Best Bill Walton Quotes During BYU’s Win Against UCLA
Nov 26, 2019, 1:40 AM | Updated: 3:37 am
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: Sportscaster and former NBA player Bill Walton poses before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 66-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Some people love broadcasts that feature Bill Walton on the headset. Other fans and spectators would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than listen to a Walton broadcast.
Whatever your opinion is of Bill Walton, you can’t deny the man says things that make him the most unique broadcaster in the game.
Walton was on the call of BYU’s Maui Invitational victory against UCLA on Monday night in Lahaina with a longtime ESPN broadcasting partner, Dave Pasch. Who I’m still unsure if Walton even knows Pasch’s name yet.
Anyway, in typical Bill Walton fashion, the former NBA Champion was dropping gems on the people who decided to stay up late to watch BYU’s Maui Invitational win over the UCLA Bruins.
Walton gets hyped over Pope’s “big-time” pregame speech
We are off to a great start with this @BillWalton #BYU-UCLA broadcast.#BYUhoops #MauiInvitational pic.twitter.com/avV2liCSRC
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Before the ball tipped off between BYU and UCLA, Walton was ready to go after seeing Mark Pope’s pregame speech to his team.
“Mark Pope, first-year coach, he quit medical school to become a basketball coach. That locker room scene, boy that is the big-time, with the concrete benches and the bare walls. Welcome to Maui! E Komo Mai! Here we go in the Maui Jim with a real game in BYU and UCLA,” said Walton.
Bill Walton’s love for his old teammate, Danny Ainge
Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge was in attendance at the Maui Invitational to likely scout future NBA prospects but also support his nephew, Jake Toolson, and alma mater, BYU.
Walton posed the question, “How come Danny Ainge isn’t in the (Basketball) Hall of Fame?”
why am i not in the hall of fame? pic.twitter.com/oiJJFgA2zp
— JP Chunga (@JP_Chunga) November 26, 2019
Walton also recounted the time he met Danny Ainge for the first-time when Ainge was a three-sport All-American in high school. Walton was ready to fight his future teammate.
Bill Walton was ready to fight Danny Ainge. pic.twitter.com/rblgMqrONT
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) November 26, 2019
Bill Walton: yet another random story that finally gets to the point.
Dave Pasch, on behalf of all of us: “I was wondering where that two minute story was leading” #byuvsucla #MauiInvitational
— Jared Turner (@JaredTurner14) November 26, 2019
COUGAR RAWR!
Bill Walton with a Cougar growl #BYUhoops #BYU pic.twitter.com/xTVb5n4USK
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) November 26, 2019
Walton promoting mission work
Walton: "13 of the 17 players on BYU's roster have been on their missions. What is your mission by the way?"
Pasch: "I'm still trying to figure that out. I guess to make it through the next three days with one of us surviving."#BYU #BYUHoops #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
BYU’s roster filled with former NBA legends
Buckle up Cougar fans, BYU has the next Matt Harpring in Connor Harding.
Bill Walton: "Are you old enough to remember Matt Harping?"
Dave Pasch: "What, does Connor Harding remind you of Harping?"
Walton: "Yes. Connor Harding from Pocatello, Idaho. Have you been to Pocatello?"#BYU #BYUHoops #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Jake Toolson’s game-high 20 points gave Walton visions of Hakeem, Kevin McHale, and Tim Duncan.
Jake Toolson with a beautiful move in the paint. Wow!
Walton just compared it to either Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin McHale, or Tim Duncan. #BYU #BYUhoops #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Don’t forget TJ Haws. Haws’ ball-handling reminded Walton of Steve Nash.
TJ Haws tonight. #BYU #BYUhoops #KSLsports pic.twitter.com/rBE4ySKdc6
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Yoeli Childs’ NCAA Suspension
If you haven’t liked any of this Walton content so far, BYU fans will agree with Walton and Dave Pasch when they were calling the NCAA’s nine-game suspension of Yoeli Childs a “travesty.”
Bill Walton and Dave Pasch hammering the NCAA for the suspension given to Yoeli Childs. Preach!#BYU #BYUhoops #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Oh, that’s how families work
Walton was a little bit confused with how BYU guard Jake Toolson was the nephew of his old teammate, Danny Ainge. Dave Pasch cleared up the confusion.
Walton: "How did Toolson become Danny Ainge's nephew?"
Pasch: "He was born into it … that's usually how it works."
Walton: "Really? Why does Danny always look so happy?"#BYU #BYUhoops #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Walton keeping up with BYU sports
During the second half, Walton congratulated BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe on hiring Mark Pope as head basketball coach. Then he started to reel off the accomplishments of other BYU teams from football’s five-game winning streak to the cross country National Championship from last Saturday.
Walton just worked in #BYU football's five-game winning streak and the Cougars Cross Country National Championship in this broadcast.
Man, get Bill Walton on every #BYU broadcast.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 26, 2019
Folks, Bill Walton is a national treasure. We must protect him at all costs. Sadly, Walton and Pasch won’t be on the call for BYU’s semifinal matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks. Instead, it will be Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas.
Mood pic.twitter.com/WoAUAph2Xg
— Matthew L Glade (@matthewLksl) November 26, 2019
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
