Brian Wheeler will not return for 2019-2020 season

[PDXFonz]

Im calling it: Radio just becomes an audio feed of the TV broadcasts, with Colabro being encouraged to call play by play on TV.

Plausible

 

[Dougnsalem]

I'm surprised there wasn't more respose to Wheels podcast with Mitch. I'm 1/2 way through it (it's two hours long), and it's been really funny.

http://mitchunfiltered.com
Episode 47

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/wh...nce-for-rest-of-playoffs.344346/#post-4784685

Near the end of the thread is an index of what's covered.

GREAT stuff!

 

[julius]

Do we know if he left on his own terms, or was he shit canned by McGowan

I'm betting it's something other than his health, because that's a shitty reason to fire someone. Give him the time off to get better would seemingly be a better option. I'm sure there's a behind the scenes reason that we'll never know.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Remember Eddie doucette was the radio announcer right after schonz, and he was really boring. Wheeler has been great for portland...but sorry to say, those who filled on for him were terrible. I hope wheels can get healthy and return someday.

Wheels directly took over for Schonz in 1998. Doucette was a TV guy.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I thought Travis did a fine job. Obviously was t wheels but I would be ok with Travis doing it.

Travis could grow into the role. He's young, a native Portlander, and passionate about the Blazers. The problem is that he's not as good as Wheels was when he took over for Schonz, and his PBP style doesnt seem to lend itself for the type of improvement needed to have original catchphrases and the "painting a picture" game-calling that was both Schonz and Wheel's nature. Demurs just describes the game as it's happening.... the two legends had a way of putting a mental video in your head.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Travis could grow into the role. He's young, a native Portlander, and passionate about the Blazers. The problem is that he's not as good as Wheels was when he took over for Schonz, and his PBP style doesnt seem to lend itself for the type of improvement needed to have original catchphrases and the "painting a picture" game-calling that was both Schonz and Wheel's nature. Demurs just describes the game as it's happening.... the two legends had a way of putting a mental video in your head.

I think he could grow into it. Its really hard to take the role from a legend. I kind of prefer a guy who’s actually a Blazer fan.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I think he could grow into it. Its really hard to take the role from a legend. I kind of prefer a guy who’s actually a Blazer fan.

Well this was the pro behind Mike Barrett... someone who was a life-long Blazer fan, part of the community, and grew into the role. His problem, if you can call it that, was he was TOO loyal to Mike Rice, someone who really should have been let go a few years earlier. Barrett grew up in the organization with Rice and saw themselves as an inseparable team... which is ridiculous. Barrett and Hurd would have turned into an amazing duo, but rather than keep on a problematic Rice, whose erratic calls were getting worse by the game, the team let both go and brought in Calabro.

 

[Natebishop3]

a native Portlander,

Ummmmmmm no....... pretty sure he's from NY.

"He grew up in Westchester County, New York, and currently resides in Beaverton, Oregon."
http://www.travisdemers.com/p/blog-page.html

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Well this was the pro behind Mike Barrett... someone who was a life-long Blazer fan, part of the community, and grew into the role. His problem, if you can call it that, was he was TOO loyal to Mike Rice, someone who really should have been let go a few years earlier. Barrett grew up in the organization with Rice and saw themselves as an inseparable team... which is ridiculous. Barrett and Hurd would have turned into an amazing duo, but rather than keep on a problematic Rice, whose erratic calls were getting worse by the game, the team let both go and brought in Calabro.

I guess, I find travis really likeable. It doesnt have to be him, but I admired that he kind of got thrown into the fire and did an admiral job. Maybe he’s not the guy, but I certainly wouldn't hate it if it was him.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Ummmmmmm no....... pretty sure he's from NY.

"He grew up in Westchester County, New York, and currently resides in Beaverton, Oregon."

Yep you are right. In my defense however, someone who has been here since the early 2000s can damn near be called a native given all of the influx of people over the last 5-10 years.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I guess, I find travis really likeable. It doesnt have to be him, but I admired that he kind of gone thrown into the fire and did an admiral job. Maybe he’s not the guy, but I certainly wouldn't hate it if it was him.

Well... he's better than Scott Lynn, although I thought Lynn did a fine job at the end of last season when Wheels was out.

 

[tlongII]

I think these guys work as independent contractors. His contract was probably up and the Blazers didn’t renew it.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I think these guys work as independent contractors. His contract was probably up and the Blazers didn’t renew it.

In my recollection, Wheels signed a new multi-year contract with the team in 2017. Pretty sure it was longer than 2 years.

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/vo...rian-wheeler-signs-contract-extension.320561/

 

[julius]

Wheels directly took over for Schonz in 1998. Doucette was a TV guy.

Doucette was the radio play by play man from 92-94, when the Schonz went to TV. Then when Schonz realized he didn't enjoy TV as much, they switched roles.

 

[BBert]

This is sad news for Blazers fans, but I hope it's what's best for Wheels.

I've been a Blazers fan since year one and grew up sitting on my bed listening to Schonely call every Blazers game.

I can honestly say I have missed Wheels more than I missed Schonz when he retired.

I'm just not ready.

Take care big guy. Hope to see you around.

 

[THE HCP]

#FAMS

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Doucette was the radio play by play man from 92-94, when the Schonz went to TV. Then when Schonz realized he didn't enjoy TV as much, they switched roles.

Once again you have a better memory than I. You are correct.

 

[julius]

Once again you have a better memory than I. You are correct.

take two months off from this place and a mountain of useless information will flood back.

 

[THE HCP]

take two months off from this place and a mountain of useless information will flood back.

You were gone?

 

[THE HCP]

take two months off from this place and a mountain of useless information will flood back.

Why CAN I see this post?

 

[THE HCP]

#BAM

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I can honestly say I have missed Wheels more than I missed Schonz when he retired.

This is true. Schonz at least had an opportunity to say goodbye. The Blazers may have forced an early retirement on Bill, but at least he was allowed to finish out his last year. We'll never get that closure from Wheels.

 

[tlongII]

In my recollection, Wheels signed a new multi-year contract with the team in 2017. Pretty sure it was longer than 2 years.

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/vo...rian-wheeler-signs-contract-extension.320561/

It says he signed a multi year contract. It’s been 2 years which is multi years.

 

[BBert]

Once again you have a better memory than I. You are correct.

Julius is a freaking Blazers encyclopedia. For real.

 

[BBert]

It says he signed a multi year contract. It’s been 2 years which is multi years.

I hope they gave Wheels at least the same one year parachute they gave Mike and Mike. He earned it.

 

[julius]

You were gone?

why can't I see this?

 

[THE HCP]

Julius is a freaking Blazers encyclopedia. For real.

I was thinking more Mad Magazine

 

[julius]

I was thinking more Mad Magazine

would that make your Ranger Rick? Or Highlights?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I almost never listened to games on the radio so I honestly didn't have a huge attachment to Wheels, but this is reminding me how pissed I was, and still am, about Mike and Mike.

 

[Stevenson]

This is the ultimate compliment I can give an announcer:

Other than Chick Hearn, Brian Wheeler is the best basketball play-by-play announcer ever.

You will be sorely missed, my friend.