http://www.nba.com/preview2004/tnt_moves_041021.html
Let the Truth Be Told: Underrated Offseason Moves
If you want the truth about this upcoming NBA season, who better to "Let the Truth Be Told" than the esteemed analysts at TNT? We caught up with studio host Ernie Johnson, analysts Kenny Smith, Steve Kerr and Barkley and TNT's No. 1 play-by-play man, Marv Albert to get the skinny on 2004-05. From Shaq to 'Sheed, from LeBron to the unsung offseason acquisition, there isn't a topic from which the TNT guys shied away.
What was the most underrated offseason player acquisition?
Marv Albert, TNT play-by-play
"Brent Barry in San Antonio. I think Brent Barry was an excellent pickup because their problem was outside shooting. Last year, they missed our man Steve, but that would be the one.
"Stephen Jackson going to Indiana isn't bad either. The way he helped San Antonio that one year, you need a little of that schoolyard sometimes. Gregg Popovich was upset sometimes because he was out of control, but [the Spurs] had such a regimented team I think they were sorry they missed him when he left for Atlanta last year.
"That's a good move for Indiana, but I'd still give it to San Antonio with Brent Barry."
Charles Barkley, Inside the NBA analyst
"Ain't no moves under the radar, buddy. I'll tell you what: If Sacramento will trade Peja Stojakovic for Ron Artest, they could win the West. They need that defensive element. They need that. They don't need the offense. I would do that trade yesterday. That's a great trade for Sacramento. I don't know what they're holding up."
Ernie Johnson, Inside the NBA host
"Brent Barry is the one that was key. I think him going to San Antonio was huge. It's the perfect under-the-radar type of a deal.
"He doesn't grab your attention, but he fills such a great role there. He's been very effective as a 3-point shooter, but his teams haven't done much. I think you put him in with that blend in San Antonio, they're a great threat to go with what they already have."
Steve Kerr, TNT game analyst
"I think Stephen Jackson going to Indiana was really, really big because the Pacers -- a lot of people forget they had the best record in the NBA a year ago before losing to Detroit in six.
"They felt their weakness was perimeter scoring and athleticism at that two spot. Reggie is still a hell of a player, but he's not the guy he was five or six years ago. I played with Stephen Jackson a couple of years ago in San Antonio and he has the ability to hit big shots and make big plays. I think that may have been the move that could get Indiana over the hump this season."
Kenny Smith, Inside the NBA analyst
"There have been so many moves. I think San Antonio not making that many moves [is a good move]. Minnesota not making moves. These teams know what they're doing. Stability brings success in the NBA.
"No matter how many moves you make, it'll take three or four years to make it happen. Everyone says Detroit with Rasheed Wallace halfway through the season but that team was built three years ago. It was built over three or four years and all it took was that one small piece. Teams that made a lot of moves this year weren't missing one piece, they're still missing a lot of pieces."
Let the Truth Be Told: Underrated Offseason Moves
If you want the truth about this upcoming NBA season, who better to "Let the Truth Be Told" than the esteemed analysts at TNT? We caught up with studio host Ernie Johnson, analysts Kenny Smith, Steve Kerr and Barkley and TNT's No. 1 play-by-play man, Marv Albert to get the skinny on 2004-05. From Shaq to 'Sheed, from LeBron to the unsung offseason acquisition, there isn't a topic from which the TNT guys shied away.
What was the most underrated offseason player acquisition?
Marv Albert, TNT play-by-play
"Brent Barry in San Antonio. I think Brent Barry was an excellent pickup because their problem was outside shooting. Last year, they missed our man Steve, but that would be the one.
"Stephen Jackson going to Indiana isn't bad either. The way he helped San Antonio that one year, you need a little of that schoolyard sometimes. Gregg Popovich was upset sometimes because he was out of control, but [the Spurs] had such a regimented team I think they were sorry they missed him when he left for Atlanta last year.
"That's a good move for Indiana, but I'd still give it to San Antonio with Brent Barry."
Charles Barkley, Inside the NBA analyst
"Ain't no moves under the radar, buddy. I'll tell you what: If Sacramento will trade Peja Stojakovic for Ron Artest, they could win the West. They need that defensive element. They need that. They don't need the offense. I would do that trade yesterday. That's a great trade for Sacramento. I don't know what they're holding up."
Ernie Johnson, Inside the NBA host
"Brent Barry is the one that was key. I think him going to San Antonio was huge. It's the perfect under-the-radar type of a deal.
"He doesn't grab your attention, but he fills such a great role there. He's been very effective as a 3-point shooter, but his teams haven't done much. I think you put him in with that blend in San Antonio, they're a great threat to go with what they already have."
Steve Kerr, TNT game analyst
"I think Stephen Jackson going to Indiana was really, really big because the Pacers -- a lot of people forget they had the best record in the NBA a year ago before losing to Detroit in six.
"They felt their weakness was perimeter scoring and athleticism at that two spot. Reggie is still a hell of a player, but he's not the guy he was five or six years ago. I played with Stephen Jackson a couple of years ago in San Antonio and he has the ability to hit big shots and make big plays. I think that may have been the move that could get Indiana over the hump this season."
Kenny Smith, Inside the NBA analyst
"There have been so many moves. I think San Antonio not making that many moves [is a good move]. Minnesota not making moves. These teams know what they're doing. Stability brings success in the NBA.
"No matter how many moves you make, it'll take three or four years to make it happen. Everyone says Detroit with Rasheed Wallace halfway through the season but that team was built three years ago. It was built over three or four years and all it took was that one small piece. Teams that made a lot of moves this year weren't missing one piece, they're still missing a lot of pieces."
