TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, October 31, at 8 p.m. ET with doubleheader action featuring the New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls followed by the Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith (Live from New York City’s Flatiron Plaza)
Barkley on Heat forward LeBron James: “From the first day he stepped on an NBA court, he’s exceeded everyone’s expectations. He’s the only player that has ever come into the NBA completely ready. He’s been tremendous from day one.”
Barkley on the upcoming season: “There are eight legitimate teams that could come out of either conference.”
Smith on the wide-open race for the NBA Championship: “For the first time in five years, there are more than three teams that can win it all.”
Barkley on the Heat adding center Greg Oden: “He’s the most important piece because they get beat up down low. If he doesn’t make this team better, it’s going to be very hard for them to three-peat. They can’t beat big teams.”
Barkley on the Clippers: “If Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have gotten better as basketball players, the Clippers are the favorite [in the West].”
O’Neal on his message to Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins: “I told him, ‘If you want to be the man, you have to start acting like a man and playing like a man.’ That was the first conversation I had with him. The second conversation I had with him, I told him to stop being so sensitive. I said, ‘When you become big time and get max numbers, you have to represent yourself as such.’”
Smith on the San Antonio Spurs: “I don’t think they’re going to play different than last year. People didn’t think they were that good last year at one point. They are going to play the same exact way. Tim Duncan is going to be the same as last year. He wasn’t high flying, he was efficient and persistent. He comes on in the playoffs and at the end of the season.”
Barkley on the New York Knicks: “Their defensive rebounding and bench are two weaknesses…they are the No. 5 or 6 team [in the Eastern Conference].”
Barkley on the top teams in the Eastern Conference: “There are four elite teams in the East. The Heat are the team to beat followed by Indiana, Brooklyn and Chicago. Those are the powerhouses.”
Smith on the Knicks needing to make a move early in the season: “The Knicks are a good team but they have to make some sort of acquisition to become great. They have to make something happen between now and February. I don’t think they can wait until February to make it happen with Carmelo [Anthony] becoming a free agent [at the end of the season].
O’Neal on New York’s Carmelo Anthony: “I need Carmelo to do more as far as getting his teammates involved. He needs to make his guys better.”
Barkley on the Pacers’ Paul George: “Paul George is the next big superstar in the NBA.”
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Chicago Bulls (95) at Miami Heat (107)
Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
Kerr on the Heat: “When they put their mind to it, they are so explosive [defensively] and so quick at every position.”
Kerr on Bulls guard Jimmy Butler: “Butler is going to have to make some adjustments as a two-guard. You’re asked to be a secondary playmaker from the two position. Butler has not done that and the Bulls need him to make some strides this year starting alongside Derrick Rose.”
Kerr on teams forcing the Heat to play big: “Indiana with Roy Hibbert and David West made Miami uncomfortable and forced them to play big. Brooklyn can do that this year as well. Chicago can’t force Miami to play big and that allows the Heat to stay in their comfort zone. As versatile as Chicago is defensively, they lack that versatility on the offensive end.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Smith on the Bulls vs. Heat: “In order to beat the Miami Heat, you have to have strength, size and pound them inside. The Bulls aren’t able to do that.”
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Kerr on the Bulls’ Carlos Boozer: “Carlos Boozer is the only bright spot for Chicago tonight.”
Kerr on Bulls off-season acquisition Mike Dunleavy: “He’s going to be a really important factor for the Bulls this year.”
Kerr on the Bulls: “They don’t have their rhythm tonight but they’re doing what they always do…they keep fighting.”
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L.A. Clippers (103) at L.A. Lakers (116) Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)
Miller on the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan: “He has the chance to be the defensive player of the year. He has the athleticism and the will.”
Miller on Kobe Bryant’s eventual return from injury: “In today’s game, Kobe is the most fundamentally sound player when you talk about mechanics…so his game won’t have to change too much [after returning from injury]. He’s always been a fantastic outside shooter. Will he have that explosiveness and get to the rim? If that’s not there, he can go back to his fundamentals; he’s still going to be a heck of a player.”
Miller on Lakers guard Nick Young: “One thing he can do is put the ball in the basket. But he comes from the same school as [Clippers guard] Jamal Crawford and he doesn’t know what that other end is when it comes to defense.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Matt Winer, Grant Hill, Steve Smith and Chris Webber (Live from Turner Studios in Atlanta)
Hill on Clippers guard J.J. Redick: “J.J. Redick was a very underrated pick-up for [the Clippers]. He can really space the floor for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.”
Smith on the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan: “There aren’t as many celebrations after dunks. He’s come out and is taking it seriously, blocking shots and rebounding. He’s manning the paint.”
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Miller on the Clippers: “It’s time to compete if you’re the Clippers. The moment is now. They’ve got the talent and they went out and got arguably one of the top three NBA coaches [Doc Rivers]. Now is the time to compete for titles.”
Miller on Lakers reserve guard Jodie Meeks: “He’s been a saving grace for the Lakers with his ability to stretch the floor and knock down threes.
Miller on the Clippers vs. Lakers: “I’m shocked because the Clippers’ effort hasn’t been there all game.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith from New York City Winer, Hill, Smith and Webber from Atlanta
Barkley on LeBron James’ headband: “LeBron’s headband is so big, Spud Webb could use it as a shower curtain. It’s the biggest headband in the world.”
Hill on the Lakers defeating the Clippers: “It’s safe to say that this was the upset of the year.”
Smith on the Lakers: “The Lakers imposed their will. They got the Clippers to play small ball.”
Webber on the Lakers: “I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs this year but if Kobe comes back with 10-15 games left and they’re 10-15 games out…who knows what will happen.”
Hill on the Indiana Pacers: “For them, it’s NBA Finals or bust.”
Webber on new Pacers forward Luis Scola: “He’s the perfect teammate to have on a ‘hard hat’ team like [the Pacers].”
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