TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m. ET with doubleheader action featuring the New York Knicks @ Brooklyn Nets followed by the Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls at 9:30 p.m.
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
Smith on the Clippers: “It’s not now for the Clippers, it’s April, May and June. Last year they won [17] consecutive games and the coach [Vinny Del Negro] is now a TV analyst. It doesn’t matter what they do in the regular season…they have to win in April and May. If they don’t do that, it doesn’t mean anything.”
Smith on the importance of mental toughness in the NBA: “Toughness is overrated in what it’s perceived to be. Some people think that toughness means you can fight your way out of any situation…but in the NBA, it’s mental toughness. It’s not, can you fight your way out of a paper bag; it’s do you have the discipline to wait until someone opens it? That’s what Blake Griffin is learning now under [head coach] Doc Rivers.”
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Los Angeles Clippers (91) at Oklahoma City Thunder (105)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Charles Barkley and Steve Kerr (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
Kerr on Clippers guard J.J. Redick: “The Clippers are especially good when Redick is on the floor. He gives so much to this team because of his shooting ability. He opens things up for their big guys.”
Barkley on Clippers forward Blake Griffin: “Blake is a very good player but before he can become a great player, he has to develop a low-post game.”
Barkley on the Thunder and Spurs’ success in the draft: “Between Oklahoma City and the Spurs, no team does a better job of drafting players and teaching them how to play the game. They are the best two organizations at drafting and getting guys who can play right away.”
Barkley on the Thunder needing an inside game: “One of my criticisms of the Thunder is they are strictly a jump shooting team. You’re not going to win all the time shooting jumpers. Until they develop a low-post scorer, that’s the one flaw in Oklahoma City’s game.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, O’Neal, Smith, Webber
O’Neal on how teams’ one-two punches need consistency to succeed: “When you have a one-two punch that can go out and do everything, it allows for everyone else to step up. When you’re a one-two punch, you have to come out every night and do it. Right now, Chris Paul is the only one doing it. Blake Griffin needs to step it up.”
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Kerr on the Clippers: “The Clippers are probably one player short, maybe even two players short. They need a big [player] who can score and back up Blake Griffin and DeAndre [Jordan]. They desperately need that.”
Barkley: “[The Clippers] need another perimeter player as well. They aren’t athletic enough on the perimeter.”
Kerr on Clippers guard Jamal Crawford: “Crawford can get a shot up in any situation. He’s so crafty with the ball.”
Barkley on the Thunder’s defense: “If [head coach Scott Brooks] gets on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook about playing defense, the rest of the team will follow.”
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Chicago Bulls (87) at Denver Nuggets (97)
Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter)
Miller on the good start to the season by Bulls forward Carlos Boozer: “This is the best offensive start that Carlos Boozer has had in a Chicago Bulls uniform. He’s being active, aggressive and looking at the rim offensively. It’s helped defensively because they’ve gone to him early offensively and he’s been more in-tune on both ends of the floor.”
Miller on the Nuggets offense: “[The Nuggets] are going to change their ways. They’re still going to run, but not as much as when George Karl was here [as head coach]. They want to establish a low-post threat.”
Miller on the Bulls following the lead of head coach Tom Thibodeau: “[The Bulls] are long and fill the passing lanes [on defense]. They rebound, they’re tough and rugged. They’re cut from the same cloth as their coach.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, O’Neal, Smith, Webber
O’Neal on Bulls forward Joakim Noah: “[Noah] is the hardest working man in the NBA.”
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Miller on how Derrick Rose needs to improve for the Bulls to win an NBA Championship: “I love Derrick Rose and he’s my favorite player in the NBA, but they aren’t winning a championship if he doesn’t improve his shooting and his overall play.”
Miller on Rose: “He’s the one player I would pay money to go see. I love his demeanor and how he approaches the game.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, O’Neal, Smith, Webber
Smith on the Heat and Spurs: “The only two teams that look like they’re in a groove are the two teams that were in the NBA Finals last season — the Heat and the Spurs.”
Webber on the Brooklyn Nets’ early-season struggles: “I thought Brooklyn would be great because of the passion of K.G. [Kevin Garnett] and [Paul] Pierce, but we aren’t seeing any passion [from the Nets]…I’m disappointed with how they’re playing.”
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