The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled “Hot” Rod Hundley into the world of basketball broadcasting, though only for a few games. The venerated voice of the Utah Jazz shook hands with the Lakers for 6 games starting Friday, 18th December, 2009. Hundley is known for his unusual aphorisms and a rat-a-tat voice.
The Lakers made an official announcement confirming the news on 12th December, 2009. Hundley is replacing Stu Lantz, the regular commentator who has gone to attend to his wife recovering from a surgery. Known as “The Voice of the Jazz”, Hundley has attended more than 3,000 Jazz> games prior to his retirement. He has played for the Lakers for 6 seasons before starting his broadcasting career alongside the legendary Chick Hearn. Hundley is remembered as the final ex-Jazz player still with the organization. Hundley retired in 2009 after the playoffs’ quarterfinal between Jazz and Lakers.
The Hall of Famer appeared relaxed prior to his big return at the Staples Center, but later agreed to have felt short of nerves in those tense moments. “But this is fun, and I love coming back here. It’s my favorite city. … I just said, ‘I can do it.’ I’ve got nothing else to do. I was on the golf course when they called,” Hundley later quoted.
Starting his pro-career in 1957-58, Hundley was the Cincinnati Royal’s 1st pick overall at the NBA Draft. The Royals’ traded him off to the Minneapolis Lakers the same season without playing him in any game. He stayed with the Lakers through their move to Los Angeles.
Hundley closely remembers Hearn, who unfortunately passed away in 2002, “I learned more from him in two years than I would have if I’d went to school. Chick told me, ‘I heard you’ve been stealing some of my lines,”’ Hundley said. “(I said) ‘Not some of them, Chick. All of them.’” After signing up with the Jazz, Hundley stayed by their side through tough times when the organization shifted from New Orleans to Utah. Hundley handled both radio and television broadcasting for the small-market franchise until 2005. By that time, most of the organizations had hired separate broadcasters for the same.
After retirement from his broadcasting career, Hundley spent time at his Arizona home enjoying the warm weather. Hundley, who joined hands with the Lakers at the start of his broadcasting career and moved on to the Jazz in New Orleans will finish a full circle with this sealed deal. He later expressed that he never expected to return to the court and thought he had called his last game on April 27, 2009.
The earlier deal offered to Hundley was of 2 games which was later extended to 6. The Lakers are also having another substitute broadcaster for the Friday game, as the team’s color commentator Mychal Thompson has gone to attend to a funeral in the family. Injured forward, Luke Waltson is expected to cover up for him.