Post-Game Quotes, 4/23
April 23, 2002 – Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
2002 NBA Playoffs
Game 2, Round 1
Orlando Head Coach Doc Rivers:
“It was a hell of a game. I thought we came out we great spirit in the first half, and weathered the storm in the second. Our rebounding was big tonight and the fact that we were able to launch sixteen three-pointers in the game was also big. We played the game at our pace, we had the floor spaced well, and we had running opportunities tonight. We lost or momentum in the third, but in the fourth quarter I actually felt good. The guys were confident heading into the ot, and I felt Garrity’s opening three-pointer was a huge shot.
“I told Troy to be more aggressive tonight. I thought him coming into the first quarter and hitting his first few shots really changed things. He allowed Garrity to get off his shots. He was real big for us tonight.”
“It’s nice to have home court be we need to do something about it. We know Charlotte had one of the better road records in the league, and beat us twice in our own place.”
Orlando Players:
Guard Tracy McGrady
“We just went out and played our game tonight. We kept our composure when they made their runs. We knew we had to take care of rebounding tonight, and we did at better job at that and executing our offense. Everybody chipped in on the boards. Our big guys can’t hold them off and get the boards at the same time so we need everybody going after the ball. I think everything is in our favor now. Hopefully, we can close it out and move on. We feel real good about ourselves right now. Our guys knock down big shots and that’s key for this club. Troy and Darrell penetrated, Pat knocked down big shots, and that really carried over to the defensive end.”
Forward Pat Garrity
“I had much better looks tonight. We have confidence going into our building but Charlotte is a good road team and they will have Mash back. They came out on a tear in the third quarter and their crowd was loud and crazy and really pumped a lot of energy into them. Fortunately we were able to withstand it. I was feeling good all night. It was a big plus for us to get a good start in overtime.”
Guard Troy Hudson
“I think I was just looking for my shot more. I know that T-Mac needed some help in the scoring column. My teammates and coaching staff told me to be more aggressive. It definitely builds my confidence. My teammates set some great screens for me. After game one I was still focused. I didn’t lose my confidence.
Hornets Head Coach Paul Silas:
“Anytime you have to fight so hard to get back in a game, it’s tough to overcome. I commend the guys for making a heck of a run. The only change I made was putting George on McGrady. He was able to get to McGrady. They missed some shots, and we started making them. Elden played real well in the second half. He got in a good rhythm. We fought really hard, but they made big plays when they needed them. You look at teams that are playing without their star like Toronto without Vince and San Antonio without Robinson, and it’s tough to win games. You can’t miss key guys, and expect to win at this time of year.
I felt like the first half was an indication of what we are without Mash. We picked it up in the second, and gave ourselves a chance to win. Baron was hurt tonight, and couldn’t explode to the hoop and didn’t shoot very well.”
Hornets Players:
Center Elden Campbell:
“We got back into it, but just came up short in overtime. We couldn’t convert on our opportunities and they did. We can’t let them get out to those big runs. We can’t let them have those 30 pt quarters. We got to win, plain and simple.”
Forward P.J. Brown:
“We have to take one game at a time. We didn’t make enough plays. We always seemed to get to 1 point or tied up, then didn’t get a rebound or a loose ball. The ball just seemed to bounce their way.”
Guard David Wesley:
“We just came up short. Seemed like we just didn’t have it. We got to go down there and try to get one in Orlando. We have to find a way to slow Tracey down. We are capable of beating down there. We have done it before.”
2002 NBA Playoffs
Game 2, Round 1
Orlando Head Coach Doc Rivers:
“It was a hell of a game. I thought we came out we great spirit in the first half, and weathered the storm in the second. Our rebounding was big tonight and the fact that we were able to launch sixteen three-pointers in the game was also big. We played the game at our pace, we had the floor spaced well, and we had running opportunities tonight. We lost or momentum in the third, but in the fourth quarter I actually felt good. The guys were confident heading into the ot, and I felt Garrity’s opening three-pointer was a huge shot.
“I told Troy to be more aggressive tonight. I thought him coming into the first quarter and hitting his first few shots really changed things. He allowed Garrity to get off his shots. He was real big for us tonight.”
“It’s nice to have home court be we need to do something about it. We know Charlotte had one of the better road records in the league, and beat us twice in our own place.”
Orlando Players:
Guard Tracy McGrady
“We just went out and played our game tonight. We kept our composure when they made their runs. We knew we had to take care of rebounding tonight, and we did at better job at that and executing our offense. Everybody chipped in on the boards. Our big guys can’t hold them off and get the boards at the same time so we need everybody going after the ball. I think everything is in our favor now. Hopefully, we can close it out and move on. We feel real good about ourselves right now. Our guys knock down big shots and that’s key for this club. Troy and Darrell penetrated, Pat knocked down big shots, and that really carried over to the defensive end.”
Forward Pat Garrity
“I had much better looks tonight. We have confidence going into our building but Charlotte is a good road team and they will have Mash back. They came out on a tear in the third quarter and their crowd was loud and crazy and really pumped a lot of energy into them. Fortunately we were able to withstand it. I was feeling good all night. It was a big plus for us to get a good start in overtime.”
Guard Troy Hudson
“I think I was just looking for my shot more. I know that T-Mac needed some help in the scoring column. My teammates and coaching staff told me to be more aggressive. It definitely builds my confidence. My teammates set some great screens for me. After game one I was still focused. I didn’t lose my confidence.
Hornets Head Coach Paul Silas:
“Anytime you have to fight so hard to get back in a game, it’s tough to overcome. I commend the guys for making a heck of a run. The only change I made was putting George on McGrady. He was able to get to McGrady. They missed some shots, and we started making them. Elden played real well in the second half. He got in a good rhythm. We fought really hard, but they made big plays when they needed them. You look at teams that are playing without their star like Toronto without Vince and San Antonio without Robinson, and it’s tough to win games. You can’t miss key guys, and expect to win at this time of year.
I felt like the first half was an indication of what we are without Mash. We picked it up in the second, and gave ourselves a chance to win. Baron was hurt tonight, and couldn’t explode to the hoop and didn’t shoot very well.”
Hornets Players:
Center Elden Campbell:
“We got back into it, but just came up short in overtime. We couldn’t convert on our opportunities and they did. We can’t let them get out to those big runs. We can’t let them have those 30 pt quarters. We got to win, plain and simple.”
Forward P.J. Brown:
“We have to take one game at a time. We didn’t make enough plays. We always seemed to get to 1 point or tied up, then didn’t get a rebound or a loose ball. The ball just seemed to bounce their way.”
Guard David Wesley:
“We just came up short. Seemed like we just didn’t have it. We got to go down there and try to get one in Orlando. We have to find a way to slow Tracey down. We are capable of beating down there. We have done it before.”
