Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, March 5, 2009: Chris Paul Goes 27 and 15!
(AP Photo/Bill Haber)
TNT NBA Thursdays continue on Thursday, March 12 at 8 p.m. ET featuring the Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Phoenix Suns.
TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki on team owner Mark Cuban’s comments about their loss to the Thunder: “Mark (Cuban) is very passionate, sometimes he does things because he’s so fired up, which is great. He’s trying to push us to be the best product we can be and we all love him for it.”
Smith on not dwelling on games that you should have won: “There are probably seven road trips that you say, ‘we’re going to go 2-1,’ and you come back 2-1 but it’s not same two games that you expected to win. The biggest thing in the NBA is you have to have a short memory. If you have a long memory and you let it linger on then it will affect you. You have games when the Oklahoma City Thunder shouldn’t even be in the game with you without their two best players and all of sudden they beat you. You cannot have a long memory if you’re going to be a great player or a great team.”
Barkley on the Dallas Mavericks: “Let me preface this: Mark Cuban is my friend and Rick Carlisle is my friend, but the Mavs stink. I happened to be in Dallas and I’m watching that game (against Oklahoma City). They were down 25 points basically the whole game, then they made a little run down the stretch. I was frustrated watching those guys. The truth of the matter is Dirk Nowitzki is a really good player, but the Mavs are not a really good team. They might get in (the playoffs) because the Suns stink, also. It’s like the ugly girl chasing the ugly girl, who cares? Who’s got the worse dress on?”
Barkley on comparisons made between point guards Jason Kidd and Chris Paul: “As a guy who’s been a great player…Jason Kidd is a great player, he’s going to the Hall of Fame. He’s been unbelievable, but he’s 35-years-old. To compare him to a 23 or 24-year-old is not fair. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA today. When I played against these young guys and they started kicking my butt, it was very disappointing and frustrating.”
Smith on Barkley’s former prowess at power forward: “At one time you were the best power forward in the NBA…”
Barkley: “That’s right Karl Malone, I don’t care what America says!”
**** **** **** **** *****
Game #1: Dallas Mavericks (88) @ New Orleans Hornets (104)
Announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller; Cheryl Miller reporting
Fratello on the comments from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban after the Mavs lost to Oklahoma City: “If they won the way Dallas did last night, I’d invite him back again for tonight to give the pre-game talk. He’s a great motivational speaker and he got his point across. If you go out and beat San Antonio, you’ve got to bring him back again.”
Albert: “Is the (coaching) job open in Dallas?”
Miller on Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s comments about the Mavericks: “From a player’s perspective, usually you hear from the GM or President. When the owner speaks out like that, it’s time to look at yourself in the mirror, and that’s what (Mark Cuban) was trying to do to the Mavericks, he was trying to wake them up. Whenever the top dog says something, it’s time to listen.”
TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.
Carlisle on the Mavs performance in the first quarter: “We didn’t shoot well early, but we came out of that first timeout and made a little run. We’re still in striking distance, but we have to play better. We’re a running team, we have to push it to be successful. We don’t want to get into a frenetic game with a lot of turnovers because that will favor them on their home court.”
TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Mavericks guard Jason Kidd at halftime.
Kidd on the Mavericks making shots and improving their defense to play better in the second quarter: “We got stops, we started playing defense. This has been the tale of this team, when we make shots then we start to play defense. When we don’t make shots, we forget to play the other end, so I’m glad we started to make some shots.”
Kidd on the comments from Mavs owner Mark Cuban: “Mark has every right to say what he wants, especially since this is his team. We definitely didn’t show up in Oklahoma. We’re a veteran ballclub and we understand what it takes. We’re in control of our energy and we didn’t do that.”
**** **** **** **** *****
T-Mobile Halftime Report
Announcers: Johnson, Smith, Barkley
Barkley on what is missing for the Dallas Mavericks: “(The Mavericks) are not tough enough, they don’t get easy baskets, they are a jump shooting team and they don’t play great defense. Jason Kidd says, ‘when we make shots and we play defense, we’re pretty good.’ I said, ‘so is everyone else in the world.’ They don’t play defense consistently, they don’t have a big guy that’s going to get them easy shots. They are going to have good games and bad games, but the bottom line is the Dallas Mavericks are not a very good team.”
TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony prior to the game. Anthony was playing his first game after a one-game suspension for not coming out of a game.
Anthony on the incident that caused his suspension for refusing to come out of a game: “I don’t think you can really react to something like that. It was a matter of me wanting to be in that game, at that point in time, trying to help the team win. George felt like I crossed the line when he subbed me out, but it’s over with. There wasn’t any argument, me and George never had any words or anything like that, we talked yesterday and we are all on the same page and I look forward to tonight’s game.”
Barkley on why players cannot choose to stay in a game when a coach is trying to sub them: “Carmelo (Anthony) should say, ‘it was wrong, it was my mistake, it happened in the heat of the moment.’ The reason you can’t do it is because other guys will do it. You give other guys the opportunity to say, ‘I’m not coming out tonight.’ Stuff does happen in the heat of the moment, but once the game is over you say it was my fault. Chauncey Billups could say it tonight (and not come out of the game), Kenyon Martin could say it, Nene could say it. That’s the real reason you don’t do it. You do treat great players separate, but in that situation you can’t.”
Smith on disrespecting teammates when players do not come out of the game: “You can always have an argument with the coach and your teammates are going to be back you, always. When you don’t come out of the game, it’s disrespectful to the player who’s coming in for you. Now the guy who’s coming in, he’s caught in a situation where you’re saying (that he’s) not really good enough to come in the game. You’re not disrespecting the coach, you all of a sudden turn on your teammates. That’s the bigger stance when you say, ‘I’m not coming out of a game.’”
**** **** **** **** *****
Fratello on the negated trade between New Orleans and Oklahoma City that would have sent Hornets center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder: “You know who the two happiest people are that this trade fell through? One, New Orleans because they got Tyson Chandler back. Two, Oklahoma City, they are happy it got rejected because they would have won too many games and they wouldn’t have gotten as many ping-pong balls at the end of the year because Chandler would have won more games. I’m saying that facetiously, because in the end it will help them in the long run.”
Miller on the approach of the Mavericks for the rest of the season: “You hope (not being a championship contender) doesn’t change their approach, but they have a tough stretch coming up. What is going to suit this team better? Getting a young fresh player from college or possibly losing in four or five games to the Lakers in the first round? They have to ask themselves that question. For an older team like this, you always want to make the playoffs. I always wanted to make the playoffs. But what is going to serve this team better? You mentioned (the Mavs have) six players over 30, this is an aging roster so maybe some young fresh college players would do them some good. I’m not saying to tank any games, but it’s going to be tough looking at their schedule.”
Fratello on the Mavericks upcoming West coach road trip being an indication for their postseason chances: “When (the Mavericks) go out West, you’re talking about four West coast teams, and they all can give you a headache out there. The season is going to be made or broken, they’ll know at the end of that trip whether or not they have a chance to make the playoffs.”
TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Hornets guard Chris Paul after the Hornets defeated the Mavericks.
Paul on what he changed about his game during halftime to help the Hornets win: “When we went in at halftime I thought about it. We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t push the tempo enough, and in the second half I knew it was my job and that’s what I tried to do. In the first half they started switching ball screens, and I was passing and deferring to my teammates. Coach told me I had to be more aggressive. I attacked them a few times and finally my jump shot started falling.”
Paul on whether the Hornets are currently peaking: “We’re definitely not peaking, but we’re playing a lot better than we were. Ever since I got my big man back we’re 6-0. I’m glad to have TC (Tyson Chandler) back and we’re doing a good job right now.”
**** **** **** ****
Game #2: Portland Trail Blazers (90) @ Denver Nuggets (106)
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins; Craig Sager reporting
Karl on Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony refusing to come out of a game incurring a one-game suspension: “I think it’s pretty simple. We had a, whatever you want to call it, a mission statement early in the season. A mantra that we’re going to change our professionalism and we’re going to be hardcore on certain things. It was shocking, it came out of nowhere and personally, I think it’s gone.”
Collins on the Nuggets moving past the incident regarding forward Carmelo Anthony’s refusal to come out of a game: “The key is it wasn’t personal. It wasn’t a lot of stuff going back and forth between player and coach. Carmelo (Anthony) and George (Karl) have talked about four times since that point in time and it’s taken care of. The best way you handle that is for Carmelo to come out and play well and ensure that that does not happen again.”
Collins on the addition of Nuggets center Chris “Birdman” Andersen to the roster as a replacement for former center Marcus Camby: “George Karl said how lucky they have been to get (center) Chris Andersen, a guy who’s third in the league in shot blocking. He brings tremendous energy off the bench. One of the areas of Denver is they are not a big team. Nene is an undersized power player, Kenyon Martin is undersized, so they need the Birdman to play well and give them some defense under that rim.”
Collins on a three-point buzzer beater by Nuggets guard J.R. Smith at halftime: “J.R. Smith can mesmerize you with that talent of his.”
TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony at halftime.
Anthony on his return to the Nuggets rotation: “I just want to come out here and be aggressive from the beginning. I’m not even worried about that. Me and George talked, it’s behind us. I told him I was sorry for what happened, I took it like a man, and I’m here tonight and I’m winning the game.”
**** **** **** **** *****
T-Mobile Halftime Report
Announcers: Johnson, Smith, Barkley
Smith on the Nuggets allowing the Trail Blazers to cut the Nuggets lead down during the game: “Chauncey Billups brought stability to the team, but they still revert back to their old ways and their old ways really get them into trouble. You would think this is a game that they would blow you out, but they don’t finish teams off because they take quick shots and they don’t have a balanced attack.”
**** **** **** **** *****
Nuggets coach George Karl on the similarities between coaching former player/current Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan and current player Chauncey Billups: “(Nate McMillan) is the best day-to-day influence player I’ve ever coached, and a guy who’s close to him is Chauncey (Billups). Chauncey is the next guy that I’d put on that list. You knew it one week with the team that he came to work only for one purpose, get better, fix what was wrong, improve what we need to improve and commit a total unselfish mentality to the team.”
Collins on whether he believes Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is a great player: “I think (Carmelo Anthony) is great. He’s a guy who can score. A lot of his game this year he’s given up to have a more balanced team. He’s terrific player, the problem is he’s in the draft class of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, guys who are playing at the top of his game right now. He’s still a very young guy.”
TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony at the Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers.
Anthony on his hustle back to the bench when a sub was sent in for him: “It was a good hustle. I learned my lesson from that mistake and I’ve moved on. Actually, I forgot about it already.”
Anthony on whether he watches his fellow Team USA players from around the league who are having standout seasons: “I watch everybody, I watch the whole NBA. But I’m me, I’m not LeBron, I’m not D-Wade, I’m Carmelo Anthony.”
**** **** **** **** *****
Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley
Smith on the Nuggets needing “middle relief” to get to their “closer” Chauncey Billups: “(The Denver Nuggets) brought Chauncey Billups in to be the guy to help close games. I think he does that at the end of games but games aren’t always won at the end. They are also won in the middle when you take an 11-point lead and make it 17 (point lead). They need that middle reliever right now, they need someone to come in there and when you have a lead, the game is over. Once they get it to the ninth inning and get it in Chauncey’s hands, it’s over. They don’t have anybody that has that attitude.”
Barkley on the Lakers needing injured center Andrew Bynum back in order to advance to the NBA Finals: “Just because the Lakers are kickin’ ass right now in the regular season, they are still going to need Andrew Bynum to get to the next level. I truly believe that. I think they’ve got a really good team. They are playing better because they are on a little roll without Bynum. But they are still going to need Bynum in the playoffs to get to the Finals and beat the Celtics or the Cavaliers.”
Smith on how Andrew Bynum makes the Lakers a better team by moving players to their natural positions: “(Andrew) Bynum puts (his teammates) in the right positions. He doesn’t put Pau Gasol at center and he doesn’t make Lamar Odom be a power forward. He allows them to play in their best positions when he’s there.”
Barkley on the Hornets not playing at the same level as last season: “As a player, you always have to get better year after year and as a team, you have to get better. (The Hornets) aren’t playing like they did last year. They’ve got a great player in Chris Paul and nobody else on that team. They had two guys on that team that had career years last year, David West and Tyson Chandler. They have not played like that this year. They miss Jannero Pargo, he’s instant offense. Julian Wright is not playing like he did last year. Peja Stojakovic has got an old body. They are not the same team as last year.”
Log onto TNT OverTime on NBA.com for a full replay of Inside the NBA and exclusive reports from TNT announcers.
Anyone see Chris Andersen’s block on Rudy Fernandez where he smacked the ball off his face?
Damn!
I told you CP3 wasn’t havin’ it last night. He was all over the place.
I saw that block (and the hair combing move that could have resulted in a technical for taunting…Doug Collins thought it was cute) — but I also saw LaMarcus Aldridge thunder it in Andersen’s grille on the very next play. Booyah!!!
Yeah I saw that block. But he was showboating a bit on that, and yeah, as T3 said, LaMarcus got him back good too. Man, you just can’t say enough about Brandon Roy. That dude needs a good nickname because he just doesn’t have a weak point and he’s so consistent. He doesn’t make mistakes. Chuck put it so well about Dallas. Really, who cares? Honestly, I thought that trade was ill-conceived. Why would you trade a guy with the potential of Devin Harris for 34 or 35 year old Jason Kidd? That was an instance of a GM succumbing to public pressure for a move, ANY MOVE…..and it ain’t working….like Chuck says, they might make it into the playoffs, but their salary schedule is so restricted by the cost of J Kidd and others they’d have been wiser to bide their time, tell sports talk radio where to go, and let Devin Harris play, as he has done in Jersey.