Bill Walton & son, Luke: Winning runs in the family

BILL WALTON HAS REASON TO BE PROUD

Basketball legend BILL WALTON and his son Luke were the first father and son to have both won multiple NBA championships.  And now Bill has another reason to be very proud.

The big news in pro basketball is that Luke Walton, who stepped in as interim coach on short notice to take over for the ailing Steve Kerr, has led the Golden State Warriors to the best record in the NBA – 18-0.  Luke, who had a great career with the L.A. Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, has shined in this new role in spite of the pressure and spotlight of coaching the 2014 NBA Champions.

I asked Bill what he thought of Golden State’s great start under son Luke —  “I am a proud, lucky, and happy dad,” he said, “It is exhilarating to watch the Warriors play ball. They represent all the positive things that I believe in. They epitomize class, dignity, professionalism, and team—-across all platforms and levels, from top to bottom.”

Winning runs in the family: Bill Walton with son Luke whose Golden State Warriors are unbeaten this season

BILL WALTON IN CHINA FOR HISTORY-MAKING PAC-12 BASKETBALL GAME

While Luke was on a winning streak roll in November, Bill was in China for the historic college basketball game between Texas and Washington.  More than a game – it was a cultural exchange – and Bill focused on ways to build basketball’s fan base in China.  Bill talked about that with Yao Ming at a major forum there.

Bill wrote me when he returned — “Just back from our epic, historic, monumental, life-changing, and transformational trip to China for ESPN and the Pac-12,” he said.  “We have met the future . . . and it is awesomely inspiring. I’m off to a new and fresh start with a whole new package of information, experiences, opportunities, hopes, goals, dreams, aspirations and directions.  The basketball season is under way; my health and spine is fantastic; our media, health care, solar energy, sports technology, and Azunia Tequila businesses are all on fire.  I’m the luckiest guy on earth.  We’re just getting started around here.”