COLUMN: I’m ready to join Al with some headphones, KVNU
Move over Rod Tueller. It’s my turn to join Al Lewis for some color commentary on the airwaves of KVNU and KVFX for the next Utah State basketball game.
I’m a vibrant, young, soon-to-be graduate in journalism. Doesn’t that qualify me for the job? I love the Aggies just as much as Al does.
Another thing Al and I have in common is that our initials make the same sound as the first syllable of our first names. His initials and his name are one in the same: “AL”. Saying my initials is just the same has saying the first three letters of my name: “REW.” Back to the subject at hand. Let’s do a little role play and present some hypothetical situations that could happen in the next USU home game, giving Al the initial call, then waiting to see what words of wisdom yours truly would say if given the chance.
Situation No. 1: An opposing player’s elbow sends USU point guard Bernard Rock to the floor, and no foul is called.
AL: That’s unbelievable! Rock was blatantly hammered on that one. That should have been a foul going the other way. What was the officiating crew thinking? Stew Morrill looks irate and rightly so.
REW: The Spectrum crowd isn’t going to let him forget about that one, Al. He’s made himself public enemy No. 1 for the rest of the night. These Aggie fans are ruthless when it comes to heckling. He can count himself lucky that he doesn’t have an Afro, headband or helmet. If he had any one of those, it would only be worse. That bruise that’s sure to develop may give that “Peedogz” tattoo a different hue.
Situation No. 2: Shawn Daniels burglarizes his defender and goes coast to coast for a hammer dunk.
AL: Daniels is incredible! He’s running the floor like a shooting guard. That’s unheard of for a power forward.
REW: Did you see how wide the eyes of those NBA scouts on press row were at the sight of that? I think they’re going to take back anything detrimental they’ve said about Shawn’s ability to compete at the next level. He’ll be Charles Barkley without the attitude.
Situation No. 3: Dion Bailey penetrates but dishes it off Brennan Ray, who slams it home.
AL: Look at the execution on that one! Once again this team is demonstrating how unselfish it is. That was spectacularly executed.
REW: Dion Bailey – he looks like Kobe, but he doesn’t have the ego. He’s got one word in his vocabulary that Kobe doesn’t: pass. Would Shaq and Kobe play that well if they ate breakfast together on game days?
Situation No. 4: On a fast break, Curtis Bobb is the recipient of a Rock cross-court pass and goes in for a windmill dunk.
AL: Now that was power! We haven’t seen Curtis go up that strong for a long time.
REW: That was a definite crowd pleaser, Al. I can’t hear a thing in here. The decibel level has reached 110. The fans approved of that one judging by their standing ovation. I can’t exactly tell, but was he trying to impress the girls in section W, row three? He seems to be smiling and pointing in that direction.
Situation No. 5: Up by 30 with two minutes left, Stew Morrill lets Jason Napier into the game and is cheered by approving fans.
AL: What a great experience for a walk-on to get this kind of support. He may see more playing time next year if he demonstrates he’s a good defender and can knock down the three.
REW: Morrill has shown us once again that he’s a philanthropist. Napier should take lessons from Ray – become a defensive specialist despised by opponents, but adored by the home fans. Any player who can make Stew Morrill emotional and be identified by a beloved nickname is one of a kind. Any suggestions for a nickname for Jason, Al? Let’s start a find-a-nickname for Napier contest.
So audience, am I a candidate for the job? All I need is a resume tape and I’m set, right?
But alas, I concede. The job should go to Wade Denniston. Or better yet – Ryan Olsen.
Reuben Wadsworth welcomes comments at reubwads@cc.usu.edu