The shocking news of Bill Walton’s demise rocked the NBA world and Rick Carlisle is no different. The Pacers HC played with Walton during their time together at the Celtics and Carlisle had nothing but good memories of his dear departed friend.
One such memory was how Walton played a big part in his date with his then-future wife Donna. Before the Pacers’ game 4 against the Cs, Carlisle revealed the story to the press. “I said, ‘Look, I’ve got a date with a girl I think is really cool, I’d love to go to the Dead show at Capital Centre, but I don’t have any tickets, can you help?’” Carlisle recounted of the band’s tallest fan. “He said, ‘Just go to the back door, ask for Dennis McNally, tell him you’re Rick Carlisle from the Boston Celtics and everything will be just fine.’ I said, ‘Really?’”
Carlisle said that he pulled up at the loading dock with his date and continued, “She said, ‘What, don’t you have tickets?’ I said, ‘Just give me a couple minutes here.’ So I walked down (the ramp), I knocked on the door, the whole thing ended up working out. I walked back up the loading dock ramp with two all-access laminates, one said Bill Walton, the other said Susie Walton.”
Eventually, everything went well and Carlisle went on to marry his date, thanks to Walton. Carlisle also revealed that Walton regularly texted him and they talked about the games. He told his players about the center’s input before the games and now that lively presence will be sorely missed.
NBA World Reacts to Bill Walton’s Demise
On Monday, the NBA announced the passing of Walton after a prolonged battle with cancer. Players, teams, and individuals started pouring their heartfelt messages for the late NBA legend since then.
The Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took to social media and posted, “My very close friend, fellow Bruin, and NBA rival Bill Walton died today. And the world feels so much heavier now. On the court, Bill was a fierce player, but off the court, he wasn’t happy unless he did everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us.”
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The duo met multiple times on the court and in 1977, Walton’s Blazers beat Kareem’s Lakers in the Western Conference Finals before winning the championship.
The Sixers legend Julius Erving also shared a message following the passing of his 1977 NBA Finals opponent. “I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc,” wrote Dr J.
Walton’s college basketball team, UCLA, also mourned the death of their former center. The Celtics, the Trail Blazers, the LA Clippers, and the Lakers were among the various NBA franchises that celebrated the life of the legend.
Rick Carlisle and his Pacers side were eliminated by the Celtics with a 105-102 win on the night and an overall 4-0 series win. As the Cs are set for the NBA Finals, they’ll have an added motivation to give their legend a fitting tribute with the 18th Larry O’Brien trophy.
