ABC KIA NBA Countdown Analysts Provide Insights on Top Storylines; Kobe Bryant Discusses Dwight Howard in Exclusive Interview with Michael Wilbon
On the March 10 edition of KIA NBA Countdown on ABC, analysts Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose and Michael Wilbon provided insights on several of the NBA’s top storylines and previewed today’s blockbuster ABC NBA Sunday Showcase doubleheader: Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder (1 p.m. ET); Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers (3:30 p.m.). KIA NBA Countdown next airs Wednesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Kobe Bryant on his relationship with Dwight Howard in an exclusive interview with Michael Wilbon:
“We get along in the sense that we understand each other. We know what our responsibilities are to the team. Yeah, absolutely. If you ask Dwight, or you ask myself, we don’t dislike each other at all. It’s not like when Shaq and I were feuding. We didn’t want to be around each other. For me and Dwight, that’s just not the situation. It’s not like we’re best friends either. It’s a good understanding, I think.”
Magic Johnson on the Bryant-Howard relationship:
“Kobe’s a straight shooter. It’s gotten a lot better than from the beginning of the season. Is Dwight all the way there on the same page as Kobe? Not yet, but they are getting there. And they respect each other. When you have mutual respect, everything else will happen for you.”
Jalen Rose on Bryant’s improvement with age:
“I just know Kobe’s like Ponce de Leon. He’s just getting better with time. Here’s a guy – over the last eight games – 36 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, playing complete basketball trying to will these Los Angeles Lakers to the playoffs.”
Bill Simmons on Bryant’s performance this season:
“The thing that’s changed for Kobe for me this season. There’s become a mystical aura about him at the end of these games. He was terrible on Friday night against Toronto for most of that game, and then at the end, he started making crazy 3’s. He’s reached this point, we’ve seen it happen with other guys over the course of history, where you just feel like he’s going to come through.”
Michael Wilbon on Kobe’s performance against the Toronto Raptors:
“I thought that was one of the greatest finishes I’ve ever seen from any player in the history of the NBA. I know it’s March. I know it’s Toronto. But Kobe Bryant had three game-winning shots essentially in one game.”
Johnson on MVP performances throughout the season:
“In the first month it was all Carmelo. We said, oh, MVP for Carmelo. Then, Kevin Durant right after that. Kevin Durant show. And then LeBron put together a stretch we haven’t seen. But right after the All-Star break, it’s been Kobe Bryant. He’s been the MVP so far after the All-Star break. This race is going to go down to the end. I would love to see the three guys I just mentioned play the way Kobe’s been playing in their 17th year.”
Johnson on whether Derrick Rose is ready to return to the Chicago Bulls:
“My second year, I had my knee tore up. I rushed back into the playoffs. We got swept by the Rockets. My confidence was not there. If it’s confidence that’s not there, sit out. If he’s ready, then play.”
Wilbon on Rose’s judgment:
“Derrick Rose’s judgment has been great throughout his basketball career. I trust him. Whatever he says, that’s what I will live with happily if I’m the Chicago Bulls.”
Jalen Rose on the “big three” during the Miami Heat’s winning streak:
“[LeBron’s] playing terrific basketball, he will be the MVP. Dwyane Wade is playing himself into all NBA consideration. He’s playing terrific basketball percentage-wise being effective and efficient. We never talk about Chris Bosh, but he’s also holding down his part of being the big three.”
Johnson on the room for improvement with the Heat:
“When you think about the Miami Heat, they have really started to focus on what they have to work on to be a repeat champion. I talked to Pat Riley on Friday and he said, we’re really not playing that well. We’re not playing our best basketball, we’re playing just good enough to beat everybody. He says they have room for improvement and he’s looking for that improvement.”
Simmons on the Heat’s winning streak:
“We always talk about the year after when a team wins a title. We were a little worried about this Miami team. They have laid the smack down with this streak. They have a chance now to win between 65 and 67 games. The streak is a big part of this. I think they are going to roll through the Eastern Conference. This could be a really good year-after championship season for them. Two in a row, this would be a memorable team.”
Johnson on Kevin Durant’s personality and leadership ability:
“It’s not about being meaner. It’s about being mentally tougher. That’s what this comes down to. Kevin Durant is who he is just like Russell is who he is. Let Kevin be himself. Just put guys around him. Perkins is the tough guy, so he brings the toughness to the Thunder team. I think that Kevin now has to talk more. I’m not saying talk loud, but be the leader. He is the leader of this team with his play but now he has to do it with his mouth. Don’t feel bad if you have to police guys and say hey, that was a bad shot. You shouldn’t be turning the ball over like that. He has to pull guys aside and point out different things.”
Wilbon on how Durant’s personality impacts the Thunder:
“I just wonder if whatever happens to Oklahoma is going to come down to anything Durant does or doesn’t do. I think we know what Durant is going to be produce. I admire him for probing and trying to figure out what’s the extra thing I can do. You can’t go outside of your personality to lead a team.”
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