Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
New Orleans Hornets (106) @ Los Angeles Lakers (111)
Voting is open on NBA.com, the NBA Facebook Page, Yahoo.com, mobile web, mobile Game Time app and Twitter for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air Feb. 5
Fans can select between the following games:
Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Lakers @ Brooklyn Nets
Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets
Milwaukee Bucks @ Denver Nuggets
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NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint
Ernie Johnson, Steve Smith and Chris Webber
Smith on Kobe Bryant’s role with the Lakers: “When you put a ‘Dream Team’ together, [Bryant] shouldn’t have to be the scorer, the defender, the passer, the coach and the psychologist. He should just play his role.”
Webber on the Lakers: “This is a ‘Dream Team,’ this is one of the best teams we’ve seen on paper…once again, everyone is riding Kobe’s back and he needs some help.”
Webber on New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon: “Knowing that he was injured earlier this year, I’m still looking for the Eric Gordon that was in Los Angeles [with the Clippers]…the guy that made great plays and could be a starter on any team. It’s going to take some time to see what kind of impact he’s going to have on [the Hornets].”
Smith on Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez: “I love him because of his toughness. Everyone says he’s slow but he can pass the basketball, he makes winning plays and he’s gritty and grimy. He plays percentages and he knows how to play the game.”
Webber on Vasquez: “He’s a slower, right-handed [Manu] Ginobili. He plays hard, he can play in the post and I love his vision.”
Webber on Hornets forward Ryan Anderson: “He might be the most unsung guy in the league. I don’t think many people know what he’s doing. He’s getting his own shot and there aren’t many teams that can get their own shot and help the point guard out.”
Smith on the Hornets lack of a go-to scorer: “Where do they go when they need a bucket? They don’t have a guy that can draw a double-team and make life easier for everybody else.”
Webber on the Hornets: “They are young and still trying to figure out how to win. They are trying to figure out their identity. The future is bright for them but right now they are just taking baby steps.”
Webber on Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving: “He’s one of the best [point guards] at finishing. He reminds me a lot of guys like Rod Strickland and Nick Van Exel, who could go full-court, switch hands right or left, and finish amongst the trees.”
Smith on Golden State Warriors guard Jarrett Jack: “I love Jarrett Jack’s game. He’s just a hard-nosed kid who plays the game the right way. He doesn’t complain and gets the job done.”
Webber on Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders: “Larry Sanders is one of the best young defenders in the league.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Smith and Webber
Webber on how Pau Gasol should be a bigger part of the Lakers’ identity: “When you get the ball to [Gasol] in the post, he can get it right back out to Kobe or Nash. That makes it harder [for the defense] to check players. They might be establishing that their identity is Kobe as their leader, but Pau Gasol is second and then everyone else.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Johnson, Smith and Webber
Webber on Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni adjusting to the players on his roster: “So much has been said about D’Antoni and his style. One thing we know is they don’t have enough players for his system but he’s making adjustments. He has shooters and he’s saying, ‘If you guys play the way that I want and move the ball, get everyone involved, I can make the guys at the end of the bench much more valuable by utilizing their skill set.’”
Smith on the impact Earl Clark has had on the Lakers: “They are sharing the basketball and trying to play defense. None of this happens if Earl Clark isn’t playing well because then you can have Pau Gasol coming off the bench.”
Webber on the Lakers defense vs. the Hornets: “Tonight, the Lakers defensive energy was the best we’ve seen all season.”
Smith on the importance of the Lakers’ upcoming seven-game road trip: “They are passing the basketball and their body language is better. Also, they are looking at the standings…if they don’t bring it on this [upcoming seven game road] trip, you can write the playoffs off. They have to go at least 5-2 to have a chance to catch the eighth seed. Desperation is playing on the Lakers side right now.”
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