Luke Walton/Hot Rod Hundley to fill in for Thompson/Lantz

Post #1 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 4:32 am

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... QD9CFFCH00

Luke Walton gets temp gig on Lakers' broadcasts

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Injured forward Luke Walton is trading his Los Angeles Lakers jersey for a seat behind the microphone.

Walton will fill in for radio color commentator Mychal Thompson when the Lakers play Friday against Minnesota and Saturday at Utah. Thompson will miss those games because of a death in his family, the team said Tuesday.

Television color commentator Stu Lantz will miss six Lakers' games from Dec. 11-20 while his wife recovers from surgery. "Hot" Rod Hundley, a former Lakers color commentator alongside Chick Hearn and a former player on the team, will replace Lantz.

Hundley retired from full-time broadcasting after the Utah Jazz lost to the Lakers in the first round of last spring's playoffs. He had been the play-by-play voice of the Jazz on radio and TV for 31 seasons.

Walton has been out with a back injury after playing in the season's first nine games. His father Bill was a longtime broadcaster and studio analyst with the Los Angeles Clippers, NBC and ESPN.

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 4:52 am

That's one way of working for your contract.

The Skyhook · Post #3 » by **The Skyhook** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 4:52 am

haha that is awesome. I am really curious about what Luke has to say about his team.

96 Til Infiniti · Post #4 » by **96 Til Infiniti** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 4:55 am

Ahah Luke calling the game will be something to look out for.

On another note, doesn't it seem like Stu's streak of consecutive games must be pretty high now? Can't remember him missing a game in awhile.

Post #5 » by **Slava** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 6:48 am

Stu is really good. One of the best around, knows his basketball and keeps his tabs on the entire league. I believe even the players listen to him when he points out something.

Post #6 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 6:51 am

i don't really like stu all that much. i got tired of his style a while back. his imaginary player conversations are lame. the radio guys, spero and mt, are much more enjoyable, much more.

Dr Aki · Post #7 » by **Dr Aki** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 7:12 am

will luke be better than bill walton when commentating?

Post #8 » by **Slava** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 7:27 am

dcash4 wrote:i don't really like stu all that much. i got tired of his style a while back. his imaginary player conversations are lame. the radio guys, spero and mt, are much more enjoyable, much more.

Yeah that's the only thing that'd tick anyone off though but having the LP, I listen to many team's announcers and they are either ridiculously homeric, badly uneducated about the game or completely boring. I'd prefer Stu to almost any of those guys.

Post #9 » by **Slava** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 7:29 am

Aki wrote:will luke be better than bill walton when commentating?

No one can top the old man.

"Only the cynics and the depressed hate Vince Carter" :lol:

and who can forget the memorable monologue on Boris Diaw?

DubaLakers · Post #10 » by **DubaLakers** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 8:39 am

thx for the info dcash

96 Til Infiniti · Post #11 » by **96 Til Infiniti** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 9:44 am

I enjoyed Bill Walton calling games. I could never listen to him call every game, but him on NBC with Snapper Jones was entertaining. Its funny he always came off as an obvious Lakers homer even before Luke was drafted.

Post #12 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 1:32 pm

Aki wrote:will luke be better than bill walton when commentating?

I hope, but he could be just as injury prone as his father is even in broadcasting.

Lost Angel · Post #13 » by **Lost Angel** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 4:10 pm

how could anyone get tired of Stu?

to me, it's more than him calling the game. brings back good memories of Chick and for as long as I can remember Stu has been calling them.

but maybe Luke can partner up with Stu fulltime? not like we need him on the court

Anklebreaker702 · Post #14 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 5:37 pm

Hundley is a great announcer. He was one of the few guys i actually enjoyed on league pass. Very professional. I'm interested to see how he calls a game against a team he announced for for what 20 something years? That'll be fun.

Anklebreaker702 · Post #15 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 5:39 pm

Anklebreaker702 wrote:Hundley is a great announcer. He was one of the few guys i actually enjoyed on league pass. Very professional. I'm interested to see how he calls a game against a team he announced for for what 20 something years? That'll be fun. Problem is I think every one of those games Stu will miss are road games so I probably won't get to hear Hot Rod even once

Anklebreaker702 · Post #16 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 5:41 pm

The Skyhook wrote:haha that is awesome. I am really curious about what Luke has to say about his team.

He's going to say "Awwwww c'mon" even I can do better than that"! Sasha, Morrison, & Farmar need tobe traded! They are dead weight! :lol:

HunterSThompson · Post #17 » by **HunterSThompson** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:52 am

ok, heres the thing, some of live outside of 710's extremely feeble broadcast area, and their affiliates are every bit as bad, my question, is there an OFFICIAL podcast/stream where i can listen to it later?

i do think luke is a very smart dude and want hear how he does...

disclaimer, i am not asking for an illegal site...

Mamba Venom · Post #18 » by **Mamba Venom** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:01 am

No offense to hot-rod as a player but as far as his announcing goes.

HOT ROD is more of PINTO!!!

Get well Misses Lantz.

That style of announcing can stay in Utah where it belongs.

Magicontinues · Post #19 » by **Magicontinues** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:05 pm

Mamba Venom wrote:No offense to hot-rod as a player but as far as his announcing goes.

HOT ROD is more of PINTO!!!

Get well Misses Lantz.

That style of announcing can stay in Utah where it belongs.

Pinto?

Post #20 » by **Danny Darko** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:34 pm

hahah you know just was not impressed by Hot Rod.... how long was he that boring to listen to in Utah? Anyone hear Luke's broadcast skills?