There was some good college basketball being played at the Phil Knight Invitational on Thanksgiving, but one of the most entertaining parts involved the color commentary of Bill Walton.
To say Walton’s style is unusual would be an understatement. Walton was all over the place Thursday night when the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide faced the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans in a huge top-25 matchup for both teams.
Walton seemed distracted and some might even say he acted as if he were on something. He discussed doughnuts, made a few references to his favorite band the Grateful Dead, and at times didn’t appear to know what was going on in the game.
Even play-by-play announcer Roxy Bernstein seemed annoyed with Walton at times during the game, as during this sequence.
Bill Walton was in peak form last night pic.twitter.com/kgVFGz1eOn
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) November 25, 2022
Now, some may say that this was all just an act that Walton puts on because of his image, but if that was acting he is a pretty good actor because he has basically convinced fans and media around the country he was high as a kite. Fans let their feelings be known on social media.
"Happy everything, forever." — Bill Walton.
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) November 25, 2022
Every 5 minutes that you listen to Bill Walton, you lose an IQ point.
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) November 25, 2022
Bill Walton with the Grateful Dead reference, “Alabama Getaway.” I think that song is actually derogatory, though 😂.
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) November 25, 2022
Bill Walton: This is the best I've ever seen Jaxon Kohler play.
Kohler is a freshman for Michigan State.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 25, 2022
As you can tell, a lot of people were unimpressed with Walton, but they can’t say that his commentary is boring. That’s for certain. Walton is entertaining, and maybe that’s why he continues to do games for ESPN.
About Stacey Mickles
Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.