Bill Walton Calling A Chess Match August 27, 2007
Posted by TheHype in International Ball, Photoshopery , 6 comments |
Fizzed around with original photo Chess Game by croson72
How wonderful it is to be at the presence of two great competitors. Ralph Delaritto and Dan Lambert.
You see, it isn’t that they are simply playing the timeless game of chess, but that they are experiencing it. Modern chess’ origins was founded in 15-16th century Europe that exemplified the royals … not unlike the great John Wooden’s UCLA’s championship banners — which I had the greatest of honors to be a part of.
The grace of Ralph and Dan today is like a the tribal dance between warriors just as they are about to slit each other’s throats.
Ah, the journey these two men have traveled. A mere 18 minutes ago, Dan was on the ropes, having lost 3 of his pawns in succession — but all hope was not lost. He was able to turn the tables around and in one full sweep, fool Ralph and took down his foes’ Queen, THROW IT DOWN (on the table) BIG DAN, THROW IT DOWN.
The great Kasparov once said to me: “Bill, honor is within one’s own mind” so true, so true.
I also met the original Deep Blue, however, in his declining state of affairs, he could no longer speak the beautiful beeps and bops of years past.
Here’s another factoid of this great sport: the grandmasters would teach their pupils how to envision a win before it even happens — just like Steven John Nash of the Phoenix Suns, always preparing, always in motion. Ah, the deep concentrations, it takes me back to the days of the great Celtic teams when the greats, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Bill Russell would instill in all of us the same mentality, ah yes, those were the days.
As we engage upon Ralph and Dan here for the final moves towards glory, I have to ask: what makes a champion? The physical strength? The mental agility? Or is it just sheer want. Whatever it is, we are in the presence of excellence, my friends.
