When Luke Walton leads the Lakers in their preseason game at Valley View Casino Center, his father — San Diego resident Bill Walton — will likely be in attendance in more than one way.
Not only with the actual Bill Walton, born in La Mesa, probably be there, but a 12,000-pound bronze statue of him will be on guard in the building formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena.
“America’s Finest City” is home for the Waltons, as Luke was born and raised in San Diego, where he played at this very arena for University of San Diego High.