Monday ended in ‘Y,’ and it was also the day Eric Collins entered another dimension.
It also marked the final time that Collins will be on the mic in 2024 — and he reached octaves never reached before, even for his very lofty standards.
Collins has had plenty of moments to remember, from his unforgettable call during the Charlotte Hornets’ upset over the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this year to his wild enthusiasm over a Brandon Miller highlight play. Fans loved his eccentric reactions to absurd Ashton Jeanty plays, and his over-the-top excitement during a crazy fourth-quarter sequence was a thing of beauty.
Between calling Hornets games for FanDuel Sports Network South and college football for Fox, Collins has had one hell of a year. And his call of Miles Bridges’ game-tying three on the eve of New Year’s Eve is a fitting way to close out an unforgettable 2024.
Consider it the final gift of Eric Collins’ 2024 Wrapped.
Miles Bridges hits a three to tie the game with 1.5 seconds left and Eric Collins went into the stratosphere… pic.twitter.com/7O9siPHpTA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2024
“Bridges. For the tie. GOT IT!!!!!! MILES DID IT!!!! MILES BRIDGES HAS TIED THE BALL GAME!!!”
The Hornets would go on to lose 115-108 in overtime, but hey, at least we got this call.
Still, Collins is an announcer that makes every game feel important, even if his team is now 18 games under .500. And if you found yourself watching Bulls-Hornets, a game with little to no national relevance, one that did not feature a Ball brothers’ showdown or even Zach LaVine, the experience in itself was elevated by Collins entering another stratosphere.
And whether you love or hate him, you have to at least respect his ability to do so.
[FanDuel Sports Network South]
