Mike Breen On His Legendary Broadcast Career, Calling The LeBron Block, MJ vs. The Knicks and More

BANG. We are so psyched to bring you this interview today with legendary NBA broadcaster and hall-of-famer Mike Breen. There's so much we covered on this episode. First up, JJ and Tommy discuss the upcoming NBA trade deadline the teams looking to make moves. Then we get to Breen. Topics include: Mike's take on what makes a good broadcaster and what it's really like to call games with JJ, he he approaches each game in term sof preparation, how he got into broadcasting in the first place, when he first started using his catch phrase "BANG", how the NBA has evolved as a sport, his favorite all time calls including the block from LeBron James on Andre Iguodala in The NBA Finals, his worst calls ever including last year's Jayson Tatum game winner in the playoffs between The Celtics and The Nets, what it was like calling play-by-play for The Malice In The Palace, his favorite memories from calling Knicks / Bulls games during The Michael Jordan era, his favorite BANG calls including The Stephen Curry shot against The Oklahoma City Thunder, The Luka Doncic shot against The Los Angeles Clippers and of course, The Kobe Bryant shot, when and why he's ever busted out the DOUBLE BANG and so much more.
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#nba #mikebreen #jjredick

[@Preddybenn]

Mike Breen is one of the most incredible announcers the game has ever seen, not just in basketball but in the world of sports. So many iconic moments and truly an inspiration to many. Salute!

[@dr.IvoSanader]

World exist outside USA.

[@troll4680]

@@dr.IvoSanader no not really

[@jacobbucio5039]

100%. if you are a soccer fan, Peter Drury is awesome

[@DawwgHouse]

@@dr.IvoSanader Hence why he said "one of"

[@charold3]

I swear-late New Year’s resolution-I’m gonna avoid sounding like a troll from now on. I see the way to get likes is by stating the most sentimental but obvious utterances. Mike Breen a great sports announcer? Wow. You are quite perceptive!

[@allu4me]

As an NBA play-by-play announcer myself in the tiny country of Belgium, I always listen(ed) to Mike Breen to pick stuff up. You can sense his love through his commentary: he announces a boring mid-january game as if it was the NBA Finals itself.

[@jayenglish1346]

I think that’s the biggest thing. Eric collins does a great job at this making the hornets entertaining to watch

[@devinconn8097]

Hornets and Bulls broadcasters are GOATed

[@itsmeechtv8967]

@@devinconn8097 cavs announcers are pretty fire as well

[@bobbybolan5516]

Do you broadcast in English or Flemish?

[@bobbybolan5516]

Or French damn y’all fluent as hell

[@bobbygenesis7868]

As a Knicks fan our fan base is incredibly lucky to have Breen and Clyde announcing our games. I hope their around forever they’re the absolute best

[@tupacalypse88]

bro I love Clyde so much so smooth

[@elixerflow6068]

Absolutely! Knicks nation

[@ozzybasketball2099]

they're

[@eastonalleman3217]

i wish we heard some clyde stories

[@Valdivia1115]

Knick players can always rely on a great call to their highlights as well.

[@ricis0nline]

As a Knick fan, having him and Clyde call our games is a major reason why i kept tuning in all those years we were stuck in purgatory. It feels so good now that we have a decent team 😂

[@omarmiddleton4426]

No matter what we got the best broadcast team in the league lol, us and Charlotte

[@tim.noonan]

@@omarmiddleton4426 Nets are spoiled with Ian Eagle too. That franchise doesn’t deserve their broadcast team.

[@mrblonde432]

@@tim.noonan Be Ian is off set by Richard Jefferson. One step forward, 2 steps back.

[@Bob-fj7lr]

I've said this sentence almost verbatim like 100 times.

[@ShimmyMD]

@@mrblonde432 nah RJ is great. ANd im a knicks fan

[@MarioNotBros]

I've met Mike a couple of times, and he's by far one of the nicest dudes I've ever had the chance to talk to. He's the GOAT

[@AAA-tp7nc]

In addition to being the GOAT broadcaster, Mike’s legit funny too. His dry humor is so under appreciated

[@trippinatormachine]

Kawhi Leonard going crazy!

[@doctorreed_]

that's the time he did with Imus at work lol

[@JustinWPruett]

Interview starts at 10:00.

[@Left-sh1db]

The best

[@jordannipper8959]

Salute to you my guy

[@winterfoxcloud]

it's so cute seeing JJ sit there smiling in what appears to be pure admiration for mike and his wisdom. like a kid listening to his granddad telling a story 🥰

[@tgo6996]

Mike Breen is only 23 years older than JJ lol more like son and dad

[@kmax1223]

How old do you think Breen is lmao

[@jackson3068]

@@kmax1223he is 61

[@marce7x]

Mike Breen a walking living legend. As a Knicks fan I am so grateful I get to hear him most nights calling our games. Protect this guy at all costs

[@lebronjamesharden3958]

the GOAT caster

[@TheMkfan123]

Damn I wasn’t expecting his regular voice to be that much different. That’s insane!!!

[@blakeporush1193]

Mike breen is the 🐐 point blank period.. and him and Clyde on MSG is must watch tv, I am so grateful to grow up with him! 🙏🏼

[@austinfrank7752]

Was already a big fan of Breen but man, what a pro. This guy really is the best in the business. You can tell he’s very thoughtful and takes a lot of pride in his work. And he genuinely loves the game.

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

Mike just gets it, the right call can make or break a legendary play, that he understands that and feels the responsibility says everything.

[@SUPREMELYTrill]

Mike Breen is a national treasure, I hope you guys bring him back at some point

[@brettharpt1284]

Top 3 announcers of all time in all sports. such an icon

[@rickydelgado8390]

I love this man. We have been so fortunate as Knicks fans to have him on the call most nights. Only if we could put together a championship team before he hangs it up. Clyde too.

[@inactivechristine]

As a Nets fan who only gets to listen to Mike Breen on national TV games, he has been so memorable throughout my life. Undoubtedly the GOAT announcer, and so glad I got to listen to gain some insight from someone as special as him. Thank you :)

[@nickcarneyphotography]

Mike Breen is an amazing announcer, but an even cooler dude. Been lucky to meet him a few times and he's just such a solid guy. He puts so much work into his craft.

[@brianhayes9031]

Lo

[@silewis9396]

Where did you meet him and what happened

[@nedkelly5688]

Definitely not boring, as an Australian who loves basketball I've heard him more than any other American voice, Mike Breen is an international treasure.

[@playmaka2007]

Mike talking about "crescendos" during a game is such a huge point. Listening to Bellator on CBS the other day with Fedor V Bader, the play by play commentator had his "crescendo" dial turned up to 11 for the entire night. He seems to be treating every little thing happening like it's the biggest deal ever, and it actually takes away from the big moments because he can't go any higher from 11 where he was already at.

[@elijahlloyd23]

This may have been the best interview I’ve heard in a long time. Not just on this show either! Great job from top to bottom. I really feel like I know Breen personally now. Knew he was a great guy but man that’s a class act!

[@doctorreed_]

couldn't be prouder to call this man my father, and I'm watching this on his birthday, May 22nd. love ya dad!

[@elishelton3300]

This is a great listen as a broadcasting student. It’s like having a 1 on 1 seminar with an absolute legend

[@justinrodriguez7020]

Wow .. to know Mike Breen is from my City & my borough (BX, NY) is an incredible inspiration. To understand the grind he went through is mesmerizing. Thanks, JJ!

[@moneymakerrain7584]

The absolute goat. Never heard anyone say anything bad about Mike Breen. He’s definitely someone I look up to

[@grannydeez13]

Dude has elevated a lot of already legendary moments in nba history.

[@corbblah]

Honestly love Mike Breen, he can do no wrong in my eyes. The GOAT

[@subtleknife1]

Gotta agree with JJ, one of my favorites of all time. How can you not love this guy?

[@winterfoxcloud]

as a knicks fan mike/clyde are really the only thing that keeps a lot of us going. the true goats of the knicks franchise

[@Whyzee12]

My favorite JJ interview for sure! What a joy Mike was and you guys were amazing and asked all the perfect questions. Always wondered about the steph shot. Just amazing guys! Thank you!!

[@Roadrunnerz45]

one of the best interviews. need more media guys. breen is one of the best if not the best. he and hubie brown were such a brilliant broadcast.

[@nicholasholmes5109]

Mike Breen is such a stud. Loved this interview. He seems so down to earth for being such an icon in his field.

[@eagles0813]

wouldn’t mind another Mike Breen episode, this was excellent

[@gandix5516]

This is by far one of the greatest episodes of a podcast I’ve ever listened to.

[@ComboBreakerHD]

I had to rewind like, 30 parts of this interview because Mike would say something insightful and I'd start thinking about all the broadcasters who fit the description, or great moments in sports and how the broadcasters have influenced how I remember them.

[@henriquedelarosa5419]

What an episode! Hands down my favorite of all, great, inspiring conversation

[@franciscoc035]

Probably one of my favorite episodes on the podcast so far, great stuff!!

[@Forsaken2408]

Damn I can't even think of any game that Mike Breen calls were bad. Absolutely phenomenal and incredible announcers.

[@alexl6556]

Honestly, this might have been my favorite episode. Great job gents!

[@jwells1914]

I haven’t even finished the episode but I know it will be amazing. Salute to the legend!

[@Meeks69420]

Such an amazing episode, Mike’s love for the game is such a pleasure to witness

[@nickadams370]

so lucky to have him on msg. he's the best and he's so humble

[@piurajader]

Mike Breen one of the goat. Great interview.

[@mekostevens9265]

Mike breen is a legend and his calls are always amazing. I agree most iconic voice in the NBA

[@dispatchnews]

This was incredible. I absolutely love Mike Breen. I get as excited to know he’s on the broadcast as I do the game he’s about to call.

[@chel7236]

I'm loving this conversation. Its as real as it gets💯💯💯💪💟🙏🙏🙏

[@fahada1921]

Mike Breen is one if the reasons I enjoy NBA.

[@JayThunder35Fan]

I aspire to be like him. Voice wise and personality wise. You can tell he’s such a genuine guy.

[@francois2957]

I havent even finished this ep and i know it's gonna be legendary. Huge to get mike breen! He sounds so different too when he's not calling the game

[@drecortezENT]

My brotha Orlando is Bams backup movin forward. He gave my boy his 2 minute life rundown and it warmed my heart. Bless Mr Breen MORE LIFE!

[@Bradleytosh]

He seems like an absolute Joy to be around.

[@stephenv7062]

What a genuine human being. Great episode

[@michaelgomez7665]

Mike Breen is legendary. Such a special talent in the world of sports. Awesome interview

[@MR_ARKANSAS]

this is what professionalism looks and sounds like.

[@jacksonarnold27]

great interview! always love listening to MikeBreenOnHand

[@TheMkfan123]

Wasn’t expecting this to drop this early in the morning. Perfect timing 🙏🏾

Excellent content J! This is more than basketball. Thank you

[@duffman1876]

Woow thank you for this JJ,so great to see Uncle Mike here😎🍻🍺

[@dariusheatlilweezy]

Mike Breen is the goat of nba broadcasting idc!

[@ashwinvenkat950]

This was just such a spectacular listen (as is every episode, naturally), particularly given Mike Breen being the guest of honor. He is the absolute 🐐 in this business. His authenticity and humility are what have always stood out to me. Hope you guys can bring him back in the near future.

[@LegendaryJmez]

One of my favorite podcasts right here! 🐐

[@justintindel9271]

Fantastic work guys. Wow that was a joy to watch/ listen 🤙

[@dyalander]

13:50 So true - respect the game and the fans that care about what’s happening on the floor.

[@1717Antonis]

One of the best podcasts i’ve ever listened to, kudos to you guys

[@kinglouiec6338]

Mike Breen is a legend! Great episode guys

[@zack2tw]

I have a ton of respect for Mr Breen. Awesome interview.

[@Beedulgi99]

Mike Breen has a golden voice and brings the game to life!!

[@fairjordan]

Awesome episode! One benefit of being a Knicks fans is being spoiled by his excellence almost nightly. Can listen to him talk forever. Absolute legend and best in the business by far!

[@MIKoenig44]

Love all of your shows, JJ. But, thanks for getting Breen. That was awesome!

[@Team-od8rh]

Mike is the guy Made me Love watching Basketball Every week I look up what Games Are called by Mike Watching every Bit of it

[@JayTheDonLive]

Probably one of JJ’s best guests on the podcast. Mike Breen is just a pleasure to listen to, you don’t get one of these interviews everyday.

[@wayv2638]

so dope seeing him get choked up recalling old stories. protect breen at all costs

[@rickyisme1230]

.I like JJ’s podcast so much there so many chaos on the media world.Your podcast is like a peace and quiet in the world it’s truly unique and special.Thanks for every hard work you guys put in ❤ Mike Breen is amazing as always haha.

[@kennethdye6022]

This was great. Thank you!

[@chauncey9805]

breen was with us knicks fans through the darkest days and i cant say enough how much better mike breen makes watching the games

[@Shadowfax2348]

great episode. thanks guys

[@atomicape6765]

Great questions one of the best episodes ever

[@mathias7763]

Can we talk about JJ’s choice of background tunes when he talk through the ads??? This is by far the sickest and best melody I’ve ever encountered! It makes me so happy to listen to it! Never skip the ads🙌🏻

[@JahiTV]

Mike and JJ I will be working with both of you soon just wait! You guys inspire me , thank you.

[@blakeporush1193]

Thank you for this JJ

[@brennanesposito827]

this was very great & not boring

[@BChristo]

Could have listened for another couple of hours. Living legend.

[@jaydentaylor4299]

As a sportscaster and NBA enthusiast, I loved this !

[@bencromwell707]

Great Interview Mike Been #Iconic

[@leopoldvonwinterfeld5801]

Oh, as a Knicks fan this one is especially one I'm looking forward to! For me personally the best sports announcer of all time although I didn't have the pleasure to hear some of the greats in the past.

[@dylan4003]

You don’t need to hear past greats mike breen is the greatest announcer of all time

[@maggo_1111]

One of best episodes for sure

[@taakeyourtime]

Mike Breen is an icon. Great interview!

[@Yes-No-123]

Just listened on Spotify. Great episode.

[@oldthug2309]

Jj redick is a man of the people. what a great interview for basketball fans to enjoy. Mike Breen is such an admirable individual

[@DoubleADoesKix]

Loved this episode

[@idatekatemoss]

This is so great! 🎉

[@michellem6257]

Not boring at all! Such a fun listen

[@ralphbroadley7330]

Awesome interview!

[@chel7236]

Old school knowledge but yet grows with the new.. Challenging yet this Man can do 💪💪💪💪💪💪💯💯💯💯💯💯🌻🙏🌻

[@chel7236]

Let's go JJ. Let's rock the real💯💯💯💯

[@datboiJan]

Damn they got Mike Breen up there too. One of my all time favorite announcers

[@rodsrodrigot]

The best to ever make! Legend

[@wippythoughts]

As expected, Mike Breen is a phenomenal podcast guest

[@riccardoesclapon549]

wow what an amazing guy and episode 🔥