ESPN NBA Western Conference Finals – Game 4 Highlights

BasketballNBA

ESPN NBA Western Conference Finals – Game 4 Highlights

//
Mike Breen, analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke provide commentary for the Western Conference Finals – Oklahoma City vs. Dallas – on ESPN and The Finals on ABC. The Western Conference Finals are also available via ESPN Radio, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV. Additionally, ESPN 3D will televise Game 4.

ESPN’s Western Conference Finals schedule (all telecasts at 9 p.m. ET; Kia NBA Countdown at 8 p.m.):

Wednesday, May 25 – Oklahoma City at Dallas, Game 5
Friday, May 27 – Dallas at Oklahoma City, Game 6 (if nec.)
Sunday, May 29 – Oklahoma City at Dallas, Game 7 (if nec.)

Quotes from Game 4

First quarter
Mike Breen and Mark Jackson on Peja Stojakovic’s drives to the basket:
Breen – “Going down memory lane.”  Jackson – “When did Peja Stojakovic turn into Steve Nash?”

Jeff Van Gundy on growing a James Harden beard:
“If I were Scott Brooks, I would grow a beard because I would love James harden that much. I would grow a full-fledge beard. This guy can play basketball. This guy is a legitimate starter. He needs to continue to work to get better defensively. But offensively, he has what it takes to be a top-flight two guard – shooting, passing, decision making.”

Jackson on Harden’s game:
“You can see a lot of different players in his game – Manu Ginobili, the ability to take contact, a little two step, (the ability to) get to the line.  He’s a legitimate big-time scorer in this league.  You play him a lot of minutes and he’s going to put up numbers.”

Van Gundy on Kevin Durant’s passing:
“Kevin Durant is beating them as much with the pass as the shot.  He has made three great big-time passes that the LeBron James’ make, the Tracy McGrady’s make; those type of big wing players…when you start beating people with the pass, and you can beat them with the shot, you are indefensible.”

Second quarter

Jackson on Serge Ibaka:
“If they are going to win this series, he’s got to play more minutes. His ability to knock down the midrange jumper can hurt this Mavericks team.”

Third quarter

Jackson on Dirk Nowitzki’s approach:
“What I love about Dirk Nowitzki tonight, he is playing with an absolute edge. He’s not out there trying to make friends. He’s out there with the mindset saying, ‘I’m the baddest dude on the court and (there’s) nothing you can do about it.’”

Breen on Kevin Durant:
“I love the way Scott Brooks describes Kevin Durant.  He said, ‘his approach is that of a backup player.’”

Fourth quarter 

Van Gundy on Durant’s competitive toughness:
“You don’t lead the league in scoring if you are not tough, because you’re going against the very best defenders, the very best coverages, in the NBA.”

Jackson on Oklahoma City’s best lineup:
“There’s a lot of things Kendrick Perkins does well for this Thunder team – rebounds, defense, presence in the paint – but this is their absolute best lineup (Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison).

Jackson on Russell Westbrook:
“Russell Westbrook is an outstanding basketball player.  When he learns how to play the point guard position, and it’s not his fault because he’s never played it, he’s going to be off the chart.”

Overtime

Van Gundy on the Mavs’ victory:
“For Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, and this Dallas Mavericks team, this has been the biggest win since this team has been together…a total team effort.”

-30-

Back to top button