Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the Western Conference Finals – Game 6
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Oklahoma City Thunder eliminate the San Antonio Spurs and advance to the NBA Finals
***CLIPS OF THE NIGHT***
The Inside crew sends the San Antonio Spurs FISHIN
**** **** **** ****
TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Barkley has a message for Miami Heat forward LeBron James: “LeBron James, I love watching you play. It’s time for you to do your thing. It’s your team. You’re the best basketball player in the world and it’s time for you to say: ‘Get on my back because we’re going to win Game 6 and we’re going to win Game 7.’ You are the best.”
Smith on the Heat trailing 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals: “When I look at the Miami Heat, this is not a choke. They don’t have enough diversity in their offense.”
Barkley on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense: “Oklahoma City’s big men have done a fantastic job of stopping [Spurs point guard] Tony Parker.”
Smith on the players’ focus heading into Game 6: “I call this a ‘room service’ game. You order room service and stay focused all day.”
Barkley on who he thinks will win Game 6: “This is OKC’s time. They’ve got better players. They’ve got more depth and they’re going to win tonight.”
**** **** **** ****
San Antonio Spurs (99) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (107) – OKC wins the series 4-2 and advances to the NBA Finals
Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
Kerr on the ‘feel’ of the crowd in OKC during Game 6: “In watching the game last night [Boston vs. Miami – Game 5], you could feel the anxiety of the home crowd. There [was] such desperation to win that there [was] no joy in the game. I wonder, in the second half, if we’ll start to get that feeling here in this building with this young Thunder team?”
**** **** **** ****
Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Smith on Spurs forward Stephen Jackson’s prolific shooting in the first half: “He’s not scared of the moment. He reminds me so much of the guy I used to play with – Vernon Maxwell.”
**** **** **** ****
Miller on Thunder forward Kevin Durant taking over Game 6 in the second half: “I hope people watching this game understand [they are] watching greatness grow up in front of us as Kevin Durant is willing his Thunder team back into this game.”
Kerr on OKC forward Kevin Durant: “Nobody has a weapon like Kevin Durant. He’s so special that no matter what you do he’s always got an answer.”
TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed the Thunder head coach Scott Brooks during the second half
Brooks on what his team did in the third quarter to climb back into the game: “We just played for our teammates.”
Miller on Thunder guard Derek Fisher’s clutch shooting in the fourth quarter: “He’s the modern-day Robert Horry.”
Miller on the Thunder winning Game 6: “I hope America embraces this young team.”
Kerr on the Spurs losing a 15-pt. halftime lead: “I don’t feel like [the Spurs] blew it. I just feel like Oklahoma City took it. Their effort was incredible in the second half and they overwhelmed San Antonio with their youth and athleticism. And a heavy dose of Kevin Durant.”
TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed the Thunder guard Derek Fisher following the game
Fisher on his team ‘coming of age’: “It’s happening before our eyes. Great things happen when you play for each other.”
Thunder GM Sam Presti on what it means to Oklahoma to win the Western Conference Championship: “The fans in this arena represent an entire state.”
Kerr on the Thunder winning the Western Conference Finals: “This was an amazing display of basketball. I don’t think we’ve ever seen a 23-year-old like Kevin Durant.”
Miller on the Thunder: “This is a team…that understands the game of basketball. And they have bona fide closers.”
Kerr on his prediction for the NBA Finals: “I would give Oklahoma City the advantage over both teams [Miami or Boston]. They are well-equipped to win a NBA Championship.”
**** **** **** ****
Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on Spurs guard Tony Parker: “Tony was amazing in the first half but there were just too many holes to plug out there for the Spurs.”
Barkley on the best sixth man in the NBA: “I love Ginobili. I love Jason Terry too. Right now James Harden is the best sixth man in the NBA.”
Barkley on the future of Spurs forward Tim Duncan: “I hope Tim Duncan retires. He is the greatest power forward ever, but he is obviously slowing down. I want to remember him as a great player.”
Barkley on the misconception of the youth of Oklahoma City: “Everyone talks about how young OKC is. I think that is a little bit deceptive. When me and Kenny were 23 it was our first year in the NBA. These guys have been in the NBA for three or four years. They are not rookies or anything. Kevin Durant has been in the NBA and has won three scoring titles, just because he is 23 doesn’t mean he is a rookie.”
Barkley on the Thunder: “OKC is going to be the favorite for the Championship. I think they are going to be a favorite over both of those teams [Heat and Celtics). You know about [Kevin] Durant, [Russell] Westbrook is a wild card. [James] Harden is terrific so they are going to be tough to beat.”
Smith on Heat forward Chris Bosh: “Without Chris Bosh, I think the Boston Celtics will be playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I don’t think he is what he was. He’s been missing too many games.”
O’Neal on Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals: “The world wants to see Durant vs. LeBron. I guarantee you right now Boston was watching and they know the importance of closing out Game 6. The game tomorrow is going to be a tough game.”
– 30 –
Recent Comments