NBA TV to Premiere Open Court: Legacies on Tuesday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET -

NBA TV will premiere a new episode of the critically-acclaimed Open Court, a roundtable discussion featuring a full cast of NBA TV and TNT commentators, on Tuesday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET. Open Court: Legacies will feature candid discussions on a variety of legacies in the game including the impact of NBA Commissioner David Stern and players both past (Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal) and present (Miami's LeBron James).

Sports Emmy Award-winning studio host Ernie Johnson moderates the panel with Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller, five-time NBA Champion Steve Kerr, four-time NBA Champion Shaquille O'Neal, five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber, two-time NBA Champion Brent Barry and NBA Champion Steve Smith.

Quotes from Open Court: Legacies

O'Neal on LeBron James' legacy: Unfortunately, he is always going to be compared to Kobe [Bryant] and Michael [Jordan]. Mike has six [championships], Kobe has five. I think we, the critics, keep saying you don't have as many rings. That is going to fuel him even more.

Smith on whether we've seen the best of LeBron James: I don't think we've seen the best of LeBron James because of the competition he's playing against. I think in this era, he's not getting challenged enough.

Barkley on the legacies of Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal: There's only been three guys who are/were more physically gifted than everyone at their position: Michael [Jordan], LeBron [James] and Shaquille [O'Neal]. The first time I met Shaquille, I thought, [He's] going to be better than everybody [he] plays against every night.' There are tons of great players, but [those] are the only three guys I've seen that, every time they step on the court, they are always better.

Kerr on NBA Commissioner David Stern: When you think of the best coaches in sports, whether it's Gregg Popovich or Phil Jackson, it's these guys with incredible presence. There is even a little fear factor from the people who are working for them. I always looked at (Commissioner) Stern in that regard. He always had this amazing presence, and it was necessary. You had a league that was struggling and unbelievable young stars coming into the game with Magic [Johnson] and Larry [Bird], and later Michael [Jordan] and Charles [Barkley]. Somebody had to put all of this together. Somebody had to make some hard and unpopular decisions. I always thought he was working for the owners, but when you sit back and look at it as a former player thank God for David Stern. He created this machine that allowed all of us to flourish in our careers, not only playing but post-playing days, too.

Barry on how President Obama in office has impacted the NBA: I remember how much players embraced the fact that President Obama had won the election. They were all writing things on their shoes, they were wearing special edition this and that. But what really was happening was there was a seed planted for a whole other generation, mostly young African-American kids, about being politically active. [It was] about having a chance for your voice to be heard. Now these kids are going to see the impact President Obama made on them, [and] it's going to carry on for generations in their family. It's ok to use your voice. I think that's where the legacy comes in.

Webber on what he purchased with his first NBA paycheck: I told my Father [that] Magic [Johnson] was coming to the house. He woke up, cut the grass and everything. [My Father] worked for Cadillac for 30 years and could never buy a Cadillac so I bought him one. [But] he still wanted to know where Magic was.

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR. Follow NBA TV on Twitter at @NBATV.

- 30 -

Media Contacts:

Eric Welch, Turner Sports 404-827-5417 eric.welch@turner.com

Mike Wade, NBA 212-407-8690 mwade@nba.com

LINK:	http://news.turner.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=6413...
	See more stories from turner

Most recent headlines