Over the years, the final stretch of a Pac-12 regular season for men’s basketball has become synonymous with Bill Walton’s coverage over on ESPN. But due to a health issue, the two-time NBA champion has been missing the final Pac-12 games of this year.
Just recently, the USC Trojans pulled off a big upset by getting a win over the Arizona Wildcats. As a result, the conference has been sent to the final tournament just before 10 of the teams playing in it have changed homes.
Without a doubt, this is certainly the end of an era for Pac-12 basketball. The thing is, this moment is missing Walton to cover it.
Through the 14 years he played in the league, Walton has missed three whole seasons due to various injuries. Also, he only played more than 70 games in a one whole season once during the 1985-86 campaign. Needless to say, the All-Star big man and 1977 Finals MVP’s health was always a concern for him.
Two-Time NBA Champion Bill Walton Missed Coverage of Final Pac-12 Games Due to a Health Issue
Walton’s voice is definitely missed as the Pac-12 season hit its final stretch recently. According to Sean Keeley Awful Announcing, though, the former Portland Trail Blazers star’s schedule has been dealing with something since last month.
“Awful Announcing has learned that Walton was unable to call the game due to health issues. Those health issues have also been the cause of his absence from several scheduled appearances dating back to mid-February as well. ESPN declined to comment and efforts to seek a comment from Walton were unsuccessful,” Keeley wrote.
The past few days have seen Waltons’ Throw It Down rescheduled on League Pass. Also, the next confirmed schedule of his next broadcast will be on March 25 when the Indiana Pacers face off against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Not having Walton around to call these college games makes the whole experience incomplete. Hopefully, his health can turn around in the coming days so the former All-Star can continue doing what he loves.
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