Bill Walton is one of the most eccentric and animated color commentators in sports. But for years, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer lived with a debilitating spinal injury that at its the lowest point had Walton contemplating suicide.
"If I had a gun, I'd use it," he writes in his new, poetically named memoir Back From the Dead.
Walton's no stranger to setbacks. As one of the most injury-prone players in NBA history, the Mountain Man has seen more than his fair share of lows. That said, Walton managed to win two NCAA championships, a pair of NBA titles, and was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players of all time. In summary, Walton's a guy who can succeed in the face of extreme adversity, despite having suffered from a debilitating injury.
After a successful surgery seven years ago, Walton says that he's now pain free, happy and no longer taking medication. Complex News caught up with Walton earlier this week to talk about Back From the Dead and get some insider info on his unique relationship with broadcast partner Dave Pasch. Check it out.