Play-by-play announcer, Gus Johnson is the reason many people viewed
in on meaningless Houston/Jacksonville game last week. For many weeks
now on Bill Simmons' column, he's been setting his predicted spreads
on NFL games based on whether Gus Johnson is calling the game or not.
He calls it the "LAW OF GUS JOHNSON"....here's Bill's take:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmonsnfl2010/week10picks&sportCat=nfl
Bill says:
"The Law of Gus Johnson is sweeping the nation: He's called four
straight weeks of games that were genuinely exciting (Jets-Lions,
Bills-Chiefs, Bengals-Falcons, Chiefs-Texans) and this battle between
two David Lee teams (all offense, no defense) looks like No. 5.
I keep mentioning the Law of Gus without ever really defining it, so
let's do it right now. If Gus Johnson is calling an NFL game, the odds
quintuple that (A) the lead will change hands in the fourth quarter;
(B) someone will complete a long pass in a big moment that will make
Gus' voice hit an octave only dogs can hear; and (C) the game will go
into overtime or at least come damned close. It seems impossible that
the mere presence of an announcer would alter the course of the game,
but here's my theory: I think God sits in his Man Cave on Sundays and
says, "Which game is that Gus Johnson calling? I get a kick out of
that guy. I think I'll make his game exciting and see if he completely
loses his mind." "
Well said Sports Guy (that's Bill Simmons)!! It's almost cosmic when
many people flip towards the end of the game to check it out, and it
happens to be a Gus game, and it happens to be a last second miracle.
More than likely that may very well be the inner sport fan taking over
the sub-conscious telling the hand to flip to the Gus game, just in
case there's an incredible moment.
But, for most of us, particularly J-Dawg, the VegasWhale himself, D$
and Paulsen, we text each other back and forth every sunday telling
each other, "Gus is calling the so-n-so game!!!" Hearing Gus call a
game, even without the last second miracles, is entertaining enough.
He's the perfect announcer, in that his calling the game doesn't
overshadow the actual game, but compliments the actual game action on
the field. He's this generations Vin Skully. Legendary Brooklyn/LA
Dodger announcer Vin Skully is the last great solo play-by-play
announcers out there. There are 3-4 times a summer where a Dodgers
game will be on, and I'll leave it on just to hear Vin's call. Gus is
like that. I'll watch any game to hear Gus' call. Like I said, Gus is
this generations Vin Skully, but on speed and on the verge of a heart
attack!!!!! He's the best!!!
It seems that Gus has a knack to call the games that end in miracles.
Hence, Bill Simmons' LAW OF GUS JOHNSON!! But there are many other
last second buzzer beaters out there that have been memorable, but the
miracles called by Gus are memorable in their sports miracles alone,
but enhanced by Gus' call !!!!
Gus has so many great monikers. His laugh/cackle, "Haaaahhhhh,
haaaaahhhhhhh!!!!" always stands out. Also there is the "WHAAAATT
AAAAHH GAME" he yelps out every now and then. The best times are when
he's yelling and speechless at the same time. Check these clips out:
1. UCLA v. GONZAGA 2006
This is the one that gives me chills every single time! The Zags had a
17 point lead, that UCLA chipped away at.
This is a long clip. It's been mentioned in previous blogs, but it
gives me chills every time. The clip starts off with Gonzaga holding a
71-68 lead coming out of a timeout with 40.8 seconds left.
At the 45 second mark of the YouTube clip, there's the first glimpse
of Gus' karma seeping through the cracks, foreshadowing what will
ensue. UCLA rebounds an Adam Morrison miss, and Gus announces,
"....aand a foul!!!!"
Whoa man, getting chills already, now....at the 1:40 mark of the clip,
Gonzaga inbounds off a UCLA made free throw, and the mayhem insues.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt0VUSyVIr4&feature=related
UCLA steals the ball, and puts it back to steal the lead by one. Gus
is already going nuts!!! But it gets better, Gonzaga inbounds the ball
from the UCLA hoop and the Zaga point guard dribbles, and Gus calls:
"RALVIO...LAAAST CHANCE TO DANCE!!!!!!"
So UCLA steals the ball back, and Gus yells...(oh man, getting chills)
"WHAT A GAME.....WHAAAAAAT AAAAHHHHH GAME!!!!!" followed by his classic call,
" AFTER BEING DOWN 17, HEART.....BREAK CITY!!!!!!"
And then the moment is topped off with Color Commentator, Len Elmore
saying, "Holy Mackeral"....whew, gets me everytime!!!!!!! But wait it
gets better. There's more, right at the 4:18 mark of the clip, Gonzaga
goes for a buzzer beater, and Gus' blood pressure is that of a shaken
coke can ready to blow. Gus calls,
"BATISTA....WITH THE CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-TCH!!!!"
Now there are some top "What if's?" in our lives that we may rewind in
our heads from time to time. These "What if's?" are not like the
pathetic guy still living the dream from back in the day. They're not
like Uncle Rico from Napolean Dynamite throwing the football to the
video camera. These are non-loser, great "What if's?", and a Top 3
"What If?" is:
What if Batista's turnaround jumper went in?
What if? Well, Gus would have gone into a psycotic-induced coma for 3
months and J-Dawg, D$ and Adolph would be hittin J-Dawg's living room
floor with instant heart attacks!!! We watched the game live, and our
yells were louder than the TV, and thank god J-Dawg recorded the game,
because we watched Gus' call for hours and reminisced about that
effing moment!!!! Whoa man!!!
2. KANSAS STATE v. XAVIER 2010
This game is a classic back and forth 3 point shooting display. On
it's own merit, it can be argued that it's the best March Madness game
this decade. Argued! But with Gus' call it becomes the BEST MARCH
MADNESS THIS DECADE!
Check out the whole clip. Back and forth 3's....K-State's hittin and
answering, and Xavier's hittin and answering. The highlight of the
highlights is at the 1:20 mark of the clip, and Xavier ties the game
to bring it to the 2nd overtime, Gus is calling out that Xavier's
"Crawford has to hurry!!!!!".....so Crawford shoots the long 3, and
Gus' call of:
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAAHHHHHHH!?!?!?"
That call of "aaahhhhhhhh" is so great. Gus is both scared and pumped.
So good!!!!! Then Crawford hits the 3 to tie it and Gus, take it away:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH, HE TIED IT!!!!!"
Then in the 2nd overtime, Gus has a classic call, where it's both
funny and weird. K-State's Jacob Pullen hit's a 3, and Gus yells out:
"Pullen.....STRAIGHT AWWWAAAY......BAAAAHHH!!!......... HE'S IN SHAPE!!!"
He's in shape!?!?!? Jim Nantz wouldn't say that. If he did, it'd be
weird. When Gus says it, it's awesome. This begs the question: Why
isn't Gus calling the National Title games for March Madness!?!?!?!
Plus, his announcing crew is the 6th crew for CBS NFL broadcasts.
6th!?!?!?!? Brutal.
Here's the clip. By the way, in a recent interview on Bill Simmon's
podcast, Gus calls that K-State/Xavier game his "nirvana". Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVEIeD91vIc
3. BRANDON STOKLEY'S CATCH vs. CINCINNATI
Gus calls this moment, the reason why he was named as the voice of
MADDEN '11. We respectfully disagree Gus. You were named the voice of
Madden '11 cuz your the best in the biz!!!!
So, this is Tip Drill #1 with last week's Jacksonville Hail Mary
catch, being Tip Drill #2.
The best part of Stokley's catch and Gus' call is when Stokley is
running along the goal line to eat some clock and Gus has a
semi-awkward pause. Stokley's obviously going to score and Gus is
calling:
"WOOOOOOWWWWW....(awkward half second pause)......TOUCHDOWN,
DENVER....UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!"
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5HtJidMZ8
So good.
4. LAST WEEK'S JACKSONVILLE HAIL MARY CATCH
The reason for this blog. People are still talking about this call.
It's amazing how quickly the play transpires and how quickly Gus goes
from calling another failed Hail Mary to pure mayhem!!!! Jacksonville
QB, David Garrard throws the ball, and the Houston DB knocks it down,
which Gus plainly and almost dissapointingly says, "KNOOOCKED
DOWN!!!". But instantly, check that, not instantly, but rather the
call turns to mayhem faster than immediately, it's like there's
negative time from Gus calling, "Knooocked down" to Steve Tasker
yelling, "HE CAUGHT IT!!!!" and then Gus losing his shit. He follows
up with his best laugh-cackle ever, "HAAAAAHHHH HAAAAHHHH!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHdPwYw3tNg
Classic Gus
Before we get to the next clip, not many people know this, but Gus
called the classic Princeton upset over UCLA in 1996. It's a young Gus
Johnson, and not really any classic lines in the clip, but it's the
beginning of Gus' karma on great games.
Here's the clip, if your interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCCAZvZAmZc
5. GONZAGA v. FLORIDA 1999
Florida misses their last second shot and Gonzaga wins the game. Gus
has a classic line:
"THE SLIPPER STIIIILLLL FITS!!!!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdXeWvucvH8
Wait for it..........So good!!!
6. VANDERBILT v. NC STATE 2004
K this is a long clip. The great Gus moment starts about the 4:30 mark
of the clip. But Vandy is down by 10 with 2 minutes left and chips
away. Pretty big choke job by NC State.
But anyways, back to the 4:20 mark, Moore from Vandy hits a 3 to cut
NC's lead to one. Moore hits the 3 and Gus has an inhuman grunt/yell.
It's like he's yelling "ahhh" and "hits" at the same time. Then he
follows it with a classic "Holy Toledo!!!"
Right at the 6:13 mark of the clip, Gus is going to commercial and says:
"THE COMMODORES TAKE A 71-72 LEAD ON THIS FREAKY BUCKET"
Who says that?!?!?!? So good!!! You know who wouldn't day that? CBS
College Hoops lead play-by-play announcer, Jim Nantz!!!! Nantz has an
elitest, smug style of calling games. Why he calls the National Title
games is beyond me. He is a veteran broadcaster, and he has paid his
dues. And granted, he calls a clean game. But save your smugness where
it belongs Jim...calling the Masters on CBS. Leave the Madness to the
Warden of the Asylum, Gus Johnson!!!!!!!
The #1 "What if?" moment is, and always will be:
WHAT IF GORDAN HAYWARD MADE HIS LAST SECOND SHOT IN LAST YEARS
BUTLER/DUKE NATIONAL TITLE GAME?
Just imagine. Hayward hits that half-court buzzer beater. The underdog Hoosier-ville team in Butler, from Indianapolis, playing the National Title game at home, on a court just 17 miles from their campus vs. the evil-empire typical juggernaut in Duke. Imagine, Hayward hitting that buzzer beater!!!! That has to be the biggest What if!!!
Well check that:
What if Gordan Hayward made his last second shot in last years Butler/Duke National Title game? aaaaaaaand.....WHAT IF GUS JOHNSON WAS CALLING THAT GAME!!!!!
If that happened, then the world would explode, and there's be a new big bang in the universe, and time as we know it would be referred to as BGS (Before Gus' Call) and AGS (After Gus' Call).
I tell you what, with the LAW OF GUS JOHNSON in the universe as we know it.....if Gus was calling last year's National Title game between Butler and Duke, that shot would have gone in. It would have been all due to Gus Karma!!!!
CBS...straighten your lives together and make Gus your lead announcer!!!!!!
Side note: cool clip in the Vandy/NC State when they show the replay
of the backdoor and-1 bucket. Notice to the right of the screen,
Vandy's #35, Matt Freije jumping up in a crazed Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen
fashion after the hoop. That's March Madness folks!!! It's the best
reality TV you'll see. The host of these moments has to be, and due to
THE LAW OF GUS JOHNSON, will be Gus Johnson!!!
Here's the Vandy/NC State clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvtxqSpQ38U
Long live Gus. He's calling the Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals
game this Sunday. Get your straight jackets out!!!!!!!
So good!!!!
CrazyDavo out!!!
in on meaningless Houston/Jacksonville game last week. For many weeks
now on Bill Simmons' column, he's been setting his predicted spreads
on NFL games based on whether Gus Johnson is calling the game or not.
He calls it the "LAW OF GUS JOHNSON"....here's Bill's take:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmonsnfl2010/week10picks&sportCat=nfl
Bill says:
"The Law of Gus Johnson is sweeping the nation: He's called four
straight weeks of games that were genuinely exciting (Jets-Lions,
Bills-Chiefs, Bengals-Falcons, Chiefs-Texans) and this battle between
two David Lee teams (all offense, no defense) looks like No. 5.
I keep mentioning the Law of Gus without ever really defining it, so
let's do it right now. If Gus Johnson is calling an NFL game, the odds
quintuple that (A) the lead will change hands in the fourth quarter;
(B) someone will complete a long pass in a big moment that will make
Gus' voice hit an octave only dogs can hear; and (C) the game will go
into overtime or at least come damned close. It seems impossible that
the mere presence of an announcer would alter the course of the game,
but here's my theory: I think God sits in his Man Cave on Sundays and
says, "Which game is that Gus Johnson calling? I get a kick out of
that guy. I think I'll make his game exciting and see if he completely
loses his mind." "
Well said Sports Guy (that's Bill Simmons)!! It's almost cosmic when
many people flip towards the end of the game to check it out, and it
happens to be a Gus game, and it happens to be a last second miracle.
More than likely that may very well be the inner sport fan taking over
the sub-conscious telling the hand to flip to the Gus game, just in
case there's an incredible moment.
But, for most of us, particularly J-Dawg, the VegasWhale himself, D$
and Paulsen, we text each other back and forth every sunday telling
each other, "Gus is calling the so-n-so game!!!" Hearing Gus call a
game, even without the last second miracles, is entertaining enough.
He's the perfect announcer, in that his calling the game doesn't
overshadow the actual game, but compliments the actual game action on
the field. He's this generations Vin Skully. Legendary Brooklyn/LA
Dodger announcer Vin Skully is the last great solo play-by-play
announcers out there. There are 3-4 times a summer where a Dodgers
game will be on, and I'll leave it on just to hear Vin's call. Gus is
like that. I'll watch any game to hear Gus' call. Like I said, Gus is
this generations Vin Skully, but on speed and on the verge of a heart
attack!!!!! He's the best!!!
It seems that Gus has a knack to call the games that end in miracles.
Hence, Bill Simmons' LAW OF GUS JOHNSON!! But there are many other
last second buzzer beaters out there that have been memorable, but the
miracles called by Gus are memorable in their sports miracles alone,
but enhanced by Gus' call !!!!
Gus has so many great monikers. His laugh/cackle, "Haaaahhhhh,
haaaaahhhhhhh!!!!" always stands out. Also there is the "WHAAAATT
AAAAHH GAME" he yelps out every now and then. The best times are when
he's yelling and speechless at the same time. Check these clips out:
1. UCLA v. GONZAGA 2006
This is the one that gives me chills every single time! The Zags had a
17 point lead, that UCLA chipped away at.
This is a long clip. It's been mentioned in previous blogs, but it
gives me chills every time. The clip starts off with Gonzaga holding a
71-68 lead coming out of a timeout with 40.8 seconds left.
At the 45 second mark of the YouTube clip, there's the first glimpse
of Gus' karma seeping through the cracks, foreshadowing what will
ensue. UCLA rebounds an Adam Morrison miss, and Gus announces,
"....aand a foul!!!!"
Whoa man, getting chills already, now....at the 1:40 mark of the clip,
Gonzaga inbounds off a UCLA made free throw, and the mayhem insues.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt0VUSyVIr4&feature=related
UCLA steals the ball, and puts it back to steal the lead by one. Gus
is already going nuts!!! But it gets better, Gonzaga inbounds the ball
from the UCLA hoop and the Zaga point guard dribbles, and Gus calls:
"RALVIO...LAAAST CHANCE TO DANCE!!!!!!"
So UCLA steals the ball back, and Gus yells...(oh man, getting chills)
"WHAT A GAME.....WHAAAAAAT AAAAHHHHH GAME!!!!!" followed by his classic call,
" AFTER BEING DOWN 17, HEART.....BREAK CITY!!!!!!"
And then the moment is topped off with Color Commentator, Len Elmore
saying, "Holy Mackeral"....whew, gets me everytime!!!!!!! But wait it
gets better. There's more, right at the 4:18 mark of the clip, Gonzaga
goes for a buzzer beater, and Gus' blood pressure is that of a shaken
coke can ready to blow. Gus calls,
"BATISTA....WITH THE CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-TCH!!!!"
Now there are some top "What if's?" in our lives that we may rewind in
our heads from time to time. These "What if's?" are not like the
pathetic guy still living the dream from back in the day. They're not
like Uncle Rico from Napolean Dynamite throwing the football to the
video camera. These are non-loser, great "What if's?", and a Top 3
"What If?" is:
What if Batista's turnaround jumper went in?
What if? Well, Gus would have gone into a psycotic-induced coma for 3
months and J-Dawg, D$ and Adolph would be hittin J-Dawg's living room
floor with instant heart attacks!!! We watched the game live, and our
yells were louder than the TV, and thank god J-Dawg recorded the game,
because we watched Gus' call for hours and reminisced about that
effing moment!!!! Whoa man!!!
2. KANSAS STATE v. XAVIER 2010
This game is a classic back and forth 3 point shooting display. On
it's own merit, it can be argued that it's the best March Madness game
this decade. Argued! But with Gus' call it becomes the BEST MARCH
MADNESS THIS DECADE!
Check out the whole clip. Back and forth 3's....K-State's hittin and
answering, and Xavier's hittin and answering. The highlight of the
highlights is at the 1:20 mark of the clip, and Xavier ties the game
to bring it to the 2nd overtime, Gus is calling out that Xavier's
"Crawford has to hurry!!!!!".....so Crawford shoots the long 3, and
Gus' call of:
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAAHHHHHHH!?!?!?"
That call of "aaahhhhhhhh" is so great. Gus is both scared and pumped.
So good!!!!! Then Crawford hits the 3 to tie it and Gus, take it away:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH, HE TIED IT!!!!!"
Then in the 2nd overtime, Gus has a classic call, where it's both
funny and weird. K-State's Jacob Pullen hit's a 3, and Gus yells out:
"Pullen.....STRAIGHT AWWWAAAY......BAAAAHHH!!!......... HE'S IN SHAPE!!!"
He's in shape!?!?!? Jim Nantz wouldn't say that. If he did, it'd be
weird. When Gus says it, it's awesome. This begs the question: Why
isn't Gus calling the National Title games for March Madness!?!?!?!
Plus, his announcing crew is the 6th crew for CBS NFL broadcasts.
6th!?!?!?!? Brutal.
Here's the clip. By the way, in a recent interview on Bill Simmon's
podcast, Gus calls that K-State/Xavier game his "nirvana". Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVEIeD91vIc
3. BRANDON STOKLEY'S CATCH vs. CINCINNATI
Gus calls this moment, the reason why he was named as the voice of
MADDEN '11. We respectfully disagree Gus. You were named the voice of
Madden '11 cuz your the best in the biz!!!!
So, this is Tip Drill #1 with last week's Jacksonville Hail Mary
catch, being Tip Drill #2.
The best part of Stokley's catch and Gus' call is when Stokley is
running along the goal line to eat some clock and Gus has a
semi-awkward pause. Stokley's obviously going to score and Gus is
calling:
"WOOOOOOWWWWW....(awkward half second pause)......TOUCHDOWN,
DENVER....UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!"
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5HtJidMZ8
So good.
4. LAST WEEK'S JACKSONVILLE HAIL MARY CATCH
The reason for this blog. People are still talking about this call.
It's amazing how quickly the play transpires and how quickly Gus goes
from calling another failed Hail Mary to pure mayhem!!!! Jacksonville
QB, David Garrard throws the ball, and the Houston DB knocks it down,
which Gus plainly and almost dissapointingly says, "KNOOOCKED
DOWN!!!". But instantly, check that, not instantly, but rather the
call turns to mayhem faster than immediately, it's like there's
negative time from Gus calling, "Knooocked down" to Steve Tasker
yelling, "HE CAUGHT IT!!!!" and then Gus losing his shit. He follows
up with his best laugh-cackle ever, "HAAAAAHHHH HAAAAHHHH!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHdPwYw3tNg
Classic Gus
Before we get to the next clip, not many people know this, but Gus
called the classic Princeton upset over UCLA in 1996. It's a young Gus
Johnson, and not really any classic lines in the clip, but it's the
beginning of Gus' karma on great games.
Here's the clip, if your interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCCAZvZAmZc
5. GONZAGA v. FLORIDA 1999
Florida misses their last second shot and Gonzaga wins the game. Gus
has a classic line:
"THE SLIPPER STIIIILLLL FITS!!!!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdXeWvucvH8
Wait for it..........So good!!!
6. VANDERBILT v. NC STATE 2004
K this is a long clip. The great Gus moment starts about the 4:30 mark
of the clip. But Vandy is down by 10 with 2 minutes left and chips
away. Pretty big choke job by NC State.
But anyways, back to the 4:20 mark, Moore from Vandy hits a 3 to cut
NC's lead to one. Moore hits the 3 and Gus has an inhuman grunt/yell.
It's like he's yelling "ahhh" and "hits" at the same time. Then he
follows it with a classic "Holy Toledo!!!"
Right at the 6:13 mark of the clip, Gus is going to commercial and says:
"THE COMMODORES TAKE A 71-72 LEAD ON THIS FREAKY BUCKET"
Who says that?!?!?!? So good!!! You know who wouldn't day that? CBS
College Hoops lead play-by-play announcer, Jim Nantz!!!! Nantz has an
elitest, smug style of calling games. Why he calls the National Title
games is beyond me. He is a veteran broadcaster, and he has paid his
dues. And granted, he calls a clean game. But save your smugness where
it belongs Jim...calling the Masters on CBS. Leave the Madness to the
Warden of the Asylum, Gus Johnson!!!!!!!
The #1 "What if?" moment is, and always will be:
WHAT IF GORDAN HAYWARD MADE HIS LAST SECOND SHOT IN LAST YEARS
BUTLER/DUKE NATIONAL TITLE GAME?
Just imagine. Hayward hits that half-court buzzer beater. The underdog Hoosier-ville team in Butler, from Indianapolis, playing the National Title game at home, on a court just 17 miles from their campus vs. the evil-empire typical juggernaut in Duke. Imagine, Hayward hitting that buzzer beater!!!! That has to be the biggest What if!!!
Well check that:
What if Gordan Hayward made his last second shot in last years Butler/Duke National Title game? aaaaaaaand.....WHAT IF GUS JOHNSON WAS CALLING THAT GAME!!!!!
If that happened, then the world would explode, and there's be a new big bang in the universe, and time as we know it would be referred to as BGS (Before Gus' Call) and AGS (After Gus' Call).
I tell you what, with the LAW OF GUS JOHNSON in the universe as we know it.....if Gus was calling last year's National Title game between Butler and Duke, that shot would have gone in. It would have been all due to Gus Karma!!!!
CBS...straighten your lives together and make Gus your lead announcer!!!!!!
Side note: cool clip in the Vandy/NC State when they show the replay
of the backdoor and-1 bucket. Notice to the right of the screen,
Vandy's #35, Matt Freije jumping up in a crazed Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen
fashion after the hoop. That's March Madness folks!!! It's the best
reality TV you'll see. The host of these moments has to be, and due to
THE LAW OF GUS JOHNSON, will be Gus Johnson!!!
Here's the Vandy/NC State clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvtxqSpQ38U
Long live Gus. He's calling the Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals
game this Sunday. Get your straight jackets out!!!!!!!
So good!!!!
CrazyDavo out!!!
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