Two-time NBA champion and basketball commentator Bill Walton passed away on Monday at the age of 71, leading many former teammates and colleagues to reflect on his life and legacy. Messages across various platforms upon the NBA’s announcement of Walton’s passing, which was attributed to colon cancer, underscored the success and humanity of Walton. Many sports programs took time on Monday and Tuesday to convey their sentiments towards Walton along with conducting interviews with those who worked with him. On Tuesday’s edition of Toucher & Hardy on 98.5 The Sports Hub, the show took a different approach in reflecting on the former Boston Celtics center.
Toucher brought a caller onto the air who expressed that it is important to replay a clip of him hanging up on Walton during an interview after the Celtics lost the 2010 NBA Finals. Walton’s son Luke was playing for the opponent Los Angeles Lakers, and he was asked to rank the game in regards to the rivalry between the two teams.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to never rank coaches, concerts, children, championships or congratulations,” Walton said. “Just enjoy them all, and as a dad, that’s what I’m about because even though I’m a Celtic; even though the Celtics gave me my life back 25 years ago, most importantly I’m a dad. It’s not about me – I want what’s best for our son.”
“Alright, well you’re rooting for the Lakers,” Toucher replied. “Goodbye.”
Fourteen years later, Toucher addressed the incident on the air the day after news of Walton’s passing was announced by the NBA. Toucher’s sentiment was preceded by remarks from his co-host Rob “Hardy” Poole that the show should address the phone call down the road rather than immediately.
“Well I don’t know,” Toucher said. “I mean, why not? It happened. He called in and he was acting the fool about his son on the Lakers and this, ‘Oh no, first of all, you’ve got to buy a Jeep Wrangler,’ but while he was selling cars, like make up your mind you phony hippie. Are you really selling cars, or are you all about peace and love?”
Toucher’s statement ostensibly surprised those in the studio, with Hardy conjecturing that this was the reason why he was not sure if it was the day to do it. Update anchor Jon Wallach concurred with that sentiment, articulating that the show could perhaps do that tomorrow. Toucher, however, did not seem to grasp the downside of doing such a thing and instructed Hardy to do it anyway.
“I don’t say anything,” Toucher explained. “Go ahead – he’s dead. I didn’t kill him. Go ahead – play it.”
Hardy reluctantly played the audio and put his face in his palms as Toucher and the listeners relived the moment. Once the audio concluded, he conveyed a sense of astonishment that Toucher’s voice had changed so much over the last 14 years and compared it to that of actor Al Pacino. Toucher recognized Hardy’s observation and attributed it to “life” before moving on to the next caller, who imparted consternation towards Celtics play-by-play announcer Sean Grande’s series-clinching call over the Pacers.
