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“I’m so glad we hired him. Somebody fatter than me.”

– Charles Barkley on new MLB on TBS analyst David Wells.

“I don’t know about that, I was in the studio with him a few weeks ago and I don’t know if that’s true or not.”–Ernie Johnson

“I’ve seen him in high definition. He’s fat.” – Barkley

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber

As part of the annual “Inside Awards,” the studio crew made their picks for the NBA’s awards, including Ernie Johnson who has an official ballot.

MVP AWARD

Smith: “It’s an easy pick. I picked the Coach of the Year because (Mike Brown) was able to squeeze all the talent out of his team, and LeBron James has squeezed all the talent out of himself and his teammates, he’s made everyone better. He’s gotten 66 wins, the best record in basketball.”

Barkley: “LeBron James. When he came into the NBA, I didn’t think he could live up to the hype, but he excelled past the hype. Kobe Bryant, you’re in the front seat, but this boy is right behind you, he is unbelievable.”

Webber: “Kobe (Bryant) is the best player, but this is LeBron James‘ league starting now and forever more.  He is the first player in sports that has exceeded all the hype, he gets better and (LeBron James) my MVP.”

Johnson: “Five is Chris Paul, four is Dwight Howard, three is Kobe Bryant, two is Dwyane Wade and one is LeBron James.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Barkley: “This is a no brainer, Mike Brown of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The Cleveland Cavaliers had the best record in the NBA, nobody predicted that this year. Congratulations, Mike Brown.”

Webber: “I’m going to go with Nate McMillan (of the Portland Trail Blazers), but I have to give my close second to George Karl because there is no way the Denver Nuggets should be in second place in the West. I’m going to give it to Nate McMillan, a young team, the big fella didn’t come through like they planed, but I think he’s going to have a big playoff series and I think he’s done a great job.”

Smith: “Mike Brown and LeBron James squeezed every ounce of energy and talent out of their teammates and team.  If the Cavaliers had 54 wins this year we would not have been surprised, but they won 66 games and have the best record in basketball, I’m surprised.”

Johnson: “You could make the case for a lot of coaches to be Coach of the Year, but on my ballot; third, Mike Brown, (second), Rick Adelman and (first), George Karl.”

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Webber: “With the obvious choice, it’s Dwight Howard. But I will say, what does Dwayne (Wade) have to do to get an award this year?”

Barkley: “I’m going to go with LeBron James. LeBron James has made so many plays getting back on defense and blocking shots. Dwayne Wade is not a bad choice but I went with LeBron James, as the MVP I might also add.

Smith: “Wade had more blocks. Let me tell you this, Dwayne Wade is a great shot blocker but I think his liability is on the ball defense. LeBron James is spectacular but the only one who changes the game defensively every night is Dwight Howard. You can not come inside, you can not take lay-ups. You can not get it off, without dunking the basketball.”

Johnson: “Kobe (Bryant), third, LeBron (James) second, Dwight Howard, first.”

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Webber: “I got David Lee. The reason why, he had a big improvement this year and he surprised me. Other players, I watched their improvement and steady growth and they didn’t surprise me, so I took that to mean who I didn’t except to do that well this year.”

Smith: “For me, it’s Paul Millsap. Here is a guy who is a bench player and he’s a sixth or seventh man.  He comes in and fills a void for Carols Boozer; not only does he play better, but the team stays afloat and they actually played better before Boozer came back.”

Barkley: “It came down to two guys, Devin Harris and Danny Granger. Both had great seasons, but I went with Devin Harris. He had a really resurgent thing in New Jersey, but I’ve got to give kudos to Danny Granger in Indiana.”

Johnson: “On the ballot I sent into the league today, Danny Granger, three, David Lee, two, and Devin Harris I have as one.”

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

Smith: “I’m going with Jason Eugene Terry…J.E.T. by name, not by game like me.  He’s a great player.

Webber: “I’ve got Nate Robinson because Jason Terry is basically a starter.  Nate Robinson is on a horrible team, he’s coming off the bench and one of the leading scorers off the bench.”

Barkley: “I really wanted to pick Roger Mason, Jr. he’s ineligible because he started.  So I’m going to give it to Jason Terry.”

Johnson: “Third, Travis Outlaw, second, J.R. Smith, and first, Jason Terry.”

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Barkley: “This was really close race between three guys but I am going with Derrick Rose. I want to give a shout out to OJ Mayo and Russell Westbrook.”

Webber: “I’m going to go with Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo. I’m going to do like they did Grant Hill and Jason Kidd (in 1995).”

Smith: “If it’s not OJ Mayo’s fault that he is on a bad team.  It is Derrick Rose’s fault that he is on a good team. He gets this team going.  He is the Rookie of the Year by himself.”

Johnson: “Third, Russell Westbrook, second OJ Mayo, and first, Derrick Rose.”

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Smith: My Team Stinks, But I Don’t Award. “This is Kevin Durant, he is a young, great talent and he’s actually improved his game which is very difficult to do in a losing season. The other guy is Caron Butler, ‘I am on a scrub team, but I am not a scrub.’  What he does is he has been able to be a consistent player night in and night out and he’s going to give you the same effort.  And Al Jefferson is the best unknown star in the NBA.”

Webber: Fearless Dunker Award. “I’m going with the ‘dunk in your mouth in the paint award.’ I’m tired of these big guys going up soft, landing and never getting the ‘and one.’ Nene has been posterizing people off the vertical all day, all year, so that’s my man in the paint.”

Barkley: Patience Award. “My award goes to my man Hank Haney for having the patience to try to fix me. I’m the Clippers of the golfers’ world. I am getting better, I’m trying like hell, I’ve never sucked at anything in my life.”

Barkley on new MLB on TBS analyst David Wells: “I’m so glad we hired him. Somebody fatter than me.”

Johnson: “I don’t know about that, I was in the studio with him a few weeks ago and I don’t know if that’s true or not.”

Barkley: “I’ve seen him in high definition. He’s fat.”

Barkley on the recent passing of long-time Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas: “I would really like to give my condolences to Harry Kalas’ family.  I’ve been living in Philadelphia since 1984…going to Phillies games, (Kalas was) an awesome person to be around. And when I heard that news yesterday, it was really sad. And I just want to give my condolences to his family.”

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Game #1:  Boston Celtics (100) @ Philadelphia 76ers (98)

Announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with Cheryl Miller reporting

Fratello on how the 76ers defense sparks their offense: “The defensive pressure that (the 76ers) can cause, which in turn leads to their ability to get out in the open floor and score points. This team is at its best when they are scrambling, pressuring and causing chaos”

Reggie Miller on Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers understanding the importance of finishing the season on a strong note: “Talking about battling through injuries to get the #2 seed (in the Eastern Conference). Listening to Doc Rivers he understands he is going to be able to use his superstars in (Kevin) Garnett, (Ray) Allen and (Paul) Pierce. He is so proud of his team the way they have competed all year through the injuries just to get the #2 seed in the East.”

Fratello on 76ers forward Thaddeus Young:  ”That is one of the things (Thaddeus) Young is going to add to this starting unit, the ability to score points. Give him 14-15 points a night that’s why he was missed sorely as a power forward.  He’s quick, he’s agile, he has the ability to put it on the floor and beat his man.”

Fratello and Reggie Miller on injured 76ers center Elton Brand: “When we were speaking with (76ers) interim head coach Tony DiLeo, when he talked about the prospects of next year when he was talking about Elton Brand. And bringing Elton Brand into the fold of this team with Thaddeus Young playing as well as he is playing and maybe move Andre Igoudala to the shooting guard position, with Elton Brand at the four position. (There are some) very interesting scenarios for this Sixers team.”

76ers guard Louis Williams on coming off the bench: “I’m the guy that comes off the bench, bringing a gang of energy. Get the bench guys going and just trying to score points. In seasons past, they asked me to come into the game and score the basketball, now I’m becoming a leader. I’m becoming one of the guys they listen to. Then one of those guys on the defensive end and both the offensive end. Trying to get things going. So my role is increasing by just becoming a better teammate.”

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T-Mobile Halftime Report

Announcers: Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber

Barkley on Tweeting:  ”I don’t tweet. I got a life.”

Smith: “Ok, whatever.  (I like to) stay connected.”

Barkley: “A bunch of damn losers tweeting. You know what, apparently the concept of tweeting is that people are following you around in your everyday life.

Smith: “So basically we will have a bunch of stalkers. I want a million stalkers.”

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Reggie Miller on who should win the Most Improved Player Award: “I don’t know if they have already given out (the Most Improved Player) but in my opinion (it should be Indiana Pacers forward) Danny Granger, and I know some guys think (New Jersey Nets guard) Devin Harris, how about Thaddeus Young? (Young) averaged eight points last year, up to 15 points (per game) this year. You see what happens when he was out of the line-up, where (the 76ers) went.”

Reggie Miller on Celtics guard Ray Allen being suspended for elbowing Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao: “Ray Allen, who was sent home by Doc Rivers and suspended by the league by Stu Jackson for that inadvertent elbow to Anderson Varejao, of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I mean that’s ridiculous, how can he get suspended for that? It was inadvertent, I mean, he gets thrown to the ground by Anderson Varejao, he gets up, it just so happened to be in the line of sight of Anderson Varejao.  You gotta’ look at the character of the man. If that would have been me back in the day, yes I can see that. Ron Artest, maybe. Rasheed Wallace, okay. But Ray Allen, are you kidding me? Stu Jackson, you have better things to do, look at the tape a little bit harder.”

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Game #2:  Utah Jazz (112) @ Los Angeles Lakers (125)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins; with Craig Sager reporting

Collins on the defense of the Jazz and the Lakers: “Both of these teams are very good at forcing turnovers.  Both of these teams thrive on getting in the open court and running fast breaks.

Collins on the Jazz’s struggles on the road: “When you are playing on the road and having some struggles, the one thing you have to do is compete.  I think that is what Jerry Sloan has been most upset with, he doesn’t feel like his team is connected.  There’s a trust issue where guys don’t cover for one another and they get beat on the road.  They can make up for that at home but it’s really cost them (on the road).”

Collins on the Jazz lacking team toughness: “If you’re going to win in the playoffs, you have to be able to defend and stop people.  (The Jazz) have not done that this season and they have not shown the toughness that a normal Jerry Sloan team has.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Lakers center Andrew Bynum after the first half

Bynum on being back in the Lakers lineup: “It feels great (to be back).  I’m back in the action with my teammates.  We’re having a lot of fun on and off the court.  When I get on the court, I’m just trying to get deep positioning, turn around and put the ball in the basket.”

Bynum on how far along he is in his recovery: “I’m probably about 90 percent (back).  I still have to get my timing back.  I’m still missing some easy (shots) around the net.  Defensively, I’m getting in the wrong spot a few times and I just need to get my timing back.”

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T-Mobile Halftime Report

Announcers: Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber

Barkley on the Lakers not wanting to face the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs: “(Lakers/Jazz) would be a hard (series).  Utah has a lot of depth, but they are a little soft.  They don’t have their coach’s personality.  But they are a dangerous team for anyone to play.  The Lakers don’t want to start off the playoffs (against the Jazz).  They are in for a two month run (in the playoffs) and they don’t want to get worn down right away.  They’d rather play a softer team.”

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Collins on the lower seeds in the Western Conference: “You can never count out the Spurs.  The Hornets have a great one-two punch with Chris Paul and David West.  Can the Mavericks erase three years of playoff heartaches?  The Jazz have had an injury-riddled season and have struggled on the road.  It’ll be very interesting to see how the Western Conference playoffs shape up.”

Collins on Jazz forward Carlos Boozer needing to have a great playoffs: “Carlos (Boozer) got those great Jazz fans in Salt Lake City upset when he was injured and said he was going to opt out of his contract.  He’s still trying to get into some good graces and the best way to do that is play great in the playoffs.  He’s going to be a guy that is going to be coveted on the open market.”

Collins on the relationship between Lakers head coach Phil Jackson and guard Kobe Bryant: “(Jackson and Bryant) have a relationship where Phil can say something (critical) to Kobe, everyone on the team is going to listen.  I’ve always felt when you can coach your best player and be critical, then everyone takes the criticism on themselves.”

Collins with his NBA season awards:

MVP: “Well I’m going with LeBron James, he’s been sensational and the Cavs have the best record.”
Rookie of the Year: “How about Derrick Rose for Rookie of the Year, the Chicago Bulls finished the season so well.”

Sixth Man of the Year: “Jason Terry, great off the bench.”
Defensive Player of the Year: “How about Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, leading the NBA in shot blocks and rebounding.”

Most Improved Player of the Year: “My Most Improved Player of the Year is David Lee, who leads the NBA in double doubles at 64.”
Coach of the Year: “And my Coach of the Year, Nate McMillan who I think has done a terrific job with that Portland Trail Blazer team.”

Collins on which team could give the Lakers the most trouble in the Western Conference playoffs: “I like the Rockets because I like Ron Artest and Shane Battier who have a defensive mentality to go against Kobe.  They (also) have Yao Ming and Luis Scola, guys who are playing really well.  I am worried about their young point guard situation.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interview Lakers guard Kobe Bryant after the game.

Bryant on the impact of the return of center Andrew Bynum: “Well the thing that it does is slides Pau (Gasol) down to a more natural position and we can create a lot of matchup problems that way. It makes our team much deeper and with Lamar (Odom) coming off the bench, and obviously defensively it provides a spark for us because he is a natural shot blocker.”

Bryant on the Lakers not achieving the goal of having the best record in the NBA: “It doesn’t really matter to us, really. We had a goal to say that we had the best record, just to say we had the best record. We feel more than comfortable to play anywhere to be honest with you, so if we are fortunate enough to be in that situation we will look forward to it.”

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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Announcers: Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber

Barkley on the Lakers future if they do not win the NBA Championship this year: “If the Lakers do not win a championship this year…I don’t think they will ever win it.  If LeBron James leads the Cavaliers to the championship he will become the best player in the NBA.  Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA, and he has the best team in my opinion. If (the Lakers) don’t win a championship this year, I don’t think they are going to win it.”

Smith on the Lakers having an excellent shot to win an NBA Championship: “You can pencil it in - no I’m sorry, you can use a Sharpie marker and put Western Conference Champions four out of the next five years for the Los Angeles Lakers because they are that good. And if they get the four out of five (Conference Finals), then they will win a championship.”

Webber on the Utah Jazz not being able to finish: “(The Jazz) are not finishers. (Carlos) Boozer isn’t the same, he hasn’t been able to get his rhythm all year. They really don’t have finishers inside besides (Paul) Millsap, who we think might be one of the best inside players. That’s why they should have won one or two more games during the season because the playoffs for them are over because of this one game tonight. And Denver needs this second spot.  If Utah would have won I would have said Utah has a good shot to beat Denver.”

Smith on the Pistons facing the Cavaliers in first round of the Playoffs: “I think it’s the worst match up for (the Pistons). First of all, (the Cavs) are the best team in the East. Secondly, because they have that championship swagger I think it’s a detriment to them. They know that they are not a championship team, so these guys are accustomed to playing for it all. That is a deterrent rather than an encouragement because they don’t want to play for something when they know they don’t have a chance to win it all.”

Barkley on his prediction that the Cavs will sweep in the Pistons in the first round: “I’m going to go out on a limb. The Cavaliers are going to sweep the Pistons. The Pistons have packed it in, they’ve got one foot in the airport.”

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