TNT’s coverage of the 2013 NBA Playoffs continues Tuesday, May 7, with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks (Game 2) at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 2) at 9:30 p.m.
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Kerr on Heat forward LeBron James earning MVP honors this season: “Defensively, he’s the most versatile player in the league. He guards anyone from a point guard to a center. He’s put it all together and has had an amazing run.”
Smith on LeBron James living up to the hype: “A lot of times people don’t meet their hype. When he first got into the NBA, people said he would be ‘The King.’ He has actually met that…from day one…from his first game in Sacramento when he came out and made five of his first six jump shots. For me, he is a guy that has met the hype. When it is said and done, we will marvel that we were able to watch this guy play throughout his NBA career.”
Barkley on James: “He’s not at his peak yet. We would always say you peak between 25 and 32. He’s only 28. This guy came in from the first game in Sacramento and now he has taken his game to another level. It is an honor and a privilege to see him play every night.”
O’Neal on his former teammate LeBron James: “When you look at the great LeBron James, I just love the fact that he’s a team player. He’s a class act. I had the privilege to play with him for two years and I must say he’s a very hard worker.”
O’Neal on the Bulls/Heat series: “[The Bulls] are not intimidated by who is on the floor. I want to see if Miami will be tired or not. Having a week or 10 days off…they could come off rusty.”
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Game 1: Chicago Bulls (93) @ Miami Heat (86) – Chicago leads series 1-0
Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)
Kerr on the Bulls playing without any rest: “I think teams in general would like to play every other day or so. With all these injuries, the Bulls would have benefited with more days off.”
Kerr comparing Miami’s defense to that of a football team’s defense: “When you play against Miami’s defense…it’s almost like playing against an incredibly fast defense of a football team or a running back when you think you have a hole and bam, it’s gone. That’s what it is like playing against the Heat.”
Kerr on the Bulls’ changing their offensive strategy: “I think Chicago is going to realize quickly they cannot beat Miami with the pick and roll. They have to beat Miami on the pass.”
Kerr on the Bulls’ defensive skills: “One of the reasons the Bulls are good defensively is they don’t have to downsize when Miami does. They have versatility with both [Taj] Gibson and [Joakim] Noah; those two defenders can guard anybody all over the floor.”
Kerr on the Bulls’ tenacity: “It is so impressive what they do with all the people missing. It doesn’t matter…their defense stays together, they play off each other, they play for each other and they compete on every possession.”
Kerr on the Bulls and Heat having a clean slate going into this series: “This is going to be a frustrating series for both teams and all the players out there offensively. Everything is going to be tough to come by. You have to change your mentality, take it play by play…make a good pass, make a good shot but don’t start thinking that I have to get my numbers because that is not happening.”
Kerr on the Bulls starting lineup being sick or injured: “They are not just short-handed, they are entirely depleted. These guys are amazing in the way they compete.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on the Bulls: “I think this is going to be a long series for Chicago. They are not going to be able to outwork Miami.”
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Kerr on defending LeBron James: “All the great defenders will tell you if you go against someone like LeBron…you have to shrug it off when he gets hot. You can’t get frustrated because, ultimately, he’s going to make shots.”
Kerr on Bulls center Joakim Noah: “We know what a great defender he is…great rebounder, but he’s also so good at handling the ball and making decisions.”
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Game 2: Golden State Warriors (127) @ San Antonio Spurs (129) – Spurs lead the series 1-0
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Chris Webber (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter)
Webber on the Warriors’ energy: “Golden State has come out tonight and they look like the younger team…the more energetic team.”
Webber on Spurs forward Tim Duncan improving his free throw shooting: “This is his best free throw shooting year [statistically] in the league… That shows me that you can always get better and not settle for the excuse of ‘I’m a big guy and I can’t shoot free throws.’ You can be 37 and get better.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on Warriors guard Klay Thompson: “That guy right there…his jump shot is perfect looking. I love watching great shooters, even when they miss it looks like it is going in.”
O’Neal on the Warriors’ agility: “It is a young team; they are not intimidated…they are playing great defense and getting it out to the shooters.”
Smith on the Warriors: “[In the first round] we couldn’t tell how athletic they were…because they were playing against another athletic team. But here playing against the San Antonio Spurs, they look 10 steps quicker. They are going to give you everything you want in these 10 days. It is going to be tough for San Antonio.”
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Webber on the changing of the guard between the Spurs and Warriors: “We know the Spurs, through their history, work hard…they keep the same demeanor and play hard. They can be back in this game at any time. But these are not our parents’ Golden State Warriors. These guys play defense and are not trying to let these guys [San Antonio] back in and be the Spurs of old.”
Webber on the Golden State Warriors: “It is so refreshing to see Golden State play tough defense – that they don’t get enough credit for – and then be so smart on the offensive end…all because of their coach Mark Jackson.”
Webber on Warriors head coach Mark Jackson: “Some people don’t understand the impact that Mark Jackson has on this team. He doesn’t just talk, he says what he needs to…he protects his team, that’s why he has all of their trust, which is something that is very hard for a coach to get.”
Webber on the Warriors looking tired heading into a second overtime against the Spurs: “Guys don’t get tired in the NBA…especially in the Playoffs…especially if you are under 35…you can play forever.”
TNT’s David Aldridge interviews Spurs guard Manu Ginobili following San Antonio’s Game 1 win
Ginobili on making that game-winning three pointer in the last 15 seconds of the second overtime: “I was wide open and didn’t have any other options. If I could have thought about it and done something else, I would have. It was only the second shot I made all day. Good timing.”
Ginobili on the Spurs winning Game 1: “I have to watch it to see. They ran out of options and we just kept going…Tony [Parker] was good and we made the last shot.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on the Warriors letting this game slip away: “The Spurs won this game but this was a Golden State giveaway. They are going to have a tough time sleeping tonight.”
O’Neal on the Warriors being able to bounce back: “When you blow a game and you have a great performance, now you have to go out and try to have another great performance. Hopefully Stephen Curry can go out and do that [in Game 2]. It will be tough.”
Barkley on Warriors guard Stephen Curry being able to re-energize for Game 2: “The Spurs are going to wear him down at some point. I agree he’s arguably the best shooter in the world, but this is the most basketball he’s played in his life. Everyone gets tired; there is the pressure and adrenaline of the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how quick he can bounce back.”
Smith on Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s range of shots: “The key to his versatility is his diversity. He doesn’t live on the catch and shoot three. He lives in a lot of different areas.”
Barkley on the Bulls’ determination: “A lot of teams – elite teams – get their coach’s personality. They played like [Coach Thibodeau] coaches; a 100 percent effort all the time.”
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