May 17, 2012

WNBA Draft Presented by Boost Mobile Returns to ESPN Headquarters

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Fifteen of the world’s top female college basketball seniors have been invited to the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, which will be held Monday, April 16 at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn. Coverage and analysis of the first round will begin at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by the second and third rounds televised on ESPNU and NBA TV from 3-4:30 p.m. The entire Draft – three rounds of 12 picks each – will be simulcast on ESPN3. Last year’s event marked the first professional sports league draft held at ESPN.

Additional content will be offered across multiple ESPN platforms, including SportsCenter, espnW, ESPN.com and ESPNEWS.

The telecast of the Draft will take place in Studio E – home to several ESPN shows including Mike & Mike in the Morning and Sunday NFL Countdown. Pam Wardwill anchor the show alongside analysts Rebecca Loboand Carolyn Peck. Holly Rowewill conduct interviews with the players.

The Los Angeles Sparks hold the No. 1 overall pick after winning the Draft Lottery for the first time since 2008. With the first selection last year, Minnesota chose University of Connecticut star Maya Moore, who helped propel the Lynx to its first WNBA championship in franchise history. In 2010, the Connecticut Sun, having acquired the No. 1 pick in an offseason deal with Minnesota, selected Connecticut’s Tina Charles.

Rounding out the top five picks are the Seattle Storm (second, via trade with Chicago), Minnesota (third, by virtue of a trade with Washington), the Tulsa Shock (fourth), and the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Among the top prospects invited to the WNBA Draft are seven players who earned All-America honors this year, either from the Associated Press or the State Farm Coaches’ Poll this season, including Stanford forward Nnemkadi Ogwumike, an All-America pick the past three years. Also invited are three sets of teammates: Tennessee’s frontcourt trio of Glory Johnson, Shekinna Stricklen and Vicki Baugh; Miami (Fla.) guards Shenise Johnson and Riquna Williams; and guard Natalie Novosel and forward Devereaux Peters of Notre Dame. Connecticut’s Tiffany Hayes, who joined Ogwumike, Novosel and Peters as participants in the 2012 Women’s Final Four, will also be in attendance.

The WNBA and ESPN have been affiliated for 16 years, dating back to the league’s inaugural season in 1997.

Production Features & Storylines

* Satellite reports from the Los Angeles Sparks (Shelley Smith) and Minnesota Lynx (LaChina Robinson), which will include coverage of each team’s draft party and interviews with the head coach/general manager

* All-Access pieces with the 15 draftees throughout day

* Select college coaches will be at ESPN, including Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), MaChelle Joseph (Georgia Tech), Kelley Graves (Gonzaga), Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame) and Jim Foster (Ohio State)

* Live shots and reaction from the friends and family area on ESPN’s campus

* Virtual team and player specific banners will appear to be hanging above the studio audience

* Logos will be virtually shown around campus and used in and out of segments

* Use of Lady GaGa’s “The Edge of Glory” music video in montages

espnW/ESPN.com

* Draft preview content from veteran ESPN.com writer Mechelle Voepel

* Live online coverage through espnW’s DraftCast – giving up-to-minute picks, analysis on each selection and a chat area for fans to interact with experts

* Video interviews with the top five draft picks

* On-site and post-Draft coverage from Voepel and former Colorado basketball athlete and espnW writer Kate Fagan

SportsCenter and ESPNEWS

* WNBA Draft preview segment will run during the 1 p.m. SportsCenter

* WNBA Draft will be the “What to Watch For” during the 9 a.m.-noon editions of SportsCenter

* Interview with the No. 1 pick will air on the 3-6 p.m. and later SportsCenter shows

Players attending 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile:

Name College/University Position Height

LaSondra Barrett Louisiana State Forward 6’2″

Vicki Baugh Tennessee Center 6’4″

Sasha Goodlett Georgia Tech Center 6’5″

Tiffany Hayes Connecticut Guard 5’10″

Glory Johnson Tennessee Forward 6’3″

Shenise Johnson Miami (Fla.) Guard 5’11″

Lynetta Kizer Maryland Center 6’4″

Natalie Novosel Notre Dame Guard 5’11″

Nnemkadi Ogwumike Stanford Forward 6’2″

Devereaux Peters Notre Dame Forward 6’2″

Samantha Prahalis Ohio State Guard 5’7″

Kayla Standish Gonzaga Forward 6’2″

Shekinna Stricklen Tennessee Guard/Forward 6’2″

Riquna Williams Miami (Fla.) Guard 5’7″

Julie Wojta Wisconsin-Green Bay Forward 6’0″

Current 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile order:

First Round (Trades)

1. Los Angeles (15-19)

2. Seattle from Chicago (14-20) (Cash/Willingham, 1/2/12)

3. Minnesota from Washington (6-28) (Anosike, 4/5/11)

4. Tulsa (3-31)

5. San Antonio (18-16)

6. Phoenix (19-15)

7. New York (19-15)

8. Washington from Atlanta (20-14) (Harding/Miller/Phillips, 4/11/11)

9. Connecticut (21-13)

10. Washington from Seattle (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)

11. Indiana (21-13)

12. Minnesota (27-7)

Second Round

1. Los Angeles from Tulsa (3-31) (Riley, 2/1/11)

2. Atlanta from Washington (6-28) (Harding/Miller/Phillips, 4/11/11)

3. Los Angeles from Chicago (14-20) (Wisdom-Hylton, 5/31/11)

4. Los Angeles (15-19)

5. Tulsa from San Antonio (18-16) (S. Robinson, 5/2/11)

6. Minnesota from Phoenix (19-15) (Houston, 2/28/12)

7. Minnesota from New York (19-15) (Breland/A. Robinson, 4/11/11)

8. Minnesota from Atlanta (20-14) (Chester/Jarry, 4/11/11)

9. Connecticut (21-13)

10. Seattle (21-13)

11. Chicago from Indiana (21-13) via Seattle (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11) (Cash/Willingham, 1/2/12)

12. Phoenix from Minnesota (27-7) (Houston, 2/28/12)

Third Round

1. Tulsa (3-31)

2. Washington (6-28)

3. Chicago (14-20)

4. Los Angeles (15-19)

5. Tulsa from San Antonio (18-16) (S. Robinson, 5/2/11)

6. Phoenix (19-15)

7. Minnesota from New York (19-15) (Hollingsworth, 5/27/11)

8. Atlanta (20-14)

9. Phoenix from Connecticut (21-13) (T. Robinson, 4/11/11)

10. Indiana from Seattle (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)

11. Washington from Indiana (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)

12. New York from Minnesota (27-7) (Hollingsworth, 5/27/11)

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Filed Under: ESPN, WNBA

NBA on TNT Special Tuesday Night Doubleheader April 17

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks at 8 p.m. ET followed by Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns

The NBA on TNT continues with a special Tuesday night doubleheader April 17 beginning at 8 p.m. ET when Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks host Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics.  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) will be courtside along with Mike Fratello (analyst) to call the game with Craig Sager (reporter). The second game of the night will feature Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers visiting Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns.  Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Reggie Miller (analyst) will call the action with Cheryl Miller (reporter). Following the second game, Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst), will recap the night’s action.

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/insidethenba/). Additionally, check out NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook  (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

 

NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:

 

DAY/DATE  
TIME (ET) EVENT
   
Tue., April 17  
   
8 p.m. TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
  Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
   
  Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks
  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Mike Fratello (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
   
10:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers
  Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Cheryl Miller (reporter)
   
Post-game Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
  Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

 

NBA ON TNT UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

 

DAY/DATE  
TIME (ET) EVENT
   
Thu., April 19  
   
8 p.m. TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com live in Orlando
  Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
   
  Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat
  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
   
10:30 p.m. Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
  Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Chris Webber (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
   
Post-game Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai live in Orlando
  Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

 

 

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Filed Under: NBA, TNT

NBA TV’s Popular Fan Night Delivers Record-Setting Viewership For 2011-12 Season

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Fan Night Exceeds Last Year’s Record Ratings and Fan Voting Totals

NBA TV netted record ratings for its popular Fan Night franchise during the 2011-12 regular season, averaging 455,000 viewers (+13%) and 362,000 household impressions (+18%) for its 22-game schedule to become the most-watched Fan Night season ever. 

NBA TV’s Fan Night – where fans vote for the games they wanted to see via NBA.com, NBA’s Facebook page and Yahoo.com – garnered a triple-digit increase over last year’s voting averages.  For the 2011-2012 season, an average of 186,000 votes were cast per game, up 104 percent compared to the average of 91,000 votes cast per game last season.

This season’s Fan Night also saw increases in all key demographics over last season’s games:

  • A18-34:  147,000 vs. 127,000 +16%
  • A18-49:  236,000 vs. 225,000 +5% 
  • A25-54:  222,000 vs. 209,000 +6% 
  • M18-34:  110,000 vs. 97,000 +13%
  • M18-49:  183,000 vs. 170,000 +8% 
  • M25-54:  175,000 vs. 161,000 +9%

 The Miami Heat continued to be a Fan Night favorite, attracting the most votes and largest audiences this season.  The top five most-watched NBA TV Fan Night games among total viewers this seasonwere:

  • 1/17/12 – San Antonio at Miami Heat: 675,000 viewers       
  • 3/13/12 – Miami Heat at Orlando Magic: 643,000 viewers
  • 3/20/12 – Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat: 580,000 viewers
  • 1/24/12 – Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat: 547,000 viewers
  • 3/06/12 – New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks: 534,000 viewers

 

Source: Nielsen Media Research, StarTrak. Based on Live +Same Day data stream.  NBA TV Fan Night 2011-12: 1/3/12-4/3/12,  2010-11: 11/2/10-4/5/11.  Tuesday Prime 8-11P, strict daypart.  Digital resources:  Cogix.

Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

Notes from TNT’s NBA Coverage – Thursday, April 5, 2012

April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Notes from TNT’s NBA Coverage – Thursday, April 5, 2012

TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, April 12, at 8 p.m. (ET) with doubleheader action featuring the Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

followed by the Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET)

***CLIP OF THE NIGHT***

(Please click the text below to view)

The Inside crew discusses the Magic’s performance against the Knicks and the Dwight Howard/Stan Van Gundy situation

 

 

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Game 1:  New York Knicks (96) @ Orlando Magic (80)

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)

Fratello on the Orlando Magic defense when Dwight Howard is not in the lineup: “Dwight Howard affects so many parts of your defense. Stan Van Gundy said, ‘It all starts with guarding the basketball [on the perimeter] and we don’t guard the basketball. That’s why people blow by us.’”

TNT’s David Aldridge interviewed Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith on the controversy in Orlando

 

Smith on head coach Stan Van Gundy and Magic center Dwight Howard:  “Coaches and players have been doing this forever. It will have to work out for the remainder of the season and we’ll have to see where both of them are at the end of the season. I talked to them both and we had a nice conversation. I talked to them both and they both listened.”

Fratello on the possibility of Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy being fired before the end of this season: “You’re at such a difficult time, the fifth spot in the playoff position, with a dozen games left. What do you do? Make a change with 12 games left? Who are you going to bring in – one of the assistant coaches? Can you improve your position [in the playoffs] or do you know that you have one of the premiere coaches in the NBA?”

****    ****    ****    ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith

Barkley on the controversy in Orlando between head coach Stan Van Gundy and Magic center Dwight Howard: “We don’t know what’s true…I don’t think Coach Van Gundy should have spoken out right now. And I don’t think Dwight Howard should’ve asked to have his coach fired. But I have a serious problem with somebody in management…who had a private conversation with Dwight Howard to leak that to Coach Van Gundy.”

 

Smith: “I don’t understand the relevance of him [Van Gundy] bringing it out. What is being accomplished?

O’Neal on how Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy handled the situation with Dwight Howard:

“Private conversations should never be brought public. It was a bush league move by Stan Van Gundy. He’s lost his team forever now.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Fratello on how the Magic front office can handle things moving forward: “The front office management for the Magic can do one of two things – support Stan Van Gundy and let this team know he’s going to be the coach. He has one more year left on his contract and you could add another year to his contract – extend it – or make the decision now that people feel is inevitable and let him go. Don’t let him [SVG] suffer through if his star doesn’t want to play for him.”

Barkley on the Magic’s effort vs. the New York Knicks: “The Orlando Magic quit. That was one of the least inspired…you should just try and compete.”

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Game 2:  Boston Celtics (86) @ Chicago Bulls (93)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

 

Miller on Celtics guard Ray Allen accepting his role as a non-starter against the Bulls: “Here is a first ballot Hall of Famer – Ray Allen – who is sacrificing for the betterment of the team…you accept the role the coach gives you. You listen and you respond to authority. I think that is missing in today’s sports. Some of these younger players think they run things. And that is wrong.”

Kerr on Reggie Miller’s selection to the Hall of Fame 2012 class: “Reggie and I go way back to high school days in summer series in L.A. and Pac-10 at UCLA and Arizona, Bulls-Pacers, I never thought I could be this happy for you. I never liked you [laughing].”

Kerr on the Celtics’ chances of making a deep run in the playoffs: “Boston, because of the way they are playing and because of the core foundation they’ve built defensively with this group over the last few years, is really interesting to see if they can make a run. I think they are really capable.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Kerr on Celtics guard Avery Bradley’s defensive prowess: “He’s unreal. His on-ball defense is as good as anybody in the league.”

Miller on the difference between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls: “The only thing Boston doesn’t do as well as Chicago is rebound the basketball.”

Kerr on the excitement of the upcoming playoffs: “The playoffs are going to be great this year. I think there’s going to be some weird stuff happening because of the lockout.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah after the game

 

Noah on the Bulls winning against the Celtics: “We just wanted to play inspired basketball. It always feels good to win against Boston. Not going to lie, beating Boston, there is nothing better. When we play inspired we’re usually a tough team to beat.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

The Inside crew interviews Reggie Miller about his selection into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2012

Miller on his best attribute: “To play for one organization, one team, one city, one state for 18 years. There are so many kids [that are now adults] that  come up to me and say ‘I remember when…’ These are all young kids that have grown up. There are so many players that can’t say they had an opportunity to say they wore one jersey throughout their whole career. Hopefully that will be one thing that people take away.”

Miller on his greatest moment as a player: “Being drafted in 1987. I knew it was going to be a gamble for Donnie Walsh and he told me that. To hear that they were booing because they wanted Steve Alford, I knew I had a lot to prove when I came to Indiana. I just wanted to make them proud. Hopefully after 18 years, it can be put to rest that Donnie Walsh made the right decision.”

Barkley on the Chicago Bulls: “The Chicago Bulls are my favorite to win the Eastern Conference.  If you don’t like the Chicago Bulls, you don’t like basketball. They are the toughest team in the NBA and they play better defense than anyone else. They are fun to watch.”

Smith on the team the Bulls remind him of: “They remind me of the 1990 San Antonio Spurs. They are not super flashy but everybody contributes and everyone knows their role.”

O’Neal on the loss of respect between the Orlando Magic team and Coach Stan Van Gundy: “You don’t have to like your coach, but you have to respect them. Now the respect is gone in Orlando. The respect is all the way gone.”

Barkley on what’s next for the Orlando Magic: “There is going to be a fog over that team. They can’t play anymore for Coach Van Gundy. There is going to be so much drama. Fans can be cruel. Players won’t listen and it’s sad because he is a good coach.”

Smith on the Oklahoma City Thunder beating the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs: “I feel like OKC’s energy will get them through.”

O’Neal: “Energy doesn’t win you championships.”

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Filed Under: NBA, TNT

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Overnight Rating Up Over Last Year

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
ESPN’s telecast of Baylor’s 80-61 victory over Notre Dame in the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday posted a double-digit increase over last year’s title game. The game averaged a 2.6 metered market rating for an increase of 13 percent over the 2011 NCAA Women’s National Championship, a 76-70 Texas A&M win over Notre Dame. The game also stands as ESPN’s highest overnight rating for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship since 2010 when the network averaged a 2.6 overnight rating for Connecticut’s 53-47 victory over Stanford.
ESPN averaged a 2.2 overnight rating for the three-game NCAA Women’s Final Four, up five percent over a 2.1 last year.
Among the metered markets, Hartford led the way for the final game with an 8.8 overnight rating followed by Knoxville with a 6.9 rating. The top 10 is rounded out by Austin (6.2), Oklahoma City (5.6), San Antonio (5.3), Nashville (5.2), Greenville-Spartanburg-Ashville (4.8), Dallas-Fort Worth (4.5), Raleigh-Durham (4.5) and Indianapolis (4.4). Denver, host city of the NCAA Women’s Final Four, and Houston were the 11th and 12th highest rated markets with a 4.2.
National Semifinals
In addition to the title game, each of ESPN’s NCAA Women’s Basketball National Semifinals on Sunday, April 1, attracted a larger audience than the previous year, with the doubleheader combining for an increased rating of 10 percent (2.3 household rating in 2012 vs. 2.1 in 2011).  Also, the first game was the highest-rated semifinal game in that telecast window since Stanford vs. Connecticut in 2008 (2.1).
Notre Dame’s 83-75 victory over Connecticut delivered a 2.1 household coverage rating, up 11 percent from last year’s first semifinal tilt between eventual national champion Texas A&M and Stanford (1.9).  The second National Semifinal game that saw Baylor top Stanford 59-47 registered a 2.6 rating, which is up eight percent over last year’s UConn-Notre Dame semifinal (2.4) and the viewership was 3,756,000.
 
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Filed Under: ESPN, NCAA Basketball, Ratings

Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint – Tuesday, April 3, 2012

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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

 

***** ***** *****

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.”

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

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.”

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

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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Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint – Tuesday, March 27, 2012

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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.”

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

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.”

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

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.”

 


Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

ESPN Analysts React to Final Four Teams; Make Predictions

March 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With four teams set for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals in New Orleans, a cadre of ESPN analysts – Stephen Bardo, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis, Sean Farnham and Fran Fraschilla – has weighed in on both highly anticipated matchups and which team will walk away with the trophy. ESPN will begin its coverage live on site in New Orleans’ Jackson Square on Thursday, March 29. A full schedule of shows will be announced later this week.
Analyst National Championship Game Prediction Winner
Stephen Bardo Kentucky vs. Ohio State Kentucky
Jay Bilas Kentucky vs. Ohio State Kentucky
Hubert Davis Kentucky vs. Ohio State Kentucky
Sean Farnham Kentucky vs. Ohio State Kentucky
Fran Fraschilla Kentucky vs. Ohio State Kentucky
 
On Kentucky:
Bardo: Kentucky continues to raise its level of play despite its lack of experience. Their commitment to defense virtually ensures a national title.
Bilas: The Cats are young, über-talented, and unselfish. This is the nation’s best and most powerful team, and has dominated the tournament.
Davis:  Kentucky is the best team in the country, playing their best on both ends of the floor at the right time.
Farnham: What stood out after the game was just how little this team celebrated a trip to New Orleans which only points to the larger goal and the business-like approach Coach Cal has led by this season.
Fraschilla: The beauty of having “six starters” is that John Calipari can beat any team in the country without two or three of them playing at their best. He has managed great talent expertly this season.
On Louisville:
Bardo: This may be Rick Pitino’s finest coaching job. His team has been injury plagued all season yet he has them peaking at the right time.
Bilas: Rick Pitino’s team can press and play a tough matchup zone that gets steals and deflections.  Peyton Siva is a lightning quick point guard that can change the game with his speed.
Davis:  Peyton Siva is one of the best point guards in the country with his ability to defend, penetrate, distribute and now, the 12/15-foot jump shot.
Farnham: Rick Pitino’s team can win this game in the 60s, but if it gets into the high 70s, I feel it plays into Kentucky’s favor. Peyton Siva has to shoot the ball at a better clip than he has as of late; in the last three games, he’s shot just 32% from the field.
Fraschilla: This Cardinals team success is all about defending. Whether it’s man-to-man, matchup zone or full-court pressure, Rick Pitino has pushed all the right buttons in NCAA play this season.
On Ohio State:
Bardo: After a late bump in the road, the Buckeyes are playing through Sullinger more and having success. Deshaun Thomas has been the best player in the tournament thus far.
Bilas: The Buckeyes are outstanding defensively, and have the best low post scorer in Jared Sullinger, on-ball defender in Aaron Craft, and the tourney’s top scorer in Deshaun Thomas.  Ohio State is talented and tough.
Davis: Jared Sullinger is starting to dominate the low block, and with the consistent pay of Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes have an excellent chance of winning a national championship.
Farnham: Sullinger’s impact was clear on Saturday when he was limited by foul trouble in the first half against Syracuse. Defensively, the Buckeyes’ focus – as it is for so many opponents of Kansas – should be to limit points in transition and secondary break offense.
Fraschilla: Deshaun Thomas will be an X factor in the Kansas game. He has NBA scoring ability from both inside and out. Who guards him will be Bill Self’s biggest dilemma.
On Kansas:
Bardo: The Jayhawks have been the most consistent team not named Kentucky. Their versatility on offense makes them hard to game plan against.
Bilas:The Jayhawks can really guard you, and do a great job getting the ball inside for high percentage shots for Thomas Robinson. Tyshawn Taylor is having a great year, and needs to be great again for KU to win.
Davis: Kansas has one of the best players in the country in Thomas Robinson who has dominated the power forward position in college basketball all year.
Farnham: The key for success for the Jayhawks in New Orleans rests on the shoulders of Tyshawn Taylor. He can win you games, and throughout most of the Big 12, he did. But he has also been that guard that has mental lapses taking bad shots or gets careless with his passes giving life and easy looks to opponents.
Fraschilla: This time, patience is a virtue at Kansas. While this Jayhawk team is certainly talented, four of Bill Self’s five starters began their careers on the bench. They have all improved dramatically.
What was the biggest surprise of the tournament?
Bardo: The lack of buzzer beaters is what surprised me most about this year’s tourney.
Bilas: The upsets of Duke and Missouri by 15-seeds. In the history of the tournament, only four 15-seeds had won a game. But, a 15-seed has still never won another game after its first round upset.
Farnham: I thought coming into the tournament that we would have a Final Four of “power” conference teams and we do. The best of this tournament may still be ahead in New Orleans.
Fraschilla: Duke and Missouri being bounced so quickly.  It made for great theater in the first weekend.
 
What theme or moment stands out most from the tournament thus far?
Bardo: Marquette and Murray State put on a classic in their second-round matchup.
Bilas: The injuries and better teams not being at full strength.  UNC, Syracuse and Michigan State all played without key starters.  The outcomes may not have changed, and injuries are part of the game, but it left you wanting and wondering what might have been.
Fraschilla: Watching North Carolina’s seldom used Stilman White looking like Jeremy Lin for much of the Regional Finals weekend.
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Filed Under: ESPN, NCAA Basketball

Fans Select Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors for NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint on Tuesday, March 27

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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 TV  SCHEDULE (all times ET): March 24–27
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
8 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets    
10:30 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors     
SUNDAY, MARCH 25
3 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  Phoenix Suns @ Cleveland Cavaliers     

MONDAY, MARCH 26
  8 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  Denver Nuggets @ Chicago Bulls
  10:30 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  New Orleans Hornets @ Los Angeles Clippers

  TUESDAY, MARCH 27 Fan Night presented by Sprint
  7 p.m.

NBA Regular Season:  Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers
  10:30 p.m.

NBA Regular Season Fan Night Winner:  Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors     

Ernie Johnson, Brent Barry, Chris Webber

       
         

 

 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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Filed Under: NBA, NBA TV

Turner Sports & CBS Sports Announce Tip-Times & Announce Teams for Regional Semi-Finals

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Exclusive Coverage Continues with Regional Semi-Finals on Friday, March 23, on TBS and CBS

            Turner Sports and CBS Sports announce tip-times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2012 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 24 (4:30-9:00 PM, ET), on CBS.  Louisville will take on Florida / Marquette in the first game (4:30 PM, ET) followed by Syracuse playing Ohio State at (7:05 PM, ET).

Saturday’s coverage begins on truTv with Infinti NCAA Tip-Off (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET) with Ernie Johnson, Seth Davis, Steve Smith and VCU head coach Shaka Smart. The NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship (1:00-3:00 PM, ET) tips-off the day’s action on CBS followed by THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR®, hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Kansas State head coach Frank Martin (3:00-4:30 PM, ET).

Below are the tip-times and announce/production assignments for Friday’s Regional Semi-Final games and Saturday’s Regional Final games. Tip times for Sunday’s Regional Final games will be announced after the conclusion of Friday’s games.

Additionally, NCAA March Madness® Live provides a robust suite of products including live streaming video of all 67 games from the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship; personal channel lineup (MyChannel) features and schedule updates; social media integration; and real-time brackets, scores and stats across online and mobile platforms.

 

REGIONAL SEMI-FINAL GAMES

FRIDAY, MARCH 23

 

Time (ET) Network Site Game Play-by-Play/Analyst//

Reporter

Producer//Director
         
7:15 PM CBS Atlanta I Baylor vs. Xavier Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
        Bob Dekas//Bob Fishman
         
7:47 PM TBS St. Louis I North Carolina vs. Ohio Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
        Scott Cockerill//Lonnie Dale
         
after conc. I CBS Atlanta II Kentucky vs. Indiana Nantz/Kellogg//Wolfson
        Dekas//Fishman
         
after conc. I TBS St. Louis II Kansas vs. N.C. State Albert/Kerr//Sager
        Cockerill// Dale

 

 

REGIONAL FINAL GAMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

 

Time (ET) Network Site Game Play-by-Play/Analyst//

Reporter

Producer//Director
         
4:30 PM CBS Phoenix Louisville vs. Florida/Marquette Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Marty Snider
        Steve Scheer//Mike Arnold
         
7:05 PM CBS Boston Syracuse vs. Ohio State Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Lesley Visser
        Mark Wolff//Suzanne Smith

 

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Filed Under: CBS, NCAA Basketball, Turner
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