Game 5 Postgame Quotes
On the game:
"This is a great win for this organization. For this team to persevere like we did tonight is remarkable. I think you have to give both teams a lot of credit. It is a shame that one of the teams has to go home. I think Indiana is very deserving. It is an excellent basketball team, but you know, stars shine bright when the game is on the line. I think Reggie Miller, Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin came up extremely big."
On the character of the team:
"Like I said, we have been very resilient all season long. We are one of those teams who continueto tight back. For whatever reason, we find a way to pull it out when everything looks like it is lost. That says a lot about our character "
On Reggie Miller :
"He is one of the greatest players I have seen in the playoffs. I have a lot of respect for Reggie Miller and a lot of love for him. I love him as a brother. I have been with him in some wars and obviously against him in some wars. He is a class act. He is one of those guys with the biggest heart you will ever see on the court and off the court. You have to take your hat off to him, he just keeps coming at you."
KENYON MARTIN
On being relieved:
"Yeah, it's over. So, I am happy. It was great for us. It was a great win. We stuck it out and it showed how bad we wanted it."
On Miller's Three:
"We were a bit down when we started overtime, but the guys just got back together and we just went from there. That's what he's done his whole career, make big shots. My hat goes out to him. He stepped up when he had to."
RICHARD JEFFERSON
On if he learned something:
"Yeah, we were one of the youngest teams in the NBA. We are definitely the youngest team in the playoffs right now, so we learned a lot. We toughed through some emotions. We came out with a victory. When it is all said and done, people expect us to be here."
LUCIOUS HARRIS
On the slow start:
"We had a few turnovers in the first half and that is how they capitalized, on fast break points. So, I am glad we protected the ball in the second half."
On Keith's play:
"He just showed great character. This was the last game, so everybody put themself on the line. You either win or you go home."
On Jason Kidd's play:
"I knew he wasn't going to come out. Jay is not going to come out of the game."
JASON KIDD
On the energy of the big game:
"This is do or die. You are going to give everything you have. You are going to empty the tank. I got to experience what Kerry has got to experience in this series, which is chasing one the best two-guards in this league. Reggie doesn't quit and you saw that tonight."
On feelings of the game:
"Right now I am exhausted, so I could go for a good nights sleep and then start thinking about Charlotte. We have accomplished one little milestone and that was to advance to the second round. We could have easily given up once Reggie made that shot and start thinking about what if. The guys stayed together and played their hearts out. Unfortunately in a game like this, somebody has to lose and I am just happy it wasn't us."
On the Nets being a team of destiny:
"I hope. That would be great if we have that sense of destiny. We cannot be satisfied right now, because our next opponent will be just as tough. We have to regroup. We are going to be on an emotional high tonight. Some of us will probably sleep good and some of us will not. The big thing for us is to get ready for Charlotte. That is what the playoffs are all about."
