Where Are They Now: Mychal Thompson

01/20/10

Written by: caseyholdahl

Mychal Thompson is, quite possibly, the only person in the L.A. Lakers organization who actually looks forward to the Lakers’ twice-yearly stops in Portland.

Lakers’ players and coaches surely weren’t relishing the trip north earlier this month after suffering eight-straight losses to the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.  But for Thompson – in his seventh season as a radio analyst for the Lakers – the chance to return to the Northwest suited him just fine.

“They all think I’m nuts that I like this city so much and have such pleasant memories,” Thompson said before the January 8 tilt at the Rose Garden.  “As soon as they get here they complain about the rain. It’s all they complain about; they can’t wait to get back to southern California. But I say I love the rain.”

His affection for Portland might explain why he’s still well thought of here, despite winning two championships while playing for the rival Lakers.  Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Thompson, the first overall pick by the Trail Blazers in the 1978 NBA Draft,  remains the Trail Blazers all-time leader in blocked shots (768) and defensive rebounds (3,389) and ranks in the Top 10 in franchise history in most statistical categories.

Thompson curried additional favor with Trail Blazers fans by making a home in Portland after his playing career ended. He had to pry himself away from the pleasant scents and sights of Oregon when he was offered a broadcaster’s dream – a chance to work for one of the most storied franchises in professional sports amongst the glitz and glamour of the biggest media markets in the world.

“I always had a big mouth when I was a player,” Thompson said. “I was very opinionated, was always talking to the media. I always thought it would be fun to be around the game by broadcasting games, hang around good guys like Schonz. When I was a player I used to like to sit at the front of the bus and talk to them about broadcasting. It always looked like a fun avenue to go into after I finished playing.”
 
The decision wasn’t one he made lightly, because it required uprooting sons Mychal, Klay and Trayce, all of whom were successful prep athletes. In the end, the lure of following a long-time interest in broadcasting won out, but Thompson misses life in the Northwest.
 
“This is a great place to live,” Thompson said. “I love the city. The people are so nice. There’s no prettier area in America than the Pacific Northwest. I miss the lifestyle up here. It’s quiet. Everything is close and convenient, a real easy-going lifestyle up here. The first thing you notice when you step off the plane is the smell of the fresh air. It just smells good up here, clean.”



Thompson, whose broadcast resume also includes radio/television experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vancouver Grizzlies and Seattle SuperSonics, says few positions in the industry compare to working for the NBA’s defending champions.

“Being a part of the Lakers is like being a roadie with the Rolling Stones,” Thompson said. “It’s unbelievable, going around the country and watching the response the Lakers generate, how popular they are – except for Portland, of course, and Boston. In Portland and Boston, you can’t get a sense of their popularity in the arena because there’s so much hostility directed toward the team.”

Thompson said he doesn’t believe the Lakers take the Trail Blazers seriously enough when they come to Portland, and they need to start because the Trail Blazers “are legit.”

“The Trail Blazers really respond to the fan support they get when the Lakers show up in town,” Thompson said. “This is a tough place to win because the Lakers are the most hated team in the NBA, the fans here let the team know that. (The Trail Blazers) play probably their best basketball when the Lakers come to town.”

True to Thompson’s words, the Trail Blazers rolled to a 107-98 wire-to-wire win over the Lakers, behind 32 points from Brandon Roy.  For the ninth straight time, the Lakers’ traveling contingent boarded the post-game bus after a loss. Undoubtedly, only one man looked forward to February 6, their next visit.
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