For the third and unfortunately last time during Championship Week, we provide Bill Walton quotage. He worked the Pac-12 Championship with Dave Pasch and Bill did not disappoint. He started off slowly, but when he got warmed up, Big Red provided us with a lot of gems here.
Dave and Bill have become a true comedy act. Dave has become a perfect straight man to Bill’s one liners.
Let us take a look at what transpired last night. There were some definite goodies from the Pac-12 Championship on ESPN.
Courtesy Cork Gaines, Business Insider Sports Page
(On UCLA’s chances without Jordan Adams who broke a bone in his foot against Arizona)
“UCLA will be fine. They’re the more talented team. They’re UCLA, not position robots!”(On Oregon’s early struggles)
“The Ducks are struggling mightily. They’re taking on water rather than shedding.”(On the Pac-12 Tournament)
Walton: “The vision of what could possibly be for the nation’s greatest conference! The conference that has all the records! The conference that has all the perfect demographics, all the cool spots! This event this week has been one of the greatest things I’ve ever participated in my whole life! It went over the top today, because at the MGM Grand, they had a pool party this afternoon. Oh my gosh! The bands were there! The bikinis were out in full force! It was absolutely remarkable!And then on the way to the game tonight through the lobby and the Golden Lion and the bands were all around that, the cheerleaders were dancing! And at the bottom of the elevator below my room, there was Wolfgang Puck’s open until 6 a.m. in the morning! Come on! This is just fantastic! Thank you, Larry Scott!”
Pasch: “Anything else or did you get it all in?”
Walton: “Well, we’re just waiting for the game to start here.”(During a Tournament Bracket promo)
Pasch: “I don’t know if you were watching any of the games today at the pool party, but…”
Walton: “I was at the pool party. There were plenty of things to see there.”(On ESPN’s Sunday programming)
Pasch: “You will watch all of it.”
Walton: “And that will include Joe Lunardi?”
Pasch: “Yes, Joe will be there.”
Walton: “Tell Joe to call me please.”
Pasch: “I think he’s refusing to call you after the times you’ve ripped him during the season.”(After a UCLA timeout)
“Beautiful basketball! The Ducks on fire after a poor start a start as you could have! They have somehow come back and have found their way back to the Oregon Trail! Lewis & Clark would be so proud.”(On speed)
“I love little fast guys! I used to be one.”(Making sure he gets his Oregon references in)
“Oregon finding offensive rhythm here for Ducks. Coming over over Multonmah Falls here in the Columbia Gorge stroking it beautifully. Then maybe the McKenzie River. Nothing but net. Mist, in the cool, spring air.”(More on Oregon’s offense)
“Oregon has found the magic potion in Las Vegas. Smiles everywhere!”(After an Oregon dunk)
Walton: “That reminded me of that throwdown Jason Plumlee made in that Duke game this year off a missed offensive rebound.”
Pasch: “Mason.”
(pause)
Walton: “Plumlee.”
Pasch: “Mason.”
Walton: “One of those guys.”(Coming out from halftime)
Pasch: “The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cirque de Soleil which you see here, on display at hafltime…”
Walton: “All of that without a net. The way we like to operate.”(After a Samantha Ponder report)
Pasch: “Alright, Samantha. Bill, I’m surprised you haven’t welcomed Samantha to the Bill Walton Experience here.”
Walton: “I was actually hoping to see her at the pool party, but I missed her there. I didn’t get a chance, I’ve been busy. This has been a spectacular week. Sam, welcome to the team.”(After a turnover)
Walton: “Terrible pass.”
Dave Pasch: “Turnover by UCLA.”
Walton: “You have to throw passes people can catch.”(After an Oregon three pointer and more Oregon landmark references)
“Biggest shot of Ben Carter’s life. Oh my gosh! The fate of the known world in the balance right here! The pressure is building! And they go to the freshman in the corner over there. And the loyal fans of Oregon dancing in the shadows of the Mount Jefferson Three Sisters!”(About the underdog Oregon Ducks)
“Just glad the world has got to see this team, this program and this player, Kazemi. What they’ve been able to do against all odds. Eugene, Oregon. How many people live there? 50,000? They’re going up against the metropolises of Phoenix, Seattle, the Bay Area, Los Angeles. They saying, ‘This is us. Yeah, we’re here!'”(As Oregon closed in on victory)
“Oregon believes! Lewis & Clark were right! There IS a way through!”(Finally)
Pasch: “Bill, it’s been a pleasure. Enjoyed it all season, my friend.”
Walton: “I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I work for Dave Pasch. Thank you for your patience.”
Pasch: “Bill, you complete me.”
And that will complete the Bill Walton quotage. Three days of quotage that is Bill Walton. Next year, the tournament will be on Fox Sports 1. Won’t be the same without the Dave & Bill Show.
