In the 25 1/2 seasons I've been watching and listening to Blazer games, Mike Rice called 25 of them, on radio and TV. I only barely remember when Geoff Petrie called the 1990 season, but I'll always remember Mike "Wild" Rice.
For me, I remember Petrie on the radio, but my fondest memories are with Schonz and Rice, and Doucette and Rice. I didn't listen as much with Wheels and Rice (to the degree I did with Schonz and Rice, only due to my youth and having more free time). I preferred Rice on the radio with Wheels, but I grew to appreciate Antonio. It's kind of like a divorce, that's unexpected and out of the blue. Or a TV show you really like being cancelled and you hate how you won't see it anymore and it left you wanting more. But you find another TV show, and life goes on. I do wish that they'd somehow have some kind of local show here (radio). I'd listen to that, even if it's just to hear Mike Rice being "Wild Rice".
Love the Mikes. Always seemed like great guys that just plain loved what they were doing with a team they loved just as much as the rest of us. Tone I don't know a lot about, but I did run into him at the Washington square target with his wife this past season and was just a genuinely nice guy.
I always thought Rice gave some really intelligent comments....it wasn't the standard crap like "They reaaaly want to score the ball here Phil..." "They need a stop on defense"
I have also known them for years, especially Wild Rice. When I used to bring cakes, before they were deemed a terrorist threat, he was my contact person. Even after he always greeted me warmly. Sadly, in late years I have not been able to go to Blazers games; due to vision problems I can't do long drives at night so that lets out going to Sacramento and have had to avoid indoor noisy crowded areas. But I always loved it when NBA TV carried Blazers games since Mike & Mike did the calls, at least at home games. I know Rice sometimes went off the rails and was on occasion offensive. But I liked that he was human, he made gaffes, he was not some robot. After all, he's a broadcaster, entertainer, he's not running for President. So many Blazers memories are associated with them. Brian Grant fouling Karl Malone's elbow with his face. Brandon Roy's insane performance against Dallas. Dame's 0.9. I can't think of these things without also remembering the calls. Is there somewhere to leave messages? I doubt they read the board and I'd like to say a goodbye to my buds.
I met them both (and Kersey, too!) at the Nike Employee Store a couple of years ago when they gave out free passes to the season ticket holders. Never thought I'd be able to say I went shoe shopping with Mike Rice. And....Mike Rice gets WILD!
Oh God yes, could anyone forget Mike Rice getting thrown out of a game by Steve Javie? The Blazers played at GSW shortly thereafter; the Blazers fans gathered behind the broadcasters and gave him an ovation.
I liked Barrett, loved Rice, and although I couldn't stand Tone on the radio (sorry dude) I also agree he seems like a genuine and good guy. I wish them all well, and thanks for the memories!
