Subscribe Feed (RSS)I’ve stayed away from talking about The Schonz’s radio appearance Wednesday night because I didn’t hear it. I was at the game and forgot to bring a radio with me. I did hear from a lot of people who were impressed by how well he did after the long layoff.
I also heard, of course, that Brian Wheeler allowed Bill to do the whole second half and I have to tell you, in my opinion “Wheels” is one of the most generous, kind and talented people I’ve ever come across in this business. Bill’s microphone is in great hands these days. Wheeler is a real pro, folks.
I’m going to link you to Steve Brandon’s review of Schonely’s performance because it’s not only the only one I’ve seen but Brandon — who once covered the Trail Blazers — is now the sports editor of the Portland Tribune and doesn’t get a chance to write much anymore. But as you will see, he still can, that’s for sure.
If you are a fan of broadcasting in general, or a fan of The Schonz (and who isn’t?) or of Wheels, you must read this piece. It’s great Bill had a chance to show a new generation of fans what this whole “Rip City” thing was all about.
Way to go, pal.
Tags: Bill Schonely, Brian Wheeler, Dwight Jaynes, Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Tribune, Steve Brandon
A more gracious man than Schonely is hard to find. Before I ever met him I remember hearing him call games on KEX while I lived in California. Only from his voice and how he conducted himself I admired him as much a communicator as play-by-play man. Is there such a thing as a “sophisticated” broadcaster? Wish we all could be held in such high esteem. Finally, I am glad someone threw some love to Brian. Class act.
Why is Brian Wheeler still single? He needs a nice woman to settle down with and raise a family. I know that he wants to, but I wish that he could realize his dream here.
Wheels is a true pro and he does an excellent job.
Schonz is one of a kind. He was so good that even as a kid I knew the best way to enjoy when the Blazers played on tv was to turn down the volume of th tv and crank up the radio.
Watching my hometown Blazers while listening to a legend like Schonz was the best. His timely words and descriptions matched and evoked our emotions. He understood us and in return we gave him our full trust. It was a cherished connection for he symbolized the heart and soul of the common fan who loves their Blazers.
I guess that is why he still remains so popular even today
I have to admit when Wheels told Schonz to continue and announce the 4th quarter I shed a tear – in a very manly way of course.
That was genuinely moving.
The best part was around halfway through the 4th when all the tribute stuff melted away and it was just a basketball game called by one of the great “theater of the mind” radio guys I’ve ever heard.
Yes, the game could have been better, but it served to remind us that the game didn’t have to be great for Bill Schonely to be entertaining. That’s what it came down to many nights in the old days. You’d listen despite the game because it was fun to hang out with Schonz for a couple of hours.
I was delighted with all the little familiar phrases – not just the famous ones – but others that are still there imprinted in our heads.
Wheels is also very good. I listened to him last night from Utah and you can’t help like where he’s coming from. But the Schonz is in a class with the all-time greats, and it was excellent to hear that he still has it. All of it.
Sheez 3rd quarter ended I turned off the radio. Schonz said its been a good night or similar so I assumed it was over. Plus that was the plan, so I missed his 4th qtr.
That was a class move. I will remember that.
really pretty spot on article. there is no one else in the league ever like the schonz. as i have said before bill sharman once said in an interview that bill schonely was the best basketball pxp man ever! i think that its because he does call the game like he’s talking to each and every individual personally. i do however think that it is a travesty that bill schonely is not in the HOF. he has been on the ballot for several years and dosent have the votes to get in. i have contacted the blazers and they say they are pushing very hard to the voters to get the schonz in the hall for next year. on the flip side, i think wheels is the perfect replacement for schonz. his passion and love for the game and for broadcasting is undeniable. his calls are quickly becoming as legendary as the schonz’s in his day. we truely are blessed to have the pleasure of listening to 2 of the best pxp men to ever call a game.
thanks wheels! as with the schonz, this city and team are truly in your debt. you have filled a monster set of shoes and we are proud to have you representing our city on the air waves.
I remember when Brian Wheeler was a midday talk show host on KJR here in Seattle, and it was clear that he had a bright future somewhere in sports broadcasting. Many don’t realize, but he has a championship ring, because he worked with the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s. While Schonz is a legend who I was sorry to see go, he certainly passed on the torch to a fine up-and-comer in Brian Wheeler. We went from “Rip City, Baby,” to “Boom Chaka Laka!! Hoo, that was nasty!!”
I’m sorry, but I found the Schonz to be irritating. I do not question any of the testimonials about him being a good guy, but I don’t think he accurately described what was happening on the floor. I’m just thankful I don’t have to hear him say “YOU GOT TO MAKE YOUR FEE THROWS” any more. Call me a jerk if you like, but I am much happier with Wheeler.
You know the old saying, Damon? If you can’t say something nice about someone……oh to heck with that. Damon, you’re a jerk!
Yep. I did tell you that you could say that…
The Schonz was much better than Pat Lafferty though. He really made me cringe with sayings like “10-4 RADIO PATROL SCORE!” and “DREXLER CLIMBS ABOARD THE GLIDE-MOBILE AND LAYS ONE IN”. UUUHHHHHGGG!
Wheels is sharp as a tack, has a winning enthusiasm, and one could make a case that he does a better job of following the action than Schonely ever did. But the thing about Schonely, and it’s why he should be in the HoF, is there have been few announcers ever with his ability to bond with the listener. Blazermania couldn’t have reached the intensity it did without his essential contribution. We’ve been lucky to have him.
hallelua(?) brother!!! would love to find out who has the votes to elect a broadcaster into the hall but someone needs to send them a veritable plethora of schonz’s tapes. i have listened to basketball on the radio since the mid 50’s and outside of johnny most for the celtics and bill sharman no one even comes close to the schonz for his time and era. i say lickety brindle up the middle right into the HOF!
I was stunned how well Schonz did ! He’s been away for awhile now,and names have changed.etc..man,he didn’t miss a step !
Sorry to say, I don’t really know any of the broadcasters since the Schonz. His firing teaked me so much I really did not care to know.
I do watch the games on TV but sort of tune out the anouncers. There are so many who talk-to-much about sife issues beyond the game.
Can’t say I have seen that in Blazer announcers have just not paid attention.
I have not listened to a radio broadcast in years til this week.
So one thing this taught me is most folks think Wheeler is pretty good. so will pay attention. And who is that other guy?? Rice??
lefty, give wheels a shot. no he’s not schonz and dosent pretend to be. but from an old broadcaster i will say this, after working on the air, and listening to basketball on the radio since the mid 50’s i have only heard a handful of pxp men that are as good or better than brian wheeler. schonz, bill sharman, johnny most, and there might be 1-2 more. wheels is incredible at what he does and if we did have to have a replacement for the schonz, brian wheeler was a stroke of genius. really a very good pxp man. i know the schonz was special but give wheels a shot in fact give him 41 shots then deceide. i think you’ll be very happy as am i.
I love the Schonz and I love Wheels, to different guys with two different styles. I know people don’t like Wheel’s homerism but I love it. He takes me to the game, makes me pump my fist in excitement. Schonz never did that for me but he is smooth and borderline grand fatherly which never got old.
Wheels has had huge shoes to fill and has done a great job. I don’t remember the guys name that was in between Schonz and Wheels but he was HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, UNBELIEVABLE! (a little Walton).
Rip City has returned!
Wheels showed a lot of CLASS in letting The Shonz do the 4th quarter. They both do the game in their own style and I like them both. How can anyone not like the phrase “You gotta make your free throws” ???? strange.
Eddie Doucette, who made a name for himself doing the Milwaukee Bucks in the ’70s (including the two Finals appearances), came to Portland in ‘92 to take over radio while Schonely did TV only for a couple seasons, which was another head scratcher. Doucette, who did Blazer TV for awhile after Schonely returned to the radio in ‘94, was I thought a very competent announcer, but his style, less colorful and homer-y than Schonz or Wheeler, never really fit in with an audience so used to Schonely. Doucette, too, was rather unceremoniously dropped by the organization.
I’ve always wondered why Eddie Doucette got let go?
He was let go by the Blazers in 2000, and as I recall was quoted as being unhappy with his lack of input in the team’s decision. According to NBA.com: “Most recently Eddie served as a Consultant for the NBA Entertainment on the new Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, in Springfield Massachusetts. He was the voice of the Sony-989 Sports 2002, 2003, 2004 NCAA Final Four and NBA 2006 Basketball Video Games.”
Thanks Greg. He had his unique terms that I liked, like “honeycombed.” I’m glad that he has a championship ring from his early Milwaukee days, though. He seems like a good guy.
OMG! i hated eddie ducet! i didnt like the look, the attitude, the call, and that freakin hair!! good luck to eddie prolly a good guy but OMG! wheels has done the legacy proud and really if you listen to other guys around the country other than the legendary bill sharman no one even comes close to the emotion, accuracy, detail, entertainment value, and knowlege of the game. wheels is a legend in his own right. his hiring was the smartest decesion in terms of broadcasting the team has ever made after schonz hiring.
That was his name! Thanks Greg. Let’s be honest the blazers are the only major sport in town, Wheels does a great job of exposing that and not in a bad way. I like Wheels, a lot and to be honest Schonz is past his prime; the change, I feel has done everybody some good. It was poorly handled but I think it was time.
What I liked about Schonely was how he could recap what went on several plays after they happened.
But he did call games as a hockey announcer would. That figures because he was a hockey announcer when Harry Glickman found him.
I personally thought Schonely was over-the-top hokey, but he had and still has a beautiful voice.
I always had to laugh when Eddie Soucette thought that calling the circle in the center of the court “The Cyclops” was his own idea, when Schonely had used it for decades.
Wheeler is just as hokey as Schonely and a good replacement.