The Golden State Warriors loved to have a day to spend around Hall of Famer Bill Walton, as the 7-footer was part of ESPN's Crossover series, where college basketball analysts take a crack at doing the job for the NBA for a night and vice versa.

The lively 65-year-old spent time at the practice facility, sharing stories with the likes of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry prior to what would be a 123-117 defeat at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers.

“He's a free spirit,” Durant told Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “Got a lot of stories. Played under John Wooden, so he was telling me some stories. It was cool. I don't really get a chance to see him a lot.”

“His knowledge for the game and love for life is refreshing. He's 65. Probably only sees the good in s**t now. He's that age, been through so much (health-wise), why even focus on the negative?”

Curry also enjoyed his brief exchange with Walton, father of his former assistant coach Luke Walton, as he suggested different biking trails to go to, almost bemusingly ignoring the fact that Curry just signed a five-year, $201 million supermax contract, and is likely restricted from such activities.

“He's a character, great personality,” said Curry. “I told somebody after that conversation, it felt like I was talking to my shrink or something.”

“He was breaking down my life story, all the way from when I was playing basketball when I was 5 years old. Good insights.”

During the game, Walton brought an unusual, yet refreshing outlook to the game — ranging from stories about what he has seen in the college and pro game over the many years he's been around in basketball, to his often hippie-like nudges from time to time.

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Head coach Steve Kerr appreciated this opportunity

“He’s obviously a little nuts in a really good way,” he said during shootaround, according to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News. “He has a really good outlook on life. He has a lot of spirit and a lot of joy. He’s fun to be around.”

In light of his recent tactic to be hands-off the clipboard for Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns, Walton described Kerr as “a giant among shriveling midgets out here who are cowering and afraid” during the broadcast.

Colorful and refreshing indeed.