Bing bong is everywhere. And though it’s not universally beloved, or even beloved by the entirety of the Knicks’ fan base, it’s certainly a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for at least a little while.
It plays over the PA system at Madison Square Garden. It’s in Tik Tok videos galore, with even the Jonas Brothers and president Joe Biden getting in on the joke. It comes up in daily conversation, you’ll hear it on the sidewalks throughout New York, and the Knicks community references “bing bong” daily on various social media platforms. In a way, it might be the biggest frenzy to strike the New York basketball world since Linsanity occurred back in 2012.
But do the two fads really compare? Not even close, says longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Breen.
“Oh, no no no. The Linsanity thing… people ask me what’s the best game you did, what’s your favorite call. My favorite two weeks of all time, the most fun I’ve ever had in broadcasting, were those two weeks of Linsanity,” Breen told Rex Chapman on his podcast. “I’ve always been a big fan of the underdog. I’ve always liked that role player who does so many things but doesn’t get the recognition, whether financially or in the headlines.
“And so here, this kid comes out of nowhere on a team that was just reeling at the time, and for two weeks he became maybe the most famous athlete in the world, playing at a level that very few have ever played on to the point where you couldn’t wait to get to the arena. You couldn’t wait for that next game to see what he was going to do next.”
Lin scored 25 points in his first legitimate action with the Knicks, helping the team to a seven-point win over the Nets and starting what would become a seven-game winning stream and a 9-3 run entering the All-Star break. Over those 12 games, Lin averaged 22.6 points, 8.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, seemingly creating unforgettable highlights and legendary moments every time he stepped on the court.
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Knicks team gear
You think Lin was having fun? And based on what you hear from the highlights, do you think it’s possible that Breen was having an even better time? I wouldn't be surprised. In fact, everyone was having the time of their lives, and that certainly included the sudden star point guard’s teammates.
“I never described NBA players as ‘giddy,’ but his teammates watching this, they were giddy,” Breen recalled. “It was the joy they had for him and his success, and it wasn’t just because he turned the team around. It was the way he handled it and the way he played for those two weeks under enormous pressure. All of a sudden, he had the biggest spotlight on him. It was just so much fun.
“...It was as (much) fun as I’ve ever had as a broadcaster.”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram