Philadelphia 76ers (93) @ Miami Heat (99)

CLIP OF THE NIGHT

NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony’s consolation prize for losing the Pick ‘Em Contest against Chris Webber

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NBA GameTime

Ernie Johnson, Greg Anthony and Chris Webber

Webber on the difference between the way the Miami Heat play on the road versus home:  “Championship teams always want to control their home court advantage.  I am amazed that they have such a discrepancy between their home and away records.”

Anthony on the Miami Heat’s issues on the road:  “Miami is not as intimidating as they used to be.  I think teams feel more comfortable, especially at home, with their ability to break them [Miami Heat] down defensively.  Their bench play has not been as good and no one is filling the void when the big three [Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade] aren’t playing the way they are capable of.”

Anthony on Miami Heat’s problems on the road: “Miami’s strength has become a weakness.  Their best asset has been their ability to defend and disrupt and get out in transition.  They haven’t gotten better in the half court.  When they are on the road, their scoring is way down.”

Anthony on Reggie Miller’s selection into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2012: “One of the great things about Reggie was his longevity – he played for 18 years and for one team.  He was one of the best in the league at coming off screens, creating space and as clutch a shooter as we have ever had.  You have more memorable shots from Reggie Miller than probably Michael Jordan.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Anthony and Webber

Webber on Philadelphia 76ers style of play: “Philadelphia can’t afford to take bad shots.  They know that, so they don’t.  You have guys attacking the basket, getting back cuts, keeping each other involved and keeping it fluid.  I love the way they play.  They play to their limitations, which make them better and they play team first.”

Anthony on Philadelphia’s play: “[Philadelphia 76ers are] one of the best passing teams in the league. They move the ball and they play without a ball and that’s something you don’t see.  They put a lot of pressure on Miami’s defense.”

Webber on Miami’s fast break game:  “It’s all about rebounds. It’s about how you get rebounds.  If you don’t let Dwyane Wade or LeBron James get the rebound, there is no fast break.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Anthony and Webber

Webber on Heat forward LeBron James scoring 41 points against the 76ers: “You like seeing him come out of a slump, seeing that his hand is healthy and his elbow is healthier and playing the way he should play.”

Anthony on Heat guard Mario Chalmers: “He is becoming a little bit more than a spot-up, three-point shooter. He’s more aggressive in the paint. He could be that x-factor. He got off to a great start this season. He’s got to play with this kind of energy and efficiency for them to win it all.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh joins the Fan Night crew via Cisco Telepresence

Bosh on the mentality of the Heat without injured teammate Dwyane Wade: “The main game plan is to win, first and foremost. It doesn’t matter who is out there. We have to play hard for each other. We are a defensive first team. We are trying to improve in that area. We want to get out in the open court and get as many fast breaks as possible. If that doesn’t work, just share the ball and hunt down open shots.”

Bosh on the Heat being better this season vs. last season: “We haven’t hit our stride this year. We are a much better team than last year. We still have that ultimate goal in mind. We know it isn’t going to be easy. We are going to find a way to get it done, that’s what it is about. We have hit some tough times and that’s okay. Now is the time where we want to put everything behind us and really try to get it going with these three weeks left in the regular season.”

Bosh on the team’s difficulty winning on the road: “We just have to play better, there’s no other way to put it. On the road, you are in a different environment. We have to be more intense. We have to do a better job of taking it to other teams and challenging each other and being 100 percent when we are on the floor. We just have to stay strong and play a lot better.”

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers (104) @ Golden State Warriors (101)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on April 3

Fans can select between the following games:

New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers

San Antonio Spurs @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat

Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

New Jersey Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers

 CLIP OF THE NIGHT

(click on the link below)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Ramon Sessions joins the Fan Night Crew via Arena Link

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NBA GameTime

Ernie Johnson, Brent Barry and Steve Smith

Smith on Kobe Bryant being benched earlier in the week and Bryant’s response: “I loved the way Kobe Bryant approached this. Seeing Kobe Bryant make this statement [“He (Mike Brown) is the coach….”], everything is fine.”

Barry on Kobe Bryant: “He has more responsibility to handle these kinds of situations because of the absence of Derek Fisher.”

Smith on the Lakers chances in the postseason: “When you have size, not only offensively but defensively, you can control the game.”

Smith on the Lakers lack of bench that could hinder them in the postseason: “I’m still skeptical about them having a seasoned [second] unit that can come in and be creative.”

Barry on what could hold back the Lakers from a title this season: “The bench, to me, still is a huge question mark.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barry and Smith

Barry on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s first half 4-11 FG and 8-8 FT compared to Golden State guard Klay Thompson’s 4-11 FG: “Great scorers find ways to get some points by getting to the free throw line.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barry and Smith

Smith on Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol: “He doesn’t get a lot of touches anymore, but when he does he is so effective. The skill set and his length [were] too much for the Warriors front line.”

Barry on Golden State’s Klay Thompson and his play on the court: “I’m impressed with the poise with which he plays and I am also impressed at the number of things he does.  We know he was a great spot-up, stand-still shooter, but tonight we saw him put the ball on the floor. He is improving with every game and taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Los Angeles Lakers guard Ramon Session joins the Fan Night studio team via Arena Link

Sessions on being on a team that has the potential to make it to the playoffs and beyond: “To come to an organization like the Lakers and to compete not only in the playoffs but for a championship is a dream come true for me.”                                      

Sessions on balancing scoring and having Kobe Bryant trust him to run the offense: “It’s definitely something I am learning on the go. When you play with one of the best to ever play the game and to tell him to go stand in the corner and let me run this play, it definitely takes a lot. But Kobe believes in me and tells me to stay aggressive and play my game. When that time comes, I don’t think he has the problem with taking some of the wear off him.”

Barry on the potential pressures Sessions might be feeling as the replacement for Derek Fisher: “One of the interesting things is he’s replacing Derek Fisher. Derek Fisher in Los Angeles is revered for not only winning championships with the Lakers but for all the things Fisher represented for that organization for so many years.  So I wonder if Ramon Sessions thinks about that or if it’s an added pressure for him? It’s an added dynamic for this trade.”

NBA TV’s Fan Night begins with the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. ET

NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint will feature the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant taking on the Golden State Warriors and David Lee on Tuesday, March 27, at 10:30 p.m. ET following the matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m.  The night will tip off with the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show with host Rick Kamla and NBA All-Star, NBA champion and guest analyst Bill Laimbeer at 6:30 p.m. highlighting the evening’s games throughout the league. Following the final buzzer of the first game, Kamla and Laimbeer will pass studio duties to the Fan Night crew with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Brent Barry and Chris Webber.  The Fan Night matchup was selected by fans who voted vianba.com, the NBA Facebook page and Yahoo.com.  

Fan Night voting for next week’s matchup on Tuesday, April 3, will continue on nba.com/nbatv/fannight, the NBA Facebook page and Yahoo.com from Tuesday, March 27, at 8 a.m. through Thursday, March 29, at midnight.  Fans will have the opportunity to select among the following games:

• New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers
• San Antonio Spurs @ Cleveland Cavaliers
• Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat
• Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
• New Jersey Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers
  

Fans can stay connected to the latest NBA action every Tuesday with The Jump presented by Sprint. Host Jared Greenberg and analysts Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and ‘chat-master’ Sekou Smith will jump start Tuesday’s basketball coverage with the live, interactive show.  Fans can submit questions and comments via NBA.com, Facebook or Twitter.  The Jump presented by Sprint will stream live on Tuesday, March 27, at 3 p.m. on NBA.com and will air at 6 p.m. on NBA TV. 

NBA TV GAMES OF THE WEEK:

MARCH 24 – 27

 NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. Its robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com. 

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Phoenix Suns (95) @ Miami Heat (99)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on March 27

Fans can select between the following games:

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Memphis Grizzlies

Atlanta Hawks @ Milwaukee Bucks

San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors

CLIP OF THE NIGHT

(click on the link below)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving joins the Fan Night team in studio during the Sprint Halftime Show

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AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Matt Winer, Brent Barry and guest analyst and 2007 Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell

Barry on the hot stretch of the Phoenix Suns: “It’s all been about timing.  Alvin Gentry [Phoenix Suns head coach] keeps pulling and tugging on the right strings and guys are coming off the bench and giving contributions that are leading them to wins. There is a tremendous amount of confidence and the Suns are on a roll.”

Mitchell on the Suns team today and what is aiding in their success: “Phoenix’s defense has improved. When you look at the make-up of that team, they have different types of guys now. They aren’t the same Phoenix Suns of old that ran up and down the court and just shot threes. They still shoot threes but the mentality of the players they have now…they are more physical, more athletic. If the guys on the bench continue to get better, they can make a run for it.”

Mitchell on why teams can’t crack the Miami Heat:  “When they [Miami Heat] are home, they get out and run and increase the pace.  You can’t turn the ball over against Miami on their home court.  Their defense is so stifling with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James out there they are just too quick for teams. They want to get easy up-tempo baskets.”

Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry joins the studio team via Cisco Telepresence

Gentry on the factor that is most responsible for their wins over the last 11 games:  “We have been pretty consistent defensively. We have been able to rebound the ball where we are not giving up second shots on the offensive boards.  And we have played well in the open court.”

Gentry on Steve Nash staying in Phoenix post-trade deadline:  “It was never a factor for us. There were a lot of teams talking about Steve [Nash], but there was never a situation where we even remotely talked about moving Steve. It’s a situation where everything came together for us. We started to play better and we got on a role. Our bench has played well for us.”

Gentry on Grant Hill’s contributions to the Phoenix Suns:  “He’s got to be on the All-Defensive Team this year.  He’s one of the most versatile defenders we have had. He is a joy to coach, he’s a great teammate and tremendous competitor and he is having a tremendous year.”

Gentry on Grant Hill’s value as a defensive player: “It doesn’t get any better than that. Guarding the guys he is guarding from power forward to shooting guards and to play that type of defense is a testament to Grant Hill’s professionalism, a testament to him as a man and a testament to how much he loves this game.”

Barry on Chris Mullin’s retirement night and the fans negative reaction to the recent trades:  “It was unfortunate last night.  I understand some of their [fans’] frustration, but it was the wrong night to express your dissatisfaction. However, I was happy at the end of the night to see his jersey hanging there; that was the most special part.  It was Chris’ night.  I felt like I went to a [Golden State] Warriors game and a Raiders game broke out.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Winer, Barry and Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving joins the Fan Night team in studio

Irving on his priorities going into the season: “[My priorities] are making my teammates better and getting more wins than we did last season. We wanted to show the fans and everyone that the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team to recon with this season.”

Irving on playing more with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson in the second half of the season:  “It’s hard to bring up the competitor fire that Anderson [Varejao] had.  When he [Anderson] went down, that was big for us but Tristan stepped up.  I am looking forward to the second half [of the regular season] and getting more minutes with Tristan, getting our feel together.”

Irving on the biggest adjustment as the point guard in the NBA vs. college:  “The biggest adjustment is the pace and playing against the best every single night.  You have no time to be off. When you go against the best it prepares you and makes you better.”

Irving on playing post-LeBron era and the building process:  “We are trying to show the fans that we have something special and are building something special, trying to make them believe again.  We are trying to bring the fans back to the games.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Winer, Barry and Mitchell

Barry on the Heat taking advantage of opportunities in the fourth quarter:  “The opportunities for the Miami Heat and [head coach] Eric Spoelstra as they start to finish out the season – when they have games that are close – is to try to learn what is going to be effective for them and where Eric Spoelstra can find confidence in the play calling and in the players on the floor. That is going to be key for them. Every opportunity is a learning one. They don’t have the practice time; they have to have chances in the fourth quarter to work on things they are deficient in to be better come playoff time.”

GameTime crew interviews Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh via Cisco Telepresence

Bosh on the Heat waiting until the fourth quarter to kick it into high gear: “We do have to come out [in the first half] and have more of a sense of urgency but it’s only been like that for a couple of games.  As long as we catch it now and turn it around, we will be alright.”

Mitchell on Chris Bosh and his half-court offense:  “If he gets to the open spots and gets ready to shoot the ball and take advantage of his opportunities, Dwyane Wade and LeBron [James] will find him; but he has to keep that mentality of being aggressive when they do find him. He has to shoot the ball or take it to the basket.  At 6’11”, he might be the quickest power forward in the league.”

Barry on the Knicks responding to interim head coach Mike Woodson with a 4-0 record: “When you make a coaching change, players always respond in the first four or five contests. It is about the Knicks sustaining this momentum and the spirit of what Jeremy Lin brought to that team. It is not all about Jeremy Lin, it is about those guys committing to one another. If it takes a coaching change to do that, it is still on those players to do bring it.”

Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Miami Heat (98) @ Orlando Magic (104)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night

matchup which will air on March 20

Fans can select between the following games:

Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat

Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz

Milwaukee Bucks @ Portland Trail Blazers

Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings

CLIP OF THE NIGHT

(click on the text below to view the video)

Orlando Magic Guard Jameer Nelson joins the Fan Night crew via Arena Link

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AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Vince Cellini, Brent Barry and Chris Webber

Webber on the mentality in Orlando with the Dwight Howard trade speculation:  “I feel sorry for the fans in Orlando right now. They have to be holding their breath because this is the second time their date has left them at the prom by themselves.”

Orlando Sentinel reporter Brian Schmitz joins the studio team via Arena Link

Schmitz on whether the Orlando Magic will keep or trade Dwight Howard:  “Well, the club would love to keep him.  Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said that this decision is not going to be made until last minute on Thursday morning.  He will either be traded or the Orlando Magic will swallow their pride and let him walk.”

Schmitz on the fan vibe in Orlando and Amway Arena:  “It’s been strange all season long; like they don’t really know what’s going on.  They have had little reaction.  If he was in markets like Philadelphia or Boston, he would have been booed if he said he wanted to leave the town and the team. These fans [Orlando] are just strange in that they are afraid to boo him.  You see signs urging him to stay. If they don’t realize that tonight could be his last game, then maybe they need to get new fans.”

Schmitz on the potential Dwight Howard trade: “A lot of fans in this town have been through this…This guy [Dwight Howard] at least gave his trade demand and it’s such a tough situation in the NBA now when the player totally controls the deal.  He is the deal maker and the deal breaker.”

Barry on what the Orlando Magic should do with the Dwight Howard trade situation:  “You’ve got to be on top of change or change is going to be on top of you.  They are the franchise.  If they are getting indications from Howard that he does not want to be there, they [Orlando Magic] need to make a move.  Do something to exercise their power over the player instead of waiting for this guy [Howard] to keep holding you hostage.  Try to make the best deal you can and move on.”

Barry on the pending trade between the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks:  “Obviously, if this trade happens, the Warriors are addressing the center position and clearing up first and foremost that they want to go with Stephen Curry for the future of their franchise at the guard position. If this trade goes through it will define some roles [on the team].”

Webber on Warriors guard Monta Ellis:  “In my opinion, Monta Ellis is the best finisher in the league for his height under the rim.”   

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Sprint Halftime Report

Cellini, Barry and Webber

Webber on Dwight Howard’s play in recent weeks: “Dwight Howard has to carry this team on his back and we know that, but tonight we are seeing a Dwight Howard that many wish we would see all the time. You hear this trade talk and then he comes out playing this well. You want to see the energy, the excitement and volatility on the court and hopefully it continues throughout this trade (situation).”

Barry on the Miami Heat’s dynamic duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: ”When these guys get in the open floor, you cannot slow them down.  They are just so gifted, not only in terms of their ability to see the floor, but they are both fantastic finishers …not only under the rim but over the rim. In the league, we haven’t seen a dynamic duo that does it like this in the open court.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Cellini, Barry and Webber

Barry on theOrlando Magic’s ability to play well with all the distractions of a potential Dwight Howard trade: “We have always heard that championship teams play at a championship level all season long and this team just hasn’t been able to do that and find the right mix.  Every team goes through injuries and issues and sometimes Orlando is a team that just goes through the motions. All the stuff around Dwight has affected them.  Then they have a great game and they just tease you.”

Barry on what the Orlando Magic will do with Dwight Howard and what other deals might be on the table:“You can’t sit here and in 48 hours think that’s going to make your season [trades].  The franchise has to think about the future and what’s at stake for them.  If there’s still this idea that your center doesn’t want to play for your city, you have to do what’s best for the future of your franchise.  As frustrating as that sounds, the business of basketball comes first.”

Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson joins the studio team via Arena Link

Nelson shares his perspective on the Dwight Howard hoopla surrounding the team:  “As a player and a teammate, my job is to play as hard as I can no matter who is on the court. I can’t control management and the Dwight situation.  We definitely want him to stay, we want him here, but at the same time, I can’t control it and my job is to do what I love to do which is to play basketball.”

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NBA TV to Televise Atlantic Division Rivals Philadelphia 76ers at

New York Knicks on Sunday, March 11, at Noon ET

NBA TV to televise an Atlantic Division rivalry when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the New York Knicks  on Sunday, March 11, at noon ET.  The game marks the return of Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks to Madison Square Garden following a four-game road trip. Andre Iguodala and the76ers are hoping to hold on to their No. 1 position in the division.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

New York Knicks (85) @ Dallas Mavericks (95)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night

match-up that will air on March 13

Fans can select between the following games:

Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic

Portland Trail Blazers @ Indiana Pacers

Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Washington Wizards @ Dallas Mavericks

Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets

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GameTime

Rick Kamla, Penny Hardaway and Chris Webber

Webber on Dallas and the way they are perceived by fans, the media and the league:  “They don’t get the respect of the champs. On this show and NBA TV we don’t talk about them like they are the champs. We talk about OKC [Oklahoma City Thunder] and Miami [Miami Heat]. They don’t get treated like a champion, we don’t talk about them like a champion, we didn’t treat Mark Cuban like a champion and, hopefully, Dallas will come out pissed off and play more aggressive because people aren’t treating them like they are champions.”

Hardaway on New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin and his recent play: “Jeremy is the player that everyone is talking about and other players on other teams are going to get their games up to show that they are just as good as he is.  He’s been playing well and every game now is like a playoff game. He needs to focus and not try to do too much and he needs to let the game come to him.” 

Hardaway on his pick for the third best team behind Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls: “My third best team pick is Orlando. They have a team that could compete with either Miami or Chicago.”

Webber on his pick for the third best team: “[Orlando's] Dwight Howard can change the whole series all by himself. Dwight Howard could help beat Miami and Chicago; he’s that type of impact player.” 

Webber on Orlando’s Dwight Howard and the trade:  “If he [Dwight Howard] wants to go to another team, play for another coach, play with other people, it’s his prerogative. He needs to go wherever he can and get with the people he feels most comfortable with and enjoy his life. He needs to go somewhere where he is happy and go with a team that he wants to play with.”  

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AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Kamla, Hardaway and Webber

Webber on guarding guys who are out on the perimeter:  “Kevin Love [Minnesota Timberwolves] is difficult to guard because he can shoot the three and take you in the post up. Dirk Nowitzki [Dallas Mavericks] is different and he runs plays like a guard. Dirk is one of the toughest guards in the league because you are used to checking guards in the post.  He can frustrate you.  He is one of the best at it.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Kamla, Hardaway and Webber

Webber on the Indiana Pacers considering themselves as the third best team in the East: “The Pacers definitely can’t consider themselves that [the third best team in the East] right now after losing to the [Atlanta] Hawks team that is depleted of all of their talent.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Kamla, Webber and Hardaway

Webber on the New York Knicks: “Carmelo Anthony is the best player on the team. After Carmelo it is Amar’e Stoudemire. Then after Amar’e it may be another player or Jeremy Lin, but it is not Jeremy Lin’s team. There are not many players like Carmelo or Amar’e. If they lose Carmelo, they will be terrible, they won’t be good and they won’t have a scorer.”

Webber on Knicks guard Jeremy Lin losing his luster: “He’s just learning the game. He’s getting into it and getting better every game. He has a lot more responsibility now then he had in the beginning. Teams now focus on him. All he needs to do is penetrate. He’s a very smart player, he’s very good and he’s going to be in this league for a long time.”

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