As you can see at the top of this page, this blog is entitled Gus and Raftery in tribute to what I believe, and I’m sure many others do as well, is the basketball announcing dream team of Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery.
Unless you’re sitting there live at a basketball game, as a sports viewer who is announcing the game does have an impact on your viewing experience. It’s inevitable. Obviously you want the announcers to enhance your viewing experience instead of detracting from it.
So what makes a good announcer? I’ve compiled a list of qualities that I consider important to answering that question:
• Voice
• Knowledge
• Emotion
• Positive Attitude
• Lack of Bias
• Catchphrases
How do Gus and Raftery do in these categories?
Voice
Whether someone’s voice irritates you or not is purely subjective. To me, both Gus’ and Raftery’s voice don’t drive people nuts. They don’t speak in a monotone. They have the ability to sound the same yet different with each game they call. For this, they both get a passing grade in the Voice category.
Knowledge
Raftery coached for 12 years at Seton Hall, as well as playing at La Salle. By listening to the man speak during the games you can tell he knows what he’s talking about. He notices in game trends very well. Even though I think I know a lot about hoops, I still can learn a lot more and by listening to Raftery, I do learn something more often than not.
Gus Johnson has been working his way through the announcing ranks for more than a decade and now is employed by CBS Sports, MSG, the Big Ten Network, Showtime and the Detroit Lions Network. Don’t worry Gus, I won’t hold the fact you work for the Lions against you. Gus has worked March Madness for CBS since 1996, and does know the game of basketball well. While it is not his main job to analyze the game, he does add things in here and there when Len Elmore is half asleep. He is also very prepared to call the game, and rarely have I heard him butcher a player’s name, or not know who a player is. The man works hard at his craft.
Emotion
The first two categories are pretty much pre-reqs for any TV announcer or personality. Here’s where we start to set these two legends apart from other announcers. You have to have emotion as an announcer. If I wanted to hear “20 foot jump shot made from the wing by Wayne Ellington”, I could follow on Gamecast or something.
There is no question that both Raftery and Johnson let their emotions show when calling a game. If you needed any further convincing…
Best of Gus
Raftery at his finest
Positive Attitude
I understand that is an analyst’s job to point out mistakes by coaches, or by players, or by referees. But it can be done in a constructive criticism sort of way, not in a condesecending manner (Billy Packer anyone?). Raftery can make his points without it seeming like he’s complaining or whining about something.
Both these guys seem like they are genuinely happy to be doing what they’re doing, and it’s not like a job or a chore for either of them. They are enthusiastic to be calling the game, and that positive attitude reflects. I don’t think anyone can doubt that about either, especially Gus….
Last 20 seconds of UCLA-Gonzaga
Lack of Bias
I watch a lot of college basketball and sports in general, and I get sick of “homer” announcers, especially when they are on national networks. It’s somewhat understandable if you’re a team announcer, but when you’re on CBS or ESPN, people don’t’ want to hear the bias. For example, it’s tough to hear what Dickie V is saying when he’s fellating Duke every two seconds during a Kentucky-Florida game. Same can be said about Billy Packer, thankfully he has retired.
It’s impossible not to have some biases as an announcer, but Gus and Raftery do a great job of not seeming biased one way or the other while calling a game, which is something this fan appreciates.
Catchprases
This is where Raftery takes the cake. An effective catchphrase has a few requirements. First, it has to have sort of relation to what it’s being said about. Second, it has to be funny or cutting edge. And lastly, it has to be said with some emotion. Here’s a list of some of my favourite Raftery-isms:
• “Onions”: This is used when a basket is made. He’s referring to the mesh of an onion bag and how it is like the mesh of the basket. The ball hits the mesh on a make? Onions baby…and it’s always delivered perfectly by Raftery. Also used is “Nylon”
•“Man-da-mannn” Always used at the start of the game by Raftery. He’s made this his signature phrase, him telling the audience what defence Team X is in. Why not add a little flair to it?
• “With a kisssss” This kind of combines pool with basketball, as when you kiss the cue ball of the rail. Well, in basketball terms, you’re kissing the ball of the glass, so this refers to a bank shot. Raftery has always been a fan of using the glass.
• “Get the puppies set”. This refers to having your feet set on defence before taking a charge. First, this tells you that you have to be set to get a charge. Then you have him calling feet/shoes puppies. Priceless.
• “Nickel-dimer/Small change” This refers to a ticky-tack touch foul. Apparently Raftery believes that a good tough foul is worth a dollar, because the touch fouls are referred to as nickel-dimers or small change. I love this one.
• “Send it in!” His phrase for a dunk. Usually there is a “big fella” at the end of that one. Or “Jerome” as said in this famous call.
Jerome
• “With authority!” If he doesn’t use “Send it in!” for a dunk, he’ll usually say this. Could also be used for a blocked shot.
• “Dagger!” This meets the cutting edge requirement. Most basketball minds know what a dagger is, but it was Raftery who coined the phrase. This is used when a game is close down the stretch, and someone nails a big time shot that makes it almost next to impossible for a team to come back from. Like a dagger to the heart. Maybe my favourite Raftery-ism of all. This call also spawned the title for The Dagger, one of the better college basketball blogs out there.
Gus is no slouch either when it comes to catch-phrases. His are more random as he just says what he feels at the moment, but some that I can remember are:
• “Here comes the pain!”
• “Rise and Fire……got it!!!” This one is used more for a three point attempt…and then the shot goes in.
• “Last Chance to Dance” As shown in that UCLA-Gonzaga clip, when Derek Raivio is dribbling up for Gonzaga’s last gasp attempt, Gus comes up with that on the spot…priceless.
• “HA-HAAAAAAAAA!!” Gus is a legend for his laugh. It’s tough to type out how it sounds, but those reading this who have heard Gus laugh before know exactly what I’m talking about.
There no question in my mind that these two are the dream team when it comes to announcing. While Raftery normally works with Verne Lundqvist (no slouch) and Gus with Len Elmore (arguably in a coma most of the game), Gus and Raftery have worked together before. One can only hope that CBS puts them together more often.
They shouldn’t just focus on basketball either, can you imagine these two MC-ing your wedding? “Look at the bride and groom there…there’s a kissss” or Gus ending some joke with “HA-HAAAAAA!!!!”. The possibilities could be endless.
