Bill Raftery says “Onions!” as his way of praising a player for hitting a big, clutch shot under pressure. The phrase is widely understood as meaning the shooter has guts or “big balls,” and Raftery has said it just came out naturally during a broadcast years ago.

Why it stuck

  • It fits the moment: a tough shot late in a game.
  • It sounds quirky and memorable, so fans repeat it.
  • Broadcasters and writers helped spread it after Raftery started using it on TV.

Origin story

Raftery has explained that he first blurted it out during a Nets game after Kevin Edwards hit a jumper, and the line just stayed with him from there. In one retelling, Ian Eagle jokingly asked if it meant “so good you had to cry,” and Raftery clarified it was more about bravery and confidence on the shot.

In plain English

When Raftery says “Onions!”, he’s basically saying: that was a fearless, huge make.

TL;DR: He uses “Onions!” as a colorful call for a clutch shot, and it became his signature because it perfectly captures the pressure and drama of big moments in basketball.