Bill Walton Likes to Recite the Names of Oregon's Rivers

The former Trail Blazers center turned broadcaster also likes the Grateful Dead and his favorite chair.

By Peter D’Auria

This just in: Bill Walton is kind of a weird guy.

Sunday's New York Times Magazine offers the latest evidence. In a profile timed to the release of Walton's new memoir, journalist Sam Anderson sits down with the former Trail Blazers center—who brings his own chair—to talk about the injuries that wrecked his career, and the philosophy animating his effusive college-basketball TV broadcasts.

But mostly they make lists. Lists of Walton's heroes, lists of Grateful Dead musicians, lists of Oregon rivers.

That last list of waterways provides the key to Anderson's understanding of Walton. It's an illuminating scene:

Read the full piece here.

Willamette Week

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Peter D’Auria

Peter D’Auria

News writer Peter D’Auria was born and mostly raised in Portland. He is a graduate of Oberlin College, where he was a double major in creative writing and neuroscience. Until recently he was a cheesemonger by trade.

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