The advantage of Charlotte being on NBA TV for the night is new eyeballs on the Hornets and LaMelo Ball, a team that has been at the top of the excitement rankings so far this year.
With a rare national TV game tonight at the Spectrum Center, the Hornets (12-13) used a 21-4 burst at the start of the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets (11-12) 119-94. At the center of it all was NBA Rookie of the Year Award frontrunner LaMelo Ball, who splashed home a career-high 7 threes and finished with a game-high 24 points to go along with 10 dimes.
It wasn’t only LaMelo who wowed the national television audience. Hornets broadcaster Eric Collins, known for his passion and energy night in and night out, blew up on Twitter as the Miles Bridges-LaMelo Ball chemistry was in full effect. Whether it be “LaMelo Ball with his hair on fire,” or a signature “how do you do,” from Mr. Collins, the national TV audience got a taste of what Hornets fans get to enjoy every game: the most excited announcer in the NBA.
There may be no better NBA League Pass team in the league when you combine the young talent in Buzz City and the broadcasting duo of Collins and former Hornet sharpshooter Dell Curry.
Who else in the word can make the name Miles Bridges this exciting?
LaMelo lob to Miles Bridges 😧 pic.twitter.com/CwQVojbKE5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2021
Ball was feeling it early and often from distance, and Collins made sure the people knew:
LaMelo's 4-6 from three already 👀
15 points in 14 minutes. pic.twitter.com/0r2AFMpsS7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2021
Lamelo Ball is on 🔥
He’s 6/9 from 3 and has cashed his points prop over (17.5) for the 6th straight game @betthehoops pic.twitter.com/yXAsUDrcdM
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) February 9, 2021
The Twitter reaction was rampant as fans and media members finally got to experience how engaging Collins is on the call:
Somebody tell me about this Hornets PBP guy. This energy level is impressive
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 9, 2021
My best friend in LA calls me and tells me: “I’m watching @hornets on @NBATV who is this magic man with his words calling the game?” 😂 😂 😂 please @ashahahmadi tell Eric Collins he has fans on the west coast!!! 😂 😂 😂 @HornetsOnFSSE pic.twitter.com/yjSXsCRIe8
— Sombrero Man (@FKNTORO) February 9, 2021
@hornets Eric Collins we are all Livin’ LaMelo Loco! @nba#rookieoftheyear#lameloball
— 💙Someday Soon IS NOW!💙 (@SomedaySoon12) February 9, 2021
Anytime LaMelo Ball and the Hornets are at their best, you might want to tune in just to hear what the great Eric Collins is cooking up.
