"Hot Rod" Hundley will always have a special place in my heart having been the radio play by play announcer of the New Orleans Jazz from 1974 to 1979. He passed away today at the age of 80.
In those days the only way to keep up with New Orleans professional basketball was listening to his broadcast on the radio. Somehow, Hot Rod managed to make that experience alive and memorable. As the broadcaster of the New Orleans (sic) later Utah Jazz Hot Rod was an iconic announcer.
As the Jazz announcer from 1974 until the move in 1979 in the days before League Pass I always enjoyed listening to Hot Rod do the Jazz play by play for the New Orleans Jazz when I didn't splurge on those $2 general admission tickets in the terrace section of the Dome.
I will always cherish and never forget his commentary about Pistol Pete, Truck Robinson, Gail Goodrich, Rich Kelly, Aaron James, Henry Bibby, Butch van Breda Kolff, Slick Watts and Elgin Baylor.
He followed the Jazz to Utah and went on to announce their games for another 30 years after leaving New Orleans.
As a star player at West Virginia he was drafted first overall in the 1957 draft. He eventually played for the LA Lakers and played in the 1960 and 1961 All-Star games.
He was good friends with Jerry West and our own Joel Meyers. His broadcast were memorable and I will always have fond memories of them.
He was a contemporary of Joe Dean, the LSU broadcaster, who coined the term "String Music"
May he "Rest in Peace" "You Got to Love it Baby". "From the Parking Lot"
For those of you interested in the history of the New Orleans Jazz I highly recommend this link:
http://www.sbnation.com/longform/201...ornets-profile