Cleveland Cavaliers television play-by-play announcer, Fred McLeod, was a great man. During my time covering the Cavs, I had the honor of talking with Fred several times. While I’ll never forget some of the stories he shared from a lifetime in the NBA, I’ll also remember how gracious and simply nice he was to everyone he met. The outpouring of condolences from LeBron James and many others at the news of his tragic passing is evidence of that.
Beyond being a great person, Fred also entered the living rooms of Cavaliers fans all over the globe to narrate hundreds of memorable highlights from LeBron’s time in Cleveland. He used signature catchphrases like right down Euclid, the bottom, a wine and gold winner, and saying goodnight to the city the Cavs had just beaten during his broadcasts. But Fred was beloved for much more than just his witty one-liners.
What made McLeod truly special as an NBA announcer was the overwhelming passion that accompanied his calls during a Cavaliers game. His most memorable moment was when he exclaimed, “Goodnight Oakland!” following the Cavs Game 7 win in the 2016 NBA Finals. But that was far from the only time Fred got excited. He appreciated the journey, and he celebrated greatness each and every time greatness emerged on the basketball court.
Since 2006, McLeod was on the call for some of LeBron’s most memorable moments as a Cleveland Cavalier. In celebration of an NBA legend who will be dearly missed by so many throughout the league, we looked back at 11 of LeBron’s Cavs highlights and the uniquely authentic way that Fred described them.
“He made Jusuf Nurkic a screensaver!” – Fred McLeod
On March 15, 2018, LeBron James offered one of the most vicious dunks of his NBA career. During a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, LeBron and Jusuf met at the rim–and things didn’t go well for the Blazers big man. After James put Nurkic on a poster with a thunderous finish, Cavs announcer Fred McLeod exclaimed, “He made Jusuf Nurkic a screensaver!”
“LeBron James on a rim-crusher!” – Fred McLeod
During a game against the Utah Jazz in November of 2015, LeBron James received a bounce pass from Kevin Love on the baseline. He collected it in stride and without a dribble he entered the rafters before throwing it down on one of the best defensive players in the NBA. As the ball fell through the net, Fred McLeod proclaimed, “LeBron James on a rim-crusher!”
“He rattled the building, that’s what they came to see! My chair is shaking!” – Fred McLeod
While visiting the Barclays Center for a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets in March of 2018, LeBron James did some nasty things to a very likable guy in Joe Harris. With the first quarter clock ticking down, LeBron went the length of the court for a ferocious finish over the Nets guard. As the Brooklyn fans erupted in cheers, Fred McLeod declared, “He rattled the building, that’s what they came to see! My chair is shaking!”
“The bottom! A wine and gold, walk-off, playoff winner!” – Fred McLeod
As the local broadcaster for Fox Sports Ohio, Fred McLeod wasn’t typically on the call for postseason games past the first round. But during a first-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers in 2018, Fred did punctuate LeBron’s game-winner with one of his signature calls. After LeBron blocked Victor Oladipo and then hit the game-wining basket, McLeod said, “The bottom! A wine and gold, walk-off, playoff winner!”
“He walked right down Euclid and smashed it!” – Fred McLeod
Another one of Fred McLeod’s signature catchphrases was “right down Euclid.” He used it to describe a dunk that LeBron James had against the Miami Heat to the delight of everyone who tuned in for the game. Euclid Avenue is one of the main streets in downtown Cleveland and it leads to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. As LeBron attacked a wide-open key, Fred bellowed, “He walked right down Euclid and smashed!”
“Total disdain for anybody’s feelings!” – Fred McLeod
While playing the Phoenix Suns in January of 2017, LeBron exploded for two high-flying finishes. The more spectacular of the rim-rattlers was a reverse, double-clutch finish that followed a spin move from the right wing. Fred McLeod described the play by LeBron for exactly what it was, “Total disdain for anybody’s feelings.”
“Behind the back–that’s not fair!” – Fred McLeod
In a game against Isaiah Thomas’ Boston Celtics, LeBron James collected a steal at mid-court and sprinted toward the rim with the basketball. Just as he arrived at the hoop, Celtics guard Avery Bradley swiped down at the ball. To avoid the hands of the outstretched defender, LeBron put the ball behind his back before going up for two-handed finish. In response to the move, Cavs announcer Fred McLeod exclaimed with excitement, “Behind the back–that’s not fair!”
“Convenient banking hours in the nation’s capital on a Monday night!” – Fred McLeod
After John Wall put the Washington Wizards up 120-117 over the Cleveland Cavaliers with just three seconds left, it seemed like the game in February of 2017 was over. But after missing an uncontested layup with four seconds remaining which would have given Cleveland a 119-118 lead, LeBron tied it up with an incredible 3-pointer off the glass over Bradley Beal. As the ball kissed the backboard and fell through the rim, Fred McLeod said, “Convenient banking hours in the nation’s capital on a Monday night!”
“That was insane, officially insane from LeBron James!” – Fred McLeod
The Cleveland Cavaliers were playing the Milwaukee Bucks at home when LeBron James brought the Cleveland crowd to their feet with a dizzying display of athleticism. While cutting through the key, James received a pass from J.R. Smith. LeBron then went with your standard double-clutch reverse dunk in traffic. Fred McLeod saluted the effort by saying, “That was insane, officially insane from LeBron James!”
“Game over! LeBron James has delivered once again!” – Fred McLeod
During a November 2015 matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, LeBron James would connect on a game-winning floater that sailed high over the outstretched arm of Brook Lopez to secure the 90-88 victory with one second remaining. Fred McLeod announced the accomplishment by simply stating, “Game over! LeBron James has delivered once again!”
“Take that Chicago!” – Fred McLeod
Outside of when he broke down describing the Cleveland Cavaliers championship in 2016, my favorite Fred McLeod call came when LeBron James hit a game-winner to beat the Chicago Bulls during the 2015 NBA Playoffs. With 1.5 seconds remaining, LeBron collected the inbounds pass under his own basket in the left corner. He rose and was pure with a jumper that won the game and tied the series at 2-2. After screaming in celebration, McLeod said, “Take that Chicago! Take that Chicago! We are coming back tied at two apiece!”
