Notes from TNT’s NBA Playoffs Coverage – Wednesday, May 14, 2014
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Brooklyn Nets (94) at Miami Heat (96) – Heat win series 4-1
Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Greg Anthony (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter)
Anthony on Nets veteran Kevin Garnett encouraging his teammates throughout the series: “It’s about belief. It’s important to have that kind of voice in your locker room. It’s easy for young players who haven’t accomplished what [Nets forward] Paul Pierce and KG have to have a little bit of self-doubt.”
Anthony on Brooklyn’s defense: “This is not their strongest defensive group, but they’ve done the job. [Their defense has] helped them a lot during this game to get into a little bit of a rhythm offensively.”
Anthony on the Nets play in the face of elimination: “The Nets have been struggling down the stretch of games [in this series], but tonight you can see the confidence on display for the Nets and the sense of urgency that you want to see your team come out with in the face of elimination.”
Anthony on the health of Heat guard Dwyane Wade: “That’s the Dwyane Wade we have come to know…his ability to get into the paint and not just settle for the jump shot. That tells you physically he’s feeling a lot better about his body.”
Anthony on Nets guard Joe Johnson: “Joe Johnson is the quiet assassin. He has ice in his veins and has had so many big moments in his short tenure here with the Brooklyn Nets.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Barkley on Heat star LeBron James: “LeBron is going to have to explode. He has to do so much for this team to win. He has to be their best scorer, rebounder and assist guy. If LeBron does not go off and get Chris Bosh and those other guys involved, [the Heat don’t win].”
O’Neal on Heat guard Dwyane Wade taking charge for the Heat in Game 5: “The great thing about being part of a one-two punch is you feed off each other. Every now and then Dwyane Wade can go off like this. I don’t know what he did, but he has fresh legs and is very aggressive. He’s picking up the slack for LeBron. [Wade] has always had it in him, he’s just been dormant because LeBron has been [leading the team this postseason].”
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Anthony on the footwork of Nets forward Paul Pierce: “He has unbelievable footwork. That, in essence, makes you a better athlete. He can still be a difference maker on this team and is just as good as anybody. Paul Pierce has had an unbelievable career.”
Anthony on the Nets ability to defend Heat forward LeBron James in Game 5: “The Heat were far more aggressive [coming out of the half], but the Nets have done a great job defensively on LeBron James coming off that monster 49-point performance in Game 4.”
Anthony on Nets point guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson: “They have a history together. They’re not going to go for 35 and 40 points…you’re not going to see a LeBron James type game from either of them. But they can do enough with the balance that the Nets have as a team to create a lot of problems for the Heat.”
Anthony on the strength of Nets guard Joe Johnson against LeBron James: “Not many people match LeBron James in terms of his strength…Joe Johnson is one of the few.”
Anthony on the maturation of Nets guard Joe Johnson: “It’s been all about Joe Johnson and that silky smooth offensive game. He’s strong enough to overpower people at times, even LeBron James has felt his wrath here tonight. It’s been impressive to see the maturation of Joe Johnson and hopefully the appreciation of just how good a basketball player he really is.”
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Portland Trail Blazers (82) at San Antonio Spurs (104) – Spurs win series 4-1
Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) with Jaime Maggio (reporter)
Miller on the strong start of Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge: “I love that he’s being aggressive. The best player has to take that leadership role on the road, facing elimination.”
Miller on Trail Blazers guard Will Barton’s strong Game 4 performance against the Spurs: “I’m curious to see if that energy will translate on the road. He’s a guy with not a lot of playoff experience who has kind of been thrust into these minutes because of the injury to [Trail Blazers point guard] Mo Williams.”
Miller on Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum: “He’s engaged. The switch to guard Tony Parker caused a switch in his head on both ends of the floor.”
Miller on Spurs guard Danny Green: “If you want to be a one trick pony…better make sure you can knock down shots.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, Smith
Smith on the San Antonio Spurs: “Tonight I got to watch the San Antonio Spurs go to work…that’s what basketball is about…to actually see ball movement and scoring without using a pick and roll every time makes for the best half of basketball.”
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Miller on Spurs point guard Tony Parker not returning to Game 4 due to tightness in the hamstring: “For Tony Parker it’s called Father Time…age. He came into the league when he was 19 years old, a lot of mileage on that body. We don’t know the severity of the tightness in the hamstring, it could be precautionary by the Spurs, but [it adds] even more of a sense of urgency to close out this series.”
Miller on Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard: “When he’s engaged offensively, like he has been this entire playoff run, he takes this team to a whole other level. He’s getting it done on both ends of the floor…and how about the unselfish play?”
Miller on Spurs shooter Danny Green: “He was so good in the postseason last year that in the first four games of the 2013 NBA Finals, people were talking about him as Finals MVP if the Spurs were to go on to win. His ability to knock down those long-range shots is so important on this team.”
Miller on the future of the Portland Trail Blazers: “No one even expected them to make the playoffs this year…they end up winning 54 games; no one expected them to win their first round series against Houston…they take them out. Now you’re going against the No. 1 overall seed in San Antonio. If you’re a Portland fan there’s a lot to look forward to. You have two young All-Stars in [point guard] Damian Lillard and [power forward] LaMarcus Aldridge, and you’re well coached by Terry Stotts. It’s been a fantastic season. Your city is alive and Blazer mania is back. This is a great stepping stone.”
Miller on who the Spurs will play in the Western Conference Finals: “Even though [Spurs head coach] Gregg Popovich won’t admit it, they’ve been watching the [Thunder/Clippers] series as well. They’ve seen how physical, tough and demanding it is. That gives the Spurs a sense of urgency to end this series tonight, which would give [injured point guard] Tony Parker a chance to recover from his hamstring tightness a little bit longer.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, Smith
Barkley on the team effort of the Spurs: “It amazes me how everyone they put in the game contributes. It’s just remarkable.”
Barkley on what the Trail Blazers need to do to make it to the next level: “The key to me is [Portland forward] Nicolas Batum. He’s got to take his game to the next level. They have to improve their bench. This bench is not good enough.”
O’Neal on whether the Spurs would rather play the Thunder or Clippers in the Western Conference Finals: “The first series [against the Mavericks] was a struggle for the Spurs to win seven games. They’re going to get three to five days off now…they’re going to be strong. I see them beating both teams. They’re going to be well-rested and they’re the best team in the NBA. I’ll take a well-rested, experienced, old guy before an athletic young guy any day.”
Barkley on the pressure on LeBron James and the Miami Heat: “I don’t think they’re the favorite. They’re playing against the best teams now. LeBron has to play at such a high level. Michael Jordan is the best I’ve ever seen, but in my 30 years with the NBA I’ve never seen a star have to do as much as LeBron James. We’ve never had a player in the NBA who was under that much pressure.”
Smith on the big three of the Miami Heat: “Some of LeBron’s responsibilities can be delegated. I think Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade can do it at times…but LeBron James and his abilities take over. I think those three are still a potent force. [Bosh and Wade] still allow LeBron to grow as a player. When your star guy is going, it fuels so much confidence in the team. I think LeBron could get 50 every game…he could do it.”
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