One of the more memorable moments of the Jazz's brief playoff appearance came when Hot Rod Hundley was nearing the end of his broadcasting career and the home team acknowledged him in the middle of the game. The crowd responded with a standing ovation after old photos of him as a Basketball player were shown on the video screen and the public-address announcer read a tribute to Hundley, describing him as "always a Laker."
Hundley famously liked to complain on the air about "home cookin'" when he thought the Jazz were being mistreated by referees on the road. This was a case of somebody doing something nice for a visitor -- or one of their own, as the Lakers perceive Hundley, who played six seasons for the franchise in Minneapolis and Los Angeles and also launched his broadcasting career with the team. The Jazz promise that a major observance is in the works for Hundley's 35-year service as the organization's only continuous employee from the start in New Orleans. They're talking about something equivalent to what they've done for John Stockton, Karl Malone and Adrian Dantley in recent years -- think banners, not statues -- that will properly honor him next fall, soon after West Virginia University retires his No. 33 in another big ceremony.
The team also celebrated his 3,000th game behind the microphone in January, and Hundley remains touched by the late owner Larry H. Miller's expressed hope that he could work another 3,000 games.
So clearly, it is not as if the Jazz are brushing him aside. Unfortunately, as far as fans knew, that's how it appeared during Hundley's final game at EnergySolutions Arena -- juxtaposed against the Staples Center scene two nights later. The Jazz understandably did not want to believe Game 4 would be the team's last home appearance of the season, but couldn't they have done something more significant that night, with just the right wording?
The Lakers figured it out during Game 5 in Los Angeles, mentioning how Hundley would be retiring after the playoffs, without actually saying the end of his career was a few minutes away. Sure, everything the Lakers do is self-serving, but this was classy. In Salt Lake City, only a "Hot Rod ... Thanks for the memories" sign held by longtime fan Richard Anderson that was shown on the video screen, followed by a cut to Hundley at his broadcast position, served to commemorate his last home game.
And so ended a rather awkward broadcasting of Hundley's plans to retire at age 74. He had talked during the season about working only home games in 2009-2010, having become tired of all the travel. Hundley and team president Randy Rigby, formerly his longtime boss in the Jazz's broadcasting department, eventually agreed that idea did not make complete sense. So he would retire, and not unwillingly.
Hundley and team officials intended to hold off any announcement for a while. Yet in a development they apparently did not anticipate, a story in a West Virginia newspaper the morning of Game 2 of the Jazz -Lakers series said he would retire after the playoffs, quoting him as "giving it up" and explaining why. Then, in local interviews the night of Game 3, Hundley spoke more about his decision. The next day, the Jazz issued a news release confirming his retirement.
If they could rewrite the whole script, the Jazz would wish either that Hundley had made his decision earlier in the season so they could have staged a farewell tribute in April, or that they could have saved the news for this summer or later, by the time they had finalized plans for an upcoming celebration.
Instead, their good intentions regarding one Rodney Clark Hundley did not play out as they hoped.
Hundley has meant a lot to the franchise and its fans, and the Jazz undoubtedly will get this right, giving him a nice sendoff. But as of now, they must overcome the perception that the Lakers beat them to it.
kkragthorpe@sltrib.com 'Hot' Rod Hundley
? Thirty-five years as Jazz broadcaster, 31 on simulcasts and last four on radio alone.
? Celebrated 3,000th Jazz broadcast with Jan. 7 game against New Orleans.
? Honored with Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media award in 2003.
? Only remaining member of original New Orleans Jazz staff dating to franchise's founding.
? Second player after Jerry West to have his number retired by West Virginia.
? First pick in the NBA Draft in 1957 by the Cincinnati Royals, who immediately traded him to the Minneapolis Lakers.
? Played for the Lakers in Minneapolis and Los Angeles from 1957 to 1963.
