ESPN: Bill Walton chat wrap

Bill Walton: Good day from Houston where it is a cool, cloudy, misty, rainy day that has got everybody on the edge of their seats for Shaq vs. Yao Ming - II. Produced by Don King Presentations,! Ohh, so much is going on in the world. Let's take a breif respite for sport, nba, and ncaa tournament action. The washington Wizards ... big victory last night. Can they build on that? They have made line-up changes and have received major contributions, as a result. Huge game at Seatlle tonight. ... Rudy T announced this morning that he will take an indefinite leave. We hope and pray for his return. His critical state is a reminer of what is truly important in our fragile lives. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you Rudy. Health and happiness to you. .... Happy Birthday to John Stockton. .... Tony Parker, get that thumb better. .... The rookie of the year race comes down to the last three weeks of the season. Don't forget that there have been other instance in NBA history where there have been co-rookies of the year (Grant Hill and Jason Kid, just to name one). Tim Hardaway -- good luck to you as you go back on stage. This will not be easy for Tim and it is far from a gimme three-pointer. A big night of basketball starting with SportsCenter at 6 eastern ... then to the High School hoop game ... and then to Shaq and Yao. What could be better?! It's time to rock.

Bill Walton: Your questions please!

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Brian NYC: So Bill, you're going to watch LeBron and the High School All-American game tonight? Were you a McDonalds All-American back in the day?

Bill Walton: I'm so old, I predate McD's. I can remember as a teenager when they used to say, "We have served 100,000 people." I predate ESPN, the USA Today and cable tv. I played h.s. hoops form 1966-1970. Played on one of the great teams ever ... Helix H.S. We lost the champ game when I was a soph. Then won 2 consecutive championships and won the last 49 games. I wish I could watch the game tonight, but I'll be prepping from the big show in Houston. Fortunately, SportsCenter will keep me up to date with everything i need to know.

Bill Walton: Lisa Leslie game a phenomenal key-note presentation at last night McDonalds game banquet in Cleveland. If you want be inspired on what's real in life. Check out the trascript of her remarks. Thank you Lisa! Please save Title IX.

Bill Walton: One more thing on H.S. hoop ... LeBron is really luck that he didn't have to play against Helix .


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Ricky (Houston, TX): Who's going to win tonight, Yao or Shaq?

Bill Walton: In this building rivalry, many questions remain ... Shaq -- how long will he stay healthy? How long will he remain interested? Yao -- we have to assume that his tremendous growth and adjustment will continue. Rudy T will bring his progress forward. The Rockets, as a team, need to change their mindset from athleticism and individualism to skill and commitment to the ideals of team play. No one in today's game will ever beat Shaq and the Lakers at their game. The role model for Yao, the Houston Rockets and the rest of the league has got to to be the San Antonio Spurs. Greg Pop and the Spurs have set the standard on matching the Lakers.

Things tonight favor LA. The hardest games are the first game of a road trip and the first of a homestand. Lakeres are at the end of their trip. The Rockets just back from their long 2-3 trip out west.

Will the Rockets think it will be easy b/c they are back at home? That is a foolish assumption. Will Steve Francis be able to/have to score 40 points like the last time? The crowd will be critically important to Houston. Lakers are the best at these dynamic moments. Early edge to Shaq, Ricky. Houston is still growing, I dont' think they can win the Championship. Lakers still the favorite with San An and Sac town trying to push the Lakers off the cliff.



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Mark Habedank (Hartford, CT): Hey Bill, you're the best! Which statement is more true: Kobe Bryant is the next Michael Jordan or Trey Anastasio is the next Jerry Garcia? Keep on truckin' brother!

Bill Walton: To try to live up to the legends of the past is always so very difficult b/c of the high standards of excellence that have been set. Trey and Kobe -- to be even be mentioned along with Jerry and Michael -- is tribute enough to their phenomenal skills ... the joy that they bring to people... the professional commitment they put forth. It is truly staggering.
The greatness is what allows Kobe Bryant to bring the crowd to its feet ... not only in LA ... but on the road. Opponents fans chanting "MVP, MVP" for Kobe! It's so reminiscent of Larry Bird back in the day. Away crowds chanting "Larry. .. Larry " ... of course, since my hearing after all those Dead shows is not too sharp, I had to ask. "Are they chanting "Jerry... Jerry"?



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jacob eugene oregon: what's up walton? with all the talk of pippen moving to L.A. next season is there any chance the blazers might be able to pick up jason kidd? that would be righteous.

Bill Walton: Jacob, everybody wants Jason Kidd. The chance of acquiring him for most any team are very small. B/c of collecting bargaining, the Blazers will not be under the cap next year. I am a huge Kidd fan. And a true, loyal Trail Blazer. But, i do not see any scenario where Jason ends up in Portland.

Scottie's situation is very up in the air, and we can only hope that his knee will heal so that he can fulfil his dreams. That is a void the team has been able to fill. His top game is missed greatly by the Blazers and fans, alike.

My sense is that Jason Kidd will remain with the New Jersey Nets.


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Stuart (New York): Bill, keep on keepin on with your mixture of progressive sentiments and sports. We need and appreciate the voice. Do you think the Knicks will make a stand and propel themselves into the play-offs behind Allan Houston? They have shown flashes of percision in besting the Spurs twice and playing competitive ball.

Bill Walton: Stuart, I like flashes, but i prefer consistancy. Alan Houston -- what have you been waiting for? The Knicks have a tremendous chance to make the playoffs, Mil. and Wash are both playing terrible. BUT, if your success is based on the failure of others ... how satisfying and long-lasting can that success really be?

The Knicks need new players, younger players, more players ... BETTER players.




Bill Walton: I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks make the playoffs ... but I think it would be the worst thing that could happen to the franchise's big picture goals.


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Pat (Houston): Who do you think will win the NCAA Tournament? I have TJ and the 'Horns taking out Luke and 'Zona in the finals. Who you got?

Bill Walton: I'm still undefeated in my pool! My final four picks remain ... Ariz, Kentucky, Oklahoma and UConn. I have Arizona beating Conn in the final game.

Bill Walton: And ... I'm a very proud dad!


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John (Branford, CT): Bill honestly about Luke did you think that Arizona would lose to Gonzaga last saturady

Bill Walton: That was one of the greatest games I've ever witnessed. You haven't lived until you've gone through a multiple overtime game in the NCAA Tournament. What a classic! Terrific skill, fitness, team play, clutch performances, passion, back and forth, give and take. It's what you live for. I'm just glad I was able to survive.

Bill Walton: The emotions of a game like that stay with you forever. In my senior year at UCLA, we played a triple OT game ... then a double OT game in the semis. I can still remember each and every play as if it happened this morning. Congrats to Mark Few, Stepp and Skinner and the rest of the Zags on a great season!


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New York, New York: Today is John Stockton's 41st birthday. How has he been able to play at such a high level for such a long time? Especially at the point guard position!

Bill Walton: It is truly remarkable! As he now becomes only the 7th players in NBA history to play at that age. Now in his 19th season with the Jazz, John joins a distinguished list of 40-somethings. John's style has been tremendously impactful on his longevity. Even though he has tremendous athleticism ... he doens't rely on it. He is as smart a player as has ever played basketball. Coach Wooden tells us the two most important skills are balance (the ability to get to the next move) and quickness (the ability to see the play first). John has also been blessed with the ablilty to stick with a uniform that fits.


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Jared (Stowe, VT): Bill, what's the outlook on Luke? Is he a lottery pick this year? What teams would he most benefit from, and what teams could use him the best?

Bill Walton: I'm Luke's dad ... not his agent or promoter. What I want for my son is for his dreams to come true. There is not at single person I have ever come across who doesn't want to play in the NBA, but I have tried to teach Luke to enjoy the moment. Live for today. He's got a great chance right now. He's got up to two weeks left in his NCAA career. Don't rush through it, don't leave it in the locker room or on the practice court. I don't want him to get caught up in things that are beyond his control. Go Cats, go! I'm the proudest dad in the world!

Moderator: C'mon Bill, quit avoiding the question!

Bill Walton: Patience! Please! The NBA draft will be on ESPN in June ... and i'm lucky enough to be working on that great event. There will be plenty of opportunity once the tourney is over to address these future issues. These are moments for young people to enjoy ... b/c they will never have them again. Savor, reflect. What's the rush!


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dave(new brunswick, NJ): bill, love your show man. Quick question, who in your life influenced you more so. Jerry Garcia or Coach Wooden? Thanks man..

Bill Walton: They are really one in the same person. The things that you learn from both of them are life's greatest lessons. Selflessness. Commitment to excellence. The abilty to deliver peak performance on command. The leadership. The vision. Seeing the biggest of pictures. The style and creativity. The passion. The fairness. The excitement. The optimism. The work ethic. The abilty to make other people happy with what you do. Jerry used to come to basketball games. I always invited Coach Wooden to the GD shows. He would politely demurr, but always come back to his own invitation to see Lawrence Wilk. Let's rock! Alls I've ever wanted is more, as long as it was long, loud and fast! Go Jerry, go!

Bill Walton: Thanks for coming everybody, hope we can do it more. There is nothing on earth that I like better than a chat. Thanks for giving me the greatest life that anybody could ever have. Thanks for making all my dreams come true. Hopefully I can reciprocate. I gotta go... Shaq is on the other line and we've got a game tonight! Shaq/Yao II ... what could be better?! WE've got a game! Thank you for everything! Thank you.

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Didn't know that Rockets even crossed his mind when talking about Championship this year.