Posted: Dec 29 2008 11:53PM
Terry Porter | 
Shaq | 
Jason Richardson | 
Scott Brooks |
Jeff Green | 
Kevin Durant |
Click on a player to read quotes
| Suns Head Coach Terry Porter
“We knew they were going to come out with a lot of energy. We kind of got behind the eight ball by turning the ball over and letting them get into the open court. Oklahoma City came out and made a lot of good shots and our guys did a good job of grinding it out. Steve (Nash) went out, so we had a lot of guys step up. Shaq (O’Neal) was big for us tonight and really controlled the game tonight. Our main go-to guy, Amar’e (Stoudemire) got in foul trouble, so we had a tough time getting in rhythm. We had a lot of guys step up. Jason Richardson stepped up big for us through a stretch where we really needed him to carry us offensively. We also got good contributions from our bench tonight.”
On the Thunder’s run to begin the game:
“I think early on, youth wins over. Our guys were missing shots and they were making shots. We got ourselves in trouble by taking quick shots and not getting back right away. (Russell) Westbrook, that kid has impressed me ever since our preseason game. I really like him. I think he plays the right way and plays hard and has toughness about him.”
On his impressions of Oklahoma City’s team:
“I think the most important thing is that it is a young nucleus. Like anything, they are going to keep them together and add some people to help them out. (Jeff) Green is solid, (Kevin) Durant is solid, (Russell) Westbrook is solid. They have a lot of pieces that can help them. Like other young teams in this league, it is going to be a tough process as far as a learning curve and taking their lumps.”
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| Shaq
“I have been telling my teammates all year, if they get the ball to me and let me do what I do then I can still put up those numbers. I guess because I am 35 they think that I am too old to do it. Guys were looking for me and I was taking the high percentage shots and try to keep my shooters involved.”
On the Sun playing inside-out offensively:
“I think that is how this team should play, especially the way I am shooting free-throws. It should be an inside-outside game. I have been in the league 15 years and been to the finals six times and that is how you get there. Once we do that and develop consistency and stop turning the ball over, we will be alright.”
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| Jason Richardson
On scoring 20 points:
“I had to be a little bit more aggressive. With (Steve) Nash out and Amar’e (Stoudemire) in foul trouble everyone had to step up.”
On the Thunder’s run to begin the game:
They definitely were up for this game, as were the fans. They came out ready to play. We kept our composure and kept doing what we do best and kept getting Shaq the ball. We made some shots and had a good game.”
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| Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks
“We gave ourselves a chance going into the fourth quarter, but we didn’t do a good job of taking care of the basketball. It is something that we will continue to talk about and work on. Not getting a shot every time down the floor, big turnovers in the fourth quarter and offensive rebounds, it wasn’t good enough. They’re a good basketball team. We can’t give them easy opportunities. Turnovers gave them easy lay-ups. Live-ball turnovers are tough to overcome in the fourth quarter.”
On Jeff Green’s performance:
“Jeff competed. He did a good job staying within the game. He made Amar’e [Stoudemire] touches tough, he had to fight for position and he had to fight for the ball. That’s what we want out of all our players. We want them to be able to contest shots and throw them off their sweet spot. I thought Jeff did a good job of doing that tonight.”
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| Jeff Green
“Phoenix had a stretch in the third quarter where they made their run. We couldn’t match it. We made some mistakes in the fourth quarter that cost us from getting back in the game. Steve Nash went out early in the game, but their bench stepped up tonight. That’s what it’s all about. We just have to learn from this and regroup and get back at it tomorrow.” |
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| Kevin Durant
“Overall tonight I didn’t play very well at all. I missed some shots I should’ve made. I missed some rebounds I should’ve had. It was just a tough all-around performance for me tonight.” |
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