Notes from NBA on TNT Coverage – Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014
TNT’s NBA coverage will continue Thursday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. ET with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Oklahoma City Thunder followed by the Houston Rockets @ Sacramento Kings at 10:30 p.m.
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Cleveland Cavaliers (90) @ New York Knicks (87)Marv Albert (play-by-play), Greg Anthony and Mike Fratello (analysts) with David Aldridge (reporter)
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Anthony on Cleveland needing more impact from their bench: “For the Cavs, it’s really about their starting five. They are not getting much of an impact [from the bench] and that’s going to have to change as this season progresses…if they really want to be a contender in the Eastern Conference.”
Fratello on Kyrie Irving: “Is there anybody in the NBA that has a better handle with the basketball than Kyrie Irving?” Anthony: “There are some guys with great handles but he’s at the top of the list.” Anthony on what Irving needs to do to improve his game: “As talented as Kyrie Irving is, the next level of his maturation is going to be able to use his talent to make his teammates better. That’s something he has to learn in order for this team to become championship caliber.” |
| Charles Barkley [during halftime] on the Knicks’ Triangle offense: “The Triangle [offense] works when you have Shaq and Kobe [Bryant] or Michael [Jordan] and Scottie [Pippen]. When you don’t have good players, it’s not going to work…this Knicks team isn’t good.” |
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New Orleans Pelicans (85) @ Golden State Warriors (112)
Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter)
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Miller on Austin Rivers: “Sometimes he gets pigeon-holed into being a shooter. He’s at his best when he puts the ball on the floor and attacks the basket.”
Miller on Anthony Davis: “He’s made an early season bid for MVP…the way he has played, he has elevated himself to superstar status.” |
| Miller on Steph Curry: “He might go down as the greatest shooter this game has ever seen.” Miller on the difference between head coach Steve Kerr’s Warriors squad this year: “Defensively, they’re pretty much the same…but Steve Kerr has really opened up the offense. They have more flow…the ball doesn’t stick as much as it did a year ago.” Miller on if Klay Thompson is the best two-way player in the NBA: “Absolutely…for so many years, it was Kobe Bryant who would lock you down on one end and get his points on the other end. But, in my opinion, it’s [currently] Klay Thompson.” Miller on Steph Curry’s scoring ability: “It’s so easy for him…it’s muscle memory. He’s so good at taking the ball off the dribble and scoring.” Miller on the development of the Warriors franchise: “We talk about the development of [a franchise] is when your young players develop. Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have gotten better each year [of their career]. That’s why the Warriors franchise is in good hands moving forward.” |
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal
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Barkley on the Warriors needing a big man: “They are an elite team but they are a big man away. Their two best players are jump shooters…the longer the season goes, those shots aren’t going to fall every time.”
O’Neal on head coach Steve Kerr: “I like the way he’s getting his guys to respond. He’s speaking their language and they’re going out there and busting their butts for this guy. Kudos to Steve Kerr, he’s doing a great job.” |
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Barkley on Tim Hardaway, Jr.: “He’s going to be a heck of a player. He’s a heck of a player now, but he’s only going to get better.” |
| Barkley on the Cavs: “They aren’t going to beat the Bulls [in the playoffs] playing lackadaisical. They have to play with passion and energy.” |
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