READY TO RUMBLE
Michael Buffer, the world-famous sports announcer
best known for his “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” call,
provided the introductions of our team at Countdown
to Craziness. The legendary announcer has introduced
the World Series, major heavyweight boxing matches,
the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, video games,
ever happened to me — The Crazies Choice award for movies and more. When asked about Duke and how a
best last-second shot.”
game in Cameron compares to his impressive resume of
CTC in Cameron concluded with a dunk contest
events he has been a part of, Buffer responded:
where Andre and Olek were named co-champions.
“The OC” and Dre led after the first two rounds and
“Cameron absolutely ranks right up there. The
met in the finals with both players receiving perfect
word fan comes from fanatic and fanaticism,
scores in their head-to-head matchup. The celebrity
and I think the Duke Blue Devil fans really rep-
judges, Kevin White, Coach P, J-Will and the Blue Devil,
resent that word as much or more than any-
then opted to declare the contest a tie. Other dunk
one. That’s what makes a venue really exciting
contest contestants included the Plumlee brothers and
-- the level of energy and excitement and what
Nolan “Showtime” Smith.
the fans add to the team when it’s on the court.
Although “Showtime” didn’t win, he lived up to his
That’s really what that arena represents.
nickname and stole the show during his second dunk
Whether it is someone watching on TV that
attempt. His plan started after the scrimmage when
lives in Oregon or Canada or wherever, they
no one noticed him slipping back into the locker room,
can literally feel what is happening and I think
where he donned an old-school Johnny Dawkins #24
that’s what makes college basketball so excit-
uniform. When it was time for his second dunk, Nolan
ing all around the country... I was just looking
stripped off his #2 Duke uniform to reveal the Dawkins
at the Duke schedule recently. So many of the
uniform. The crowd erupted in cheers and smiles, with
games are on ESPN, CBS and on national TV
flash bulbs firing around Cameron.
because Duke is just one of the most famous
Said Nolan about his retro Johnny Dawkins look, “I
national teams there is. I am looking forward
was watching some YouTube videos of some old dunk
to working my TIVO and DVR and making sure
contests and seeing the creativity some of those pros
I don’t miss too many Duke games. I am also
keeping my fingers crossed that there is no big
have. After looking at that, I wanted to do something
fight on Saturday, March 6th so that I will be
special for the night. It was the first CTC and I wanted
able to come in and do the introductions live
to pull something special out. I know Coach Dawkins
for the game of the year (Duke vs. UNC)!”
would have loved to be here for it and I wanted to pull
out his jersey.”
The Nolan-turned-Johnny-Dawkins was perhaps
For the complete interview with Michael Buffer, please visit:
the top moment of an event that the coaching staff felt
blog.dukeblueplanet.com/2009/11/ready-to-rumble/
brought the best atmosphere to Cameron at the start
DukeBluePlanet.com 33
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52