Bleeding purple and gold, a Laker-for-life like me shouldn’t even like Boston, let alone be friends with a Celtic. Still, it seemed to work for Larry and Magic after awhile, so let me take off my Lakers warm-ups and reveal a Celtics t-shirt underneath… or maybe a Boston Strong one for this incredible city that continues to rise up, showing it’s tougher than the rest and strong enough to endure any test.
I’ve now been lucky enough to go to this incredible city three times in my life, but add all those trips together and you probably wouldn’t get more than a week. Still, I could stay here forever.
From its New England, old Irish feel, it’s so timeless. The beautiful parks. Hallmark bars. Residential streets of vintage and new-age shops. The marvelous market. And of course, the magnificent mile.
It’s home to some of my favourite movies like Good Will Hunting and The Town (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck being among my favourite actors too), and a favourite band I really want to see live in Aerosmith.
Oh, and for the record, Steven Tyler in his autobiography perfectly captures the feeling of coming into Boston from the highway to the skyline in prose:
“And just then, the highway opened up—right at the junction, right at that spot on the highway where you see the skyline of Boston, and you go, ‘What!?’ Because it suddenly goes from trees, woods, and crickets to cars flashing by and skyscrapers and apartment buildings… Just at that moment, I went ‘Oh, s***, the city.’”
Then of course there’s the great people — genuine, friendly, and always welcoming to me. I guess they don’t know I’m a Laker… until now.
But hey, this basketball aficionado turned writer — because he lives in England — will catch a game no matter where he is. Even if he missed the Garnett, Allen, Pierce big-three days. It’s still all good.
One resident in particular has been especially kind to me, and it all starts with a disappointing game in Los Angeles — like any story of Celtic pride.
Back in 2006, fresh out of university, I decided to take a year out and try my hand living in Toronto, Canada (I’m still connected to that country via Basketball Buzz, but can’t wait to make a trip back).
During this excursion, I decided to take a jaunt to Los Angeles to see as many Laker games as I could while I still could, being so far away from home during a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
With the Lakers set to host their neighbour Clippers on the first night I arrived, the perfect stage was set. Or was it?
Losing my luggage on my connection, the airline grounded my plans. As a first-time solo traveler, there was no way I was leaving that airport until my few prized possessions and I were reunited.
Hours of stressful waiting later — dreams dashed — I’ll give you some perspective. At 21, I’d been a Laker and Kobe Bryant fan since around the age of 11 (bet that makes Vino feel old), and I’d barely even seen late-night or early-morning games on TV.
Then I see a tall man walk through baggage claim.
“Perhaps my night of basketball isn’t over,” I thought.
“He looks like Walter McCarty… but he’s carrying a keyboard almost as tall as him under his arm.”
Wait… it is Waltah!
After he graciously signed autographs, I nervously went over, said hello, and shared some hoops memories — most notably the time he, Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce, and Mark Bryant of all people shot down Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers with a barrage of blowout threes (one game I did get to see on TV).
I also asked him about the instrument, and he told me about his budding music career.
He told me to take care. We went our separate ways. I got my baggage. I saw many Laker games to make up for it during the week.
And that was that.
Years later, inspired by this unforgettable trip and staying close to the game, I began pitching at a writing career with help from the likes of SLAM magazine and Bleacher Report, who I’ll be forever grateful to.
Starting my own blog and seeing how easily you could connect with fans — and even players themselves — on Twitter, I wanted to take it further.
I interviewed guys like former Celtic Rodney Rodgers and got encouragement from another Laker/Celtic crossover legend, Rick Fox.
Then one night, after talking with my girlfriend’s friend in America — a hardcore hoops head and devout Kentucky basketball fan — we got talking about former Wildcat Walt.
She told me where to find him on Twitter.
So all of this is thanks to him, her, and the constant inspiration of my girlfriend, who encourages me to go for my dreams (insert Oscar speech here).
Thinking it was a long shot, I reached out to see if Walt remembered me.
He did.
I asked if he’d like to do an interview about his basketball and music career, and he was generous enough to say yes.
Soil & Basketball followed. Then came his unquestionable Unbreakable R&B album — showing he could hit the high notes as well as the big shot.
His Robert Horry clutch-like, Derek Fisher hustle-and-guts, dirty-work role player career was now mirrored in music. (More Laker references? You have to call it like you see it.)
These days, Walt’s big time — working with Tank of Tyrese and Ginuwine supergroup TGT. And if that wasn’t enough, the fan favourite, Tommy Heinsohn “I Love Waltah” t-shirt star is back with his beloved Boston as a Celtics assistant coach.
He’s giving seasoned advice and experienced guidance to young talent in a new era led by the league’s best point guard, Rajon Rondo.
So anyway, a couple of years after the interview brings us to just a couple of months back.
My girlfriend takes a three-month trip to America to meet her Kentucky friend and more. I meet her in New York at New Year’s for the final month, taking in Kentucky, Nashville, and the Lakers’ old home of Minneapolis.
It was the best trip of my life with the love of mine.
Heading from New York to Boston via Greyhound for just one day, we arrived in the city and saw exactly what Steven Tyler was talking about — skyscrapers appearing through the trees after a short but remarkably scenic ride from the Big Apple.
On an unseasonably spring-like January day, staying in the beautiful Back Bay near the sea, it was a day we’ll always remember.
And not just because we saw the Cheers bar — as the Norm.
With my girlfriend Holly absolutely loving the town from the start, and me loving it more than I ever thought possible, we had one more sweet surprise coming our way.
After talking about possibly meeting during our rushed schedules, I emailed Walt while in Dunkin’ Donuts (wink, wink — we run on it too) and asked if he still wanted to meet.
He replied that we could after the game.
Completely forgetting the Houston Rockets and my beloved Lakers’ Dwight Howard were in town, I said, “Cool — forgot there was a game on, we may try and go.”
Just like that, he replied saying he’d leave tickets and passes at will call for us.
Now how generous is that?
Seeing one of the best games I’ve ever watched after one of the best days in recent memory, I finally got to share a real NBA game with my girlfriend for the first time. (An exhibition in Manchester doesn’t really count compared to the Garden.)
We saw the banners. The jerseys. And even met former spark-plug great Dana Barros (how about an interview, buddy… remember me? I’m the guy whose camera didn’t work… sorry).
Then of course Walt himself — recognizing us after the game and fetching us refreshing cold water — giving us plenty of time to talk about the game, music, the city, and of course Kentucky.
What started as a great day for basketball became one epic travel journal entry.
This truly was one of life’s best memories, thanks to Holly and Walter McCarty.
There’s no adjective strong enough to do justice to his unprovoked kindness and generosity.
So instead, it’s more fitting to leave you with the motto he signs his emails with and lives his life by:
“Give without remembering, take without forgetting.”
Thank you, Walt.
We won’t.
