Game 1 Post-Game Quotes
April 20, 2002 – Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
2002 NBA Playoffs
Game 1, Round 1
Orlando Head Coach Doc Rivers:
“Obviously a very tough loss for our team. When Tracy goes out and Charlotte gets 20 offensive rebounds, you’re kind of wondering why we were in this game in the first place. Unfortunately we missed some assignments down the stretch as well as some free throws, and they hung in there and made their shots. I liked the tempo of the game. We ran when we could, but it’s tough to run when you get outrebounded like we did tonight. On the last play, Baron made one hell of a play. Tracy had George beaten and looked like he had a clear path to the basket. I figured we could get either a layup or an open jumper, but Baron came out of nowhere and made one hell of an athletic play. There was definitely playoff atmosphere on the floor. It was very physical, especially Charlotte. We have to be more physical. I thought the crowd was great. You have to give the Charlotte crowd some credit. They were into the game and were cheering hard for their team. I think they should support the team because it’s a hell of a team they have. I think Tracy will be fine and will play on Tuesday, I’m just not sure how well. You could see that his back was hurting tonight. Towards the end of the game, he just didn’t have the ability to drive except for that last play.”
Forward Tracy McGrady:
“We definitely have a lot of confidence right now. We played well the whole game, but we had some breakdowns. Baron came out of nowhere and took the ball away. It was a great defensive play. There best guy on their team made the play of the game. He really snuck in there and got the ball away. My back tightened up in the third quarter on a turnaround shot with David Wesley guarding me. I felt the pain and really didn’t think I would play anymore. I felt good in the beginning of the game, but it tightened up on me at times. I am not going to practice the next couple of days. I was concentrating more on my pain then on the ballgame at times. George Lynch is known for his physical defense and we just have to execute our offense and not worry about what they are doing defensively.”
Guard Darrell Armstrong:
“This is a game we should have had. We played our hearts out, but it was wasted energy. Charlotte is a big team and rebounds well and that makes them tough to play. Somehow, someway we have to all get in for rebounds. The guards have to help the big guys out. I don’t think we got complacent with our lead, but you have to expect the home team to make a run. You just have to able to withstand that. We missed some free throws down the stretch and had some breakdowns on the defensive boards. They came up with a big steal, but we still had a chance to win this game with six seconds left. We know they stole one from us tonight. Baron is the type of player I am. He plays off of his energy and he hit some big shots and carried his team tonight. We are two guys going at it, giving it our all and that makes it fun.”
2002 NBA Playoffs
Game 1, Round 1
Orlando Head Coach Doc Rivers:
“Obviously a very tough loss for our team. When Tracy goes out and Charlotte gets 20 offensive rebounds, you’re kind of wondering why we were in this game in the first place. Unfortunately we missed some assignments down the stretch as well as some free throws, and they hung in there and made their shots. I liked the tempo of the game. We ran when we could, but it’s tough to run when you get outrebounded like we did tonight. On the last play, Baron made one hell of a play. Tracy had George beaten and looked like he had a clear path to the basket. I figured we could get either a layup or an open jumper, but Baron came out of nowhere and made one hell of an athletic play. There was definitely playoff atmosphere on the floor. It was very physical, especially Charlotte. We have to be more physical. I thought the crowd was great. You have to give the Charlotte crowd some credit. They were into the game and were cheering hard for their team. I think they should support the team because it’s a hell of a team they have. I think Tracy will be fine and will play on Tuesday, I’m just not sure how well. You could see that his back was hurting tonight. Towards the end of the game, he just didn’t have the ability to drive except for that last play.”
Forward Tracy McGrady:
“We definitely have a lot of confidence right now. We played well the whole game, but we had some breakdowns. Baron came out of nowhere and took the ball away. It was a great defensive play. There best guy on their team made the play of the game. He really snuck in there and got the ball away. My back tightened up in the third quarter on a turnaround shot with David Wesley guarding me. I felt the pain and really didn’t think I would play anymore. I felt good in the beginning of the game, but it tightened up on me at times. I am not going to practice the next couple of days. I was concentrating more on my pain then on the ballgame at times. George Lynch is known for his physical defense and we just have to execute our offense and not worry about what they are doing defensively.”
Guard Darrell Armstrong:
“This is a game we should have had. We played our hearts out, but it was wasted energy. Charlotte is a big team and rebounds well and that makes them tough to play. Somehow, someway we have to all get in for rebounds. The guards have to help the big guys out. I don’t think we got complacent with our lead, but you have to expect the home team to make a run. You just have to able to withstand that. We missed some free throws down the stretch and had some breakdowns on the defensive boards. They came up with a big steal, but we still had a chance to win this game with six seconds left. We know they stole one from us tonight. Baron is the type of player I am. He plays off of his energy and he hit some big shots and carried his team tonight. We are two guys going at it, giving it our all and that makes it fun.”
