The Pacers were in Denver last night for a game that didn’t start until 10 PM Eastern.
The game didn’t go that well for the Pacers overall; with Indiana leading entering the fourth quarter, the Nuggets went on a 22-2 run to put it away. Still, there was certainly one bright spot for Indiana fans: this third quarter play that saw Myles Turner denying Nikola Jokic at the rim.
The block was great, sure, but the play inspired FS Indiana analyst Quinn Buckner to bring back “Smothered chicken!”, which is as delightful as a local broadcast call can get:
How 'bout Myles Turner???
TV: FSI
Stream: FSGO – https://t.co/6xGfb4FBeJ#AlwaysGame pic.twitter.com/DtpVvSdM6C— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) March 16, 2021
“WHOAA HE CAUGHT IT! WHOA! HE SMOTHERED THAT CHICKENNNN! He smothered the chicken. We gotta give him one. How about Myles Turner? Smothered it!”
(That Turner’s dunk was wiped out by an off-ball foul on Domantas Sabonis summed up how the night went for the Pacers.)
Quinn brought it back on replay analysis, too:
OH MY MYLES 😱 pic.twitter.com/oXLXrxj4VQ
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 16, 2021
Buckner’s enthusiastic joy there is truly endearing, yes, but what makes it even better is that Buckner only brings this call out for special occasions. He did it in 2018 for a Victor Oladipo block on Giannis, but it’s been used sparingly since then; some observers noted last night thought it had been retired.
OH THE GLORIOUS RETURN OF THE SMOTHERED CHICKEN pic.twitter.com/4NH9Gfjvbf
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) March 16, 2021
WE FINALLY GOT A SMOTHERED CHICKEN BABYYYYYYY
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) March 16, 2021
There it is! First smothered chicken of the season from @QuinnBuckner.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) March 16, 2021
WE FINALLY GOT A SMOTHERED CHICKEN FROM QUINN BUCKNER! ITS BEEN YEARS @BucknerBurner
— Surya (@ayruuus) March 16, 2021
I’ve watched the smothered chicken clip probably 20 times just to listen to Quinn Buckner’s call. I think my wife thinks I am losing my mind.
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) March 16, 2021
Even sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson couldn’t believe it:
What!?!?!?!? “Smothered Chicken” is back from the dead.
— Jeremiah Johnson (@PacersJJ) March 16, 2021
The rarity makes it special, which Buckner understands. The Pacers obviously don’t have the same market size for their local games as a lot of NBA teams, but Denari and Buckner are a great booth because they don’t fall into shtick, shouting, or blatant homerism that plenty of local announcers do on a nightly basis.
This has been the best broadcast of the season for @ChrisDenari and @QuinnBuckner!
So many great calls, topped with the long awaited Smothered Chicken.
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) March 16, 2021
Myles Turner has recorded a block in 54 consecutive games for the Pacers, so Buckner has had plenty of opportunities to bring it back. That he waited for this moment is tremendous.
Just imagine if that dunk had counted!
