Charlotte Hornets announcer Eric Collins added a new role to his repertoire Friday night, acting as the world’s loudest and most animated referee on a critical play at the buzzer.
The FanDuel Sports Network Southeast play-by-play man, known for his entertaining style, got a chance to air it out as the Hornets and San Antonio Spurs battled in the closing seconds.
His first big call, a three-pointer by Miles Bridges to give the Hornets a one-point lead with 1.4 seconds remaining, was great.
“Corner three … Yessssss! Good golly Miss Molly!” Collins announced.
Collins’ second call was even better. The Spurs passed the ball in to newly acquired star De’Aaron Fox, who dribbled once and shot.
“Didn’t get it off!” Collins proclaimed as the ball arced toward the basket. It went in, and officials ruled the shot counted.
“Didn’t get it off!” Collins insisted. “They say it’s good, but I don’t think he got it off! I don’t think he got it off!”
As Fox and his teammates tentatively celebrated, Collins stood by his assertion the shot should not count.
“De’Aaron Fox hits it, but was the ball still on his fingers?” At that moment, the broadcast rolled the replay, showing the ball still in Fox’s hands at the buzzer.
“Yes! It’s over!” Collins called. “The Hornets are going to win! Fox had it too long. Everyone in the building knows it! The Spurs know it. It’s over!”
As he often does, Eric Collins brought the excitement for the Hornets dramatic win over the Spurs on Friday night.
“IT’S OVER. THE HORNETS ARE GONNA WIN…EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING KNOWS IT. THE SPURS KNOW IT. IT’S OVEEEER.”pic.twitter.com/oZ4znK6MlL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 8, 2025
Enthusiastic calls such as this have become the standard for Collins. And Friday night, he had the right call before the officials.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.