Bill Walton: The Basketball Jesus. A UCLA demigod.
A top-5 college player ever — could’ve been top-10 all-time if not for those feet.
The tallest protester of the Vietnam War ever.
And then he goes from stutterer to broadcaster, dropping random Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan references on national TV.
What’s not to like?
Trailer for 30 for 30’s “The Luckiest Guy In The World” (Bill Walton)”
Watch “The Luckiest Guy In The World”
You can watch XYZ on https://plus.espn.com/
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Date: June 6, 2023
My Review of “The Luckiest Guy In The World”
Bill Walton’s life is a kaleidoscope of triumph, tragedy, and tie-dye.
I recently watched “The Luckiest Guy in the World,” a four-part docuseries from ESPN’s 30 for 30.
Released in 2023, this nearly four-hour doc is a rollercoaster ride through Walton’s extraordinary journey.
Walton won both NCAA championships (at UCLA) and NBA titles with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics.
Director Steve James (“Hoop Dreams” and “Prefontaine”) captures Walton’s essence brilliantly.
The doc opens with Walton by a river in Oregon, wearing his iconic tie-dye shirt and grinning widely.
This sets the tone perfectly. Walton’s career is a tale of extremes.
Part 1 is the best of the four as far as I’m concerned.
You learn that Walton began as a point guard.
But then he got injured when he was 13…and grew 6 inches during his 6-month rehab. He came back as a center.
UCLA and John Wooden
It’s hard to imagine how dominant UCLA was with Walton at center.
One cool thing I learned from Episode 1 of the doc: UCLA team won by an average of 30 points a game, still an NCAA record!
One of the doc’s highlights is Walton’s relationship with his UCLA coach, John Wooden. Their bond was complex.
In a lesser-known anecdote, the doc reveals that Wooden once bailed Walton out of jail during campus protests in the late 1960s.
This moment highlights the deep respect and care Wooden had for his players, even when they were at odds with the establishment.
However, the doc also shows the tension in their relationship, particularly when Wooden refused to sign a letter denouncing the Vietnam War.
Walton was passionately against the war.
The doc features interviews with notable figures like Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and World B. Free.
The NBA
Walton’s time with the Portland Trail Blazers is another focal point of the doc. The series revisits the team’s 1977 NBA championship run, featuring a reunion with Walton’s teammates.
In the NBA, Walton’s dominance continued — they cover Walton’s legendary 21-rebound game against the Houston Rockets in 1977.
The archival footage from this era is particularly engaging, bringing to life an era of basketball that many viewers might not be familiar with.
Injuries
James doesn’t shy away from Walton’s struggles. His battle with injuries is a recurring theme, showcasing the physical and emotional toll it took on him.
Walton missed more than half of his NBA games due to injuries, a lesser-known anecdote that underscores the challenges he faced. His resilience and determination to overcome these challenges are inspiring. The doc also touches on his post-playing career, including his time as a sportscaster and his involvement in activism, which further illustrates his multifaceted personality.
The Grateful Dead
One of the more unique aspects of Walton’s life is his connection to the Grateful Dead.
The doc explores this relationship, highlighting how the band’s music and ethos influenced Walton.
In a lesser-known anecdote, Walton shares how he once attended a Grateful Dead concert in the middle of a playoff series.
Bill’s house has rooms dedicated to The Grateful Dead (as well as to Neil Young and Bob Dylan).
It shows Walton’s commitment to living life fully, regardless of the circumstances.
For those who love basketball, “The Luckiest Guy in the World” offers a treasure trove of in-game highlights and career accolades.
But even if you’re not a sports fan, Walton’s story is universally relatable. It’s about overcoming obstacles, finding joy in the little things, and living life to the fullest.
The doc captures Walton’s philosophy of life, which emphasizes positivity and resilience.
In another lesser-known anecdote, the doc touches on Walton’s involvement in the Patty Hearst scandal. It shows how Walton’s life intersected with significant cultural events of the time.
Walton’s Broadcasting Career
Bill Walton’s broadcasting career is a vibrant chapter in his life, showcased in the final part (part 4) of “The Luckiest Guy in the World.”
After retiring from the NBA, he faced his stuttering challenge head-on. He became a broadcaster!
One standout moment in the doc highlights his famous call during a game where he passionately described a Bob Dylan speech, showcasing his ability to weave cultural references into sports commentary.
Walton’s infectious enthusiasm and distinctive catchphrases made him a beloved figure in sports broadcasting.
The doc also explores Walton’s philanthropic efforts. He has been a strong advocate for various causes, including education and health care.
A couple of other favorite parts of the doc for me:
Bill named his son “Luke” after his favorite teammate Maurice “Lucas”Walton”.
And I love the Walton quote in Episode 4 on Kareem:
“He (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) was the best….of anyone I’ve ever played against. And I knew I had to beat him to get to where I wanted to go.”
Awesome doc for anyone into sports or wanting to be a great human.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc