Episode 1

S1 E1: Episode 1 opens with Bill Walton beside a forest stream in Oregon, reflecting on his unique journey – the challenges, triumphs, and above all the joy that have defined his one-of-a-kind life. He returns to Portland for an emotional reunion with some of his Blazers teammates, and it’s clear that he still holds deep affection for the franchise and the time he spent there. He visits his mother and revisits childhood memories, in particular his falling in love with basketball. At Helix High, he experiences a dramatic growth spurt – physically, and in terms of his basketball ability. At the same time, he struggles with a speech impediment that requires him to see a therapist. The earliest seeds of his life as an activist begin to take root, as Walton looks back at his rookie season in Portland. He reflects on the impact he made on the Portland franchise and the impact it made on him. Walton also provides a glimpse into his time at UCLA and the relationship with John Wooden that has profoundly affected every aspect of his life. Even as he finds incredible success on the court at UCLA, he also discovers something else: the transformational energy of the 1960s. When the Grateful Dead perform on campus, Walton attends the show – and the band becomes an integral part of his life. That life is highlighted by his family, his marriage, and on-court successes like his record-shattering title game performance in leading UCLA to a championship. The story returns to his time with the Blazers, when bone spurs and health concerns lead some to wonder if the Big Redhead would ever live up to his immense promise.