Pacers coach Rick Carlisle recalls incredible story of Bill Walton helping him on a first date with his now-wife after NBA legend's death

Rick Carlisle was massively aided by Bill Walton on a first date with his now-wife, Donna, the Pacers coach revealed after the NBA Hall of Famer's death was announced on Monday.

Carlisle and Walton played together on the Celtics' 1986 championship squad, and the following year, Carlisle called his teammate asking for help in finding two tickets for a Grateful Dead show, with a 'pretty cool' girl.

Walton, famously a massive 'Dead Head,' told Walton to go to the back of the venue (the now-closed Capital Centre outside Washington DC) and say he was a member of the Celtics' '86 championship team. The rest was history.

''I have him to thank, probably, also for me being married to my wife Donna,' Carlisle began on Monday, ahead of the Pacers' Game 4 vs. the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

'The whole thing ended up working out, I walked back up the loading dock ramp with two all-access laminates, one said Bill Walton and one said [his then-wife] Susie Walton. So we were set up for the show. 

Carlisle said he and Donna wound up spending 15 minutes talking with the band at one point, and he clearly impressed his future wife in the beginning of their relationship.

'It was an unbelievable night, and obviously it's a good first date.,' he said. Anyway, I'm thankful to him.'

He continued, 'To me, he was a living, breathing event in history just walking around. He was involved in so many events, pop culture, in sports - he played drums for the Grateful Dead in Egypt. He was a guy that did everything. '

'He defiantly competed for every moment in life, to be the greatest that could possibly be. That's the best way to describe him.

'What an amazing man. There will never be another. '

Walton, who died at 71 of cancer, was memorialized by many others across the sports world on Monday.

His former ESPN colleague Jay Bilas said on air, 'He may have been the greatest college basketball player of all time. He was an all-time great pro as well. ... But more than that ... He was an absolutely magnificent, beautiful person that you just loved to be around at all times.'

Walton's former Celtics teammate and good friend Larry Bird also released a statement after his death, insisting he will be 'sorely missed.'

'I am very sorry about my good friend, Bill Walton,' Bird said. 'I love him as a friend and teammate. It was a thrill for me to play with my childhood idol and together we earned an NBA Championship in 1986. He is one of the greatest ever to play the game.

'I am sure that all of my teammates are as grateful as I am that we were able to know Bill, he was such a joy to know and he will be sorely missed. My family and I extend our sincere condolences to the Walton family.'

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also paid tribute to Walton on social media.

'My very close friend, fellow Bruin, and NBA rival Bill Walton died today. And the world feels so much heavier now,' the six-time NBA champion said.

'On the court, Bill was a fierce player, but off the court he wasn't happy unless he did everything he could to make everyone around him happy.

'He was the best of us.'