Notes from TNT’s NBA Coverage – Tuesday, May 27, 2014
TNT’s NBA Playoffs coverage continues Thursday, May 29, with the exclusive presentation of the
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, Western Conference Finals Game 5, at 9 p.m. ET
TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
O’Neal on Thunder forward Serge Ibaka: “He’s a unique big guy. This guy can do it on the offensive and defensive end. He was the third scorer that OKC was missing in the first two games.”
Smith on the impact of Ibaka in Game 4: “Because of Serge Ibaka, the game plan for OKC is going to be different tonight. We will see both teams in their truest form tonight.”
O’Neal on Spurs guard Manu Ginobili: “He’s very tactful in how he plays. He never does the same thing twice. This guy is almost unscoutable at times. He was always a great teammate and player. He always seemed to be a guy that knew his role.”
Smith on Ginobili comparisons: “Arguable the best foreign basketball player at his position other than Dražen Petrović. They would be fighting for that No. 2 spot at the two [guard] position.”
Barkley on the impact of Ginobili: “He’s going into the Hall of Fame. He’s just amazing. He’s one of the five greatest foreign players ever. I scream his name for a reason. It would have been an honor and a pleasure to play against him.”
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San Antonio Spurs (92) at Oklahoma City Thunder (105) – Series tied 2-2
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Steve Kerr (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
Kerr on Spurs vs. Thunder, Game 4: “This is THE game tonight in this series. If OKC can find a way to win, we are right back where we were two years ago…”
Kerr on Spurs guard Manu Ginobili: “Manu Ginobili looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world in these pressure packed situations.”
Miller on Thunder role players: “The role players play better at home and in this atmosphere. The Thunder’s bench was nonexistent in the first two games, but when you get back to familiar surroundings, guys find their game.”
Kerr on Thunder head coach Scott Brooks: “He’s really grown in his job over the years in terms of being poised and confident in what he’s doing.”
Kerr on Thunder guard Russell Westbrook: “The guy just attacks in every aspect of the game. He reminds me of Gary Payton. Payton – in his heyday – was so quick with his hands that if you weren’t careful with that ball it was gone and headed in the other direction.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, Smith
Barkley on Thunder guard Jeremy Lamb performing right off the bench: “Jeremy Lamb has gotten better throughout the season and has played very well (tonight) being a pro’s pro. He’s giving great energy. When you don’t get to play a lot and they call your number and you come in and play well; that’s called being a pro.”
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Kerr on Thunder guard Russell Westbrook’s Game 4 performance: “This is one of the best games I have ever seen Russell Westbrook play. The focus has totally been on the defensive end while the energy as continued on the offensive end. The game has gone to both sides of the floor for him and that is when he is at his best.”
Miller on Spurs center Boris Diaw: “He’s so polished offensively. I would like to see more of that. He’s struggled in this series but he can do so much for your ball team…not only putting the ball in the basket but setting up others.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, Smith
Barkley on Thunder head coach Scott Brooks playing his starters too long: “I think Scott Brooks plays these guys too many minutes. I know they are relatively young but when you have a 10- point lead with two or three minutes to go, I think you have to get Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka out of the game.”
Smith on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s performance in Game 4: “Overall, this was their best game I’ve seen them play together. I have seen them play separately great, but together this might have been their best performance collectively as a duo.”
O’Neal on the Spurs heading into Game 5: “You don’t have to win on the road, you just have to win at home. I think they will play much more comfortable at home.”
Smith on Spurs guard Danny Green’s road performance: “You should always find a comfort level in what you do well. At times his aggressiveness changes from road to home. You have to seek opportunities on the road. He’s not seeking them. He’s waiting for them to happen and that doesn’t happen on the road.”
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