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 Games 2 and 4.
ESPN’s Western Conference Finals schedule (all telecasts at 9 p.m. ET):
Thursday, May 19 – Oklahoma City at Dallas, Game 2
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 (if nec.)
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 1
First quarter
Mark Jackson on Dirk Nowitzki:
“This guy is an all-time great. There’s no question about how great Dirk Nowitzki is as a basketball player.”
Jeff Van Gundy on Nowitzki:
“Just because he hasn’t won (a championship) yet doesn’t mean he’s any less of a great basketball player or a champion. I watch Nowitzki work and he works like a champion every day.”
Van Gundy on Thabo Sefolosha:
“If Sefolosha can somehow be a more consistent three-point shooter, he would play late in games because he’s a premier defender in this league.”
Jackson on Serge Ibaka:
“He’s a legitimate starting guy on the front line for a championship-caliber team. I love his defense, I love his energy and that midrange jumper completes him.”
Van Gundy on the Miami Heat’s celebration after beating Boston:
“I think the Heat took too much criticism for being happy that they beat Boston. Now we are critiquing how teams celebrate? Don’t you think we are going a bit too far in picking and nitpicking people?”
Jackson on the Heat’s postgame celebration:
“I had no problem with it. The bottom line is, when someone beats you up often, when you get it done, you have every right to celebrate. Celebrate with the mindset that it’s not over that we still have another goal and another obstacle, but enjoy it while it’s there. I wish I had celebrated more (during my playing career).”
Second quarter
Van Gundy on Luol Deng:
“Luol Deng is one of the most underrated players in this league right now. I think he should have been an All-Star. I think he should be on the all-defensive team. He had a great Game 1.”
Van Gundy on James Harden as an underrated player in the series:
“If he was on a different team, in a starting featured role, he could average 18 points in this league. I think he’s a terrific passer and pick-and-roll player.”
Van Gundy on Dallas’ zone defense:
“As much as we talk about Dallas zoning to stop Kevin Durant, I think the zone is incorporated as much to stop Russell Westbrook from dribble penetration.”
Third quarter
Van Gundy on Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle:
“All he does is win. He won in Detroit. He won big in Indiana and had really a championship-caliber team there before the brawl in Detroit. Then he’s come here and has been ultra successful. He’s really, really, a good coach.”
Van Gundy on Nowitzki:
“He is one of the top players and one of the most unique players to ever play the game.”
Jackson on Nowitzki:
“He’s a top 30 player of all time.”
Fourth quarter
Van Gundy on defending elite scorers:
“The No. 1 thing against great scorers is to take away layups and free throws. You cannot be reckless and foul on jump shots. Oklahoma City is not being as disciplined against Dirk Nowitzki as they need to be.”
Jackson on JJ Barea vs. Nate Robinson:
“JJ Barea is playing like Nate Robinson is his little brother…putting on a clinic.”
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