CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
July 2, 1997

Legendary NBA center Bill Walton stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on July 2, 1997.

Find out what Bill had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

SL: Welcome, Bill Walton!

Bill Walton: Hello everybody and thank you for coming and your patience. I'm at home in San Diego. And it's an absolutely glorious day in San Diego. We just finished an adult fantasy camp and the party is just winding down! It's peaceful here in my teepee. I'm ready for a perfect night! What do we want to talk about?

SL: I'm guessing basketball... the Bulls, the draft, how about that?

SL: Here's our first audience question tonight:

Question: Bill, now don't be modest, but how good would you say you were in your prime compared to the other great centers. What were your strengths and weaknesses?

Bill Walton: The Draft presents some interesting insights into the NBA. The Duncan choice was obvious. Celtics and Pitino did a great job, by the way! I was a very lucky player! I played for 6 Hall of Fame coaches. And most privileged to be on great teams at UCLA, Portland and Celtics! The style to which these teams played was awesome. The best center I played against was Kareem. I had to play the best against him!

SL: Here's a question regarding the recent rule changes:

Question: Will moving back the three point line improve the game dramatically? If so, in what way?

Bill Walton: I'm very glad they moved the 3-point line back. Players were just getting to the point that they could make it easily. When they moved it in, guys who were defending the 3 could still defend the post . The longer shot will open the game up and very quickly they'll make the adjustment. I'm glad that it's going to be a short line, giving more room to get that shot off. In the future, widening the court about 4 feet wider than now, would add more space in the post. May never happen, though. Would require taking out seats, which pay the bills.

Question: Do you think that with the increased focus on athletic ability and showmanship, players today have lost their grasp of the fundamentals?

Bill Walton: It's much more of an individual game. It reflects a change in our society which values celebrities, image, money as opposed to valuing skills, team play, a culture of togetherness. I grew up in the John Wooden era where everything was about the team and being in the best condition as possible. Things are different now. Now everything is aimed at making the highlight plays, films.

Question: Mr. Walton, how did it feel to put on a NBA jersey and play on the same court as Michael Jordan? I played against him at the biggest of his career. I'm his biggest fan and he's the biggest and best player ever in the NBA. My first playing against him was terrific. His game was based on athleticism, and some individuality. Now, he's all about the team and fundamentals. He makes it look easy, but it's not. He's made us look at it that way. When I was with the Celtics, he scored 63 points and we still beat him, sure, but Michael was awesome! It wasn't until the 3rd or so year of his play did he start molding him play into a perfect performance. Like Larry Bird, who was the best player I ever played with, Michael is a better person than he is a player. I just wanted to add that.

Question: Bill, what was the highlight of your career?

Bill Walton: The highlight of my career is getting to the Hall of Fame in 1993 and being named one of the top 50 players. Those individual honors are at the top. Playing for 6 Hall of Fame coaches. All are so very special! Next week I'm being inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame which is very important to me. That's the time when you start to realize your dreams. Another special time was playing one-on-one against Kevin McHale in front of me now :-) The rest of the players and I busted him! It was at the end of my career.

Question: What was your most memorable college game, both as a player and/or spectator?

Bill Walton: It has to be the 4 games we lost at UCLA March 23, 1974, in double over time, a semi-final game loss which was so devastating. Coach Wooden told us, "don't ever beat yourselves." I thought he was nuts, but he was right. It just ruins your life.

Question: Do you feel that Chicago can keep that team together for a few more runs at a Championship? If not, what do you see possibly going wrong?

Bill Walton: It's mind boggling that Michael Jordan has to deal with "is the team going to be back?" This is one of the greatest teams ever and they are so special! They've created an intense following around the world. It makes no sense whatsoever. There's no logical rationale! It's MJ's team and Reinsdorf should do what MJ wants. He made that team what it is. He's earned the privilege to decide the immediate future of that team. My sense is that we'll see all the key players back. Parish probably wont be back. Pippen, Jordan, Rodman and Phil, will all be back. It's embarrassing to people who love basketball.

Bill Walton: One more thing, why would they want to break up this team? I just don't understand WHY?

Question: Hey Bill, I heard in one game while you were playing you threw your shoe to stop a shot from going in, is that true?

Bill Walton: That is true, when I was playing for the then San Diego Clippers. I used to wear low-tops. Somebody stepped on the back of my shoe and it came off. I lost it! I start slipping and sliding trying to get my shoe! I just picked it up and tried to stop the shot! The ref simply called a technical.

Question: What was one of toughest things you had to overcome in the NBA?

Bill Walton: The injuries that ruined my career. I had 30 operations on my legs and my speech impediment. I couldn't speak until I was 28-years-old. I stuttered. It has changed my life learning how to speak! The injuries that ended my career and the failures on the court because of my injuries. But you have to move on and use them as motivation.

Question: How would you compare John Wooden's coaching philosophy to that of other coaches you've had?

Bill Walton: Wooden is at the top of my list as far as coaches. My parents weren't athletically inclined so they taught me about pride and self-confidence, but Wooden was a combo of everything, skills, etc. He's truly a saint. He's an incredible human being. My house is full of Wooden pictures and other memories. I've taken all my kids to meet Wooden. He writes on their lunch bags all his famous quotes and even taught them how to tie their shoes. He's as special as they come. This is a guy who's had an incredible impact on so many people. The world is a much, much better place because of John Wooden. You can't say that about too many people.

SL: Bill, speaking of coaches:

Question: Now, you played with Larry, but can he coach on the same level as Pat Riley, Larry Brown or Rick Pitino?

SL: (Larry Bird, of course)

Bill Walton: Larry Bird will be a fantastic coach! I'm so glad he's back into it! I talk to him regularly, but right after he signed the deal, that was the most excited I'd seen him since the Celtics days. Retirement is not for him. He'll be a fantastic motivator. The players, fans, are lucky to get Larry. He'll take the franchise to new heights. Players are going to flock to want to play for Larry Bird and the Pacers! You'll see an exciting style of ball.

Question: Bill, I would just like to know what you would say to inspire a young one who loves the game and wants to take it as far as they can?

Bill Walton: To have the greatest dreams that you can conjure up. Basketball is the greatest game in the world! Basketball was my religion, my church, my sanctuary. I didn't have to worry about my speech problems. It was my escape. Young players, you can't force. As parents, we just need to create opportunities and expose children, but do not force. They will find the passion whether it's music or basketball.

Question: Have you ever given any thought to coaching in the future, college or pro?

Bill Walton: I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the future. I try to do whatever I'm doing right now to the best of my ability. I'm happy doing broadcasting for NBC. I thought my life was over a few years ago when my ankle was fused. But I found out that you can find happiness in other areas. I'm not using my present job to try to get another job. I love my job and I'm happy. I'm just trying to do the best I can do. Coaching... I'm not thinking about it.

Question: How do you like the Arizona Wildcats winning the tournament with such an average season?

Bill Walton: That was such a special season for Arizona. I don't think it was average at all! I love the way they play. Olsen is so similar to Wooden. He's a man who just brings the level of basketball, the quality, to new heights. Great defense, uptempo, was just so much fun! I loved the way they played. The little quick guys. It'll always be in the hearts and minds of the basketball world. The teams they beat, NC, Kentucky, that was incredible! It will be forever remembered.

Question: What do you think of the Clippers chances in 1998? And what is it going to take for them to be a playoff contender?

Bill Walton: The Clippers are making the constant progress. Bill Fitch has done a remarkable job. Getting rid of the bad, dead wood... tearing the franchise down with bad attitudes. Look for them to improve and I give all the credit to Fitch. He's not a young guy by basketball standards, but he's given his life to the game Question: How do you think the Bucks will do next year?

Bill Walton: They still need that special player. Look for them to come back. But they need that one player. Chicago has 2 - Jordan and Pippin.

Question: How much has expansion in the NBA hurt the overall level of play in today's game?

Bill Walton: You can look at it both ways. Expansion is always going to dilute the talent and make the depth of teams worse, but it will bring in new fans and create opportunities. It's a double-edge sword. people want more basketball, identity in their own home towns In a perfect world, you wouldn't have the constant expansion. There's so much incredible fan interest which is so interesting to me. The fact that players don't go to college to develop physically, mentally bothers me and that coaches at the early stages of careers don't have that strict adherence of development for players to follow. It all affects the NBA.

SL: This next one is a good one:

Question: Hello Bill, I would like to know who you think will be the next great superstar that will be winning titles once Michael Jordan is gone?

Bill Walton: I think MJ has given his life to the game. You can't tell. No one would have predicted it would have been Jordan when Larry and Isaiah and Magic were dominating. Who will be the next to dedicate their life to the game? He didn't wait there, and wait for things to fall on his lap. You can never predict 2 things: will they remain healthy, will they dedicate their life? It's way to early and I don't see Michael going anywhere. There's no slowing down. He's got incredible fundamentals, his mental control to out-think everybody is what makes him the greatest in today's game. Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Shaq are all possibilities... but Michael isn't going anywhere.

SL: We have time for one final question tonight.

Question: Bill, your thoughts on the big Nets/Sixers trade?

Bill Walton: Two teams at the bottom shuffling. Two great coaches who I respect are building teams, trying to get to the top, but we're still talking about 2 of the worst teams in basketball. Question is: how good will Van Horn be? You never know! He's a very old player by collegiate standards and he still wasn't able to dominate, so how good can he be? Basically all these guys have been at the bottom of the NBA (Jackson, Montross), they haven't done anything to win in the NBA. Who knows if they can impact wins. They've certainly impacted losses. It's excitement and some optimism for all teams, but let's not get carried away. It's still Jordan's game and his league. Until then, until they can play at his level, things aren't changing.

Bill Walton: Thank you VERY, VERY much for your patience and the most interesting questions! I've had a wonderful time. I've seen a beautiful sunset here in San Diego as I've answered your questions.

SL: Bill Walton, thanks so much for joining us tonight!

SL: Thanks to our audience, as well, for their many questions.

SL: Good night!