Bill Walton: 'I'm Back in the Game of Life'

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES -- Sunday is Father's Day, but for Bill Walton every day now is.



Two years ago, due to a debilitating back injury that made him go so far as to contemplate suicide, Walton could only make it to the three Los Angeles games when his son's Lakers faced Boston in the NBA Finals. Last year, he was in too much pain to make to any Lakers' Finals games, and he missed seeing forward Luke Walton earn his first NBA title ring in the triumph over Orlando.



"After he won that championship, Luke was the happiest that he's ever been. ... But I couldn't be there,'' said the father who didn't see his son after the Finals until later in the summer.



But Bill has been there in these Finals for Luke, having attended all five games and ready to attend Tuesday's Game 6 at the Staples Center. If the Lakers can overcome a 3-2 deficit against Boston, enabling Luke to tie his dad with his second NBA championship ring, Bill will be there to see it.



"It has been incredible for me to be able to be there for these NBA Finals, having missed the last two NBA Finals,'' said the father. "I've missed so much of his life, but now I'm there for him. ... I am so proud of our son. I would do anything for our son.''

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/15/bill-walton-im-back-in-the-game-of-life/