ESPN HistoryNBANCAAB

Vitale and Walton reunite with LeBron for tonight’s Crossover

Basketball Hall of Famers and ESPN analysts Dick Vitale and Bill Walton have a lot to say when it comes to men’s college basketball.

Tonight, they will get to expand their conversation during ESPN’s annual PlayStation Vue Crossover. The duo – who called the network’s first airing of a high school game, in which LeBron James was a senior at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School (Ohio) – will be courtside for the Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET). They will be joined by Dave Pasch and reporter Lisa Salters.

Additionally, ESPN3 will feature a secondary feed throughout the game that includes a camera solely dedicated to Vitale, Walton, and Pasch.

Front Row caught up with Vitale before the game:

What are the differences when calling NBA versus college?
I am totally amazed by the physical and mental skills of the pros. To me, the NBA players are the greatest athletes in the world, watching their mobility and agility is unbelievable. The speed of the pro game – plus the versatility of the player in the NBA – is unique.

What will you and Bill bring to the telecast?
I am honored to sit next to Bill as I have great admiration for all he has battled in his career as an NBA superstar and certainly his courageous comeback in broadcasting after many back surgeries. I love people that have a keen passion for what they do, and I enjoy watching the chemistry that Dave Pasch and the “Big Redhead” have doing Pac-12 games. The only thing I am worried about is, I hope Pasch isn’t paid by the word. Once he says “Hi everyone, I am Dave Pasch, here with Hall of Famer Bill Walton and Dickie V,” he may not get another word in!

Did you know LeBron was going to be this successful when you called his first game on our air (see video above)?
LeBron was a man playing with boys when I first saw him about 15 years ago. He was even better than I ever expected, and I had no doubt that he was heading for big- time stardom.

Back to top button