The Pacers coach shared a heartwarming story about Bill Walton giving him an off-the-court assist in 1987.
from 1985 to '87 and won an NBA championship together in 1986. Walton averaged 2.1 assists per game that season, but it was an off-the-court assist that Carlisle remembers most.
"I have him to thank, probably, also for me being married to my wife Donna," Carlisle told reporters ahead of the Pacers' Game 4 matchup against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals Monday. In 1987, Carlisle attended a Grateful Dead concert with Donna on their first date. Carlisle called Walton ahead of time to ask for advice since the former UCLA star was an well-known Grateful Dead fan dating back to the 1960s.
"He said, 'Just go to the back door, ask for Dennis McNally, tell him you're Rick Carlisle from the Boston Celtics, and everything will be just fine.'" Rick Carlisle on the passing of Bill Walton and a great story on how he helped him on his first date with his now wife.Thanks to Walton's connection, Carlisle and Donna were able to hang out with the band during a break in the concert. The first date was a massive success. Thirteen years later in 2000, they got married."He defiantly competed for every moment in life to be the greatest it could possibly be," Carlisle said of Walton. "That's the best way to describe it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle watched Caitlin Clark of Indiana Fever on ThursdayIndiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark played her first WNBA home game on Thursday night, and Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was in attendance.
Read more »
NBA fines Pacers coach Rick Carlisle $35,000 for public criticism of officiating in series vs. KnicksIndiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 by the NBA Friday morning for his criticism of the officiating in an Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Read more »
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle fined for criticism of NBA refs in series vs KnicksIndiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was hit with a $35,000 fine from the NBA for criticizing NBA officials in Pacers playoff series vs New York Knicks
Read more »
Knicks Guard Josh Hart Rips Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Over Officiating ComplaintsHart was not a fan of Carlisle's negative comments about the officiating.
Read more »
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle fined $35,000 for criticizing refs, implying biasPacers coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for criticizing officials and “questioning the integrity of the league.'
Read more »
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle fined $35K for criticizing refsPacers coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 for criticizing the officiating during his team's playoff series against the Knicks.
Read more »