Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Phoenix Suns (83) @ Los Angeles Lakers (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 Jan. 17
Fans can select between the following games:
Charlotte Bobcats @ Orlando Magic
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns @ Chicago Bulls
Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks
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Fan Night presented by Sprint
Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony
Anthony on Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s ability to play through injuries: “You have to be a little concerned if you are a Lakers fan because at this stage in his career, we know about his almost superhuman ability to recover from injury, but can he sustain it as they are trying to implement a new system under (head coach) Mike Brown emphasizing the defensive side of basketball?”
Webber on Lakers center Andrew Bynum being the best big man in the league: “I am going to repeat what Shaq (O’Neal) said (on TNT), that the best big man in the game right now is Andrew Bynum. Better than Dwight Howard right now. Howard is a great player and to compare these guys is dumb, but (Bynum) can bring so much to the game on a consistent level and you see the potential if he stays healthy.”
Anthony compares Bynum to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard: “Andrew Bynum is more effective on the offensive side (than Howard). I would give Dwight Howard the edge overall because he is averaging more points and he dominates defensively. But Bynum offensively, when healthy, is the most polished big man in the game.”
Anthony on Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash and how his game has/hasn’t changed over the years: “Steve Nash has a lot of basketball left in him. His basketball IQ is so high and the ability of Phoenix to space the floor allows him to operate.”
Webber: “He hasn’t lost anything. He’s a bad man with that basketball and he’s always going to be that on the floor. He has as many years as he wants left. He is one of our best in-shape athletes.”
Anthony comments on Lakers forward Pau Gasol’s role with the Lakers: “The Lakers are still a team that can legitimately win a championship. Pau Gasol is going to be key as to whether or not they get over the hump. He’s got to impact the paint.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Webber and Anthony
Anthony on Kobe Bryant’s offensive game: “Kobe Bryant can be effective from any position on the floor. That’s one of his great strengths as an offensive player, (he’s) unmatched by any player in the league. Kobe is effective in all areas of scoring on the basketball court.”
Webber on Steve Nash: “(Nash) is one of the best point guards, one of the best people we have ever seen touch the cow leather on that basketball. He will always have the chance to have an impact especially on the offensive end of the game.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant joined the NBA TV studio team via ArenaLink following the game
Bryant on dealing with injuries while continuing to play at the same level of intensity: “After the injection, I really don’t feel anything. When I fall on (my wrist), the pain comes right back. All in all, you just have to go out there and do your job. People don’t want to hear excuses. If my play is suffering, they want to say I’m too old not that I have a bad wrist, so no excuses.”
Bryant on how the Lakers look this season without key players from last season: “I think we are better defensively. We still have a ways to go. We are willing to do the work. The jury is still out on how great we can be.”
Anthony on the Golden State Warriors winning in overtime against the Miami Heat: “It is impressive when you look at a team when they are outmanned physically (without Stephen Curry). It is important to have a coach believe in you so you can push a little further. They have a lot of fight in them.”
Anthony on the impact of Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s ankle injury affecting his future: “I’m tremendously concerned. I’m a huge fan of Stephen Curry and I hope and pray he can get over it. It’s not just the physical issue. It’s the psychological issue because every time you tweak it, it is going to be a concern that you have done something irreparable.”
Anthony on the Portland Trail Blazers: “Portland is really good. Obviously, Nate McMillan is a great coach but it starts with LaMarcus Aldridge. He has really emerged. Defensively, he impacts the game.”
Webber on Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge stepping into a leadership role: “He’s ready. He is not the most demonstrative guy, but it doesn’t matter because when he gets into that paint he lets you see he is going to be aggressive with his game.”
Anthony on Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio: “He keeps his teammates alert at all times on the floor. His feel and understanding of how to deliver the basketball in just the right moment, for a rookie, is impressive.”
Anthony on the improvement of the Chicago Bulls this season: “I think they are a better team this year than they were a year ago even though Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah’s numbers are down. I think they are getting more contributions from other guys.”
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