Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Los Angeles Lakers (101) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (98) – (Overtime)
Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match–up that will air on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Fans can select between: Magic @ Bobcats; Wizards @ Heat; Nuggets @ Bulls; Trail Blazers @ Grizzlies; Rockets @ Mavericks; Thunder @ Kings
CLIP OF THE DAY
(click on link below to watch)
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AutoTrader.com Pre-Game Show
Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Kevin McHale
Webber on a photo of McHale in his very short Celtics shorts as a player: “Apparently you used to play in your underwear, Kevin.”
McHale on the good that will come out of Lakers forward Pau Gasol’s injury: “Pau Gasol getting hurt is actually not a bad thing for the Lakers, I know it sounds odd to say that. He played all summer long for the Spanish national team, so getting a break right now is really key. Two things happen; he gets a break and his body gets a chance to recover, and they are going to (Andrew Bynum) steady. They are going to Bynum in the post and Bynum has been very impressive in the post. I really like what I’m seeing out of that young guy right now. He is really rounding into his game that everybody expected him to.”
Webber on why Oklahoma City guard/forward Kevin Durant is one of the most exciting players in this league: “Tonight you are going to get to see one of our best players (in Kevin Durant). He is one of our best scorers, he’s explosive and he is on a young team. And believe it or not, he can go to the basket. Even though he is skinny and has a lot of development to do, he goes to the basket like (Scottie) Pippen and he has a right or left hand just like TMac (Tracey McGrady). This guy, I really like his game. I think Carmelo (Anthony) is probably the easiest to score, but this guy (Durant) is a top five scorer in the NBA.”
McHale on who Oklahoma City guard/forward Kevin Durant reminds him of: “Iceman (George) Gervin. You look at him and think, ‘Oh, I’m going to have my way with him’ and he drops 35 on you.”
Johnson on the Oklahoma City Thunder: “Is it too early to talk about a playoff berth for the Thunder?”
Webber: “What coast are they on? It’s way too early to talk about a playoff spot for them.”
Thunder GM Sam Presti joined the Fan Night crew via Arena Link.
Webber on Presti’s well-known skills as a drummer: “Anybody is a good drummer on Guitar Hero, Sam. We need to hear you live. My nephew is a good drummer on Guitar Hero.”
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T-Mobile Halftime Report
Johnson, McHale and Webber
McHale on the slow start by the Thunder: “They were ready to play, but they were so excited they couldn’t think.”
Webber on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who appeared frustrated in the first half: “Unfortunately, I’ve seen him at his angriest times. He is going to have a 20-point quarter. He may want to show them why he has four championships.”
Webber on an athletic move by Thunder guard Jeff Green: “All it takes is effort, ladies and gentleman. Well, also a 40-inch vertical like (Green) has.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Johnson, McHale and Webber
Webber on the learning process for the Thunder: “You’ve got to be in close games to learn how to win them. You have to lose a couple, unfortunately. The game is to be learned and it’s just not going to be given to them.”
Webber on Thunder guard/forward Kevin Durant’s poor performance down the stretch: “He I bet you feels like he’s let him team down…I just wouldn’t want to be the guy who has to check Kevin Durant for the next 10 games. He’s already started out slow and did this tonight. He is going to bust somebody’s butt the rest of the season.”
McHale on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant: “It’s just mental toughness, that is where this guy excels. You can talk about all the gifts he has, and he is gifted, but he is just mentally tough. I think that in our league the mental toughness separates the men from the boys.”
Webber on Suns guard Steve Nash’s ability to get big contracts for his teammates: “Quentin Richardson, Raja Bell, not only is Steve Nash the best point, but he is better than their agents because he is the reason why everybody gets paid when they’re leaving.”
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