PMT DB
PMT DB
Bill Walton on the Grateful Dead, Larry Bird, and the Meaning of Life
Recording from a makeshift blanket fort in Las Vegas, Big Cat and PFT Commenter are navigating the chaos of NFL free agency while still reeling from their recent encounter with Tommy Lasorda in Arizona. The guys witnessed the legend munching on cheese and turkey with no bread, looking like he’d just escaped his handlers for a snack run. But the real head-scratcher of the week was the Houston Texans essentially paying the Cleveland Browns to take Brock Osweiler off their hands.
Big CatBoth the Texans and the Browns won the Brock Osweiler trade, even though neither team got better
It's a rare trade where both teams I think both teams won this trade right but neither team got better right? It is a factual statement to say that the Browns, the Cleveland Browns, made a good trade that involved taking on Brock Osweiler in his contract which it sounds like they're going to cut him so it's just the contract but... both teams won.
While the Texans are clearing space for what everyone assumes is a Tony Romo pursuit, Big Cat is already beginning the painful process of talking himself into the new era in Chicago. The Bears backing up the Brink's truck for Mike Glennon feels like a classic Ryan Pace move, but the guarantees might make it survivable.
Big CatI don't hate the Chicago Bears' three-year, $43 million contract for Mike Glennon
I don't want to say I predicted it, but I basically predicted it the whole way down to Ryan Pace seemingly negotiating against himself... Everyone flips out... i saw it was like 19 million guaranteed so it's probably a two-year contract they can probably let him go... so i don't really hate it and this is how this is step one of me talking myself into Mike Glennon.
Across the league, the movement is fast and frequently hilarious. PFT has officially found a new home for his fandom now that Danny Woodhead is joining Joe Flacco in Baltimore, creating what can only be described as a "Grit-Leap" backfield. Meanwhile, Alshon Jeffrey is heading to Philly on a one-year prove-it deal that Big Cat isn't buying.
Big CatAlshon Jeffrey betting on himself with a one-year deal is a bad bet because he'll be injured by Week 3
Alshon Jeffrey to the Eagles. One year deal betting on himself betting on himself that he won't be injured by week three, which is a bad bet by Alshon.
The Gospel According to Bill Walton
Part two of the sit-down with Bill Walton is less of an interview and more of a spiritual journey through the cosmos. Bill shared the incredible story of how he met Dick Latvala, the man who became the legendary curator of the Grateful Dead's vault, after Bill literally plucked him out of a crowd by the neck because he liked his airbrushed t-shirt. It's the kind of synchronicity that only seems to happen to Bill.
When the conversation shifted to the hardwood, Bill didn't hold back on his love for the current Lakers direction or his former teammates. He remains a massive believer in Magic Johnson's ability to lead a franchise back to the promised land.
Bill WaltonIt's all one song
Somebody in the crowd said, 'wow, hey, they already played that song.' And somebody else said, 'hey, man, it's all one song.' That's the kind of stuff that happens in my life every day.
Bill also touched on the deeper philosophy of competition and fairness, comparing the use of performance-enhancing drugs to the most infamous financial crimes in history. For Bill, it's about the integrity of the game and the "human forklift" mentality of picking others up.
Bill WaltonMy job in life is to be a human forklift and a human solar panel
My job in life is to be a human forklift and a human solar panel. I'm a road grader. A forklift picks things and people up and puts them in a better place.
Of course, no Bill Walton appearance is complete without the ultimate praise for his favorite icons. He managed to weave a thread between the sidelines of Pauley Pavilion, the stage of a Dead show, and the parquet of the Boston Garden.
Bill WaltonNever rank, rate, or compare. Just enjoy them all.
What I've learned over the course of these now 64 years, never rank, rate, or compare championships, concerts, children, coaches, or congratulations. Just enjoy them all.
Segments and Jimbos
In a quick Sabermetrics update, the guys looked at Tim Tebow’s transition to baseball. Despite walking to the wrong on-deck circle and being mistaken for a bat boy, Tebow still managed to drive in a run, proving the "clutch gene" remains undefeated.
Bill WaltonCoach Wooden taught us two things: how to learn and how to compete
He taught us how to learn, and he taught us how to compete. And if you can learn, if you can compete, you can do anything.
Kings Stay Kings focused on Adam Schefter’s annual performance of holding two phones while ignoring everyone around him on live TV. Hank wasn't impressed by the "beta" energy, suggesting ESPN could solve its financial troubles by charging fans to heckle Schefter in person.
We wrapped up with some heavy Jimbos of the week, including a listener who accidentally texted a photo of a surprise engagement ring to his girlfriend only for her to tell him she hated it. Between that and the guy who gave himself frostbite icing a knee for a 5K, it's clear the award-winning listeners are in mid-season form.
Just remember that according to Bill Walton, too much of everything is just enough.
