At nearly identical times, Bengoodfella and I tweeted polar opposite thoughts. While BGF railed Gus for his yelling during the Pac-10 Final, I proclaimed that I was watching the game merely because Gus' voice was guiding my experience. Upon seeing our debate, frequent commenter Koleslaw took Bengoodfella's side. Feeling childish, I had to defend Gus' honor.
At heart, I'm an immature fan who gets caught up in the emotions of the game. Think Mark Cuban, minus the money and the whole owning the Mavericks thing. With no attachment, I can't let myself go. As much as I enjoy being a Jay Bilas-like objective observer, I need to have a specific interest in the game (whether it's gambling or otherwise). If not, I have to feel the energy. I have to be able to experience the glory, the pain, and tension of every moment as if I were sitting in the second row. The announcer is that tool. Even though I know it's a tie game, the shot clock is off and the Pac 10 title is on the line, the enormity of the moment almost necessitates reinforcement.
If the announcer is cannot deliver the emotion, I cannot quite feel the enormity of the moment. Ultimately, these miniscules games are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. But when Gus Johnson interjects his obnoxiously loud intensity, he forces you to feel the moment. Even though the game may be one of many greats in the realm of college basketball, you cannot get off the couch and tear yourself away.
This is why I love Gus. He makes the unentertaining entertaining. He makes the mundane exciting. He brings relevance and pressure to already pressure-filled moments. I cannot object that the screaming and yelling is over the top. But without it, it's hard to remain as emotionally invested. And that's what draws us to sports. It's because we care. It's merely entertainment, and that's what Gus Johnson brings.
I am not ignorant. I understand that the majority of this blog disagrees. I sure as hell know that BGF does. So I'm ready for your rants and criticisms. Let the argument begin.
