Plot Synopsis

Directed by Steve James, 30 FOR 30: THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD is a four-part documentary that tells the colorful story of a true sports original: iconic basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton. His life is the stuff of legend: a high school basketball phenom and game-changing big man for the UCLA dynasty; an injury-plagued NBA lightning rod defined by championships and setbacks; a Grateful Dead devotee who remained true to himself, no matter the cost. Athletes often talk about the love of the game; Bill Walton lived the concept. The Big Redhead, a true free spirit in every sense, lived his life with his emotions and beliefs at the forefront of everything he did. He played basketball with an infectious joy, he embraced nature and spiritual pursuits with the same enthusiasm, and through it all, he carved a path unlike any other superstar in team sports. The film is a kaleidoscopic trip through Walton's life and memory, accompanied by the soundtrack of his life: the music of the Grateful Dead. The story winds back and forth through time and space, from the heights of the NBA in Portland and Boston to the wilds of Oregon, from the chaos of civic unrest and antiwar protest at UCLA to the simple pursuit of being able to live a pain-free existence. Through it all, Walton's life serves as a colorful, tie-dyed answer to the deeper questions we all face: what does it mean to be happy? What does it mean to be free? Unifying themes across decades and various cities, it is a story of the times -- tied together by the perfect soundtrack of the era and, as always, Walton's ebullient spirit. The film features commentary from Walton and his family, Larry Bird, Julius Ervin, Lionel Hollins, Jack Ramsay, Artis Gilmore, World B. Free, Ralph Lawler, Brent Musburger, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and more. 30 FOR 30: THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD debuted with back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/5-7pm PT on ESPN with the final two installments debuting one week later on Tuesday, June 13 from 8-10pm ET/5-7pm PT on ESPN.