Blazer ex-team doctor: Bill Walton's book "should be on the fiction shelves"

[SlyPokerDog]

Bill Walton is in Portland this week promoting his new book, "Back from the Dead."

In the book, Walton leveled criticism against the Trail Blazers and, specifically, former team physician, Dr. Robert Cook. And Cook isn't taking too kindly to Walton's writings, comparing his ex-friend's work to an old Randy Travis country song.

"It's like the song says," Cook said this week, "'I'm digging up bones, exhuming things that are better left alone.'

"I see he's doing a reading this weekend at Powell's. That book should be on the fiction shelves over there, at least the parts that deal with the Trail Blazers and his medical treatment."

The issue is the diagnosis and treatment of Walton's foot injuries, which eventually doomed his career as a Trail Blazer.

He says in the book that "The Blazers and the doctors told me that the pain in my foot was a mental thing -- it was all in my mind.

"They took me to a hypnotist, who had me lie on a table as he swung a watch in front of my eyes.

"... Then the Blazers and the doctors told me that my problems were in my soul. So they took me to a faith healer."

Cook says those things never happened.

Read the rest here - http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/blazer-ex-team-doctor-bill-waltons-book-should-be-fiction-shelves

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Cook also includes details in his draft of the $5 million suit that Walton filed against Cook and the Trail Blazers over his medical treatment, details that were heretofore not revealed anywhere.

"Prior to the trial Walton and his attorneys retreated from the 5+ million figure to 1 million dollars, that was declined, next to 1/2 million again declined, next to 1/4 million again declined and finally $125,000 was proposed and at that point the insurers 'who have the last word' took over and the matter was settled with agreement that the actual number was confidential."

Cook and the Trail Blazers seemed to have additional leverage in getting the early settlement. In the draft of his book provided by Cook, the doctor reveals contents of a pre-trial deposition with Walton in which the player was asked about his use of "cocaine, mescaline, peyote and other drugs."

Cook said Walton was questioned about "several specific accounts of drug-related events." That line of questioning coming out in open court certainly would have been a bombshell in the late 1970s as Walton was looking for another team to play for in the NBA.

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/blazer-ex-team-doctor-bill-waltons-book-should-be-fiction-shelves

 

[Strenuus]

Two things:

A hypnotist... Damn, what a portland thing to do.

And doesn't Bill Walton subscribe to those theories that he is now saying were bad for him back then? That seems weird.

 

[julius]

"you tell that big son of a bitch"..HAHA

 

[Chris Craig]

I'm trying to imagine the Blazers actually telling a player their foot pain is actually rooted in a problem with their soul....is that what they told Bowie about his knees...did Oden go see a spiritualist...was Roy's soul just too much for his knees...I'm pretty sure Matthews problem was in his achilles...ah this painful Blazers history must just be a problem in my soul...

 

[Tunchi]

Thats why you get 2nd, 3rd and 4th OUTSIDE opinions. Sorry Walton's the dumb ass here

 

[oldmangrouch]

Thats why you get 2nd, 3rd and 4th OUTSIDE opinions. Sorry Walton's the dumb ass here

He did get an outside opinion. Every one of his dealers advised him "screw the man - just get high." He listened too.

 

[stampedehero]

I did not like him as a broadcaster and respected him as a player. However, when you are 7' tall anything can happen to your feet and knees. He should have sought second opinion. Becoming a plaintiff and hiring a litigator is what sore losers do. The hypnotist story is hilarious.

 

[julius]

Somehow, based on Bills weird vibe of everything being connected/being a hippy, I bet it was Bill's idea to go to a hypnotist and a faith healer.

the Blazers were probably like "sure Bill, you do that. We're going to just have an actual doctor look at you again"

 

[BlazerWookee]

Fuck Bill Walton. Eat a goddamn steak and shut the fuck up.

 

[barfo]

Fuck Bill Walton. Eat a goddamn steak and shut the fuck up.

I'll eat the steak, and you might convince me to shut up, but I won't fuck Bill Walton.

Sorry.

barfo

 

[riverman]

I'm sure peyote, shrooms and nose candy went a long way in sharpening the memory of the past for Bill....if you've listened to him broadcast an NBA game, the last guy who made a basket was the next superstar in the making.....Bill is a babbler

 

[julius]

Didn't Bill also go out of his way to (basically) apologize for how he accused the team of mistreatment?

Unless this is poor reporting and taken out of context, this seems to fly in the face of that.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Fuck Bill Walton. Eat a goddamn steak and shut the fuck up.

Walton should invite Oden over for a jug of cheap hooch and a peyote salad. They can cry on each other's shoulder about how they are just innocent victims of cruel destiny. Then they can go beat up a woman to make themselves feel better.

Not that I am bitter.....

 

[Stevenson]

I'm reading the book right now and it's fantastic. Bill is fantastic.

And if what he is saying about the Dr. is fiction, then why isn't the good doc suing for libel? Hmmmm?

 

[oldmangrouch]

I'm reading the book right now and it's fantastic. Bill is fantastic.

And if what he is saying about the Dr. is fiction, then why isn't the good doc suing for libel? Hmmmm?

Because if the court decides Dr Cook is a "public figure", suing for libel is almost impossible. It is like trying to convict a cop for shooting an unarmed suspect. The objective proof doesn't matter - only the defendant's subjective belief.

 

[ripcityboy]

I honestly don't know and really am not going to pick sides. Walton had the feet of an 80 year old Grandma and rehabilitation for dealing with compound fracures like that was nowhere near what it is today. I can't help thinking that his actions and feelings were effected by the hangers on around him. (what's Jack Scott doing nowadays?) And I'm sure his intake of booger sugar didn't help either.
I love Walton, but I'm sure everybody's memory is a little hazy about what actually happened.

 

[Stevenson]

Because if the court decides Dr Cook is a "public figure", suing for libel is almost impossible. It is like trying to convict a cop for shooting an unarmed suspect. The objective proof doesn't matter - only the defendant's subjective belief.

Yes, I know libel law. Thank you. I didn't think the Dr. would be considered a public figure, and I am right: "A personage of great public interest or familiarity like a government official, politician, celebrity, business leader, movie star, or sports hero." (emphasis added.)

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I'm happy I didn't grow up with Walton and Clyde... Great players but man... They are some major jack wagons off the court.

 

[Stevenson]

I'm happy I didn't grow up with Walton and Clyde... Great players but man... They are some major jack wagons off the court.

What does Walton do off the court except exude positivity, peace, fun, and gratitude? I mean it, the guy is a total example.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

What does Walton do off the court except exude positivity, peace, fun, and gratitude? I mean it, the guy is a total example.

I personally find him insufferable, his commentating being awful is a huge reason.

 

[jlprk]

Thats why you get 2nd, 3rd and 4th OUTSIDE opinions. Sorry Walton's the dumb ass here

Yes, Dr. Robert was a quack, and the young Walton shouldn't have trusted him. You're saying what Walton thinks but is too polite to say.

Dr. Robert cost the Blazers about a half-dozen championships.

 

[MARIS61]

He says in the book that "The Blazers and the doctors told me that the pain in my foot was a mental thing -- it was all in my mind.

"They took me to a hypnotist, who had me lie on a table as he swung a watch in front of my eyes.

"... Then the Blazers and the doctors told me that my problems were in my soul. So they took me to a faith healer."

Cook says those things never happened.

So, Cook's defense is they never tried alternative medical treatments?