1. I took a little time today to watch video of Bill Walton and the Portland Trailblazers in the 1977 playoffs, the year the Blazers won the NBA title. I've never seen anyone, especially a center, play better basketball than Bill Walton. He did it all: rebounded, played tenacious and dominating defense, made spectacular passes from the high and low post in heavy traffic to teammates cutting to the basket, scored in a wide array of ways with a great bank shot and a killer jump hook, and acted as the team's playmaker both on fast breaks and in the Blazers' set offense. He was a pure team player. Injuries decimated him the next season, and, once hurt, we never got to see the full Bill Walton again. It was funny seeing him interviewed after the Blazers won game 6 and the title. He's so verbose now. As a young guy, he barely had a word to say. Ha!
(Afterthought: I saw Walton play in person in three games on two occasions when he was at UCLA. Terry Turner and I got to go to the NCAA's Final Four in 1972 (a highlight of my life) and we saw Walton as a sophomore help UCLA defeat Louisville and Florida State. Then, in January of 1974, Tony Stewart and I went to Pullman to watch the Bruins play the Cougars and it was the worst day in Walton's playing career. The Cougar's Richard Steele undercut Walton and he hit the floor hard, in agony. Walton missed the Bruins' next two victories against Cal and Stanford, and returned to action on January 19th against Notre Dame, playing with a corset with steel rods. The Irish won that game, snapping UCLA's 88 game winning streak. It was very doubtful whether Walton would play against Notre Dame, but he did, corset and all. The injury Walton suffered when Richard Steele low-bridged him has stayed with Walton for the rest of his life, causing him severe pain, immobilizing him, making it impossible, at times, to do his work as a broadcaster. Fortunately, about five years ago, his back was successfully operated on and was relieved of this pain. )
2. The Deke and I ate a midafternoon meal because we had plans for the later on and wanted to have eaten beforehand. I made a rice bowl. In layers, I put together brown rice, cumin seasoned black beans, a mixture of red cabbage, romaine lettuce, sliced carrots, and sliced red pepper, and slices of avocado. I topped it all with Juanita's corn chips. In our respective bowls, the Deke and I added cilantro, grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and salsa. The Deke added yogurt to hers. I might do things a little differently next time around, but overall, a success.
3. We ate this meal in preparation for the 16 Tons' Cafe Imperial Stoutfest. The place was packed with people eager to try out different of the thirty-two imperial stouts available. The Deke and I each drank a couple of three ounce samplers and then I drank a half pint of Boulevard Smokestack and the Deke enjoyed a half pint of Elysian Barrel Aged Dragonstooth. Because we planned this outing ahead of time, I guess it's what people call a date night, but we have never called anything we do a date night so it wasn't a date night. We left the crowded cafe and went to the 16 Tons taphouse where things were much quieter and then to Billy Mac's for a shrimp/calamari appetizer and some Blazer basketball. It might not have been a date night, but it was a lot of fun -- and we were home by eight!
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