Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Playoffs – Wednesday April 24, 2013

Atlanta Hawks (98) @ Indiana Pacers (113) – Pacers leads series 2-0

NBA TV’s coverage of the 2013 NBA Playoffs continues Thursday, April 25, at 8:30 p.m. ET featuring the Brooklyn Nets  @ Chicago Bulls (Game 3)

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA GameTime presented by AutoTrader.com

Vince Cellini, Dennis Scott and Baron Davis

Davis on the Pacers: “They’re tough…they’re all tough defenders and they play good team defense. They come out and initiate all the aggression throughout the game.

****    ****    ****    ****

Atlanta Hawks (98 ) @ Indiana Pacers (113) – Pacers leads series 2-0

Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Steve Smith (analyst) with Dei Lynam (reporter)

Smith on Hawks guard Jeff Teague’s development: “ What a wonderful player he has turned out to be. He now understands pace and situation. Each year, he keeps getting better.”

Smith on Pacers center Roy Hibbert: “ The confidence of Roy Hibbert is at an all-time high after the All-Star break.  He has just transformed himself.”

Smith on the Hawks bench: “Unfortunately the Hawks are missing key players Zaza Pachulia and Lou Williams; two players that would make a big difference in this series.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Cellini, Scott, Davis

Davis on what the Hawks need to do to stay in Game 2: “ [Jeff] Teague has done a great job carrying this team. In order for Atlanta to stay in this game, they have to be scrappy. They have to try and get out in transition.”

****    ****    ****    ****

 

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Cellini, Scott, Davis

Davis on Paul George and Roy Hibbert in this series:  “Paul George is just phenomenal. He is just dominating the series and Roy Hibbert is taking care of everything on the inside.”

Davis on the NBA’s evolution of style: “The NBA is now a fashionable league and a lot of the players are stepping their game up. It is about the complete ensemble.”

Scott on Rockets guard Patrick Beverley: “I’m very impressed with a guy like Patrick Beverly…coming in and messing things up and getting under Russell Westbrook’s skin.”

Davis on Thunder forward Kevin Durant: “He has improved every year. He knows how to come in and make big shots and set his men up. He’s a playmaker extraordinaire.”

Scott on the Rockets in Game 3 at home:  “[For Game 3] You have to play with a certain confidence. Hopefully their fans will show up to give them that extra energy they need. This is one of those games where they have to play the exact same way for 48 minutes. Can you do that and play mistake-free basketball at home?”

Davis on Atlanta making changes for Game 3: “Atlanta is going to have to make a lineup change. Having two small guards in the backcourt, they are going to get taken advantage of; not having any fire power off the bench and then Kyle Korver not giving you anything off the three…you probably want to come up with a defensive lineup and put the ball in Josh Smith and Jeff Teague’s hands and let them go.”

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.

-30-

Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Playoffs – Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Milwaukee Bucks (86) @ Miami Heat (98) – Miami leads series 2-0

NBA TV’s coverage of the 2013 NBA Playoffs continues Wednesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. ET featuring the Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers (Game 2)

****    ****    ****    ****
NBA GameTime presented by AutoTrader.com
Rick Kamla, Sam Mitchell and Baron Davis

Davis on Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, who was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player earlier today: “His versatility sets him apart from a lot of young players in the league. He can handle the ball, shoot the ball and make plays for his teammates. He’s also a solid defender…with or without Danny Granger, the future of the Indiana Pacers is with Paul George.”

Davis on the Milwaukee Bucks needing to put up more shots in their first round series against the Miami Heat: “No one else on the Bucks is going to be able to get [their own] shot, so Monta [Ellis] and Brandon [Jennings] have to put up 20 shots apiece and make plays. The other guys have to be willing to step up and take shots. Some might be bad shots but you have to take shots in order to free things up for Ellis and Jennings.”

Mitchell on the Heat’s defensive game plan against the Bucks: “[The Bucks have] some guys who can shoot the ball but, if I’m Miami, let Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings work hard, make tough shots and let them score 25 points apiece. That’s 50 points and it’s going to take 100 or 110 to beat Miami. There’s no way the other guys [on Milwaukee] can create for themselves. Miami has the right game plan; they don’t care if Ellis or Jennings get their points.”

Mitchell on what makes Heat forward LeBron James such a great player: “He is not a guy that searches for points. He’s about doing what it takes to win and playing a complete game. That’s what is so great about LeBron James. He could average 30 points a game whenever he wanted to.”

Mitchell on Miami’s Chris Bosh: “Chris Bosh is a superstar in this league but he understood that if he wanted to win championships, he needed to go play with some better players. He’s done that and made a huge sacrifice [with his own stats].”

****    ****    ****    ****
Milwaukee Bucks (86) @ Miami Heat (98) – Miami leads series 2-0

Announcers: Kevin Calabro (play-by-play) and Greg Anthony (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)

Anthony on James: “He’s the only guy that I can think of in the history of this game that can average 30 points in a season and scoring isn’t what he does best. He’s such a great all-around player. His passing is his greatest strength along with his ability to make his teammates better.”

Anthony on Heat point guard Mario Chalmers: “Mario Chalmers doesn’t get enough credit for how good of a season he’s had on both ends [of the court]. [He’s] very efficient as an offensive player and he’s really found his niche playing with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Defensively, he’s one of the better point guards in the NBA.”
****    ****    ****    ****
Sprint Halftime Report
Kamla, Mitchell and Davis

Mitchell on New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith: “It’s amazing how [Smith] has grown up and matured before our eyes.”

Davis on J.R. Smith: “He’s making plays, hitting difficult shots, he’s a crowd entertainer and, most importantly, he’s matured. He has a great relationship with ‘Woody’ [Knicks head coach Mike Woodson] and they trust each other.”
****    ****    ****    ****
Anthony on Bucks center Larry Sanders: “He is such a difference-maker for them on both ends [of the court]…defensively, he brings a shot-blocking presence on the interior.”

Anthony on Heat guard Dwyane Wade: “He is still as explosive as ever. He does a great job with his footwork and his angles to put pressure on you offensively.”

Anthony on the Heat acquiring forward Chris Andersen mid-season: “It was huge because he really fits a need. He’s an athletic ‘big’ who can block shots and rebound his position. He also gives them some personality and energy. He really fits in well.”

****    ****    ****    ****

NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Kamla, Mitchell and Davis

Mitchell on the Bucks: “They are doing the best they can but they’re just not good enough. For them to win one game, every player has to have their best game ever.”

Davis on Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony: “Who can stop him? He has one of the best one-dribble pull-ups in the game. He can go inside or outside. Nobody can stop ‘Melo…especially nobody on Boston. He’s determined to bring a championship to New York.”

Mitchell on the Boston Celtics not having enough to beat the Knicks: “Boston is going to go down swinging but they just don’t have the firepower to beat the Knicks.”

Davis on the Celtics missing injured point guard Rajon Rondo: “They don’t have a playmaker. That’s why Rajon Rondo is so important to them. He creates shots. When Paul Pierce is handling the ball and becomes your point guard, that takes aware from what he naturally does best which is scoring and putting pressure on the defense.”

Davis on LeBron James surpassing Michael Jordan as the greatest player of all time: “I think that LeBron is going to be the greatest [of all time]. He’s definitely going to surpass Michael Jordan – in my eyes – in just the type of person that he is, what he brings to the league, his personality and how everyone gravitates towards him. His game represents that. He shares, he plays defense, he plays hard and he does all the little things to make his team better. I definitely think that LeBron James will surpass Michael Jordan.”

-30-

TNT’s coverage of the 2013 NBA Playoffs continues tonight with a doubleheader featuring the Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets (Game 2) at 8 p.m. ET and Memphis Grizzlies vs. L.A. Clippers (Game 2) at 10:30 p.m.

TNT and NBA TV’s playoffs coverage continues Tuesday, April 23, with the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat (Game 2) at 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV and doubleheader action on TNT — the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks (Game 2) at 8 p.m. followed by the Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 2) at 10:30 p.m.

 

Conference call participants:

 

Steve Kerr, TNT analyst

Kenny Smith, TNT analyst

Dennis Scott, NBA TV analyst

Albert “Scooter” Vertino, vice president and executive producer of content, Turner Sports

Vertino on the 2013 NBA Playoffs: “We are extremely excited to continue our coverage of the NBA Playoffs, with more than 40 NBA Playoff games on TNT. NBA TV will once again televise up to nine originally-produced games as part of more than 1,500 hours that starts tomorrow night that also features pre- and post-studio programming, live press conferences – which also stream on NBA.com – and encores of every playoff game.”

On J.R. Smith being named Sixth Man of the Year:

Kerr: “You always factor wins into the equation. I could’ve gone with Jamal Crawford or J.R. [They both had] great seasons and J.R. is very deserving.”

Scott: “I like to use the word impactful. With all the injuries that New York had…what he was able to do off the bench was very impactful for them to be the second seed.”

Smith: “That’s the proper choice. It’s about what guys do at key moments and he was the guy who was most impressive at key moments as a sub.”

On whether the Knicks can reach The Finals and win a championship as a three-point shooting team and limited post presence:

Kerr: “The big picture answer to that is yes because Miami just won the championship last year playing pretty much that same style. You still have to defend and rebound. Offensively, very few teams have the ability to throw the ball into the post any more. You’re going to see a lot more teams winning championships this way – downsizing and shooting threes.”

Smith: “Every team has deficiencies. Miami has deficiencies – they don’t rebound well. If the Knicks are able to rebound, along with shooting three-pointers, they can give [Miami] a run for their money. If the Knicks can make people play their way, they can do that [win a championship].”

On whether the Lakers can generate enough scoring without Kobe Bryant to compete with the Spurs:

Kerr: “They don’t have enough…they need to make threes from the perimeter. They’re not a great three-point shooting team. I don’t think they can beat the Spurs four times. They haven’t been a great team all year; I don’t see why they would be a great team now.”

Scott: “Bottom line, it’s just not good enough. As good as Pau [Gasol] and Dwight [Howard] played in Game 1, they still need to play out of their minds and be super dominant. I’m not sure they can do that right now at this point in the season.”

Smith: “They can’t [generate more offense].”

On the Clipper/Grizzlies series:

Kerr: “The [Clipper] bench has been great all year…if they can control the glass against Memphis, they’re going to be in pretty good shape.”

On the Nets’ Deron Williams and his second half transformation:

Kerr: “It’s been shocking to see the difference in the last month with Deron Williams compared to the first month of the season. He looks like his old self – incredibly explosive and dynamic. They [Nets] have become pretty entertaining and Deron is the main reason why.”

Scott: “Since the All-Star break – when he got the nutritionist and lost the weight – he got his pep back. Deron Williams has his confidence back and his ankles and his body and he’s playing like the All-Star that we know he can be.”

Smith: “I don’t think he was terrible in the first half. He was a victim of his own success. It was obvious to me that he wasn’t healthy.”

On Houston’s Jeremy Lin and how he can improve in the series against Oklahoma City:

Scott: “He was like a deer caught in the headlights. I’m anxious to see as a point guard what adjustments he will make.”

Smith: “[Last night] was his first playoff game ever. I would expect him to play better in Game 2. His lack of understanding of time management yesterday showed. His decisions just weren’t good. It had nothing to do with his talent.”

On what the Bucks need to do differently against Miami:

Kerr: “It will be a shock if Milwaukee gets one game. To do it, they’re going to have to shoot lights out. It’s a brutal matchup…it’s just too easy for Miami to just sit back there and deal with the two little guards [Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis].”

Scott: “They’re going to have to play like the Villanova team that beat Houston back in 1985. They have to be in the paint to try and deter…and think they’re going to block a shot…shooting lights out basketball and getting some kind of toughness. I don’t see any of that coming from Milwaukee right now.”

Smith: “They have to shoot at an incredible pace to win a game [in the series]. They shoot only from the perimeter. I don’t remember them getting an internal basket. There is no post play to slow the game down and make Miami susceptible to anything.”

On the prospect of the Thunder returning to The Finals and the team’s biggest obstacle:

Kerr: “The biggest obstacle will be San Antonio from the West. If the Spurs are clicking and healthy, they would be the biggest obstacle to Oklahoma City getting back to The Finals.”

Smith: “They have been over-matching their opponents with talent. They won’t be just over-matching their opponents with talent in rounds two and three.”

On the Celtics chances without Rajon Rondo vs. Knicks:

Kerr: “In the regular season, the Celtics played well without him [Rondo]. The speed and intensity of the playoffs is where you miss a guy that can create a shot and offense when nothing else is there. The Celtics don’t really have that now. That said, this should be a long series because they defend so well. Their defense is always good. They have to clean up their game and take care of the ball and try to be a little more efficient offensively.”

Scott: “I’m not sure the Celtics have enough firepower coming off the bench. [They] really realize how much [they] miss Rondo.”

On which team – the Knicks or Nets – has a better chance of knocking off the Heat in the Eastern Conference:

Kerr: “Both teams can cause problems, but I like the Knicks chances better against Miami. If you look at Brooklyn…I don’t think Brooklyn can stop Miami. The matchups are really difficult. If you look at the Knicks, they had success in the regular season. It’s a more comfortable matchup for them.”

Scott: “If the Nets were tougher, I would lean more towards the Nets because of Brook Lopez.”

Smith: “They both have things that could give Miami problems. But none of those things can give Miami problems for four-out-of-seven games. The Knicks have the ability to shoot the basketball and make LeBron James and Dwyane Wade play defensively on J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony. I don’t think any other team in the league has that. Those two teams [Knicks and Nets] probably have a chance to give Miami some trouble in the Eastern Conference.”

On whether Phil Jackson could return to coaching:

Kerr: “My sense is that Phil wants to get back in a different position. I don’t think he wants to coach. The rigors of travel would probably be too much on him. I could see him in management – maybe as a consultant or vice president’s role where he’s helping put together an organization.”

On the Bulls’ chances in the playoffs:

Kerr: “The Bulls margin for error is very slim because of their lack of firepower. They’re not very good offensively. They can make this a competitive series but I don’t think they can beat Brooklyn four times.”

Scott: “Somehow they’ve got to find somebody to make some shots. If they don’t find somebody or two guys to make some shots, they might get swept.”

On Chris Paul and the Clippers in clutch time:

Kerr: “Eventually for them [Clippers] to take the next step, they’re going to have to go into Blake [Griffin]. Blake’s gotten a lot better this year…but they still have a ways to go as a team inside and out…to be a championship contender.”

Scott: “I would never question his clutch. I’m looking for his leadership, keep everyone engaged and keep his ‘bigs’ ready to be tough down low.”

Smith: “He is clutch. He’s proven he’s a clutch player. His ability to be clutch has never been questioned.”

******

With the Miami Heat riding a 24-game consecutive winning streak, nine shy of tying the all-time record, NBA TV will televise the team’s next matchup when they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Coverage will begin with the AutoTrader.com pre-game show at 7 p.m.

The Heat overcame a 27-point deficit last night, March 20, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, behind LeBron James’ triple double, to keep its winning streak active. The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers hold the all-time record of 33 straight wins.

-30-

Notes from NBA TV’s NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint — Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Denver Nuggets (114) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (104)

NBA Fan Night will continue Tuesday, April 9, on NBA TV

***** ***** *****

NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint

Vince Cellini, Isiah Thomas and Chris Webber

Webber on Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant: “He has the best handle of any tall player that has ever played. He has a crossover dribble, a step back, a pull back, a step back jumper from the three-point line. His skill-set, along with his height, makes it tough. There’s not one man in this world that can check him [Durant].”

Thomas on Denver’s 12-game winning streak entering the game against the Thunder: “You’re playing at a level…where you’ve never played this well together as a team. When you’re on this type of streak and you’re having this much fun, there’s nothing like it when you’re playing basketball. These are very special moments in the NBA. These are special moments in [their] careers.”

Thomas on Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook: “He’s got to control the tempo. He’s got to make sure that OKC is playing at their tempo. He’s got to control the backcourt. He’s got to take it personal. When he takes it personal, and he brings that competitive spirit to the game, that’s what makes OKC go.”

Webber on Westbrook: “You want to make sure that he keeps everyone involved. When he takes it personal…he’s the best point guard in the league.”

Webber on Denver Nuggets guard Andre Miller: “Miller, to me, over that last three years has been one of the most underrated guards in the NBA.”

***** ***** *****

Sprint Halftime Report

Cellini, Thomas and Webber

Thomas on Denver point guard Ty Lawson: “He’s doing a good job controlling the tempo. He’s getting in the paint. He’s knocking down threes and he’s getting everyone involved.”

***** ***** *****

NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Cellini, Thomas and Webber

Thomas on Denver’s 10-point road win over Oklahoma City: “Definitely a statement game for Denver. [They’re] letting the league know and everyone else know – they’re for real.”

Cellini, Thomas and Webber interviewed Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried following the win

Faried on the importance of winning home court advantage for the postseason: “It’s extremely important. We’re great at home; fantastic. We’re focused, we’re locked in…we don’t want to lose.”

Webber on Nuggets guard Kenneth Faried: “I love his enthusiasm. He’s a glue guy.”

Greg Anthony, during the NBA Fan Night post-game show, on playing for Nuggets head coach George Karl: “Players play their best basketball for George Karl; and they put on a show [tonight] at OKC.”

Charles Barkley, during the NBA Fan Night post-game show, on the Thunder: “I gave up on OKC because you’re not going to win a championship shooting jumpers. They need a big guy to score down low.”

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR

-30-

NBA TV’s NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint telecast will feature the Miami Heat and LeBron James hosting the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The NBA Fan Night game selection was based on fan voting via NBA.com, the NBA Facebook page, NBA TV’s Facebook page, Yahoo.com, NBA.com mobile web, mobile GameTime App and Twitter.

Fan Night host Matt Winer and analysts Greg Anthony and Chris Webber will offer analysis during the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show at 7 p.m. Winer, Anthony and Webber will also provide updates at times during the game telecast, along with halftime and GameTime presented by Hyundai post-game coverage. Prior to the pregame show, Anthony will take part in a TwitterView chat with fans from the @NBATV handle at 4:30 p.m. Fans should use #AskGA to submit questions.

Fan voting for the next NBA Fan Night telecast (Tuesday, Mar. 19) will be conducted from Tuesday, Mar. 12, at 8 a.m. through Thursday, Mar. 14, at midnight. Potential telecasts:

• Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers
• Portland Trail Blazers @ Milwaukee Bucks
• Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Upcoming NBA TV programming highlights:

Top Teams in Action on NBA TV

Additional games on NBA TV this week include a pair of match-ups featuring the top teams in the league. On Sunday, March 10, the Heat will host the Pacers at 6 p.m. and the Thunder will visit the Spurs on Monday, March 11, at 8:30 p.m. Other games this week on the network include the Utah Jazz taking on the New York Knicks on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. and a doubleheader on Friday, March 15, featuring the Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Jazz.

 

NBA D-League Game of the Week

NBA TV’s NBA D-League Game of the Week will continue Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. featuring the Reno Bighorns and the Santa Cruz Warriors (game held Tuesday, Feb. 26). The network will televise over 30 NBA D-League games including postseason match-ups.

The Jump presented by Sprint – Tuesdays on NBA.com and NBA TV

The Jump presented by Sprint – hosted by Jared Greenberg with analysts Dennis Scott and SLAM’s Lang Whitaker serving as a regular contributor – will stream live on NBA.com on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and air on NBA TV each Tuesday at 6 p.m. The show previews upcoming NBA games, provides analysis on storylines throughout the league and answers questions directly from NBA fans through submissions via NBA.com, the NBA Facebook page and Twitter.

 

Upcoming NBA TV Programming Highlights:

 

Saturday, Mar. 9	7 p.m. ET	AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
	7:30 p.m.	Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
Sunday, Mar. 10	3 p.m.	NBA D-League Game of the Week: Reno Bighorns @ Santa Cruz Warriors
	5:30 p.m.	AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
	6 p.m.	Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat
Monday, Mar. 11	3 p.m.	NBA.com Fantasy Insider
	6 p.m.	The Beat
	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime
	8 p.m.	AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
	8:30 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs
Tuesday, Mar. 12	5:30 p.m.	The Jump on NBA TV
	6:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime
	7:30 p.m.	AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
	8 p.m.	Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat (Fan Night)
Wednesday, Mar. 13	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime
Thursday, Mar. 14	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime
Friday, Mar. 15	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime
	7:30 p.m.	Indiana Pacers @ Philadelphia 76ers
	10 p.m.	Memphis Grizzlies @ Utah Jazz

About NBA Digital

NBA TV is a part of NBA Digital, the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports including NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR. Follow NBA TV on Twitter at @NBATV.

- 30 -

Notes from NBA TV’s NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013

Boston Celtics (90) @ Denver Nuggets (97)

Voting is open on NBA.com, the NBA Facebook Page, Yahoo.com, mobile web, NBA Game Time app and Twitter for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Feb. 26

Fans can select between the following games:

Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls

Milwaukee Bucks @ Dallas Mavericks

 

***** ***** *****

NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint

Ernie Johnson, Greg Anthony and Chris Webber

Anthony on the Celtics improving their performance since Rajon Rondo’s injury: “A good team always rallies when they lose a great player.  As great as Rajon Rondo is he is a ball dominant player. Anytime you have a guy that dominates the ball to the point where he gives up an opportunity for assists as opposed to an opportunity to make a play, it makes everyone else stagnant. You just stand and wait when Rondo plays. Now you have to be involved now that he’s out. The ball movement is better and they don’t have to wait on one guy to do everything for them.”

Webber on the Celtics and whether they can maintain momentum:  “The Celtics are a team that many guys can’t get their own shots so they have to have a facilitator like Rondo. I believe in the Celtics heart, I believe in their motivation and I believe in their coaching. But I do not believe they can keep up this pace with Rondo gone.”

Anthony on recent success of the Celtics: “The reason they are successful is not that they are better without him, it is the style that they play without him that is allowing them to win games. So when he comes back, the hope is that he adds balance.”

Webber on the Celtics path to the playoffs: “They can get as high as fourth seed in the East or as low as the eighth. If they make the playoffs, they are going to be a team you don’t want to play. They are still the Celtics. Injuries have affected them, but I still wouldn’t want to play this team especially if they have home court advantage.”

Anthony on Nuggets head coach George Karl: “George Karl is one of the best coaches this league has ever seen at getting the most out of the personnel that he has. Nobody on their team is looked at as a perennial All-Star. Even the guys you say are deserving on Denver it is because of the team and not their individual impact. His system is based on his personnel. He devises a system and a style that is conducive to the talent of his teams. He understands better than most coaches that you have to make basketball players comfortable. And that is what he has devised with this group.”

Anthony on Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss’s impact on the game: “The word ‘pioneer’ is thrown out a lot and I think it is deserved in this case. He was the first guy to understand that we have to make the game entertaining. He made it cool. He was the guy that first brought entertainment.  He made it something that you had to see and that, to me, was the start of where the NBA is today.”

Webber on what stood out for him at All-Star: “Kyrie Irving. It was a coming out party. It was a guy that said ‘Wait a minute world, I’m here and I’m not apologizing for it.’ I love it. I love that the Cleveland fans were so depressed a few years ago and now they have this great guy to come in. The future is bright for this team.”

Anthony on his All-Star highlights: “Kyrie Irving was the most dynamic performer at All-Star. I think he is going to be our next global superstar in the game of basketball moving forward. He’s got the smile, he’s got the charisma, and he’s got the game.”

Anthony on Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried: “He has a tremendous impact on the game. He puts so much pressure on the opponents to compete, that often times they wilt. His energy level has to be matched if you want to beat Denver [at home].”

***** ***** *****

Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Anthony and Webber

Anthony on Boston’s Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley: “The one thing that they do well is they don’t make negative plays. That is one reason why they are so effective. They play to their strengths.  They don’t do things on the floor that they are not really good at. And when you play mistake-free basketball you will always have a chance for success. Both of these guys are playing at an extremely high level.”

Webber on the Nets guard Joe Johnson showing emotion after making the game-winning shot in OT against the Milwaukee Bucks: “This is the Joe that you always want to see. I think he has been vilified for the money that he makes. This guy is a clutch shooter and that’s all you want to see. Whether they win or lose, no one should take the last shot on this team but Joe.”

Anthony on what the Celtics are lacking: “They don’t have a pure rebounder. They don’t have a guy on their roster that is a pure rebounder.”

***** ***** *****

NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Anthony and Webber

Anthony on the Nuggets: “They are a very dangerous team and they will make some noise in the postseason.”

 

Webber on Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried: “Nobody can match the intensity of Kenneth Faried. Even though they run and they’re athletic, he’s their most consistent player. Every night, he puts pressure on his own team to match his intensity.”

Anthony on how stats don’t always define the player: “You can’t always define a player by the stats. There are so many aspects of the game that you can have an impact on that you will never see on the stat sheet.”

Webber on the Brooklyn Nets getting home court advantage in the playoffs: “I’m not sold on Brooklyn. I was in the beginning of the season, even though they weren’t playing that well. But I’m not as sold on them now. It’s very important for Brooklyn to get home court [advantage] in the playoffs because we’ve seen what [home] crowds can do. We can’t underestimate the importance of that and starting this off right in Brooklyn.”

Anthony on New Orleans Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez: “He’s one of the most improved players in the game and he’s getting an opportunity [in New Orleans].”

-30-

NBA TV’s NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint telecast will feature the Boston Celtics and Paul Pierce visiting the Denver Nuggets and Ty Lawson on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 9 p.m. ET. The NBA Fan Night game selection was based on fan voting via NBA.com, the NBA Facebook page, NBA TV’s Facebook page, Yahoo.com, NBA.com mobile web, mobile GameTime App and Twitter.

Fan Night host Ernie Johnson and analysts Greg Anthony and Chris Webber will offer analysis during the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show at 8:30 p.m. Johnson, Anthony and Webber will also provide updates at times during the game telecast, along with halftime and GameTime presented by Hyundai post-game coverage. Prior to the pregame show, Anthony will take part in a TwitterView chat with fans from the @NBATV handle at 4:30 p.m. Fans should use #AskGA to submit questions.

Fan voting for the next NBA Fan Night telecast (Tuesday, Feb. 26) will be conducted from Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 8 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 21, at midnight. Potential telecasts:

• Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers
• Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls
• Milwaukee Bucks @ Dallas Mavericks

Upcoming NBA TV programming highlights:

NBA All-Star 2013

NBA TV will have extensive coverage of NBA All-Star 2013 including live reports from Houston, inside access to All-Star practices, interviews with event participants, and highlights, news and information from each of the weekend’s signature events.

NBA All-Star Monday

NBA TV’s coverage of NBA All-Star 2013 will culminate with an unprecedented block of original programming featuring three one-hour shows featuring exclusive interviews with some of the greatest NBA players of all time – Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Charles Barkley – on Monday, Feb. 18. All-Star Monday will begin with One on One with Ahmad Rashad: Michael Jordan at 8 p.m. ET followed by Mr. Russell’s House at 9 p.m. and a special encore presentation of Sir Charles at 50 at 10 p.m.

 

NBA Trade Deadline

NBA TV will offer extensive coverage of the trade deadline including an NBA Trade Deadline Special on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. The network will also recap any potential moves and offer analysis at 6 p.m. Studio host Matt Winer will be joined by analysts Mike Fratello and Dennis Scott along with NBA.com’s David Aldridge for both shows.

The Jump presented by Sprint – Tuesdays on NBA.com and NBA TV

The Jump presented by Sprint – hosted by Jared Greenberg with analysts Dennis Scott and Brent Barry and SLAM’s Lang Whitaker serving as a regular contributor – will stream live on NBA.com on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and air on NBA TV each Tuesday at 6 p.m. The show previews upcoming NBA games, provides analysis on storylines throughout the league and answers questions directly from NBA fans through submissions via NBA.com, the NBA Facebook page and Twitter.

 

Upcoming NBA TV Programming Highlights:

 

Saturday, Feb. 16	12 p.m.	All-Star East & West Practice
	3 p.m.	2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game
	7 p.m.	NBA Commissioner David Stern Media Availability
	12 a.m.	NBA TV All-Star Weekend presented by Kia
Sunday, Feb. 17	12 p.m.	Open Court: All-Star, presented by Gillette Fusion ProGlide
	1 p.m.	NBA Legends Brunch
	5 p.m.	NBA GameTime: All-Star Sunday
	6 p.m.	Sprint Pregame Concert at NBA All-Star
	11:30 p.m.	Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Monday, Feb. 18	8 p.m.	One-on-One with Ahmad Rashad: Michael Jordan
	9 p.m.	Mr. Russell’s House
	10 p.m.	Sir Charles at 50
Tuesday, Feb. 19	2:30 p.m.	NBA.com Fantasy Insider
	6 p.m.	The Jump on NBA TV
	8:30 p.m.	AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
	9 p.m.	Boston Celtics @ Denver Nuggets (Fan Night)
Wednesday, Feb. 20	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime
Thursday, Feb. 21	2 p.m.	NBA Trade Deadline Special
	6 p.m.	NBA Trade Deadline Recap
Friday, Feb. 22	7 p.m.	NBA GameTime

About NBA Digital

NBA TV is a part of NBA Digital, the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports including NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.