Eric Collins Post-Game Breakdown (1/6/21) + Bonus Dell notes

Hornets play-by-play announcer, Eric Collins, has been a consistent joy for Charlotte Hornets fans, regardless of whether the team is up 10 or down 20. The human equivalent of a firecracker that shotguns basketball highlight juice, Collins has an array of signature phrases and that tickle the ears of any fan fortunate to be listening. It is my goal to provide a breakdown after most games of how many times Eric used one of his fan-favorite sayings, along with documenting brand new Eric-isms that he decides to pepper in at any notice.

Here are the stats for Wednesday, January 6th’s win at Atlanta:

• 1 x “Tougher Than Walrus Gristle”
• 1 x “Have a night _________”
• 1 x “Ten-legged groove machine” in reference to the Hornets. This one is living in my head rent-free.
• And for my final honorable mention, in the fourth quarter, Hayward stepped out for a minute and was replaced by Miles Bridges to which Eric exclaimed, “He’ll give Hayward a blow.”

One more actual note since Eric’s partner, Dell Curry, deserves some shine too. Dell quietly stated something that is very important for Hornets fans to keep on eye on. At one point towards the latter half of the game, Devonte’ Graham put up a mid-ranger that clanked off the front of the rim, which LaMelo Ball managed to nab for an offensive board. This was not luck. Dell stated with an impressed tone, “He just read the ball was short and beat his man to it.”

It’s becoming clearer that LaMelo is truly someone special, that while his length can give him the advantage to grab boards over his shorter PG counterparts, he is starting to display almost a Rodman-like affinity for tracking down boards. Don’t get heated that I’m comparing a 19 year old guard after his first 7 games to Rodman, I’m not really. I’m just saying that Ball is showing that he is indeed a unique and special talent whose ceiling is looking higher and higher each game. Dell is the color commentator for a reason, along with fathering two of the most talented shooters in the game, so I tend to really think and listen when he notices things like this.