Two Miscellaneous Press Releases

Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, December 1, 2009

New Orleans Hornets (99) @ Los Angeles Lakers (110)

Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Fans can select between the following games:

Denver Nuggets @ Charlotte Bobcats

Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors

Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Hornets

Orlando Magic @ L.A. Clippers

CLIP OF THE DAY

NBA TV’s Chris Webber asks Hollywood movie producer Joel Silver which NBA player could be an action hero

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Pre-Game Show

Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber

Webber on Hornets rookie guard Darren Collison: “He surprised me just as a 55 did from a Brandon Jennings. I know we are talking about two different extremes, but believe me he did not expect to play more than 20 minutes, because Chris Paul doesn’t go out more than 20 minutes.”

Webber on Hornets All-Star forward David West: “This is really when he needs to step up. We put the onus on Chris Paul and say he has to be Mighty Mouse each night, well he (West) has to be his Robin, Batman and Robin. He has to prove why he has that C on his chest for Captain.”

McHale on the LA Lakers adding All-Star Pau Gasol: “You took a team that was playing well and you added Pau Gasol, one of the most skilled big men in the game. I’m really looking forward to watching Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum develop a chemistry together.”

Webber on Gasol and Bynum: “I agree, this is the best big man tandem, maybe beside Kevin Garnett and Sheed (Rasheed Wallace) in Boston.”

Webber on former Sixers teammate Allen Iverson: “In my opinion he is the best small player to ever put on a pair of shoes in this game. He should retire a Sixer. AI will have some nights where they will say ‘oh my God, AI just had 50? I thought he was done.’ He will give them something to watch.”

McHale on Kiki Vandeweghe replacing Lawrence Frank as Nets head coach midseason: “I’ve done it twice where I’ve had to replace someone in the middle of the season. You can’t do everything in one night…You just have to come in and make some subtle changes. Mostly you have to encourage the guys. You have to change the locker room atmosphere where they feel they have a chance to win, because right now that’s a beaten team.”

LA Lakers season ticket holder and famed Hollywood movie producer Joel Silver joined the crew via Arena Link

Silver on what NBA players might be able to make the transition to action movie stars: “Watching the team here I watch Ron Artest and we kind of call him “Ronbo” here from the sidelines. We could actually do maybe a horror movie with him, he’s pretty scary. I’ve seen Dwight Howard, he looks like a Marvel Comics hero, though except when Michael Jordan did Space Jam I don’t think these basketball players have done that well in the movie business, but you never know.”

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Halftime Report

Johnson, McHale and Webber

Webber on Lakers center Andrew Bynum: “One thing I’m impressed with, and I watched you play and I don’t mean to keep brining you up but you were one of the best post players to ever do it, is you didn’t panic or rush it and he’s learned that trick as far as keeping it (the ball) up and not panicking or rushing it. They’ve really worked with him and we have to give Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) props because most big guys don’t do that.”

McHale on Suns guard Steve Nash: “That pull back jump shot, he’s still making that. When’s he making that he’s hard to guard.”

Webber on Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari: “He shoots threes from anywhere on the floor, one foot, two foot, this guy can really
shoot, really throw.”

Webber on a between his legs dribble reverse layup by Celtics center Kendrick Perkins: “I don’t know where he pulled that one from, Kevin…”

Johnson: “I have an idea but I don’t think we can say it on NBA TV.”

McHale: “Out of his hat?”

Webber on Wizards forward Antawn Jamison: “He has some ugly shots but he is one of the best scorers in this league.”

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NBA GameTime

Johnson, McHale and Webber

LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant joined the crew via Arena Link

Bryant on the Lakers performance: “We are doing okay; we are still missing a lot of assignments. Tonight it felt like we didn’t come out with the proper focus and gave too many easy opportunities to them. We kept them on the perimeter but still there were uncontested jumpers and that is something we can’t settle for.”

Bryant on leading the Lakers defensively: “It is important, you can’t build bad habits. You have to continue to put the pressure on, continue to play, continue to put forth the effort and try to work on your skills instead of being out there lollygagging.”

Bryant on his individual performance: “I’m more of the compass, making sure we are going in the right direction all the time. We just have to continue to push forward, this train has got to keep moving and that is my responsibility to make sure guys are on the same page and have the right mental attitude. Individually, I feel like my game is right where I need it to be but that is not what is going to get it done for us. I have to make sure everyone is going in the right direction and then I can do me when the situation presents itself.”

Bryant on playing on the road: “It is tough to play that many home games in a row because it is tough to get that energy up every single night; we did a pretty good job of it. We are looking forward to getting out on the road where everyone is booing you and pulling against you. It should be exciting.”

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Webber on Trailblazers guard Brandon Roy needing to be true to himself as a basketball player: “I think Kobe and others have talked about it and how it starts in practice. We know that Roy is a great scorer and a great person. I think he just needs to realize, the way to be you is to be you. Lead by example and others will follow. Roy needs to say ‘I’m going to do everything that I can do.’ Don’t try to put points or pressure on other players.

McHale on Roy: “You have to play your game and be who you are. Brandon Roy has got to play like Brandon Roy. As a professional basketball player you can only take care of yourself, you have to handle your business. He has to go out there and play his game.”