Bill Schonely was already a legend in Portland by the time the Trail Blazers selected Mychal Thompson with the first overall pick in 1978.
Over the next 40-plus years, Thompson forged a friendship with the legendary radio play-by-play announcer, including a stretch when they were both part of the Blazers broadcast crew in the ‘90s.
Thompson, now a radio color analyst for Lakers games, calls The Schonz Portland’s answer to Chick Hearn and Vin Scully. He joined the Sports by Northwest this week to share his fondest memories of the man he calls the greatest Trail Blazer and to tell stories about his own playing career and fatherhood.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
· Thompson on what made Schonely special
· How the Blazers can better honor their greats, not just Schonely.
· In an increasingly corporate and polarized NBA, can there ever be another Schonz?
· Where Damian Lillard ranks among greatest Blazers and how the franchise can build a winning team around him before it’s too late
· Memories of Klay Thompson’s youth sports days with Kevin Love — and the Lake Oswego dynasty that could have been
· On raising sons who became professional athletes and watching LeBron James try to do the same.
· Speaking of dynasties: Did the Blazers blow the No. 1 pick in 1978 when they selected Thompson? He has thoughts.

Subscribe to Sports by Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices