Thanks to their victory in Game 5 against the Heat, the Celtics qualified for the second round of the playoffs, and on the broadcasters' side, it is a turning point. Like all local channels across the United States, NBC Sports Boston will give way to the national network with TNT or ESPN/ABC for the rest of the playoffs.
Above all, it is the end of an era for the Celtics since Mike Gorman commented on his last Boston game last night. On the mic since 1981, Mike Gorman is one of the most iconic voices in the league. As proof, this 76-year-old journalist was entered into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
For 40 years, he and Tom Heinsohn formed one of the most iconic commentator duos in US sport. After the death in 2020 of the former Celtics player and then coach, Mike Gorman found in Brian Scalabrine the ideal consultant to take over and comment on the exploits of Jayson Tatum and his teammates.
From Larry Bird to Jayson Tatum
Since 1981, Mike Gorman has been a privileged witness to great Celtics epics. From Larry Bird to Jayson Tatum via Paul Pierce and Isaiah Thomas, there are so many stars, vibrant matches and legendary moments that the Hall of Famer has commented on.
Larry Bird's “interception of the century” is undoubtedly the iconic moment of his career. “When Isiah (Thomas) loses the ball and Bird deflects for DJ (Dennis Johnson), that layup takes the Garden from dead silence to loud noise.” says Mike Gorman.
Wednesday night, at the end of the game, the Celtics paid a final tribute to their “voice” with a standing ovation from TD Garden. For Jayson Tatum and his partners, the ideal would be to come full circle since Mike Gorman began his career as a commentator on the 1981 title. Why not punctuate it with an 18th title?
