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Overdue Gratitude For Gorman's Greatness

A Daily Babble Production

This piece has been a long time coming.  But over several months of contemplation, I've had more difficulty than I could have imagined finding the right right words for it.  It isn't easy to describe my enjoyment of the man whose delivery of his own words add so much to each Celtics game.  But given that Celts fans make up the audience most qualified to help fill in the blanks I leave about the wonder of listening to Mike Gorman, it's worth a shot.

Star-divide

There is something about listening to Mike Gorman broadcast a basketball game that qualifies as intangible.  I can tell you that I love Mike Breen's patented "Bang!" call and his rapport with Walt Frazier during Knicks broadcasts as well as the pro-referee stance that gets him into fun arguments with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson on ESPN.  Or that the Clippers' Ralph Lawler earns points with me because he keeps his energy level so high despite watching such a constantly disappointing team, and his "Bingo!" call on its own is enough to keep anyone interested.

It is difficult to offer as much of a definitive assessment with Gorman.  What I do know is that there's something reassuring about turning on the television on a blustery night in the dead of winter and hearing that thick Northeastern accent fill up my house with a warmth all its own. 

Maybe it is because everything about his calling a game just seems to flow so naturally.  He keeps his tone calm and even in describing the action on the floor and knows just when to up the energy level for a big play or a crucial part of the game.  Unlike so many announcers (and no doubt yours truly as well in my writing), Gorman never seems guilty of trying to say too much.  He doesn't have a problem pausing and using silence to his advantage, letting viewers at home get an unadulterated feel of the crowd from time to time. 

The whole production is so smooth from start to finish.  As someone who finds himself annoyed as the next guy with the barrage of advertising heaped upon consumers, it isn't lost on me that Gorman reads the mandated promos so fluidly over the course of the game that it almost isn't a bother.  On more than one occasion as I've talked to The Guru after games, I've internally caught myself beginning sentences that feature the phrase "Amica shot clock" somewhere along the line.  Somehow, Gorman manages to make even the corporate nonsense that normally gets automatically filtered out of my head an acceptable part of the broadcast.

His relationship with Tommy Heinsohn is a boon for Celtics fans as well.  As we learn on the rare occasions when Gorman misses a game, working with Tommy can be a challenge for announcers that aren't as experienced with him.  That isn't a knock on Tommy at all but simply a note that his status as a Celtics legend and buoyant personality often leads to other broadcast partners trying too hard to be deferential to Tommy or appealing for his approval a bit too eagerly.  It's also understandable for those broadcasters, as working alongside someone held in such high regard in the organization has to be intimidating to some extent. 

Gorman has no such issues.  There is no doubt from his confident tone and the ease with which he jokes with Heinsohn that he and the legendary player-coach-broadcaster are equals in the booth.  After years of working together, Gorman has the perfect feel for knowing just when and how to give the big fella a subtle verbal jab to set him off.  Particularly there is a feeling that the Celtics are getting jobbed by the referees or that the fans may just need some fun on an otherwise rough night for the C's, Gorman gets that poke in that will unleash the beast within Tommy in the form of a hailstorm of abuse on the officials or any other guilty parties.

When all is said and done, one always feels in good hands when listening to Mike Gorman.  No matter the situation on the floor, there is always something in his voice giving me one more additional reminder that, short of being in the arena itself, when I'm sitting on my couch watching Celtics hoops, I'm exactly where I want to be.  There's a lot to be said for that.

Regardless of how the team is playing on the court, the Celtics' rock of consistency off it remains their play-by-play man.  There's no particular reason that this comes today other than the fact that I simply don't say the following often enough: Thanks, Mike.

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Simply the most professional announcer in sports today

He doesn’t rely on cheap gimmicks or catchphrases to get attention. He doesn’t shout and make an ass of himself. He always says just the right amount. He’s warm enough that you feel you know him but detached enough to give no feeling of homerism.

And he can create memorable calls with the best of them.

“RAY ALLEN FOR THE GAME…GOT IT!”

by BigRedDog42 on Feb 17, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Mike Gorman is simply awesome. He has his own style, and I really enjoy this style even though english is not my mother tongue. Considering all the awful announcers around the NBA, I´m glad the Celtics have such a skillful and respectable home announcer.

Thanks, Mike.

by Casperian on Feb 17, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yes, Gorman is better than any of the announcers doing the national NBA telecasts, with the possible except of Marv Albert. He’s also much better than Shawn Grande, whose style I find extremely annoying.

by Brickowski on Feb 17, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I remember when Tanguey filled in for Mike on a game or two earlier in the year, how atrocious that was. Now, Gary’s a BAD play-by-play man in his own right, but listening to him butcher the game after years and years of hearing Mike’s calm voice? Unbearable.

The great thing about Gorman, the handful of times when HE gets upset, you know something’s seriously wrong. He and Tommy are such great counterbalances to each other, there really isn’t a pair of announcers in any sport that I’m aware of that work as well together.

The one thing that really comes across… these guys really seem to like and respect each other. Their comreaderie is tangible.

by theBird on Feb 17, 2009 2:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

"Kendrick Perkins...is a man!"

If I recall correctly, there was a lot of talk in the forums at the time, not only about the call I quoted above but about Tanguay experiencing the problem I referred to above, kind-of playing for Tommy’s approval rather than controlling the call of the game.

Excellent thoughts on Gorman, tB.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Feb 17, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

"A Man"

My favorite Perk nickname^^

by Casperian on Feb 17, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The best part of that was...

…an incredulous Tommy waiting for a second and then quizzically saying, “A man?”

I was equally confused.

Someone please tell me my memory isn’t playing tricks on me – this was Tanguay, right? I feel like I’m hearing it in his voice, and there’s no way Gorman does that…

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Feb 17, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah that was Gary, lol…

by Berkcelt on Feb 17, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

mike is a mensch. i don’t see or hear him any more on college games, but he always is on top of the game,no matter. he sure has aged and hope his health is aok.

by nazzbo on Feb 17, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Mike Gorman is as much of a Celtic as any player or coach that has ever been. The way he “flows” through the broadcast is unmatchable, purely professional, entertaining and informative. If I was ever lucky enough to step behind the broadcast table myself, I’m sure my style of calling the action would be somehow resemble the mic master from Dorchester. Thanks for the inspiration, excitement, and the only way to watch a Boston Celtics telecast.

by bleedingreeninfla on Feb 17, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

"Mike Gorman is as much of a Celtic as any player or coach that has ever been"

I agree with all that Mike Gorman is possibly the best play by play announcer in the field today. His partnership with Tommy is just perfect. I think the quote by bleedingreeninfla is part of the answer. Mike is really a member of the team. I think he is also someone team members go to for advice and he does not betray any confidence. I remember when Antoine was traded and Pierce was to become Captain Mike noticed Pierce boarding a plane with a load of books about leadership. He asked Mike for his advice on which ones to read. He knows alot more of what goes on behind the scenes, but never uses it to enhance his own stature. He is humble, he’s articulate, he can make fun of himself. He is respectful of Celtic history which includes Tommy. Maybe what makes him so likeable to us is that he is us. He’s a regular guy, a nice guy, a smart guy (I, at least, am not that smart) who has a great job and loves it.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 17, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Well

for me Tommy is so bad it colors everything else. I loved Bob C.

by The Real Large James 2 on Feb 17, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Just the homerism that bothers you, TRL2, or something else?

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Feb 17, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

mike gorman

I completely agree with everything about Mike. When c’s games are on FSN and national TV at the same time I try to listen to the national broadcast just for a change but i find myself quickly turning back to mike and tommy because of the lack of knowledge the national guys have for the celtics (cannot stand mike breen!…i especially thought he was clearly all about the lakers during the finals). to end this post here are some classic mike lines…
PIERCE…TO THE BASKET!….RAY ALLEN FOR THE GAMEEEE…GOT IT!…CELTS GET A FRESH CLOCK

by thetrooth34 on Feb 17, 2009 3:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Here here

I love Mike and Tommy. No better commentators in sports in my opinion, though that might be a little bit of homerism.

Every time I watch a national, or different, local broadcast I miss bombastic Tommy but moreso I miss the level headed Mr. Gorman, with his smooth and direct commentary.

Big brother no longer needs to watch, because the world is convinced he is.

by Schupac on Feb 17, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Mike Gorman....

the best play by play guy i’ve ever seen………………………………………….I remember a couple times where the video was lost for a game, and Mike called the game radio style and I still felt like I knew what was going on on the court. He is underrated.

by greenteam18 on Feb 17, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Steve-
At first I thought your column lacked the passion and piercing insight so typical of your writing. Then as I re-read it I realized that you had mirrored the quiet excellence that marks Gorman’s play-by-play. A smooth competence that complements the game rather than vie with it for attention. I don’t know if you were striving for such a chameleon-like reflection of your subject but it worked perfectly.

by bballee on Feb 17, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Good to hear from you, bballee, it's been a while...

…and I’ll answer that one simply by resorting to a sheepish grin and a thanks for your kind words. I’d be lying if I told you this was an easy one to write, though. So I just came clean with my struggle about finding the words for Mike.

But that’s what I love about all you folks – so many here in the comments have done a fine job capturing Mike’s essence.

As always, I’m honored by your comment, Lee.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Feb 17, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Mike Gorman is a hall-of-fame broadcaster. Like some of you, I live outside New England and get the DirecTV NBA package. I get Mike and Tommy for home games but only get Mike for maybe a third of the road games. Some of the road announcers are terrific, like Breen and Lawler, but many of them are second-rate chuckleheads. Mike is simply as classy an act as there is. I simply cannto imagine any basketball fan not adoring his work. We are so fortunate to have him; I hope he works until he is 80. There will be a massive drop-off with whoever follows him, no matter who it is.

As for Tommy, our friend Gant put it well: people who follow other teams who complain about Tommy are simply eavesdropping. They are not supposed to listen. We love him, he loves us, and we are family. That’s all there is to it. And, by the way, he knows more about basketball than any other “color” guy doing NBA games today. Forget his hall-of-fame playing career, he coached some of the great teams in NBA history in the 1970s. Having Tommy Heinsohn doing our games in 2009 would be like Ted Williams calling the Red Sox games in 2004.

by elrod enchilada on Feb 17, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Major 2nd here

well put Elrod. As another league passer, Mike Gorman is unequivocally the best play-by-play guy in the biz. There is no one is his league. Great notes on Tommy as well. Celts fans— we are lucky!

…and for anyone interested, Charlotte’s announcers take the cake as the worst in the league, hands down.

by datruthyall on Feb 18, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I love it when you do articles like this, Steve.

The more I watch other teams on League pass, the more I appreciate both Mike and Tommy. They are the perfect combination of spot-on play-by-play and insightful, truly colorful color commentary.

By the way, does anyone remember Gil Santos? I can’t remember if he was any good, I just remember it was Santos and Cousy till I was a certain age, and then a VERY young-looking Mike Gorman took over.

by Cousin It on Feb 17, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

he did the patriots radio

until he retired after this past season

by WillyBeamin on Feb 17, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Great article, Steve.

Though less vocal than Tommy and thus less recognized nationally, Mike Gorman is the steady hand at the helm of our beloved Celtics broadcasts. As I’m 23 years old, Mike is the only voice I’ve ever associated with the C’s. He is my Johnny Most. A comforting and reassuring voice through and through, I look forward to hearing him every time I turn on a game.

by celts4life on Feb 17, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Well deserved

Gorman is terrific. Genuinely fond of Tommy and likes what he’s doing without being maudlin about it.
If you don’t like Tommy, there is a problem with you. He’s a homer all right. Half the time he says “He was fouled” the Celtic wasn’t fouled, and half the time he says “He got all ball” the Celtic got ball, arm, jersey, hip etc. But how do you not love the guy? And as others have said, he seriously knows the game. The only thing better than Mike and Tommy was when Cous joined them.

by Wildblu1 on Feb 17, 2009 6:19 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Amen, Steve!

Gorman is truly great, and we’re lucky to have him. As you mentioned, Steve, having anyone else sitting next to Tommy (besides Cous of course) only highlights the quality of Mike’s announcing and his chemistry with T. Yep, thanks Mr. Gorman! Keep that Amica Shot Clock running!

by Hal Jordan on Feb 18, 2009 8:08 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

best line

Pierce…Fakes it..Takes it…Makes it..

by pgallagher on Feb 18, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

respect

what i most appreciate is mike’s respect for the intelligence of his audience.

by gtirebitr on Mar 2, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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