed, stopping here and there for a drink, and finally showing up 15 minutes late. Nevertheless, it’s all part of the appeal and they make it work. One of the great quotes comes when Simmons finally pins him down and asks point blank, “Were the ’86 Celtics the best team ever?” Of course, Walton more or less says "no" and brings up some of the great teams before his time. It’s the humble thing to do. Nevertheless, Simmons challenges and – as we all probably would have asked – “How can you compare the great athletic teams of the 80s to those teams from the 60s? Those guys would have gotten killed.” In classic form, Walton responds, “How can you even compare the two, those guys would have been like 8 years old.”

• The big musical reference of the show is the Grateful Dead and Dylan at Foxboro in 1987. In particular, he talks about the second set opener of the Times They Are A Changin’. “We pumped our fists in the air and said give us more. Take us on that Magic ride, Jerry.” Walton refers to the show as August, but it was actually on the 4th of July. He also claims he disapproves all of forms of smoking in the interview, so not sure why he would have forgotten the 4th of July. Anyway, the show gets only 2.25 out of 5 on setlist.com. This is certainly tempting though: Uncle John's Band > Playing In The Band > Jam > Drums > Space > Truckin' > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones.

• Here’s your link to a performance at the show of Dylan and the Dead playing “Be Your Baby” and “Joey.” (Embedding is not allowed for some reason). JG sounds great with on the slide for “Be Your Baby.” I think Dylan is blasted though and Bob has his 80s Jorts in full effect. OK,

• Walton references this commercial, which the team shot in exchange for free food for the entire team and their families for the whole season. This is painful.

• On multiple occasions, Walton mentions his house and I realized that a Bill Walton Cribs might be the single greatest moment in television history. First, he mentions his music room, which has been named “Hydridgehoo.” Apparently, the room consists of Bill’s monumental drum collection, many of which are gifts from members of the Dead. He also mentions having Pro Tools and tons of electronics where he and his friends go to let their creative juices flow. I’m impressed they use Pro Tools down there. In addition, he mentions his homages to John Wooden, Red Auerbach, and Jack Ramsay. We need a tour of this place, Bill.

• Then at one point, I was thinking Bill Walton and Phil Jackson should team up for a reality show. Then it occurred to me, Bill Walton had a reality show, Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip. That didn’t go over quite so well, so maybe we better hold off on that idea.

• The Grateful Red at one point expresses that you cannot compare having kids, basketball, and concerts in the happiest times of your life. That’s pretty bold. I don’t think I have ever heard anyone not say the happiest time of their life is having kids. I can see basketball, but I think I would be sort of pissed if my parents said they were happier at a concert than they were having their kids. I think he really likes that omega point – the consciousness he seeks to achieve at concerts.

• Alright, we will leave you with some Frank Caliendo and his dead on Walton impression around the 6:30 mark. Damn, he’s good.

Fun times. Nice work by both Bills – Simmons and Walton.