211:, the team's radio play-by-play announcer since its inaugural season in 1970–71—a situation which he later likened to entering a "hornets' nest". Wheeler was able to put distance between himself and Schonely by adhering to the promise made to his new employers to call games "like a fan would call them". The resulting mixture of shrill "homerism" and forthright honesty soon found its niche with fans.
256:"Brian Wheeler has been an integral part of the broadcast team and Trail Blazers family since 1998 and his voice is synonymous with all the many great play-by-play calls over that 21-year span," said Trail Blazers president and CEO Chris McGowan. "We thank Brian for his contributions to the franchise and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
263:"I want to thank the Portland Trail Blazers for the incredible opportunity and honor of calling radio play-by-play for the past 21 years," Wheeler said in a press release from the team. "I was honored and blessed to be a Blazer for 21 seasons, and fortunately I've accumulated some precious memories that will last a lifetime."
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made a dunk, however, he replaced his "BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA!" call with "BATUM-SHAKA-LAKA!". After the final play of each Trail Blazer win, Wheeler concludes by saying, "And once again we can say: It's a great day to be a Blazer!"
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During the 2018/19 season, Wheeler missed broadcasting the majority of the Trail
Blazers games due to health issues. On July 12, 2019 the Trail Blazers president and CEO issued the following statement,
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and hard to sink shots. During his radio broadcasts he's also known to call out energy driven lines such as: "Yes sir!", "Ring it up!" and "Ooh, that was nasty!". Whenever former Blazer
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234:, up through the conclusion of the 2015 season. Wheeler became the sole radio broadcaster in 2016, with occasional appearances from former Blazer Brian Grant.
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Wheeler is best known for his frenetic style, loud and passionate delivery, and trademark calls such as "BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA!" following energetic Trail Blazer
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to take a job as radio play-by-play announcer for the NBA's
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337:"Backyard Dreams Fulfilled: Brian Wheeler Honed his Voice for Years before Landing in Portland as the Voice of the Blazers"
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On
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In addition, he is a "Sports
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245:(originally "Wheels After Work"). In September 2010, Wheeler announced that he would step down from the
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radio show to spend more time working on the
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480:"Extensive Interview with Portland Trail Blazers Radio Voice Brian Wheeler,"
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Brian
Wheeler began his radio career as a broadcaster for his alma mater,
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482:Blazers Edge, April 15, 2013. www.blazersedge.com/
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183:Wheeler later worked as a broadcaster for the
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448:. Portlandtribune.com. Archived from
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506:Portland Trail Blazers announcers
516:Loyola University Chicago alumni
401:. 955thegame.com. Archived from
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76:National Basketball Association
16:American sports radio announcer
546:Seattle SuperSonics announcers
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427:. Sports Management Worldwide
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446:"This school's all sports"
161:. He worked for the NBA's
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203:In 1998, Wheeler came to
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126:Early broadcast career
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425:"Sports Broadcasting"
239:KXTG-FM 95.5 The Game
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405:on February 27, 2009
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170:Seattle, Washington
101:Los Angeles Dodgers
93:Southern California
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351:October 6,
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97:Vin Scully
409:August 2,
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187:team the
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140:softball
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