NBA broadcaster Mike Breen has one of the most well-known signature calls in sports in "Bang," and the legendary basketball voice always takes immense pride in players finding ways to pay homage.
In an interview on The Michael Kay Show on Tuesday, Breen said his call works because it's only used in pivotal moments of a game.
"When it's an actual call it's got to be spontaneous," he said. "And I try and keep it that way in terms of the use of 'Bang.' It's not something I think ahead of time, 'OK I'm gonna use it here, I'm gonna use it there.' It's more a feel.
"It it's appropriate, if I feel it - it's part of the emotion and the momentum of the game - I would use it," Breen added.
In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets drained a 3-pointer with under 5 minutes left in the game that extended Denver's lead over the Lakers to 12. Breen didn't notice it, and analyst Mark Jackson pointed it out on the broadcast, but after Murray drained the shot, he looked right over at the ESPN announcers' table and yelled "BANG!".
Breen said he was very flattered that Murray even thought of that in the moment.
"The next day I went out of my way to find him and to thank him," he said. "Because it's very humbling in a big moment like that in a big playoff game he thinks that. My goal in moments is to try and enhance the moment, to document what these great players are doing and to do it justice. And if that's what he's thinking at that exact moment, then I'm doing my job the right way."
Earlier this season, Breen's call was also honored by Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. Curry named the latest iteration of his Under Armour basketball shoes the "Double Bang." He even gifted Breen a pair.
Breen said the feeling of catching the attention of some of the top players in the game is incredibly fulfilling.
"It's an honor to call their games, and if you get any kind of recognition or appreciation from them in how you call their games, it's a really wonderful, satisfying feeling," he said.
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