Correction and Update: Bill Walton will be calling the USC-Arizona State game at 700pm on ESPN. Look for his Schonley tribute then
Also a radio listener when that was all there was - so many memories of family nights listening to the Blazers… Schonz was a legend. Rip city forever. RIP Bill.
There is a reason why a lot of us claim Dame to be the greatest Blazer of all time. And that goes beyond his attributes on the court. He is one of the few people qualified to represent our thoughts on these matters.
I was lucky enough to encounter him several times, but growing up in LO he was just a regular guy. In our last encounter he took a photo with my son, it will be something I will always cherish. I hope as he passes through the gates of St. Peter, he goes lickety brindle down the middle. Rest in peace to the greatest Blazer ever.
Honestly, and dame has done a thousand interviews, this is his best one. He is literally the embodient of this city and organization. That last part about friendships with the janitors and such, by name... Exchanging phone numbers... Freaking amazing.
For God's sake Blazer Management, get this guy the players he needs around him to contend for a championship. Do it for Dame AND Schonz. (And Lanny) Don't make me come down there....
The team needs to swing for the fences. Dame has 2, maybe 3 years of prime left, barring injuries. Fuck the future. Trade all assets other than Dame and Grant. The time is right now, Cronin. Dame deserves a legitimate title window. I'm so sick and tired of the fear-based mediocrity of this franchise. DO SOMETHING.
There's a chick Hearn statue in front of Bitcoin Arena and the microphone in the rafters mentioned above
Got to know him quite well during Cake Lady days before bringing cakes was deemed potential terrorist threat. He used to introduce me to people as Blazers' best fan. I had a friend who spent a few years as an usher at Rose Garden. She said both Schonz and his wife were the kind of people who treat everyone from the general manager to the janitor with the same respect and courtesy. I met a young fan at a game who wanted Schonz to sign a copy of his book but was too shy to approach a legend. So I brought him over and introduced him. Schonz shook the guy's hand and signed his book. And yes, I have a signed copy. Heard he was in bad shape. RIP to a legend.