Nets Announcer Ian Eagle Had a Perfect Call of James Harden’s Laughably Bad Pass

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James Harden wasn’t great in his first game in Brooklyn as a member of the Clippers, but Harden’s struggles gave Nets announcer Ian Eagle a chance to shine.
Wednesday night was Harden’s second game with his new team, and the Nets won, 100–93, as the former Brooklyn star managed just 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He also had five turnovers, one of which was laugh-out-loud funny.
Early in the second quarter, Harden tried to find Paul George with a cross-court pass. But he totally airmailed it and threw it right into Eagle’s lap. Eagle, one of the best announcers in the business, had a brilliant call of Harden’s blunder.
"That's comin' my way! I got it. Unbelievable. I could see it from the beginning... That might have been my greatest call in NBA history. I knew it from the second it left his hand... I also have tea all over my lap." Ian Eagle receives James Harden's errant pass 🏀🎙️😂 pic.twitter.com/TmBxq5CLaS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 9, 2023
“Harden—that’s coming my way!” Eagle said. “I got it. Unbelievable. I could see it from the beginning.
“That might have been my greatest call in NBA history. I knew it from the second it left his hand.”
Eagle had a price to pay for his great call, though. The errant pass knocked over his cup of tea and drenched him.

Dan Gartland writes Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, and is the host of the “Stadium Wonders” video series. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).