Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Miami Heat (98) @ Orlando Magic (104)
Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night
matchup which will air on March 20
Fans can select between the following games:
Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat
Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz
Milwaukee Bucks @ Portland Trail Blazers
Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings
CLIP OF THE NIGHT
(click on the text below to view the video)
Orlando Magic Guard Jameer Nelson joins the Fan Night crew via Arena Link
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AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
Vince Cellini, Brent Barry and Chris Webber
Webber on the mentality in Orlando with the Dwight Howard trade speculation: “I feel sorry for the fans in Orlando right now. They have to be holding their breath because this is the second time their date has left them at the prom by themselves.”
Orlando Sentinel reporter Brian Schmitz joins the studio team via Arena Link
Schmitz on whether the Orlando Magic will keep or trade Dwight Howard: “Well, the club would love to keep him. Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said that this decision is not going to be made until last minute on Thursday morning. He will either be traded or the Orlando Magic will swallow their pride and let him walk.”
Schmitz on the fan vibe in Orlando and Amway Arena: “It’s been strange all season long; like they don’t really know what’s going on. They have had little reaction. If he was in markets like Philadelphia or Boston, he would have been booed if he said he wanted to leave the town and the team. These fans [Orlando] are just strange in that they are afraid to boo him. You see signs urging him to stay. If they don’t realize that tonight could be his last game, then maybe they need to get new fans.”
Schmitz on the potential Dwight Howard trade: “A lot of fans in this town have been through this…This guy [Dwight Howard] at least gave his trade demand and it’s such a tough situation in the NBA now when the player totally controls the deal. He is the deal maker and the deal breaker.”
Barry on what the Orlando Magic should do with the Dwight Howard trade situation: “You’ve got to be on top of change or change is going to be on top of you. They are the franchise. If they are getting indications from Howard that he does not want to be there, they [Orlando Magic] need to make a move. Do something to exercise their power over the player instead of waiting for this guy [Howard] to keep holding you hostage. Try to make the best deal you can and move on.”
Barry on the pending trade between the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks: “Obviously, if this trade happens, the Warriors are addressing the center position and clearing up first and foremost that they want to go with Stephen Curry for the future of their franchise at the guard position. If this trade goes through it will define some roles [on the team].”
Webber on Warriors guard Monta Ellis: “In my opinion, Monta Ellis is the best finisher in the league for his height under the rim.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Cellini, Barry and Webber
Webber on Dwight Howard’s play in recent weeks: “Dwight Howard has to carry this team on his back and we know that, but tonight we are seeing a Dwight Howard that many wish we would see all the time. You hear this trade talk and then he comes out playing this well. You want to see the energy, the excitement and volatility on the court and hopefully it continues throughout this trade (situation).”
Barry on the Miami Heat’s dynamic duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: “When these guys get in the open floor, you cannot slow them down. They are just so gifted, not only in terms of their ability to see the floor, but they are both fantastic finishers …not only under the rim but over the rim. In the league, we haven’t seen a dynamic duo that does it like this in the open court.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Cellini, Barry and Webber
Barry on theOrlando Magic’s ability to play well with all the distractions of a potential Dwight Howard trade: “We have always heard that championship teams play at a championship level all season long and this team just hasn’t been able to do that and find the right mix. Every team goes through injuries and issues and sometimes Orlando is a team that just goes through the motions. All the stuff around Dwight has affected them. Then they have a great game and they just tease you.”
Barry on what the Orlando Magic will do with Dwight Howard and what other deals might be on the table:“You can’t sit here and in 48 hours think that’s going to make your season [trades]. The franchise has to think about the future and what’s at stake for them. If there’s still this idea that your center doesn’t want to play for your city, you have to do what’s best for the future of your franchise. As frustrating as that sounds, the business of basketball comes first.”
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson joins the studio team via Arena Link
Nelson shares his perspective on the Dwight Howard hoopla surrounding the team: “As a player and a teammate, my job is to play as hard as I can no matter who is on the court. I can’t control management and the Dwight situation. We definitely want him to stay, we want him here, but at the same time, I can’t control it and my job is to do what I love to do which is to play basketball.”
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