Bill Walton isn’t anywhere near his usual 7-footer or exuberant ego. He’s down and talks about his emotions as if he’s someone who just lost his best friend. Because he has.
Greg Lee was a point guard who played for John Wood Extraordinary in 1972 and 1973 with Walton and Jamaal Wilkes of the national championship basketball team, he died here Wednesday at the age of 70, reportedly from an infection caused by an immune disease.
Lee is a two-time Los Angeles City Player of the Year and Reseda High School All-American/Valee Speaker, is a Hall of Fame beach volleyball player, and is an accomplished tennis player. He taught advanced mathematics at Morse and Clairemont High Schools (he also coached basketball and tennis at Clairemont, and played professional basketball for the Conquistadors/Sailboats, Clippers, and Trail Blazers).
On the phone, Bill spoke reverently about his roommate at UCLA, Greg, so I basically wouldn’t interrupt him, but let him talk because only he can.
“So sad. As good friends as I ever had. In the spring of 1968, Jamal, Greg and I went to Stanford and we made an appointment to go to UCLA that weekend. Here are two of my trips to UCLA. Biggest reason. Greg is more famous than both of us. He’s the key to our success, the heart of our team. Everything he does is amazing. An incredible person.
“It’s devastating, even though it’s been 25 years since we faced this day. He faced endless serious health challenges due to a botched back surgery in 1998, but he never complained. His wife Lisa It’s amazing. Greg is the center of our lives. He’s a family member – of his own accord. The world he opens up for us.
“From the first time I saw him, I said, yeah, this is who I want to be. He has played a huge role in raising our children. He means a lot to so many of us. We Did everything together.
“Our first game at UCLA, we beat The Citadel by a decent margin. Coach Wooden didn’t allow the media in the locker room, so he sent Greg out to talk to reporters. I couldn’t speak; I stuttered. One of them asked if Citadel was like a high school team. Greg said: “No, more like a college team. “The coach loved Greg, but when he saw that quote the next day, he blew up.
“When Magic came to the Lakers, they asked Jamal what it was like to play with Magic Johnson. “I played with Greg Lee,” Jamal said. “
“Greg is brilliant in everything he does.”
Finally, I asked Bill about Greg’s death and got a short answer.
“Life.” …
south carolina coach Sean Beemer Shout out to a bunch of female athletes celebrating Title IX’s 50th anniversary and get them off the field. The way his team played against Georgia, he should have told them to stay put. …
What have I been telling you about football coaches? They are alone in the universe. …
I like when the coach says “we need more balance”. Always a day late. …
after reading Kyler Murray Slapped by fans in Vegas, I believe it’s time to keep players out of the stands. …
browns guard Nick Chubb Probably screwed up the scoring to give the Jets time to come back. However, good players have natural physical instincts that can replace mental muscles. He could have been told not to (that’s what the coach is for). …
Before that game, NFL teams with a 13-point lead in the final two minutes had won 2,229 times in a row. …
Sean Payton Said he would return to coaching if the job was right.Then he finished lunch Jerry Jones‘Super yacht. …
The last time the Colts were this bad, I bet on them at Del Mar. …
Packers 25-0 under Matt LeFleur when they run 40% of the time. Clearly, the evidence is insufficient. …
very tired. “Teams have no identity.” Every team has its own identity. The identity of the Aztecs is similar to that of France vs. Britain in the Battle of Agincourt. …
tail back Kenan Christon As fast as any high school (Madison) sprinter in California history. Why didn’t the Aztecs try to line him up on the outside, run deep, and at least give the defense some worry? There is little danger to them. …
I didn’t become a Dodgers fan for a while, but when Morrie’s Will Play for them, tell you what, he freaks people out – he’s a major difference-maker in the age of lean production. RIP. …
Vivid recollection of the Wells battle.giants and Juan Marichar Tossed the first one a dozen times and finally picked him up. …
Kyrie Irving Said the mandatory COVID vaccine “is one of the greatest human rights violations in history”. Saving some 20 million lives was not enough for Carey, who would not have been allowed into his native Australia without a vax. …
A Utah schoolgirl threatened to blow up a campus nuclear reactor if the Utes lost to the Aztecs. There’s not much threat there. …
With the NIL and an uncontrollable transfer portal, putting a college course on NCAA double-secrecy probation would be a capital offense. LSU might find a way, though. …
is this real?Did ASU staff leak opponent information to gain access to Herman Edwards Fired? That fully explains Cumberland’s 222-0 loss to Georgia Tech. …
Guess the problem with Helm is that he plays to win games, but he doesn’t. …
Two of the worst offenses in football: fading out, and running out of shotguns in short yards. …
If Nebraska waited until October. 1 fire Scott Frost, it will owe him $7.5 million for the buyout instead of $15 million. But what are a few corn husks for our higher education institutions? …
Royal Ritual, schmorum. Given what America has done for Britain, its president shouldn’t be sitting at the back of the hall at the Queen’s funeral. Can’t they put their coats on several seats? …
Unexpectedly, the first time I read it, James Bond Will not work in Her Majesty’s Secret Service. …
Making chicken in Nyquil? I will stick to my chicken ala Pepto. It would be great if it was a girl at a gender reveal party…
The secret to seeing great writing is taking a dozen showers a day. No wonder I stink. No one in Victorian England spent 12 times a day. How did Dickens do it? …
Hey Ham & Eggers, yet another water price hike? When the city already owes us tens of millions for overcharging? There are dogs, and the city is walking towards them. …
Rally of Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates Doug Mastriano, his follower raised his right arm. An estimated 298,000 Americans died in WWII Europe? Why do we fight? …
Common etiquette? Politeness is no longer common. …
I tried and tried to publish this column by just thinking about it. Failure.