Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by 2K Sports’ NBA 2K11
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Dallas Mavericks (105) @ Orlando Magic (99)
Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Dec. 28.
Fans can select between the following games:
Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks @ Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls
L.A. Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs
Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets
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AutoTrader.com Pre-Game Show
Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber
Webber on how long the transition for the Orlando Magic will take: “When I first heard about this (trade), I thought it is going to be great because I am a fan. But it is going to take some time. I think if they are starting to feel good around the All-Star break, I would say watch out to a lot of teams.”
McHale on the value of the Gilbert Arenas/Jason Richardson/Hedo Turkoglu trade to Orlando Magic: “I thought (Orlando GM) Otis Smith did a great job. He got more value out of the trade and got exactly what Orlando needed. They were a team that was just struggling. To me, their struggles weren’t that Vince Carter had lost all of his athleticism or couldn’t play anymore or that Rashard Lewis was no good. It was the fact that other teams changed how they played him. They started staying home on those three point shooters. They weren’t getting open looks anymore. All of a sudden those guys couldn’t put the ball on the floor and create their own offense (and they) started really struggling. Otis Smith saw that and went and got guys that were better off the dribble, better with the ball in their hands and that could still shoot the three.”
McHale on the Magic’s big men: “Orlando needs people to get to the line big time. That is one thing that (Vince) Carter and (Rashard) Lewis didn’t do for them. I think these two (Jason) Richardson and (Gilbert) Arenas can do that.”
Webber on the Magic potentially changing their style of play: “It (Magic’s style of play) is going to go back to the success they had of old. It is going to go back to when Hedo (Turkoglu) was making shots and when Dwight Howard could get 10 dunks a game.”
Webber on why Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry is the sixth man of the year: “When I hear sixth man, I think of Vinnie Johnson. Jason Terry is the definition of the sixth man; it is his award every year. When you come off the bench, your role isn’t just to score it is to facilitate. I don’t think this guy gets enough credit. He has a lot of heart. He reminds me of what Nick Van Exel used to do for the Lakers. This guy is the sixth man of the year, every year.”
Webber on whether forward Hedo Turkoglu will have similar success in Orlando as he had before: “I think so. I think the onus is on (Turkoglu). The system is around him. That is only on him. He has the talent. He can shoot, dribble and show up, but is he mentally prepared and he is going to be there for those guys?”
McHale: “He plays better with the ball in his hand. I think Stan (Van Gundy) knows that, I hope he knows that. So I think you will see him as a primary ball player.”
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T-Mobile Halftime Report
Johnson, McHale and Webber
Webber on the new additions to the Orlando Magic: “To be very honest, I really like this and I see a lot of changes that are going to happen. I think Jameer Nelson is going to move to the bench. I tell you what, Gilbert Arenas is about to be incredible. Anytime you have a point guard that can shoot and a big guy like Dwight Howard, it makes it great. They have three guys that can shoot threes and dribble the ball. I see this as a good trade for the Orlando Magic.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Johnson, McHale and Webber
McHale on the Mavericks: “I like Dallas. I think it’s easy to say, ‘they’re the same old Dallas (with) the same cast of characters, but it’s not, they’re different (this season). Tyson Chandler gives them a different edge defensively and I like the fact that they move the ball so beautifully. It’s effortless. They have a oneness about them. They don’t care who scores and the ball goes where it should go. I like them, they are better defensively and I’m a big believer in the Dallas Mavericks.”
Webber on how the Mavericks play well together: “They have the basics. They have guys that play well together. They make free throws, they are one of the best free throw shooting teams, so it doesn’t help you to foul them. These guys close the game and it starts with (guards) Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, they are both such great ball-handlers and they get it to the closer, Dirk (Nowitzki).”
McHale on the Oklahoma City Thunder: “I think they started believing that they were better than what they were at the start of the season. The guys were saying, ‘we just have to show up and play,’ but that’s been rectified. The coaching staff loves this team and they are getting back to their defensive philosophy. They are really knitting as a team and (guard) Russell Westbrook has been phenomenal this year. He’s really been great for those guys. I think they are just going to get better. I don’t think they are as good as Dallas or San Antonio or the Lakers, but they are so much younger than those teams. They are one of the youngest teams in the league. They and Chicago are the two best bright spots in the league, these teams are special.”
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