Mike Breen, analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke provide commentary for the Western Conference Finals on ESPN and The Finals on ABC. The Western Conference Finals are also available via ESPN Radio, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV. Additionally, ESPN 3D will televise Game 4.
ESPN’s Western Conference Finals schedule (all telecasts at 9 p.m. ET; Kia NBA Countdown at 8 p.m.):
Saturday, May 21 – Dallas at Oklahoma City, Game 3
Monday, May 23 – Dallas at Oklahoma City, Game 4
Wednesday, May 25 – Oklahoma City at Dallas, Game 5
Friday, May 27 – Dallas at Oklahoma City, Game 6 (if nec.)
Sunday, May 29 – Oklahoma City at Dallas, Game 7 (if nec.)
Quotes from Game 2
First quarter
Mark Jackson reflecting on the Kendrick Perkins trade:
“I love Kendrick Perkins, but I thought it was a bad trade for both teams…Boston because he was a perfect guy for their system and Oklahoma City because Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic added to what they already had. I think it’s being exposed to some degree in this series so far.
“He (Perkins) certainly added to the culture of this Oklahoma City basketball team, but I think ultimately they would have been successful no matter what. The future is very bright for them. When you talk about Jeff Green’s ability to guard guys like Dirk Nowitzki and stretch out ’4’ players…power forwards that can shoot…and then Krstic, an underrated jump shooter from midrange…right now, the Mavericks don’t have to defend Kendrick Perkins and, to a degree, it hurts the Thunder on the offensive end.”
Jeff Van Gundy on the trade:
“You have to let it play out to come to a conclusion. For Oklahoma City, the trade was made as much to get Serge Ibaka and James Harden more minutes as it was just to get Kendrick Perkins. At some point, I think Harden – eventually in this tough playoff series – is going to have to play in that high 30 minute range.”
Second quarter
Van Gundy on Jason Terry:
“When I used to coach against Jason Terry, I always thought he had to be the no. 1 key…keeping him out of the game and taking the ball out of his hands, with Dirk Nowitzki second, because when Terry plays well the Mavericks are very difficult to beat.”
Jackson on Eric Maynor’s approach to Game 2:
“I don’t care who you are in this league – starters, stars, or bench players – it’s about pride and making the proper adjustments. You can tell Eric Maynor has come with the mindset that he was cooked in Game 1 by JJ Barea and he’s coming out on a mission tonight.”
Third quarter
Jackson on mentality of Kevin Durant:
“Here’s where I would love the mentality of Kevin Durant to say get me the basketball. Jason Kidd is defending Kevin Durant. It can’t happen if you are Kevin Durant. Go get the ball, get everybody out of your way, and make a play.”
Fourth quarter
Jackson (with approximately 1:24 remaining in the game) on Thunder head coach Scott Brooks’ decision to stick with bench players:
“I give Scott Brooks credit. He stayed with Eric Maynor and his bench, something I would not have done. I would have even came back with Russell Westbrook right now. You need some scoring and you need some rebounding.
“It’s not a knock against Maynor. He’s done his job, but you’ve got to get your guys, your finishers on the floor. This is a big-time game and you need to win.”
Van Gundy (with eight seconds left) on a coach’s approach to Russell Westbrook:
“I’ll tell you what’s the most important thing to happen between the buzzer and when Scott Brooks talks to the team – I would not be surprised if Scott Brooks finds a minute to talk with Russell Westbrook. For any great player, this is difficult. For a young great player, it’s even more of a challenge to stay mentally strong, say the right thing, do the right thing and be ready to roll without any mental problems come Saturday.”
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